Saturday 28th december

Could it be the last ride of the year.  possibly cos the weather is shite.  Raining this morning but I was going stir crazy and wanted a ride.  Only the Cook was keen so I headed off via tarmac to the Ferrymead Bridge where the Cook was waiting.  Rain was falling but we headed up St Andrews Hill anyway.  Turned right onto Marama and followed the Cres around its length.  Nice way of riding actually.  Kept on up the hill until the flat section at the top of Major Hornbrook. We decided not to head up the hill any further due to the weather starting to close in.  Left onto Mt Pleasant Rd and then rode up here until the Moncks Spur turn off.  Down here until the next intersection where we hung a left towards McCormacks Bay.  Rain came in thick about here drenching us.  From here we rode around the bay stopping briefly at the farmers market before heading home.  At least we got some hill in.  Will try later in the year for another ride.

Saturday 21st december

The ride to Craigieburn was off due to the weather predictions so I decided to ride in town.  Dozer and Cookie showed up at mine and we headed around Hansen's and then up Huntsbury.  nice steady pace, quite warm with our first stop being the pylon for a moment and then headed up to the top.  Very quick stop and then we headed left over Mt Vernon towards Rapaki.  Good run except a few people coming the other way.  From here we went over Witch Hill and on around to Castle Rock for a blast to the top of the Bridal Path.  Both new tracks for Cookie.  The grass along the edge of the track sure needs cutting to allow better views of the rocks.  We then headed up the track to the gondola.  Dozer and I certainly rode more of this than last time and it seemed much shorter.  Down we headed to Cavendish Saddle and straight up the other side to the top of Mt Pleasant.  The spear grass is really getting close into the edge of the track.  Dozer led down from the top at a good pace before I led off down Greenwood.  I had a fast blast down here pushing it hard.  Must say I was pleased with my time and just flowed it.  Cookie had one small off but not to bad.  Down the Ct Thomas with Dozer leading.  He had a bit of a washout after one of the rocks, scraped his thigh but kept on going.  Rode to Dot Com for a rest and then headed home.  The southerly was starting to blast and the cross wind over the causeway was horrendous.  The worst part was over the Ferrymead Bridge which saw me leaning sideways to keep moving.  got home feeling like I had had a good hard ride.

Tuesday17th December

The yearly Xmas drinks was held at Pomeroys tonight.  Everyone made their own way to the bar, most rode but some even drove cars there. I rode with Mrs Rubberjaws at a sedate pace finding Phatboy and Cookie had arrived just ahead of us.  Sandals and Helmutt pulled up at the same time.  Just managed to buy our drinks when in quick succession Bugs, then Mellonfarmer and Nelly arrived.  Silverfox and Tinkerbell were next.  Dozer arrived with  Mrs Dozer in the van with the bike just in case he stayed late.  The PFMTBC optician Mother Ted and Abba came down to join us. A Merry time was had by all. Mrs Rubberjaws and I departed shortly after 10.30 for the ride home.  Somewhat wet with a steady drizzle becoming heavier as we progressed.  No complaints at all.  Great night with great company.

