Sunday 9th August

A cool day with a bit of snow hanging around the summit and most tracks officially closed so a long flat ride was planned.  Outside of mine I met The Cook (1st real ride in over 5 weeks due to his jaunt to Europe), Bugs, Tinkerbell and Silverfox.  We headed down Opawa onto Richardson Tce to Radley St then down here to Linwood Ave and straight ahead into  the Cemetry.  Cut over a fence then took a left into another Cemetry and finally onto Ruru Rd.  At the Itm on Dyers we collected Dozer.  Straight through the ponds and finally around the Bexley Stopbank.  A breif stop where Tinkerbells house once stood before heading over the bridge and finally cutting though Rawhiti Domain.  After this it was an alley way all the way to Pacific road which bought us out just near Broad Park.  Looked back towards the hills which were black and threatening.  Hoped it would not catch us up.  Off we headed down the beach, past the dump fire, along the beach a bit more before hanging a left onto the singletrack.  Turnt right onto a track (finally realised it was one that was known to us from years ago) chasing Bugs who was leading. Had a regroup at the end of this stretch before heading out the final couple of legs to Spencer Park.  Had a rest here and a piss stop.  Bugs put on his jacket (sensible lad in the end) and then we headed off through the camp ground.  Rain starting to fall.  Into the forest where I discovered that somehow I had a leg issue.  Pulled hamstring somehow.  This was slowing me down a tad.  Kept pushing a bit more but stopped to put on jackets and wet weather gear as it began to snow, It was getting cold.  Tinks, Bugs and Dozer had pulled ahead so they waited at the end of the next strectch.  Continued on the lost Bugs and Dozer briefly when we lost the track and they did not.  Onwards to the road near the hq. Here we continued on around the track with me leading and rain or snow falling at times.  Regrouped at the  wee hut on the hill.  We had dropped the Cook somehow and his fitness was starting to tell.  He ended coming up from the complete oppisite direction.  From here we continued out towards the beach and had a cruise back to Broad Park where we washed our bikes while waiting for The Cook.  Weather really closed in with snow, sleet and rain as we pumped along Marine Parade.  We stopped in the shelter of the Working Mens Club.  Dozer and the Cook headed home down Pages Rd while the rest of us followed Marine Parade onto beachh Rd finally turning across the ponds.  Tired bunnies now, head wind, sleet and feeling very numb.  Bugs stopped at his and we final 3 slogged out the last kms to home.  Wet, tired, sore but felt rather good.  Need more long hauls before the trip.

http://www.mapmyride.com/workout/1111523585