Sunday 2nd March

1st Autumn ride.  A posse met at mine. Phatboy, Brandhim, Silverfox, Tinkerbell and Dozer.  We headed off around the river towards Ferrymead at a good steady clip.  Waiting at the bridge were Mellonfarmer and Bugs.  We started the climb up St Andrews using Marama Cres for a change.  We ended up being pretty spread out but at the hedge at Major Hornbrook we bumped into the Cook who was doing a wee ride before a mates wedding.  Up we went again to finally get on the single track of John Brittan.  I led to try and keep the group as a group but we still ended up spread out.  Over the fence and up shitty little climb of broadleaf before heading down towards the Saddle.  Mellonfarmer did a nice little bail to avoid a spaniard.  From here the grunt up to the Gondola.  I dabbed near the bottom but then settled in.  Bugs had a good run and I think most of the others had differing climbes.  Down from the Gondola much better and a lot more fun than I thought it would be.  In fact very enjoyable.  Then the climb up Castle Rock.  Stopped and chatted with workers before carrying on.  The boys stopped to help while I continued searching for my ring without success.  I was pleased to clean the top grunt.  Bugs came up next and so we cheared the others on.  Down and over Witch Hill at a good clip.  Over vernon with some of the lads flagging.  Noted that even Mellonfarmer seemed a bit slower up here today or was I faster.  We then stopped for a munch before taking the line down to Old Skool.  The top section saw people taking all sorts of lines.  The bottom was quite sedate if you were at the back.  Good run and cleaned the bottom mess.  Out and stopped for a cuppa before heading home.