Sunday 9th March

A lovely weekend and some tracks made available to ride.  I headed outside and was soon met by Dozer, Tinkerbell, Mellonfarmer and Phatboy in that order.  Got sorted and headed around Hansens Park (surveying damage from the storm as we rode) and then headed up Gruntsbury at a steady pace. Chatted a bit with Mellonfarmer along the way.  Regrouped at the top and then headed over Mt Vernon which had a couple of wetspots and a couple of ruts that have never been there before.  Had to slow and move over a couple of times for uphill riders but otherwise a nice wee run.  We then headed over Witch Hill.  The normal bits made me stumble and grumble but then it was sweat.  A bit slick in spots but that was to be expected.  Along the road and then up the climb to Castle Rock.  Mellonfarmer and I were out in front so straight in.  I wish I had of let some air out of my tyres.  A bit wet and greasy down here.  I even lost it on the first hairpin so Phatboy caught me up.  I let him pass and then continued having a moment by the wooden bridge thing.  Regrouped at the Bridal Path and then started the climb.  Even with the walking I like this bit of track.  Lots of challenges and techy climbs along the way.  At the  top a fast blast down to  the saddle and then the climb over Mt Pleasant.  The beginning of this was munted and ruined by water runoff.  Got better as we climbed and then it was sweet all the way to the top.  Chatted with another rider up here before headed down.  Good blast down to  the top of Greenwood where we took the 4wd track towards the Richmond Hill exit.  Fast and splattery down here.  Real old skool sty;le of ride.   Fun though.  Down Richmond Hill 4wd.  Wet and boggy in spots, slick and slippery in others before the fast blast down the tarmac.  Into Scumner, riding through their street festival before a coffe and tea at Dot Com.  A steady ride home from here with Phatboy and Mellonfarmer heading their way at Ferrymead,