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.