Tuesday 25th November

After collecting the Cook we headed around and up Worsley Rd to hook up with the rest of the Posse.
They were Bugs, Dozer, Tinkerbell, Silverfox and MacGyver.  Had a text from Helmut and Sandals to say they were casually heading up in front.  Up we went into the 4wd track spread out until we got to the corner where you can head up one of two ways.  We met Sandals and Helmut here.  Rather than stay on the 4wd rutfest we headed up the guts.  Grunt grunt grunt up to the top flat section by the cliff.  Had a quick breather before heading down fight club.  Ages since I have ridden in here but had a blast.  Up the sidle track  and then up the guts again.  Some tried alternate routes but no success in finding a good uphill track.  Maybe we need to look at this ourselves.  Regrouped at the cliffs and then headed on up to the very top.  Nice climb through here and never been up this way before.  We then headed down a route behind Macgyver who was leading the way.  I believe the track is Alices Restaurant.  Wonderful track, got really dark in the trees, steep and off camber but fantastic.  A couple of regroups on some steep gnarly spots but we all enjoyed this track alot.  We then headed down to the cars.  Macgyver showed some of the lads the downhill route from here while others headed home.  Then we all went home feeling happy..

Sunday 23rd November

Dozer, Tinkerbell and Bugs met at mone and the 4 of us headed around the road and then did the grind up Rapaki.  So many people on the track, walkers, runners, dogs, and riders.  It was quite crowded and annoying at times.  Finally reached the top in good time with a wee rest before I led off over Vernon.  Good run up here reaching the start to the Traverse in pretty quick time.  led off around towards Vic park only stopping because some pillock coming the other way got into a panic and stopped in the middle of the track then onwards again.  Down Thompsons with Tinkerbell leading me at the rear and then headed up the road to Marleys.  The up slowing me down somewhat.  Down the Nun with a few dodgy bits.  getting quite rocky and bouncy on spots but we all survived before heading back up to the top of Vic.  Down the track into the Gums, then Shazzas, Brents, Flow, Bridges etc.  A good wee run.  WEe then headed up Hidden Valley and onto Old Skool for a nice blast down here.  From the track end we headed to Dozers for tea, coffee and Bannana Bread before heading home by 12.45.  Stiff easterly for Bugs and I to ride into.

Tuesday 18th November

A rather pleasant night for a ride if you take away the wind that was building up.  After collecting the Cook we met up with the rest of the posse at the top end of Bowenvale Ave.  A good group that included Silverfox, Tinkerbell, Bugs, Phatboy, Helmut and for a change we also had MacGyver with us.  After chatting about Phatboys problem with his carbon wheel we rode up the shingle road.  This has a couple of steep grunts in it and you also have to be careful of riders coming down.  We reached the crossing of the creek in a flash really.  Some gasping of air and we all set about attempting to cross and ride the first stretch.  Not a lot of success and it was made worse by the fact if you did make it everyone would of been in your way and you would need to dab anyway. :) I did a good Nydia showing and casually walked across with a dapper smile on my face.  Then we headed on up.  Some having more success than others.  My worse ride up this track for ages.  We regrouped at the fence and realised the wind was pretty gusty up here.  Off we set.  Some rolling well while others felt they were not doing so well.  Got better and better as we went and then regrouped at the bottom.  Chatted some more and then set off for loop 2.  Much better climbing, MacGyver blew air into his tyre along the way and I rode the creek but dabbed on the otherside.  A few cleaned it but once again there were lots of dabs.  The climb up was much better this time and once we regrouped at the fence the order was organised and off we went.  Much better ride this time for all of us.  Caught a couple of slower riders on the way down. 2 loops complete and although we had plenty of time some of us were heading home.  Helmut, Tinkerbell, Phatboy and MacGyver headed up for a 3rd loop while the rest of us headed off.  Nice liotle loop that we should do more often I think.

Sunday 16th November

Dozer and Helmut picked up Bugs and headed to Dot Com where The Fox, Tinkerbell and old Texas were waiting. After a short chat we headed up the tarsel to the start of Captain Thomas. Nice steady climb up here with most of us getting the hairpins except for the 1st one. Up the rest of Captain Thomas with us all pushing the odd rocky section. Regroup at the summit road then Helmut suggested riding up Greenwood before heading out Greenwood. Group decision and we rode up the road to the start of Greenwood. Regroup here then Bugs led off with The fox behind followed my Helmut, Dozer then Texas. Fantastic ride down here expecting Helmut to catch which he didn't. Passed one young lady about half way down but couldn't quite catch her partner. Texas came to some grief on the rocks at the top. Ending up going over the bars. Nothing hurt so he soldered on. 1st ride in the hills for a couple of years for him. Regroup at the road then onwards towards Godley. Texas took the road to meet up at the top while the rest headed into the rocky single track. Everyone having some issues on the rocks but no one coming to grief. Passed some nice scenery then meet up with Texas at the top. Into the downhill getting faster has we headed down. Up again then down towards PFMTBC rock. Everyone riding it in there own way. Regroup then into the Anaconda. Helmut leading followed by Tinkerbell, Dozer, Bugs, The Fox and Texas. Flew down here hitting the high lines on the bends and loving every minute of it. Across the last rocky bit to Taylor's. Started the climb at a nice pace for Texas but as we got higher the pass quickened so we had a regroup at the top. Down the road and off to Dot Com for hot drinks and some viewing. Great ride but a big one for Texas on his 1st ride for a while.   

