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.