Tuesday 25th February

Picked up the Cook and headed around and up Worsley Rd to the meeting point.  We met Tinkerbell (who had ridden) Sandals, Helmut, Bugs, Silverfox, and Phatboy.  We then headed up the main track at a steady pace with a regroup at  the normal corner. Other than stopping to take a call this was dab free for me, and mixed for some others.  From here I dabbed a couple of times particularly in the next rocky section.  Others had mixed rides.  We then headed up tot he top of the old B line.  Started down and then turned into a new track for us called Debbie Does Dallas.  Sort of a mix of Tommys 1 and Tommys 2.  Steep and loose in spots, lots of off camber, a bridge thing that only Tinkerbell, Helmut and Phatboy got.  We came out at the bottom of Fight Club.  We then headed up to the fire rd and up this steep sucker to the top of Waynes World.  Down here and into fight club.  Love this little line.  Flows so well and fast.  Up the track to the turn and then I raced Tinkerbell through the forest and out.  Took the new line avoiding the gate and back to the cars.  I followed Tinks as he rode down the hill clocking 75km/h at the bottom.  Home about 8.30

Tuesday 18th February

Hot hot hot!!!!  I headed around towards Halswell Quarry picking the Cook up along the way.  We met up with Dozer, Bugs, Tinkerbell and Silverfoz.  We all heard the roar of a V8 as Phatboy (good to see him out again) and Brandhim arrived(obviously Sunday did not kill him).  It was feckin hot but we headed off at a very sedate pace towards the start of the track.  Dozer led in to the climb to start with, with me following.  My contacts  were playing up slowing me somewhat so Bugs and Tinkerbell whipped past me.  After this it was a steady climb through the trees up to the joining of the true Crocidile.  from here I led up  the hill.  Hot but luckily shaded most of the way.  We regrouped at the top before I led off up the Lower Road Track.  This was all exposed with no breeze so a steady climb was done.  I dabbed at the steep chute so Phatboy went on past and I let Dozer, Tinkerbell and Bugs go through before I continued on my way.  Another regroup at the start of Siberia before a fast little run through the cows down to the gate and the shade of the trees.  lots of shite everywhere so Silverfox led up the farm track to avoid the shit.  I then led off down the Lower Road Track, good blast down here and the steep chute is a beast on the way down no.  regrouped again before leading off down Crocidile.  Nice blast here, smooth as (for the Crocidile that is) and fast.  Nearly overshot the new Deviation Track.   Had to dismount to get on line but we did make the track.  This is an easy cruise down to the top of the old steep rutty track up from the bottom of the valley.  We regrouped and discussed options.  Down the rutty chute and up the steep switchbacks in the shade.  Nice little climb but Brandhim broke a chain.  Phatboy assisted in the fix before we headed down the way we originally started.  Blasting it, dust spoiling the view at times.  Finally got to the cars before most of uus headed off for a quick pint at the Vicarage.  All good really for a very hot night ride.

Sunday 16th February

Up bright and early and still had someone arrive before I was ready.  Went outside to find Brandhim (Phatboys Nephew) ready and waiting.  We then proceeded out the gates and hooked up with Tinkerbeel, Silverfox, Dozer and Bugs.  Headed around through Hansens Park before starting the climb up Huntsbury.  I took the lead with Brandhim staying close for most of the tarmac.  Bugs and Tinkerbell right there as we started the grunt at the end.  Up the dirt with our first regroup just past the pylons.  With everyone feeling better we started the climb.  When we hit the little down I pedaled and continued riding at a good pace.  Thought Tinks was right there and started chatting only to find out I was on my own.  Decided to pump and got to the top for a good rest.  Everyone rolled in for a regroup while we waited for Sandals, Helmut and his mate Chris.  Flew across the top of Vernon and was blasting down towards Rapaki when I hit rider after rider.  Bugger.  No stopping at the saddle but straight into Witch Hill.  Dabbed at the beginning rocks but had a good ride from there.  Regrouped at the road and spied the new line they are looking at putting in.  (Well we think it must be a new line as it was weed-eated all the way along the top of the hill above the road.)  Brandhim got a jump at the locked gate before the climb upto Castle Rock so I gave chase.  Pumped hard and caught him before I led into Castle Rock track.  Blasted down with glee.  I got there to find Helmut had come down the road.  mmmmm!  We all then grunted up towards the Gondola.  Rode lots of the track digging it in and then walked what you have to walk.  We were spread out by time we got to the top so we headed down to the saddle for a regroup in ones, twos, and threes.  Tinks fixed a flat.  Sandals and Helmut tootled on ahead while this was happening.  We then trundled up after them catching them at the first hairpin and staying tucked on their wheels for the rest of the climb.  Regroup at the aerials at the top before Bugs led us down the hill.  Good blast down the top, then Bugs led Tinkerbell then me, Silverfox etc followed.  A fast blast down here enjoying the whole ride.  Cleaned the rocks at the end which is always a buzz.  Down the Ct Thomas.  I followed Helmut,  Dozer, Tinks, and Bugs.  Cleaned the first two rocks easily but still not zeroed in on the third.  next time maybe.  Continued on down and stopped for tea and a bite at Dot Com.  Road ride home with a bit of a faster pace across the causeway.  Dozer, and Bugs split off at the Ferrymead Bridge, Sadals, Helmut and Chris split towards cassels while the remaining four headed back to mine by 1.10pm.  Great ride and felt brilliant at the end,

