An out of order ride on Saturday 6th December

Rubberjaws (me) had arranged to take out a couple of newbie riders today.  He arranged for the Cook to come out also.  The Cook arrived followed by the newbies.  Kevin has done Rapaki once and the Crocidile a couple of times but not recently  while Roy has never been up a hill.  We set off a t a very relaxed pace with The Cook getting ahead.  Roy thought we were half way up when we left the tarmac but we soon put him straight.  Kevin was doing ok.  I stuck with them while the Cook headed on ahead to wait at  the flat stretch.  It was funny watching Roy struggle his way up.  Every rider who passed him gave encouragement which was really cool to see.  Eventually hooked up with the Cook.  As we entered the last stretch up I gave it a boost.  Easy to do when the rest  of the ride up was  a doddle.  Caught the Cook who was ahead and blasted to the summit.  Slowing 100 meters from the top to allow the Cook to catch up.  We then waited for the others to show up.  Kevin first and then finally Roy.  Looking pale but pleased to be at the top.  He said "Now for the down" and looked at bit sad when we sad at the end of the little climb.  Kevin and Roy took the road to the Traverse Track start.  I led the Cook over Vernon giving it a real thumping, stretched out a lead and got around in very quick time.  The regroup took some time as we waited for the newbies.  Into the Traverse going well.  Kevin had led off started well but I passed him in the rocky section as did The Cook.  Around and then waited at the top just before the good run down to the pond.  3 of us waited a while and saw a guy go over the bars a long way back.  Hoped it was not Roy because he did not move for a while.  I ended up going back to see if it was Roy but found him 200m back fixing his chain problem.  He had a small tumble and bent his derailer.  Fixed that and continued on.  Good blast around to Vic Park.  Both the newbies enjoying themselves.  We then headed down the Rock Garden, They walked the rocks but Kevin then rode the rest, while Roy did Ok.  Down Shazzas into Brents.  We watched some guys go over at the bottom and then Roy lept over the bars at the same spot as he lost control.
Down Bridges, and Flow.  They both were happy at the bottom.  We then headed home in a relaxed style.  Slowest ride I have ever done in this track time wise but I dug it in whenever possible.