Sunday 27th September

Bug's rode around to the meeting point at Rubberjaws place. Tinkerbell was removing his bike from the car after spending a bit of dosh on some overdue repairs. Sandals arrived in the car with Dozer not far behind. Sandals had sneakers on for a change as the road was still a little wet. Headed around the river then up Rapiki at a average pace. Dozer and Bug's gaped the other two on the climb. Got to the top where the wind was cold n strong. Tinkerbell arrived the Sneakers was not far behind. Headed left then went up Witch hill where the rocks were wet n slippy. All getting though with the odd close call on the rocks. Headed up the road towards Castle Rock. Regroup there while a few roadies rode past. Sneakers decided to go down the single track while the others were contemplating on which way to go. Bugs then lead down the Castle Rock track with Tinkerbell behind and Dozer bringing up the rear. Caught Sneakers just after the two switch backs. Rocks were slippy and wet. Regroup at the top of the Bridlepass then onwards around the road. Dozer managed to cut off a roadie under the Gondola. Continued on to the top then dropped into the single track below the summit road. Back out onto the Summit road then down to Greenwood. Track said OPEN so down we went. Sneakers lead with the other not far behind. Passed her before the ruins then Tinkerbell lead with Bug's not far behind. Tinkerbell pulled off the track to let a group go past that were doing the up Greenwood. Bug's dropped off track and snuck into the lead. Continued on downwards with the track muddy and wet in a few places. Bug's cocked up the two rocky bits at the bottom and the others did not fear much better. Decided to head down Cpt Thomas. Bug's lead, then Tinkerbell, Dozer and Sneakers. Rocks were wet n slippy so Bug's walked Phatboys rock and also missed the up just after. The others had a similar run. Down the lower half then dropped into the new track near the cabbage tree. This was interesting on the steep off camber corners as they were slippy as well. All got down onto the old track then Bug's brakes decided to jamb on for the rest of the ride. Sneakers arrived at the bottom with a smile so she enjoyed the down as well. Down into Sumner for a coffee while the tsunami warning system played us a tune. Was test day as we found out. Coffees etc then headed off with a slight tailwind on the road home. Bug's turned off at his while the other 3 rode around to there waiting cars parked at Ruberjaws place.  

Friday 25th and Saturday 26th.

On Friday Phatboy took a ride on his own without looking at Saturdays plan.  He cranked up Huntsbury and right along the Traverse before heading up the road past the Kiwi and out to Kennedys Bush Track.  He ground up through the mud and gorse before heading down from the top.  He bypassed the Crocidile as it was wet and closed before taking the tarmac home.

On Saturday I (rubberjaws) headed off for the ride to the Kennedys Bush planting on my own as everyone had reasons not to join in.  I was going to ride the same trails as Phatboy pretty much.  Halfway through Hansens Park I thought gosh my head is cold.  Great start my Helmet was still at home so back I went to get it.  Added an extra k to the ride.  Up the hill I went and along the Traverse.  Still wet in spots and a big puddle in the dipper.  Out to Kennedys and the muddy climb.  Coming down through the first rocky section was fun and sketchy.  Slick and muddy rocks keeping my attention all the way before hitting the long grassy stretches.  I decided to do Crocidile which was in good nick with only a couple of greasy patched.  Near the bottom of C2 were a bunch of people doing track maintenance but i rode past them to the planting.  Phatboy ajnd Tinks were there to plant.  Quick planting then home along the tarmac.

Tuesday 15th september

After a hectic afternoon out at Darfield I raced back into town through traffic trying to catch up to a schedule, raced home and after a few extra holdups drove up to the top of Upper major Hornbrook to meet up with The Cook, Dozer and Bugs.  MacGyvers car was there and he and Mellonfarmer were out there somewhere.  Started up the trail when the phone rung.  Mellonfarmer touching in and gonna meet us further on.  On we went and then straight up the guts to the trees,  MF text to say they had issues and were gonna bail.  We headed around John Brittain then down to Cavendish saddle and up Mt Pleasant.  As we were regrouping at the aerials Mac and Mel arrived after running repairs to Mac's Nukeproof implosion.  I led off from here down the hill having a very good run through the rocks. Regrouped and then back into the Greenwood start towards Mt Pleasant.  Up the road then Broadleaf up before bombing down towards Cavendish.  Up the road and into brittain for a good run back to the cars.  Short and sweet but good pedaling.