Meanwhile, Tom and Mellonfarmer went out the Wharfdale and had an awesome ride with their dogs.  Both got stung by wasps, Tom's on his chest from one flying down his shirt.  Mellonfarmer receiving his on his uvula, from it trying to get eaten by him...  Very lucky he is still breathing right now.

Sunday 9th February

The boys, Tinkerbell, Bugs, Dozer and Mellonfarmer met me at mine and we headed up Crapaki for the sights.  A steady climb with a cool headwind all the way.  The top stretch was a bitch.  We headed over Mt Vernon with Mellonfarmer leading, stopping occasionally to see if we were following.  He really did not need to.  Around the Traverse Track and then after a wee break in the Macrocarpas at the top of Vic park we dropped down to the skidder site via the Rockgarden and the Gums.  We checked out all the new Giants on display and even rode a couple before heading down Shazzas, Brents, etc and then climbing up Hidden Valley before doing Old Skool.  We were out the bottom by 11.20 so off for coffee.  Never going back to Kaizuki its shit.

Tuesday 4th February

Dozer picked up Bugs and we headed towards Halswall Quarry. The cook was waiting then we all waited for Silverfox who was running a tad late. After admiring the scenery for a while we headed up at a nice clip. Dozer lead up the single track to the Crocodile. Still a few ruts and the odd hole. Dozer and Bugs cleared the lot and not sure about the others. Found a new house on the side of the track which has been built since the last rode up here. Continued up to the pines half way up then dropped down to the gate. U turn then Dozer lead on the down hill with Bugs behind and Silverfox close on his tail. The Cook followed not far behind. Half way down the Crocodile we took a sharp right onto the new Diversion track. Nice flowing corners to the pines. Another sharp left then dropped down to the bridge at the bottom of the Crocodile. Back up the Croc with us all clearing the switch backs. Back down the way we started to the park then back to the cars. Off for a quick pint at the pub. Nice night for a ride.    

Sunday 2nd February

Tinkerbell arrived at mine and we headed off around the back of the Heathcote towards Ferrymead towpath.  Collected Bugs at the footbridge down the road from his and continued on around the track at a steady pace.  Onto the road at Ferrymead Bridge for a steady pump out to Sumner.  I kept the pace honest.  Finally saw the Mellonfarmer at the end of Mariner St and we then headed up Richmond Hill.  Sandals had headed up 10 earlier.  We stayed steady all the way collecting Sandals at the top of the road.  We stayed steady all the way up the farm track having a  re group below the shearing shed.  Around the road to  the true entrance to Greenwood where Mellonfarmer took the lead and I followed staying on his tail.  Regrouped at the ruins before heading down Greenwood at pace.  Good ride all the  way except for the plonkers standing in the middle of the track to fix a puncture just before the 2 rock sections.  From here we headed up the Godley Track.  I muffed the first 2 sections, Mellonfarmer cleaned them and the others all had medium success.  Good pump around the track then a good regroup at the top of the Snake.  I dropped in behind Bugs and stayed hard on his  tail all the way  down.  Really great blast.  Into the tail and then regrouped before climbing up over Scarborough for coffee/tea at Dot Com.  We then headed home with me giving it all over the causeway before cruising around the river.