Sunday 29th Septemebr

After months of being hassled by the Mellonfarmer it was time to do the Blowhard.  I loaded my bike onto Tinkerbells Car with Silverfox, Dozer and Sandals loaded their bikes onto Bugs car and the 6 of us drove off to the meeting point at the Palms.  We hooked up with Mellonfarmer, Phatboy and Tom.  Some chatting then we headed out by all the troads to the start of the Blowhard Track where we met Nelly.  The weather was overcast a light drizzle at times as we headed off.  The track headed off through some mud and then it headed up at a rather steep angle.  Nice warm up.  We kept climbing at an angle for a while before we had a small flat and downhill into a lake and then we started to climb again.  We climbed and climbed having regular regroups.  We then got to the point where we pushed and pushed, climbed carried and generally did not ride.  Regroups and small rides before push and shove again.  Higher we got, with no respite.  Sandals tried to leave her bike behind but Nelly went and carried it up for her. We  all looked at some of the rocky sections thinking how the hell do you come down this. Eventually Sandals left her bike and just walked up. We kept repeating the push, climb and ride theme for a few hours until finally after a section of thick mud we reached the summit for a quick break in the gloom of cloud.  No veiws to speak of.

Time to come down.  It was much easier to get through the mud.  The few uphills were tough as our legs were tired.  The down though was fun, exciting, scary, brake burning, exhilarating and way too short for the effort it took to get to the top.  The challenge to clear the rocks was taken up with  most attempting the lot.  I personally only had 1 scary moment and I dabbed a couple of times but enjoyed the challenge of getting down alive.  We had two bike problems.  Mellonfarmer blew a tyre near the top and was lucky Tom had a spare tyre while Nelly blew out his deraileur  2/3rds of the way down.  Expensive day.  We all arrived back at the cars, muddy, tired, elated and ready to go.  Those who could change did so while the rest stripped off some muddy items.  I arrived home for a shower and then had to go and load up a trailer of garden waste.  Very tired later.

Saturday 28th September

The Cook & Sandals turned up at Bugs for a bit of a sneaky training ride. Dozer arrived with some new rubber on the front of his Remendy. Headed towards Ferrymead via the track on the other side of the Heathcote river for a change. Headed up Cannon Hill as we thought it would be harder. About half way up we were over taken by about 400 Tar Babies on there Roady's bikes. Cut into Mt Pleasant Road and up we went. Couple of small regroups as we made our way to the single track at Upper Hornbrook Rd. Arrived there just in time to meet the rain and wind, quick discussion and on we went. Bugs & Dozer arriving at the Summit Rd before the other two and headed straight down to the Greenwood as it would be more sheltered for a bit to eat. Sandals & Dozer arrived in no time so down Greenwood we headed. Bugs first followed by Dozer, The Cook and Sandals. Fast run down here by some and interesting ride by others. The Cook clearing the two rocky bits at the bottom for the 1st time. Straight into Captain Thomas with us all having our good bits and not so good. Coffee and undergrounds for a change then into the head wind back to Bug's place. Good, Honest 25km ride

Tuesday 17th September

I picked up Cookie and headed up the hill to the meeting at Upper Major Hornbrook.  Mellonfarmer, Nelly, Silverfox, Tinkerbell and Bugs were ready to go and as I unloaded the bike, Phatboy arrived.  Bloody cold wind blowing so no mucking around.  I led off keeping a steady pace, (must of been ok as the speed kings did not go past) feeling good and warming up.  Straight into the pretend hairpin into the Old John Brittan track.  I hear most made it.  Along here and over the gate before climbing up Broadleaf Lane.  Steep little shit.  Regrouped at the start of the Track down to Cavendish Saddle.  The usual headed on down first then me.  I was offline all the way.  Bloody hell I was awful.  We then headed up to the Gondola.  I was much better and cleaned all the bits I do not make.  Dabbed a bit in a couple of spots.  Pleased with myself. The whole team did well heading up.  Got some sort of coughing fit caused by something in the air. Nearly puked.  Anyhow my ride down was slow while the others all had a hoot.  We headed back up the track from Cavendish at a steady clip, me still struggling a bit.  From here we went up to the top and headed down the other side.  Now I felt better and rode it also.  Most went down at a good clip, Silverfox and Cookie were a bit behinb.  Regrouped and Mellonfarmer, Nelly and Phatboy went down the Gunbarrel of Greenwood.  The rest of us headed over the top entrance and out onto the road.  From here we went down the Lower Greenwood at a good clip.  Felt good finally.

