Sunday 24th November

A few of us could not make it to Craigieburn so we were going to head out and get some track time. I had a plan!!!!! Two of Saturdays crew also came out.  Tinkerbell, Silverfox, Sandals and Helmut arrived at mine promptly at 9.09 am ands we headed over the deserted brougham St (closed for bridge repairs) down Radley all the way to ferry Rd and along here so I could drop a DVD back to the shop.  We cut down the back streets to the river and followed our usual route around the tow path to Ferrymead bridge.  We then headed up St Andrews Hill (Tony and I shot up Marama Cres cos we could) at a good steady pace.  We were really impressed at how good Sandals was riding after her adventure the day before.  (Those boys who had sore and tired legs as an excuse should be ashamed.)  Had a quick rest in the shade at the top of Major Hornbrook (lower) before heading up the hill to the start of the track on Upper Major Hornbrook.  It was pretty warm in the sun all the way.  Hit a good pace up the single track out onto Summit Road for a rest in the shade just before upper Greenwood.  I led off at this point really having an awesome run again through here.  We then headed up Mt Pleasant track.  Tinkerbell took over the lead at a techy section when I failed to achieve a clear run. We regrouped at the antenna station in the shade.  I even had time for a major toilet stop.  We then headed down towards Cavendish Saddle.  Quite a few riders and walkers slowing the fast run near the bottom.  from here we headed up to the gondola Station for a wee break in the shade before taking the walking track down to the top of the Bridal Path.  Have to admit to not walking all the way down here though.  From here we headed up the castle Hill track. (Sandals and Helmut took the road up).  It has been nearly 3 years since we last rode up or down this track.  It is in good condition and we are all looking forward to coming down it soon.  A fast blast down the rode and across to the witch Hill track.  Again 3 years have past since last doing this.  Oh what fun it was.  We regrouped at the top of Rapaki all enthused by the days ride.  Due to time constraints and so much to do Sandals and Helmut were the only ones to continue on from here.  heading by the single track around to Vic Park.  The other 3 of us headed down Rapaki for the first time in ages.  fast at the top but there were so many people on the track we had to slow down.  This was still most enjoyable!!!!  Home by 12.15.

Saturday 23rd Novemeber

Bugs picked up The Cook, Phatboy, Dozer and speed out to Yaldhurst where they meet up with Sandals and Helmet. Off to Craigieburn with the cloud clearing as we got to the mountains. Dropped 3 off at the cut then back to Castlehill village to pick up Sandals & Helmet where they left there car. All ready to go then Helmet had a puncher at the car. Up though Sidle 73 to the Ski-field road. Up here about a 1/3rd then up to the left and up to the Lydon's Saddle. 1st time up this way for all. Some had came down it a few years ago. Some steep pieces in places with us all having some issues keeping the wheels rolling as we should. The sun was cooking us when we were out of the trees. Rest up at the saddle then down the Luge with Phatboy leading followed by Helmet, Bug's, Dozer, The Cook and Sandals. Fantastic run down here with the tree roots all dry so we could hit them all with speed and confidence. Big smiles to all at the bottom. Up the road to Dracophyllum Flat track. Another fantastic blast down here to the river. Smiles all around again. Grunt up hill to the flat. Another good run down to the creek then up to the start of The Hog's Back. Slow grind up the steep start feeling the heat with most of us clearing it all. Up to Picnic rock then the run down the Hogs back. This was dry, firm and fast. Phatboy lead with Helmet, Bug's, Dozer, The Cook and Sandals close behind. Dust was flying and so was the smiles. Unfortunately before we knew it we were at the road at the bottom. Great day out, on a great track. Home by 4pm.    

Tuesday 20th November

I collected The Cook and drove to the top of Worsleys Rd.  We hooked up with Tinkerbell and Bugs.  We then started the grind up the old Worsley Track.  This just seems to be more rutted everytime I ride it. (it has been a while since I went up here too).  Climbed up in good time having a few dabs after the halfway  rest stop but otherwise enjoying the challenge.  We headed up towards the entrance to B line with Bugs suggesting we take the old line and me saying lead us to Tommy 2 track.  Eventually thats what he did.  The line up here is quite interesting.  At the top he decided to take the left line instead of the line they took last time.  Turns out the Left line is  Tommy 2 and the other line is Hang Loose.  Anyway we headed down enjoying the flow of the track.  As we progressed it got steeper and steeper.  I was enjoying myself immensely.  I admit to dabbing in one corner and then I baulked at another.  I think in the end we all dabbed. The Cook baulked in a few spots, Bugs once but Tinkerbell cleaned the lot.  Good challenge to do though and I will clean it all faster next time around.  At the bottom we chatted to a couple of dudes before riding up to the 4wd drive track and headed up to Fight Club.  I had only done this once.  A good blast down here with all of us cleaning it.  Up to the top and then out via the bottom tracks.  A short ride but a good ride.

