Tuesday 28th January

I headed off towards Bowenvale Valley on my own to hook up with the team.  Riding up Bowenvale Ave I was joined by the Cook.  We waited in the shade at the end and eventually Bugs drove up and as we were getting ready to leave the Silverfox arrived.  ( I had been told he was not coming)  Anyhow we started riding up the shingle rd into the valley.  We know how fast we come down there so we kept a close eye out for  downhill riders.  Over the fence up a couple of steep wee grunts finally arriving at the start to hidden valley track.  Bugs led off cleaning the stream and the climb out, I stopped to fix a boulder and then rode the rest dabbing on the 2nd hairpin but cleaning the rest.  Silverfox and the Cook followed me.  Time to ride down old skool.  Nice blast down hair at pace.  Regrouped at the bottom and then started the climb for a 2nd loop.  This time  I  led, failed on the creek and climb, so did Bugs, I missed the first hairpin from laughing and cut the next but from here was good.  We all had a nice climb and this time the down was even faster cos we had our eye in.  Just a short blast and then we rode home.  Or most of us.

Sunday 26th January

Up bright and early today so got outside before anyone arrived.  first Dozer and then Tinkerbell and Silverfox arrived.  Just the four of us.  Headed up Rapaki with plenty of cloud and not much wind to start.  At the flat stretch we decided to head up to the top of Montgomery Spur but at  the first gate a big sign saying piss off this is closed due to rockfall danger so we continued up Rapaki.  The breeze was behind us at this point so really nice and cooling ride.  Quick stop and regroup before starting up Mt Vernon with me leading.  Caught up and passed a guy at the top of the climb before spinning around for  another regroup at the start of the traverse.  The slower guy passed while we were regrouping.  I once again led off with the  thought of passing him at the rock garden just before Lava Flow.  It was exactly what happened he went low and I went high and I was off with Tinkerbell hard on my heels.  Blasted around and down, offered Tinks the lead (at trhe normal stopping point, without stopping though) but he refused so off around to the top of Vic and a good pace.  When we regrouped discussion was held on where to go and we ended doing Thompsons and then climbing up for a loop of Marleys.  Let Tinkerbell lead off and we had a good blast all the way down to the Kiwi.  Silverfox  had a puncture near the bottom so we had a snack while he repaired this.  I led into Old Dyers for a very quick and dry blast down here before climbing into Vic.  Decided to do Cool Runnings so we headed off past Dazzas to find the track.  We even climbed/carried and pushed our bikes up the track to do some extra.  Nice flow down here doing the b lines.  Into Brideges, flow etc before heading up into Hidden Valley Track.  Cleaned the hairpins.  Tinkerbell then led off down Old skool.  Nice flowing run by all of us.  We were out the bottom by 11.45 so off we went for coffee before heading home.

Sunday 19th January

A Warm day and the first Sunday ride back with the group.  Phatboy slept in and rung to say he was a no show but Bugs, Tinkerbell, Silverfox and Dozer all arrived.  After the normal lets take it slow statement we headed off around Hansens avoiding the branches from fallen trees as we went.  Started the climb up Huntsbury at a steady pace as the air temp started to  climb.  Gave it a couple of nudges along the way with only 1 quick stop along the way.  Got to the top with a cooling breeze.  From here we went over Mt Vernon towards Rapaki.  Good run but unfortunately a couple of riders coming our way slowed us down.  We regrouped at the start to Witch Hill and were followed by some chick who had not been out that way for  a while.  I led off dabbing at the beginning then getting the flow right, straight out and onto the road section towards castle Rock.  Dozer took a little off piste section which I think will become part of every ride through here.  Pushed hard upto Castle Rock.  The chick passing the rest of the guys on the climb. I headed down the track thinking everyone would be right behind but they stayed to chat for a bit.  I had a good run down here catching up to a couple of runners on the small rocky climb and then out for a regroup stop at the top of the Bridal Path.  Onto  the Gondola climb.  Very warm now but I enjoy this track  even with the lifting and walking required.  Challenge is to ride more each time.  Finally at the top and then started down to the saddle.  Half way down Silverfox pops out of a track (he took the wrong turn).  I ended up going down the walking track which turns out to be a tad challenging.  Climbed from here up to the top of Mt Pleasant.  Tinkerbell leading me up the hill.  Good pace too.  Stopped for a regroup and a snack by the antennas.  Pleased to be at the top of the climb as the sun was now out and it was hot.  A bit of a breeze was keeping us from melting.  Down the hill we went, fast and fun, brief pause at the top of Greenwood before heading straight in.  I led and just before the rocks I unlocked my forks. Bugs talking about my slow speed.  From here though it was sweet, nice pace all the way, catching a couple of people just after gloomy gulch.  The slow one saw us coming and still got on his bike and went down the steep rocks ahead of us.  Felt like pushing him off.  Passed him shortly after though and continued down at speed.  dabbed on rock number 1.  Regrouped and headed down Ct Thomas.  The front 3 cleaned it all, then me cleaned all but 2, (Did find the line on one of them for next time though) and Silverfox taking it quietly.  Down for a drink at Dot Com. From here a quiet cruse began until the causeway where speeds in excess of 43km were reached as Tinkerbell and Dozer set up the challenge.  Around the tow path before heading home.  Good ride although I felt  slightly warm at the end.

