Sunday 29th March

Meeting point was Bugs place. Tinkerbell turned up at same time the rain did. Phatboy arrived next riding from his place. Dozer was next in his car. Weather looked like it might clear a little so after Phatboy added some more air into his new back tyre we headed off down Alport place to the roundabout at Ferry Rd. Over the road then onto the single track next to the river. Nice steady pump around here then over the new 4 lane bridge at Ferrymead. A quick push up the scaffold steps to access St Andrews Hill. Up we headed all the way up though the park then continued up towards Upper Hornbrook Rd. Still the odd shower as we continued on. Phatboy had more air and white stuff coming from his tyre. At the turn off to the shared track at the top Phatboy decided to ride the road and head home wards as his back tyre was letting him down !! The other 3 headed up the shared track and as it was still raining we headed straight into Greenwood. Bugs letting a little air out of his tyres as the rocks looked a little slippy. This proved to be a error as on about corner 5 he got a snake bite so we all stopped while he did a repair. Bug's then lead off with Tinkerbell not far behind and Dozer bringing up the rear. All arrived at the gate in one piece then into Captain Thomas. Tinkerbell lead, followed by Dozer then Bug's. All clearing all the rocky bit's except for the one that Phatboy crashed on last time. Onwards into the switch backs towards the bottom when Bug's got the jump on Dozer by taking a well used short cut. Down we all raced nearly taking a lady out on the final steeps as she ran up them. Down the road to Dot Com for coffee n cake. Into the head wind across the Causeway. Dropped down next to the river behind the Ferrymead shops then headed back to Bug's place. Home by 12.15pm with the sun now shining.    

Sunday 22nd March

Bugs rode to the meeting point out front of Rubberjaws place. Silver Fox was waiting then Dozer arrived followed by a text from Sandals who was running late and would meet them at the start of the hill. The 3 of us headed over to Huntsbury Hill as the text said and waited a little for Sandals. After a quick phone call we headed up the hill slowly without her. About half way up she pulled up in the Vitiz. She had read the text after a few drinks Sat and headed to Mt Pleasant by mistake. She joined the others and we continued on up into the mist n cloud. At the Traverse Dozer lead off followed by Bugs, The Fox and then Sandals. Nice clip around here with the 3 guy's riding close together. Quick stop at the half way mark then onwards to the top of Vic park. Regroup then into the two lower tracks before Dyers Pass. Up the road to the top of the Nun then down we went. Silver Fox leading then Bug's, Dozer and Sandals not far behind. Nearly a big pile up about half way down where a group of Asians were walking up the track on a Sunday stroll. Couple of choice words spoken as we went past. Onwards to Dyers pass for a regroup. Continued on down below the road to just below Vic park. Up the track to the skidder site. Down though the normal way with Bug's n Sandals heading down the steeper track to the right. Continued on down though Vic park to the start of The Hidden Track. Sign said Closed but we decided to check it out anyway. Bug's lead off cocking up the creek crossing as normal. Dozer cleared it but not sure about the others. Regroup at the fence then down we headed. Bug's leading with Dozer chasing, then The Fox and Sandals. Bugs n Dozer arrived at the bottom just in time to see The Fox pushing his bike down the track. Flat tire. After a bit of chatting while The Fox changed the tube he realized he had put the holed tube back in the tyre. Another change then we were off. Turned right at the end of Bowenvale Road and headed for a Beer, Chips and Coffee at the normal pub. The Fox headed home, Dozer n Bugs rode across town and Sandals headed back up the hill get get her car. 34Km ride. 

Sunday 15th March and an interesting puncture fest.

I headed out with my music in my ears for a cruisy rode ride to Tinkerbells where we were meeting.  Balmy tailwind all the way as I went.  Normal route down Ford Rd, over  the repaired footbridge, back streets past New World then wound my way to Beckenham Service Ctr then down the single track along the river across Barrington and followed the pathway past Princess Margeret Hospital, and onto Tinkerbells. He was ready and shortly we were joined by Silvefox and the Dozer roared up raring to go.  No sign of Phatboy so I texted and he was not far off and was prepared to catch us.  Off we went, and he drove around the corner so Tinks waited for him while the rest rode on.  Good steady pace all the way to Halswell Quarry around the road.  We stopped just before C2 where the other 2 caught us up.  Off we went Phatboy leading and me at the back.  Good climb up here into crocidile where the wind was gusting up the valley.  Dozer and the Fox dabbed on the steep rutty section but otherwise an uneventful climb.  Up the next section with The Foz and I peeling off onto the farmtrack just before the nasty section.  Down Siberia and then straight into the climb up Kennedys.  The top section got The Foz and myself while the others did much better.  Nice ride around and up toi the top of Marleys.  This is where we decided to regroup at Sign of the Kiwi in case someone punctured.  Off we went.  Past some guy just after the first hairpin who had punctured then I passed Dozer, (a puncture) then carried on and passing Phatboy and Tinkerbell. (Phatboy punctured.  Continued on down having a good run to the Kiwi.  Stopped to wait and watch some other guy who had punctured.  Silverfox finally arrived pushing his bike, he had punctured.  Then saw the others coming.  Tinkerbell and Dozer arrived but Phatboy walked in last.  Another puncture.  Repairs began in earnest but alas, Silverfox had holes in both tubes that could not be repaired as too close to the valve and Phatboy had so may holes in the tube.  No more patches  or tubes between us. A phone call to Sandals who came up to collect the lads.  Tinks, Dozer and I headed down Old Dyers but decided that due to no more puncture repair options we would take the road the rest of the way down.  Stopped at Elevate for beer and coffee.  They headed off to Tinks and I put music in my ears and rode into a steady breeze to home.  An eventful trip