Sunday 17th November

A nice day for a ride, warm but with cloud cover.  A small posse of Dozer, Sandals, Silverfox, Tinkerbell and I set off on a journey. Tinkerbell had made a call and was starting to sweat just at the thought.  We headed around Hansen's Park and then headed up to the start of the Vernon Farm track.  Oh yippee!! Got started on the dirt, riding the ruts and getting into the steady gradient.  Comments flying backwards and forwards about how much  we were enjoying ourselves.  Over the first little grunt and  regrouped before the start of the steep technical section.  My only dab of the climb was on a flat bit here.  Watching Tinkerbells line rather than mine.  I cleaned the tough steep rutted section, breathing hard as I caught Tinks at the top.  Turned to watch the others who were still all riding.  Did they clean it?  I did not ask.  From here we got into a steady  grind ever upwards. The grass grabbing at the tyres, the sheep shite being avoided as much as possible.  We had a short rest and regroup at the gate before grinding up the last steep section.  Felt good to get to the top.  For fun and something to do we did a circuit of the Lamar Track.  It gives a fantastic view of the Rapaki.  I led off up the Vernon Traverse feeling rather good.  Quick blast around to the road and then prepared to do the Traverse track for real.  Gave it a good pump around here,  stopping just before the pines.  Tinks was right behind me and we waited as first Dozer, then Sandals arrived.  Silverfox has punctured just before the dip, (maybe we should call him Little Richard?).  From here we headed down into Vic, first through the Rock Garden, into the Gums, Tinks jumping in front of me while I was laughing at myself, then into Shazzas and Brent's.  Loving the flow before we did Bridges, Flow and then clambering up hidden Valley for a run down Old Skool.  Great  ride.  As it was only 11.30 by time we got off the track we headed down to the garden centre for coffee, tea and a bite to eat.  Home easily by 12.30.  Feeling rather good.

Tuesday 12th Novemeber

Trust meeting so Dozer arrived at Bug's place. Headed off at 6.15 across Ferrymead and started the climb up St Andrews Hill. Good pump up here to Upper Major Hornbrook Rd. 35min to here. Up though the paddocks to the summit road. 45 minutes to here. Turn right and headed up to the aerials at the top. Nice ride down though the tussocks with Dozer in the lead and Bug's hot on his heals. Added some tops at Greenwood then into Greenwood with Bug's leading and Dozer following. Dozer having a better ride than Sunday. At the bottom in no time then down Captain Thomas with Dozer now leading. Good ride down here walking the normal spots. Good to see some work on the bottom of the track now. Down the road into Sumner then a nice pump across the causeway and back to Bug's place. Good solid 2 hour ride.   

Sunday 10th November

I headed out around the river towards Ferrymead with my music ears on into a stiff easterly.  Gave it quite a push for the first time in 2 weeks, testing my arm as I rode.  Got to the bridge where Dozer was waiting.  Stashed the music and we were joined by Phatboy moments later.  We headed out along the new causeway, pushing into the wind, not much talking.  Silverfox and Tinkerbell drove past on the way to the meeting point.  Finally arrived at Dot Com where we found the boys and Sandals ready to go.  The 6 of us then headed along the road and started the climb up Captain Thomas.  Good steady climb although it was really hot and still in the valley.  Tested us all really.  As we climbed we eventually got some breeze to assist us.  A good climb by everyone.  At the top we went hard right up the Summit Road at a steady pace.  I gave it an extra push at the top.  We had a quick regroup before heading around the start of Greenwood.  The plan was to have a break at the ruins.  Phatboy led briefly before stopping having a technical issue so I took the lead.  Gave it a good nudge through here and was surprised that when I got to the ruins no one was even close.  Had a break before heading down Greenwood.  Great run down here and I felt great at the bottom.  We then headed up Godley head having mixed blessings on the rocky section. Silverfox had a moment along here. Tinkerbell got a flat just before Livingstone Col so we waited before heading up and over to the top of Anaconada.  great blast  over here with Phatboy having a slide out (although he recovered).  A fast blast down the snake with a regroup started just before the tail.  3 waited and then Sandals came in with a report that the Fox had punctured.  We headed down to Taylor's where we were going to regroup.  Sandals and I decided to do a slow ride up the hill and get tables at Dot Com.  We had a nice break before departing for home. Phatboy, Dozer and I headed back the way we had come on the bike, Phatboy leading and slowly making a break. By the end of the causeway he obviously decided to keep going.  Dozer headed to his car and I rode the reverse route home with music again.  Great ride.