Sunday 15th December

I jumped on the bike and headed out towards Sumner cutting down Radley St then through the park and along Woolston Cut where I was joined by Bugs.  We headed around the tow path behind Ferrymead and out onto the road at the Ferrymead Bridge.  We stopped and chatted with Dozer and Mellonfarmer while the four of us waited for Phatboy.  We saw Tinkerbell and Silverfox drive past on the way  to the meeting point at Dot Com.  Finally Phatboy arrived and with the schedule blown by 10 minutes we set off.  A bit of a spread as we entered the causeway but a steady pace was on.  As we progressed we started passing riders at a furious pace and with  one last group in sight I put the pedal down passing them along Peacocks Gully.  Arrived in Sumner  to  find the lads mentioned earlier and Sandals well rested from the drive over. We had made up 5 minutes on the ride. Where were Bugs and Dozer?  We were wondering if one of them had got a flat when the text came in that they were starting a slow grind up Richmond Hill.  Off we went.  Quite a hot grind up the hill with a regroup  in the shade of a tree near the top.  Then it was to road end, over the fence and up the farm track.  Mellonfarmer and I setting the pace with  Silverfox close behind.   At the shingle I buttoned off to allow the others to catch up while M/F, the fox and Phatty boy rode on to the gates.  When all were regrouped off to the Summit Rd, crossed this and climbed up the farmtrack to the top of Greenwood.  A wonderful ride down here, no stops except the dab at rock one ( for me) and out to Evans Pass for a regroup.  Sandals had slammed a rock and was starting to feel it in her hip.  We then headed up the Godley track having mixed success on the first rock.  The old line is now the preferred line.  Around the trail we rode to the top of the first climb for a regroup before a fast blast down to Livingstone Col, regrouped and then I led off up the next wee climb allowing Mellonfarmer to pass before the downhill to breeze Col.  Fast down here and the  fastes i have ever attacked PFMTBC rock.  front wheel off the ground over the front, (Mellonfarmer did the same).  At breeze Col, Sandals headed down the snake  while the rest of us headed out to Godley Park via the top sheep trail.  Awesome little ride, fast blast down to the carpark where we regrouped before a fast run back to breeze Col.  From here we attacked the Anaconda.  Wonderful run down here except I nearly lost it on the new dumb hairpin at the bottom.  Locked the rear up and slid it round.  Down the tail for a quick regroup before the hot climb out of Taylors.  Sandals met us at the top before we chased the cars down the road.  Nice little run around the Esplanade before some stupid old cow decided to be rude and ignorant at the ramp. I hope her ears turn to arseholes so she shits on her own shoulders.  I was now having a fe gear issues with some skipping happening.  After having tea, coffee, milkshakes and snacks at Dot Com, trying to adjust my gears we headed home.  gears were causing issues and I dropped off the back.  Got home at 1pm and decided to fix the issue properly only to discover that it was not the gears but a broken link and I fixed it myself.  Great ride and felt great at the end.

Tuesday 10th December

Bugs picked up The Cook and headed up to Dyers pass carpark where Dozer and Silverfox were waiting. After a quick chat we headed up the summit road to top of the nun. Bug's lead off followed by Dozer, The Fox and then The Cook. 1st time down here for a while for most of us. Good run to the half way mark then onto the road for another loop. Dozer having some issues with his peddle bearing falling apart. 2nd run with Bug's leading, Silverfox, Dozer and The Cook. Good run for all with no issues again. Up the road for the 3rd loop. The Cook having some issues with his seat coming off. 5 min stop to sort this. 3rd run down in the same order. Bug's nearly running over a mouse in the middle of the track. Quicker run this time. Back up the road for the 4th and final run. Dozer leading with Bug's hot on his heals, Silver Fox just behind him with The Cook not far behind. All the way down this time with us all pumped at the bottom. Track was in great condition. Fantastic Tuesday night ride with no crashes or major mishaps.  

Sunday 8th December

Up and out the door promptly.  Waiting were Silverfox, Sandals, Helmutt and Dozer.  No sign of anyone else and no word from them.  We headed out and started the climb up Rapaki.  It was hot without any wind.  Started with Silverfox and me up front but I got into the groove and slowly pulled away.  Hoping to get some breeze in the top section but alas that was not to be.  Slowed up near the top to cool down.  Found a rock to sit on at the top and faced into the breeze that was up there.  The others rode up in teams of two, Dozer and Silverfox, then Helmutt and Sandals.  A wee rest before riding over Mt Verno and a good clip, regrouped at the road and then I led off around the Traverse with Helmutt chasing.  Great blast, stopping briefly to get a stinging insect out of my top.  Did not stop until the shade at the top of Vic.  Great pump.  Regrouped and Silverfox decided to head off early.  He went down while the rest of us headed towards Marleys.  Blasted down Thompsons and then headed up the road.  Hot again but some clouds rolling in which was good.  Top of Marleys I let Helmutt take the lead and then gave chase.  Rolled it fast, chasing hard.  No stopping until the Kiwi.  great blast.  One of my best in Ages.  Another wee regroup before heading down Old Dyers.  Fast blast with a regroup in the shade at the road.  Up into Vic, no stopping straight into Shazzas and Brents.  At the bottom Helmutt had no front brakes but that did not stop him leading.  We picked up a newbie who was not sure of the way down.  He followed Sandals at the rear.  Blasted down here and straight out the Track to the end.  Did not do Hidden as it was hot.  A cuppa at the cafe to end with.  Home by 12.45.  Great ride and feeling fit.