Sunday 13th September

The posse met at mine with Mellonfarmer, Phatboy, Tinkerbell, Silverfox and Dozer all showing up.  Quick chat and then we headed off.  My Target was top of Huntsbury by 9.20.  The group spread out around Hansens and then into the climb.  Me being tail end charlie. Feck I am still struggling. Working oin this.  Regroup and a delayer at the hairpin on Aotea then carried on up the hill.  I finally arrived at the end of the tarmac as everyone is having a regroup so due to my slowness I continued on with Tinkerbell joining me.  I expected everyone to pass me quite quickly but Mellonfarmer finally caught on the section after the pylon( he and Tinks slowly pulled away) the Phatboy caught after the next and we rode to the start of the last steep together when Bugs arrived.  They slowly pulled away while I continued to grunt away.  I managed to get to the top before Silverfox and Dozer.  Sanels and Helmut were there waiting.  Off we went around Vernon all of us taking the old top line for a change. Fun.  Bugs stopped to chat with someone.  We regrouped at Witchhill although Sandels trundled on as she does.  I briefly stopped to chat with a couple of customers before continuing on.  We all regrouped at the top of castle Rock.  Down we headed all doing well, passed Mellonfarmer fixing a flat.  Had a great run but right at the last rocks I heard ppphhh as air spurted from my rear tyre.  Gunk on the rocks.  Pushed my finger onto the hole to stop the hiss before walking the last few metres to the end.  Everyone was regrouping but I decided to trundel on to keep the tyre spinning.  Into John Brittain and out to the start of greenwood.  The others catching me just before or pretty soon after.  Nice spin to the ruins where we had a break before charging down greenwood.   Al had a good run with me having a total of 3 dabs before the bottom.  Decided to head down Ct Thomas and try the new Cabbage tree section.  I tail ended which was lucky because at the first major rock Silverfox hasd the most spectacular of all over the bars fall I have seen.  I was pretty worried as I heard the thump of the landing and his bike ended up way down the hill just above a cliff.  Checked him and got his bike then rung Tinks to advise him.  Followed the Fox down the hill slowly and tried the new track before regrouping with the others at the bottom.  Dotcom for food the the ride back minus Helmut and Sandels.  The people all pulling out at different points until it was Dozer and I ending at mine about 12.25.  Good ride but I need more.

Tuesday 8th Septemeber

Dozer picked up Bug's and drove to Upper Hornbrook Road where The Cook was waiting in his nice warm car. Bikes off the racks and headed to the gate on single track though the Paddocks. Bug's lead on the up with Dozer behind, then The Cook. We spread out on the up then had a regroup before the summit road. The Cook was feeling the ups as he was still recovering from the flu. Headed below the road on the John Britten track towards the Mt Pleasant Shared track. Up the Mt Pleasant track in the same order. The Cook was quietly dieing and dropped further behind. Regroup about half was up then continued at a slower pace. Onto the 4WD track before the aerials where The Cook decided to continue on to the top. Up we went to the top then headed down in the same order again. Bug's gaped Dozer a little and Dozer gaped The Cook. Regroup at the junction on Greenwood. The Cook had had enough and headed down the 4WD track to the road then back to his car and home to bed. Bug's lead into Greenwood with Dozer not to far behind. Chased a few sheep off the track but had a ok run. Bug's missed the usually rocky up before the end and Dozer had a small issue as well. Up the road with Dozer nearly having a woopsee on the up and just about nearly knocking Bug's off as well. Unknown cause and then we continued up to Mt Pleasant. Straight into the down though the paddocks at a cracking pace. Bikes back into the car then off for a beer at The Twisted Hop. Not long there and we were joined by Phatboy, MacGyver, Rubberjaws and Mellonfarmer.    These last four had been Trees For Canterburying, prior to which MacG and MF had had a bit of a dally on the similar hills to Dozer, Bugs and Cookie

Saturday 5thSeptemeber

A saturday ride this week since Fathers Day was on Sunday.  7 weeks since I last rode up a whole hill and that was a  road ride due to the weather.  Lots of sickness amongst that too.  Time to rotate pedals.  It was 10 weeks for The Cook.  Anyhow The Cook, Phatboy, Dozer, Bugs, Mellonfarmer and Johhny (neighbours bro) headed off from mine at 9 towards Gruntsbury collecting Tinkerbell at the bottom.  Up the hill we went with some up front and the least fit outback.  grunt it was for me and The Cook.  Regrouped and delayered a couple of times before heading around the Traverse.  Good spin with lots of fun.  I actually had a moment in a spot I did not think I could have a moment.  Regrouped at the top of Vic with discussion on where to go.  Tinkerbell dropped down the hill as he had a loose pivot.  The rest of us dropped down Thompsons which was fun and then we headed up from Sign of the Kiwi to the Nun.  Regrouped and Mellonfarmer had been nice to some guys who needed a chain breaker so Bugs led off with me next.  Had a great run down here still making me gasp for air at times, passed Bugs whose looking at air oozing out of his new tubeless set up.  Continued down with Dozer not far behind and then waited as everyone came in to regroup.  Bugs tyre pumped up and starting to hold air again.  After getting the word from a guy who said old Dyers was a muckfest due to recent logging we headed up to the top of Vic again.  Down the Rock garden and the Gums at pace then we headed down Shazzasa and Brents.  Joyful going down and fun was had.  Phatboyhad to tighten his seat before we headed on down bridges and Flow etc.  At the hidden track Dozer pulled out for a funeral and The Cook had had enough for his first ride out.  The rest of us headed up the hill with a brief stop as Mellonfarmer who had a tumble and needed to starighten his bars.  Then I watched Johnny tumble off the track into the gorse before I struggled up the steep section of the hidden track.  Regrouped here and off we went.  Nice run down Old skool which was in good nick.  I was feeling those 7 weeks off the hills by now.  We then had Mellonfarmer split off at the end of Bowenvale and then Johnny left the last 3 to have food at Kaizuka.  Good ride and a good test for me.

http://www.mapmyride.com/workout/1153549247