Tuesday 5th November

The Cooks bike was broken so Bug's picked him up with his spare bike on the rack. Headed up to the Worsley's where we meet up with Dozer, Tinkerbell and Silverrfox. Headed up the rutted Worsley's track in the heat at our own paces. Some clearing more than others but all enjoying the challenge. Regroup at the bottom of the Body bag. Heaps of other riders on the tracks. Headed up to the top of the Bee line then turned a sharp right and up a new track which none of us had ridden before. (name unknown) More up hill till we eventually found the down hill. Started off nice and flowing with a couple of challenging pieces until the track dropped steeply. Combination of riding, walking and sliding from here, arriving just below the bottom of Flight Club. Up the 4wd track then sharp left and grunted up the steep 4wd track to the start of the Flight Club. Headed down Flight Club with TInkerbell leading followed by Dozer, Bug's, The Cook and then SIlverfox. Some of us clearing the complete run for the 1st time. Back up to Worsleys then everyone found there own tracks back to the car's. Tinkerbell riding down the road to his place. Home by 8.30.

Meanwhile, at the other end of the hills, Nelsie and Mellonfarmer rode up Capt Thomas, up the road, up Broadleaf Lane, down to Greenwood, down Greenwood, out Godley, down Anaconda, and back over Scarborough back to the car... it were mint.

oh, and the track 'name unknown', is called Tommy's-2.  the B-line trail that goes to the left of the original is called Tommy's.

Sunday 3rd of November

Nelsie picked up the Farmer of Mellons and they drove to Rubberjawn's, to save their tires.  Bugs, Dozer, Silverfox, and Tinks were all already there, and Phatboy and Sandals and Rubberjaws's over-the-road neighbour, Snick, turned up after.  Rubberjaws wasnt riding on account of a possible broken arm from his offs on the Canaan.

Off round Hansen's Park and up Ramahana Aotea and onwards, the crew all cruised well.  Snick plodding on in granny when the rest rested up.  Up the dirt of Huntsbury Nelsie made a break for it and topped out way ahead of everybody else.  til the rest showed, and then it was off round the traverse.  Good pace round here, tail wind assist.  Lot of people about, including some runners that nearly took out a few of our group towards Vic Park.  Rocketted through to the top and regrouped before dropping into the Thomsons.  At the Kiwi Snick said he was feeling a bit tired and peeled off.

Off up the road past the Flying Nun, all good and Worsley's top, blasting down the Body Bag before a group of walkers could clutter the place up.  Up the entrance to B-Line-ville and Nelsie led everyone through the original/classic rendition, down to the clifftop. Then Mellonfarmer took over the lead, and led the way into, new track(!) Wayne's World and bombed down here, providing some interesting flow to the group.  Brief regroup before blazing into Fight Club, which was soo much drier than the day prior and as a result, faster.  In no time flat and they assembled at the bottom.  Everybody happy, and discovered it was Phatboy's first time down Fightclub!

Because the group were in the vicinity, and Phatboy also hadn't experienced it - after the climb to the Junction, Nelsie and Mellon Defamer led him down Dave's Track.  The rest of the crew opted out of this option (Buggs and Tinks no doubt remembering their first (and only) time (13th January)).  They instead did the wee short shoot from just up the 4wd track, and then because that was so short went back up and did Fight Club again.  (From Buggs) - A split in the group was had so Tinkerbell, Bug's, Dozer, Sandals and Silverfox headed back up the steep 4wd track and dropped down the single track which we used to do. Ended back down on the 4wd track. Climbed back up the track and decided on another loop but went up past the pylons to where we come out of the Bee Line. Dropped down the steep single track (Fight Club) to the 4wd track again with us all clearing more than we did on the 1st run. Met the others at the bottom

Dave's track has obviously been very little used.  Pine needles everywhere, barely any sign of the track, Nelsie leading the way, then MotherFarmer, and even then Phatboy had trouble finding the lines.  They all managed pretty much the whole trail with barely any dabs, no offs, and a great run down the final chutes.  Granny gear engaged and the climb out began.  All good and some of the crap has been cleared in the clearing, but the steep digger track is still too steep in the long haul.  Bit of a walk then rode on out, hearing, and then seeing the others up on Fight Club, the three waited for them, and then everyone rode up and out together.  Blasting down the road, onto the wee sideline track, and on down for a coffee and Zeroes with all the crabon fibre sporting roadies, and the group split into different directions, with Phatty, Nelsie, Buggs Dozer and MellonFucker heading back towards RubberJ's, Phatty peeling off at the river... Great ride.