Sunday 9th November

Finally got my bike back after a service.  Put air in the shocks and adjusted rebound, propedal etc etc.  The day was a beautiful spring morning with little wind.  Got outside early to meet the few who were able to ride.  First was Silverfox and Stewie from Nelson (on his new Carbon Scott)followed by Dozer.  That was us.  Four lads headed out initially towards Rapaki but changed our mind when we saw hundreds (maybe not that many) heading up in a huge group.  We headed around up grunted up Huntsbury and a steady pace with only one brief stop.  I thought I would be out of condition but I went better than expected.  Stewie was nice and rode with us.  At the top we went left towards Sumner.  I led and we all had a fun ride over Vernon finding the huge group of riders just arriving at the top of Rapaki.  Straight into Witch Hill for us and then on around and down Castle Rock track.  Flowed really well here and swaited at the top of Bridal Path for a regroup.  Stewie was not used to riding so much lava rock and found our trails narrow.  Up towards the Gondola with the normal ride, push and carry happening.   Used to this after Nydia. Had a little regroup in the shade before moving on,  Had a blast coming down from the top into Cavendish Saddle straight up Mt Pleasant.  I led with Stewie pushing me along from behind.  Then Dozer led down from the top.  Had a great run with a food stop at the ruins.  Then into Greenwood, having a sweet run.  My shock and forks tuned perfectly me thinks. Paste a slow rider just before Gloomy Gulch and let a fast rider through then had a small technical with my chain witch pissed me off.  The others caught up.  From here blasted down to the road. Fantastic run.  Had another regroup before heading down Ct Thomas at speed.  So much fun.  Got pissed at the stupid gate and nearly went over in a wheel size pot hole before continuing my blast.  Only got off at the last rocky section and for the small climb but cleaned the rest.  Another regroup at the hairpin to the bottom half and then blasted down.  Dot com for food and drink then a steady ride home with the Fox and Stewie blasting the causeway.  Great ride.

No doubt just before these guys had finished this ride, Mellonfarmer headed up McCormacks, Britten and Broadleaf then down Mt Pleasant and Greenwood, out and back the first section of Godley, then back up the road and back down Britten and McCormacks.

Sunday 2nd November

Dozer arrived at Bug's place followed by Phatboy, Tinkerbell, The Fox, Sandals and a new guy called IanJohnChris. After meeting Grand daughter Bugs we headed off down Alport Place turning right onto Ferry rd. Through the round about then crossed the road and into the track behind the shops, Nice easy pace down here until we had a small regroup in the shade near the Ferrymead bridge. There was a bit of minor adjustments made to a few bikes and some air pumped into the bottom of Phatboys rear tire. Up St Andrews Hill we headed at a steady pace with the wind getting stronger as the higher we went. A regroup in the normal spot then up the last road section before the shared track above. Another regroup there then up we went to nearly the top where a short discussion was made whether we were mountain bikers or road bikers. The right decision was made and we headed around John Britten. Bugs having a few gear issues at the start but nothing major. Down the tarseal into the valley then up the single track to the aerials. This stretched the group out a little as the wind was causing more issues than the rocks. Regroup at the aerials then down we went. Phatboy leading, then Bugs, Thinkerbell, The Fox, Dozer, Sandals and IanJohnChris. Fast ride down here as the wind was pushing us along at that angle. Into Greenwood in a similar order but different. Most enjoyed the down hill with no one coming to grief. Bugs stopping with vibrations and noise from his rear suspension. Turned out all was fine just a cable rubbing where it shouldn't had. No one cleared both rocky bits at the bottom. Some got one, some got none. Down Captain Thomas we went in a similar order to the different order from before. The Fox having one of his best rides down here. Phatboy cleared most things in front of him. Tinkerbell missed one spot and the rest enjoyed the challenge. All arrived with smiles at the road then down we headed over taking a couple of roadies on the way to Dot Com. Coffees and Hot Chocolates all round with No Green teas this trip. Headed back to Ferrymead with a VERY STRONG head wind. Phatboy continued into the wind down Linwood Ave, Bug's, The Fox, Dozer and Tinkerbell headed around the river while Sandals and IanJohnChris took the road back to Bug's place. Home by 12.30 and rode 27km.

Meanwhile, MellonFarmer and his pooch moseyed around in the Worsley Forest, and down the hill a bit in the Farside Trails...