Sunday 15th September

I was not feeling good.  Sleepless night, sore guts biut decided to ride anyhow.  Went outside and hooked up with Tinkerbell and Silverfox.  We all headed around to pick up Dozer and Bugs at the footbridge over the Cut.  Some old guy pulled up and asked where we were heading.  After we told him he asked to join us.  No problem we said.  I led off around the tow path at a steady clip and in quick time we made it to St Andrews Hill.  Straight into at a very steady climb rate.  So much for taking it easy.  No stopping as the cool breeze made it good to ride with an extra layer.  Grindy grindy all the way.  Upper Major Hornbrook we climbed staright over the fence and off we went.  The old Guy Dave had taken a short cut and led for a while but we caught him so I continued to lead.  Did the hairpin turn into the old John Brittan line without stopping and continued.  At the top we peeled off and went up Broadleaf Lane.  Grace had stayed at her friends so I went and said Hello while the others had a feed.  After this we headed straight up to the top and straight down Greenwood.  Old Dave took the road down instead of the main trail cos it was smoother for his body.  We had a blast down with Dozer having one wee whoopsie.  Down Ct Thomas at pace and Dot com by.....11am.  What a ride.  Had a feed and set off into the wind.  Tinkerbell led all the way to Redcliffs when I put in a burst and took them around McCormacks at pace.  Cruised the tow path and home by 12.  Good pump.  If I had of felt better we might of done godley also.

Tuesday 10th September

Trust meeting so Bug's, Dozer & Silver Fox meet at the end of the tarsal up Worsley. Track has became very rutty with the 4wd's going up and down during the winter.  We headed up at our own pace clearing all the hard bit's except for the ones we didn't. Up the body bag which has now became unridable. Headed to The Nun and then a quick run down The Flying Nun with Bug's leading off followed by Dozer and then The Fox. Pump up the road and down the body bag careful not to get lost in the ruts. Into the forest for a run down the Bee line. The foxes first time down the new way which has changed since last time we were on it. Across the 4wd track and into the lower steep track. All good down here with Bug's clearing it all, Dozer clearing it all but one corner and The fox just having fun. Back to the cars at 7.48pm. Good ride 1 1/2 hours ride.

Sunday 8th September

Watched the Americas Cup race then jumped on my bike and hauled ass around to Phatboys where we were meeting Mellonfarmer was there and I was shortly followed by Bugs and Dozer.  The 5 of us headed up Kilmore then through Hagley and joined Tinkerbell and Silverfox at the intersection of Kilmarnock and the railway line.  We headed down the cycle path at a good steady clip to Tuckers Rd then we headed by road to Greywacke Rd and into the Omaka scout camp entrance.  Rode along a track and started planting trees for 2 hours.  Great planting weather and a great crew.  Ate some bbq sausages and hopped back onto the bikes.  We reversed the ride, getting some good pace for most of the trip.  Dropped off Silverfox and Tinkerbell at the van and continued through the park and down Armagh.  I headed down Barbadoes and home, Bugs and Dozer headed their own way home while Mellonfarmer and Phatboy stopped at Poms for a beer.  Great ride and a great planting.

Tuesday 3rd September

Bugs arrived at Upper Hornbrook Rd to find Dozer, Tinkerbell and Silver
Fox getting sorted. We could hear Phatboy's V8 coming up Mt Pleasant and
he arrived in no time. Phatboy and Bug's were on there old bikes due to
breakdowns. We headed up the single track at a nice clip. Quick regroup
at the summit Rd and a Chat to a guy in a supped up VW. Down and into
Greenwood with Phatboy leading followed my Tinkerbell, Bug's, Dozer and
Silver fox. A quick regroup half way down then into the bottom half with
Tinkerbell leading now. All got to the bottom in one piece. Phatboy
complaining that his peddle had stripped the tread in the crank. Nice
ride up the road till about 3/4 way up Phatboys peddle snapped. He
walked from here to the top while the rest of us rode up to the single
track though the paddocks. Average run down here as the track was a
little slippy and the berms are getting a little steep. All arriving at
the cars at the same time.

Saturday 31st August

The last official ride for winter.  A crew of Phatboy, Tinkerbell, Silverfox, Bugs, Dozer and I set off heading up Rapaki.  We stayed as a group for most of it, spreading out a bit on the lower slopes though.  From here we headed up and over Mt Vernon.  Phatboy led and I stayed hard on his tail for most of the blast.  Good push around here.  A quick regroup at the road crossing before we decided to punch all the way to the top of Vic.  Once again phatboy led with me then Tinkerbell etc, pushed really hard all the  way loving the flow all the way.  Another quick regroup before heading down Thompsons Track.  Nice tricky little bit where a tree is down.  Up the road to the  top of Marleys.  We did the Nun.  No stopping all the way down to Sign of the Kiwi.  A great blast.  Bugs getting in front of me in the lower new section.  So much fun.  Regroup time.  Where is Silverfox and Dozer.  Finally they arrive and Silverfox has a wound to his nose.  A bit of a fall but all sweet.  Tightened his front wheel then we set off down Lower Dyers.  Fast  to start but the mud near the bottom slowed us.  Rode up into Vic Park before heading down Tuesdays route.  Shazzas, Brents (what a ride in here) then down Bridges and flow.  Surpreme time.  From here we headed out and home.  Dozer, Phatboy, Bugs and his young Amy arrived back at my place an hour later and we all headed back out to deliver flyers for my campaign.  Another 3 hours riding each.  All in all a great day.