Meanwhile, on the other side of the plains, Nelsie and Mellonfarmer had some firewood to do, but first, they rode in the Wharfdale for an hour, and back out in 45mins...  first time in over a year, and it's riding very nicely indeed.

Tuesday 3rd December

I collected Cookie and headed around and up to the bottom of Worsley.  We met up with Dozer and then Tinkerbell.  We started the grind up the hill in the heat wishing for some breeze to cool us.  It was not forthcoming though.  The first section took no time at all and we had a rest at the normal corner before the rocks.  Headed on dabbing a bit amongst the rocks before starting the last climb.  Cleaned most of this with quick foot dabs, and enjoyed moments of shade and even a little breeze.  We then headed up to the top of Tommy 2 where we met up with Helmutt and Sandals.  Down we went at a much faster pace than last time.  Flowing well.  A quick regroup and then downwards again.  I baulked at the same point but then went back and did it again.  Made it down with  some style....just.  Bruised a delicate part though.  Down we went again to the bottom.  Felt good.  The ride back up was going well until Sandals stopped for the dip, so I dabbed across and Cookie balanced, started then fell quite heavily.  A bit sore but no major damage.  We continued up but instead of us all heading up for Fight club I went down with Cookie and headed home.  The others went up for a quick loop before heading out.  A hot hot ride but oh so  sweet.

Meanwhile, a little further along the hills, Nelsie, MellonFarmer and CraigTheSpeedDemon played on the Packhorse

Sunday 1st December

The posse arrived at mine (Mellonfarmer, Tinkerbell, Bugs and Dozer) and the 5 of us headed out.  We started with a cruise around Hansens Park before heading up Ramahana Rd, Aotea Tce and Huntsbury ave to the top.  Good steady climb all the way.  I felt great although the warmth was getting to me a bit. Had a text from Helmutt along the way saying he would meet us at the top. We arrived at the top exactly at 10am by my watch and no Helmutt.  A text went back and he said he would meet at the top of rapaki so we set off again across the top of Vernon.   A great run over here keeping close to Mellonfarmer most of the way. A regroup at the rest area and then Helmutt arrived.  We set off over Witch Hill, me fluffing some bits but I saw Bugs cleaning it all.  Good to be doing this track in this direction for the first time in 3 years.  Out onto the road and we just cruised on up the hill.  No cars to worry about.  A few rocks scattered about though.  At Castle Rock we went straight into the single track.  Another first in this direction for 3 years.  I had a good run although it would be great to get the grass trimmed a bit.  Rocky all the way.  Yeahah.  Regrouped at the top of the Bridal Path.  We then headed up towards the Gondola on the walking track.  Rode about 75% of this which is better than I hoped for.  Down to Cavendish Saddle and then straight up Mt Pleasant.  A bigger gap between front and rear riders was appearing.  Warmer and we had climbed a lot.  Regrouped at the transmitters before heading down.  Track workers were out and we stopped for a quick chat with Nic the ranger.  Fast run down to the ruins where we stopped for a bite.  Down Greenwood.  Got better as I went down here.  loving the flow.  Mellonfarmer out in front followed by Bugs, Helmutt, Me, Tinkerbell and Dozer.  We then headed down Ct Thomas which was great other than me falling while walking.  Great break at Dot Com before riding home.  Horrible side wind across the causeway but all in all a fun ride.