Tuesday 20th August

I attended a meeting and got home just before Bugs and Cookie arrived at mine.  I chatted and they decided to head off and let the others catch them as they trundled up Rapaki.  It seems this did not happen.  As they went around the roadworks by the church they met up with Phatboy, Nelly and Mellonfarmer.  The latter 2 were on street bikes and had ridden from Sandals where they had parked a vehicle.  They all headed up the track, nelly zipped off ahead of everyone on his narrow tyres then Mellonfarmer and Phatboy followed by Bugs and Cookie.  Regrouped at the top before doing Vernon and the Traverse. From here they dropped down into Vic park via the jumps area, the gums and the 4wd track.  The regrouped and rode on.  At the 19th Battilion memorial  the found Tinks who had road biked up from his place.  They all then headed down the road to Sandals for our meeting.  In the meantime I had got organised and hopped on my bike.  I went by the road, climbing as hard as I could up Dyers Pass Rd.  Tried to keep up with a couple of slower roadies.  Got to Sandals, managed to sit and open the first of my beers before the big group arrived.  Silverfox and Allistair arrived to chat about the trip.  All went well with only minor transport details to sort. About 9.30 meeting over, beer all drunk time to go.  Everyone went their own way, Tinkerbell on his bike, most others in cars.  Bugs, Cookie and I on our bikes.  Fast sprint down the hill and then a solid ride into the wind the rest of the way.  Took turns cranking the pace so conversation was nil. Got home in good time but needed a cool down period.