http://www.mapmyride.com/workout/904546127

Tuesday 10th March

Picked up The Cook and headed to the flat before Worsleys Hill where Dozer, Sandals, Silver fox and Helmut where waiting. Loaded the bikes into two cars and drove to the top of the road. Headed up the 4WD track to the forest where Sandals made the decision to head up the old Worsleys 4WD track. This proved to be interesting as some of the hard bits were easier and the easier bits where harder. Sandals lead most of the way with everyone dabbing once or twice as we made our way up. Bit of a group resting at the turn off below the body bag so we headed up into the forest. Helmut decided to lead us higher to the steeper tracks so we all followed like sheep. Helmut lead down the 2nd last track with Dozer, Bugs, The Fox, The Cook and Sandals following. About half way down we took a sharp left back up the hill and ended up on the original Bee line track. Headed down this at speed then into Fight Club. Helmet went the wrong way so Dozer took the lead with Bugs hot on his heals. Flew down the steeper sections at the bottom with speed. Helmet dropped into a very steep side track which ended up on the 4WD track at the bottom. Short wait for the others and found The Cook had over Cooked a corner and came a cropper. Small graze to the forearm and a bit of dirt here and there but ok. Headed back up then grunted up though the forest for loop number 2. Let another group go 1st then gave chase. Helmut leading followed by Bugs, Dozer and the rest. Flew down here just as quick as the 1st run even though it was getting darker in the forest. Bugs took one of the lower corners to fast and ended up on the steep track Helmut had ridden the 1st time. Too late to stop so rode on and enjoyed the steep challenge beating the others to the bottom. Up the 4WD track with a large group of others then dropped down though the lower tracks. Sandals stopping at her car while the others sped down the road to the Far Side tracks. Straight into the original one in the middle. The Cook and The Fox both over running the odd off camber corner. A regroup at the road with Sandals who then took Bugs up the road to get his car. Off for a beer and bowl of chips at Elevates Bar. Home by 9.15pm   

Sunday 8th March

I had a Fourtieth Wedding Anniversary to go to for lunch and needed to be home super early so I did not arrange to ride with the group.  I headed out on my  own and went up Hunstbury to the top, a bit of water flowing so I headed back down then played in the streets doing some ups and downs before heading down and home.  Out for about 1.5 hours.  Nothing much but got out.  The boys canned the planned ride due to the weather but Bugs and Dozer went out later, cruised up Rapaki then left over Witch Hill, down the castle Rock track around to Greenwood for a blast then down Ct Thomas and home.  Meanwhile the Mellonfarmer took out his new Fat Wheeled bike to Bottlelake for a spin.  he likes something fat to ride it seems.  A whole new experience for him. See his  experience here>

Tuesday 4th March

I drove round and met up with Tinkerbell, Silverfox, Phatboy, Dozer, Bugs and The Cook (he was on Bugs spare bike).  We headed around and up C2, me feeling slow, and then straight up The Crocidile.  Good grunt up here dabbing once on the last major hairpin.  Others had better success and some dabbed a bit earlier down also.  Then we went up the next bit at a steady pace, giving way to a bunch coming down and then up the last section with the technical bits. Mixed success up here. Bugs and The Cook went up the farm track to avoid the techy stuff.  Down Siberia and then back up.  We then headed up the cross country race track above the farm track.  At the top most stopped while I carried on.  Quite nice run down here and then hooked into the old track heading down.  Others took differing paths.  Tinkerbell rode the big log and we all regrouped above The Crocidile.  Down we went.  Everyone having a great run down here.  Back to the cars and we headed off for a beer at the Elevate bar.  Thanks Dozer.  Short but sweet.

http://www.mapmyride.com/workout/891241899

Sunday 1st march. Hello autumn

I hooked up with Tinkerbell, Silverfox and Dozer out front of home and we decided to head out towards ferrymead.  I led along the river and finally we started the climb up St Andrews Hill.  Good steady pace by the boys but tiredness and lack of riding showed on me.  tailend Charlie for most of the climb.  Stopped for a stretch at Major Hornbrook before continuing on up the hill.  Finally got to the single track on Upper Major Honrnbrook where i led off up the hill.  Nice steady climb.  I thought we would go in Old greenwood and rode until I got to the road only to find the others were heading around John Britain.  I met them on Broadleaf lane.  The shingle road was really tough with more large shingle having been laid.  grunted on up.  At the top we started the descent.  I took the direct route to the fence and stile while the others did the main line.  Headed down the track.  We all had a really good run down here although Dozer did have a moment of off piste.  I then led down greenwood, feeling really great compared to last time.  Stopped to let some ignorant uphillers past before continuing.  Tinkerbell now hard on my tail. Dabbed at the rocky bit at the end of the valley and again on the first rock.  regrouped and then we headed down Ct Thomas, Tinks, Dozer, me then the fox.  Great rund down but at the 3rd set of rocks the fox punctured so we sat and chatted while he repaired this before blasting down the rest of the track.  Off to Dot Com for some drinks before the ride home.  Silverfox managed a tumble when he side swiped a raised gutter but survived to ride another day.  Home by 11.45.  left at 8 so beat the heat.

http://www.mapmyride.com/workout/888978399