Tuesday 20th May

After a bit of discussion on where to ride due to track condition it was decided on laps of the Nun. Bugs arrived 1st followed by Tinkerbell and Silver Fox, then Phatboy and Dozer. A couple of new lights out for there 1st ride amongst the guy's. Up the tarseal to the top of the Nun then Phatboy lead off followed by Tinkerbell, Bugs, Dozer then Silverfox. Good ride by all, some taking it fast while others taking it safe. 2nd loop with Tinkerbell 1st, then bug's, Dozer, Silverfox and Phatboy (I Think). All of us all having a faster ride. Track is in great condition. 3rd Loop which was a full run with Phatboy leading, Tinkerbell, Bugs, Dozer and Silverfox. Great fast run all the way down to the cars. Nice night ride. Home by 8.20pm

Sunday 18th May

An early 8.15 start as  we had a planting starting at 10am.  Silverfox, Mellonfarmer, Tinkerbell, Dozer and I were all ready and as we gave up on Phatboy he sent a text saying he will meet us at Ferrymead Bridge.  We set off at a steady pace towards Ferrymead.  Following the usual route to the towpath and the singletrack around the river.  met Phatboy, delayered and headed up St Andrews, Marama and Canon Hill to the park.  Phatboy, Mellonfarmer and I setting a good pace.  Rolling regroup in the park and a full regroup at the park on Major Hornbrook before heading up to the park at Clearview.  We then negotiated the rutted steep track down to the road, the challenge being not to skid before a fast blast down to the top of McCormacks Bay track.  This was horrendously wet with a lot of skill testing to get us down.  I gotta admit to a few dabs.  After the bridge it got a little better but then there was also a major slip to negotiate also.  After that it was quick as you hit the gravel of the final fast stretch.  Down with time to spare so we headed back around the towpath, Mellonfarmer sliding hard on the footbridge and nearly taking himself out...but not quite.  Arrived at the planting where we did a solid 2 hours work before heading home again.  Nice mornings effort.

Saturday 17th May

The Cook was running a tad late as he had a puncher when he got his bike outta the shed. Headed down Ferry Road where he meet Bugs at end of his street. Headed along Ferry road then made our way up St Andrews Hill to Upper Major Hornbrook Rd. Over the fence then up the single track though the paddocks. Wasn't too bad considering the recent rain. Regroup at the summit road then down into Greenwood. 1st Puddle about 5m into track followed by another and another. Looked like Greenwood was going to be wet n muddy. Proved to be that all the way down with some normally ridable patches now unridable. The Cook having one little mishap on the way down. Arrived at the bottom gate to the summit rd with bikes and riders caked with mud. Decided to give Ct Thomas a go as we were muddy anyway. Bugs lead with The Cook behind. Track was just as muddy as Greenwood which made some of the rocky drops interesting. Couple of regroups along the way then down though the new lower piece. Very muddy along here with a few new holes appearing in the track. Walked the bridge over the creek at the bottom as it was half washed away. On the tarsal to remove the mud from the tyres. Into Dot Com for a Hot Chocolate then home via the track behind Ferrymead. Muddy by nice 25km ride.     

Saturday 10th May

Not a big group out today with many away, moving, cutting trees etc so Silverfox and I went out together.  We rode out and around the Woolston Cut and along the towpath behind ferrymead.  We then went up St Andrews, marama Cr, Can Hill Cres and up through the park back onto major Hornbrook.  kept a steady pace all the way.  Up through all the little side streets and onto Upper Major Hornbrook before starting up the Single Track through John Brittain.  A few muddy patches but not as bad as last time I rode it with a river flowing down.  We wanted to be home a tad early so we then went into Greenwood by the original entrance.  This had a few big mussy bits to start then dried out quite nicely.  Into the main part of greenwood.  The top section not too bad although one nasty rut just below the rocky section and some real wet before you get to gloomy gully.  Then it was sweet until the section just after the last cattlestop where the big hump is.  Slush slush slush.  Good run down to the 2 rocks but did not clear the 2nd cos of the big wet at the top.  Stopped at the road and chatted to a few riders before heading down Ct Thomas.  This had a few wet spots along the way but I have seen and ridden it when it was worse.  Cos of conditions did not clean the bottom 2 rocks but loved the rest.  Stopped for coffee and tea  at Dot Com before pounding it back home by 12.30.  Good ride and good company

Tuesday 6th May

Time for a night ride and it was a first singletrack ride under lights for all who arrived.  After collecting the Cook we drove up to the top of Huntsbury Ave and hooked up with Phatboy, Silverfox and Tinkerbell.  We headed up the shingle road to the top before hanging a right onto the Traverse Track.  First time along here in ages for me.  The first mud hole has been fixed with lots of rocks which is good.  Passed a few runners coming our way, caught upto a couple of riders and continued around to the half way point where we regrouped.  Phatboy and Tinkerbell out in front all the way.  From here we blasted on around to the top of Vic park.  Interesting ride over a couple of slips which have obviously had some work on.  Feeling better along here.  Then down Thompsons where the Cook caught himself on an overhanging branch and then Silvefox and I snagged a branch going into the bottom stretch of Thompsons.  Then the grind up the road to the top of Marleys.  Down we went. Had a good blast down here, not my fastest but I stayed on.  past Tinkerbell early as he had a flat.  In fact I did not see him as he was tucked up in some bushes to stay out of the way.  Track was in mint condition.  We had a regroup at Sign of the Kiwi before heading back up to Vic.  Blasted around the Traverse again in reverse direction.  Felt good even though this direction is not my favourite.  Down onto the top of Hunstbury across the landing strip and around the singletrack beside the knoll and then down through the paddocks.  Lost the track but it was still fun.  Back to the van and home.  Good first night ride.

Meanwhile, further east... Nelsie and MellonPharmacist rode in some muck and MF struggled.

Sunday 4th May

First planting of the year and so few to ride with.  I jumped on the cruiser and headed around to Phatboys where he and mellonfarmer were waiting and ready to go.  Down Kilmore and then through Cramner Square and into Hagley Park.  We flew through here onto kilmarnock before hanging a right onto the cycleway along the rail line.  Fast pace all the way and when we got to Tuckers Rd we decided that 9;50 was too early to show up at the planting so we stopped at a cute cafe for a cuppa.  Finally rode through the reserve and helped plant 1000 trees.  Phatboy and mellonfarmer had to pull out early (story of their lives) so I retraced most of our ride back to Armagh St.  I then detored down Salisbury, Fitz Ave, North Avon Rd and to the father in laws where I mowed the 1/4 acre block before riding home for a well earned rest.