Tuesday 14th January

Finally I get a ride with the group.  I collected (in the ute)The Cook and we headed up St Andrews Hill to the meeting point at Upper Major Hornbrook.  Phatboy was waiting impatiently and we were joined shortly after by Dozer, Tinkerbell and Silverfox.  I led off up New JB track for a quick climb.  I lost my hairpin into Old JB and ended up dabbing etc.  Tinks and Phatboy cleaned a liner and so I ended up following them to a regroup point.  Silverfox had struggled up the hill with his seat at a low setting as it would not stay up.  Between Phatboy and him they managed to fix the issues.  Phatboy then led off taking a off piste line ( I did not follow) onto the rocky section of Old JB.  Good quick blast here and out onto the road.  Once everyone was gathered I headed down to the saddle and straight into the climb over Mt Pleasant.  Felt good going up the steep section although had to pump hard near the end of the track to keep in front of Tinks and Phatboy who were close behind.  regrouped by the gate before the short climb to the top.  getting a bit chilly so I put on my warm top before the short blast down to the next fence crossing.  I let Phatboy lead from here.  This was a great downhill blast.  I got around a corner that always seems to get me (not the hardest corner just one I seem to clip the rocks to the side on) before pumping hard to catch the Phatboy.  Never did though.  regrouped at the top of Greenwood.  Had decided not to have a big ride so we took the upper greenwood track back towards the road.  had a good blast dabbing only in the tricky rock section, ( and we all did).  For some reason went around another corner and clipped the side nearly putting me off (but not) and then out onto the road.  We all headed up the road before I led into Lower JB for a fast blast back to the cars.  When we got back I looked at my watch and realised we had only ridden for an hour, should of done more. bring on sunday.

Sunday 12th January

A group consiting of Bugs, Dozer, Tinkerbell and Phatboy rode up Worsley to the top.  They then did a loop of marleys before heading back.  They took the Tommy 2 route down.  This was a first for Phatboy who enjoyed the technical and steep track.  Not sure if they climbed back up and did fightclub or not.

Rubberjaws first rides 2014 in Marahau

As usual I was camping in Marahau.  I got out for a number of rides including 3 or 4 with Mrs Jaws on the road.  These consisted of road rides and were about 8-10km each. One even included riding to the high point on the Marahau to Kaiteriteri rd.

My own rides started with

A big grind up the Marahau to Riwaka Rd at a steady pace.  At the top i hung a left onto the forest rd with a small climb.  This took me to the Upper Corkscrew.  Had a blast down here (noting a few wet greasy spots around a few jumpy spots) and then into the clearing for a quick check of phone and weather reports (best spot for reception).  Then hit the true Corkscrew at pace, the first steep section got the blood flowing and then into the zig zags of the track.  No one about which was grand.  I cut into the Corkscrew Dive which was a tad greasy and kept me honest. Out at the bottom and then time for another climb.  Blasted up this point and then hung a right into Big Airs which took me up to Skullduggery.  Nice pump around here although one or two real greasy spots in the sheltered areas.  At the end I decided to drop down Rock and Roll.  A first time down here for me.  Obviously hardly ever used but a great downhill.  A bit more technical and steeper than the others.  The bottom third real rutted and overgrown.  Out onto Revelation and then on around to the bottom of Ziggys.  Climbed up here pushing hard to stay on the schedule I had set, then back up Corkscrew to the top.  The steep grunt at the top working me hard.  I then got onto the last climb up the fireroad before a long fast blast down through the forest.  Some of this road is nearly singletrack now which adds to the fun.  Finally got to the high point on the Marahau to Kaiteriteri Rd for a fast blast back to camp.  2 hours which would be my record.

2 days later I set out again trying to mix it up. I headed up the Marahau to Kaiteriteri Rd turning right onto the forest rd at the top.  I know why it is a fast blast down this.  it is a grunty climb which left me sweating hard and breathing heavily.  Grunt grunt grunt until it flattens a bit.  This took me around to Upper Corkscrew, then into corkscrew and down.  I then pumped hard up Revelation onto Glade Runner then into Swamp Monster before attacking the climb up Sidewinder.  From here a swooping and fast blast down halfpipe over the little gap jump and then out of the park and down to the beach.  I rung a mate in cambridge from here before taking the 12km ride around the road back to camp.  A few climbs but nothing too serious.

2 days later I rode with another guy from camp.  he does not like downhills for some reason but is reasonably bike fit.  We did the exact reverse of my 2nd ride which is quite good.

My final rdie was a bit shorter with the grunt up the Marahau to Riwaka Rd, left onto the Forest Rd for a small climb and then left down the Forest Rd for the fast Blast back down to the Marahau to Kaiteriteri Rd and the fast blast back to camp.

All rather good pumps for a bloke on holiday.

first rides of 2014

The start of the new year sees many of the group out and about doing things. I am not sure of who did what but I know that dozer and Tinkerbell got out a few times.  Hopefully they will update on exactly where.  I believe one ride included Greenwood.