Day 6, The Final day on the 21st October.

We awoke early transferring all our luggage to the lower unit.  We then rode across town and redid our run on PolHill missing out Barking Emu.  Much harder riding than the first trip up here because of tired legs.  I found it easier going than I expected but I had kept myself to a steady slow pace the whole trip when climbing.  We stopped at the Wind Turbine and actually had a sight across Wellington before dropping back down the hill.  Everyone had a good blast.  We then crossed town at differing times before showers.  Everything had to be packed into boxes and bags.  We then headed each to his own into town for a look around.  I must say the Gallipoli display at Te papa was very moving.  Flew home.  No major injuries or breakages.  A successful trip.

Day 5 was Tuesday 20th October

The last full day in Wellington was planned to take in a couple of tracks already done but we started with something knew for most.  We drove back out to makara but parked up at the bottom of a track called salvation.  This is a simple 3km run up the hill at an easy gradient to the top of Wrights Hill.  We regrouped before coming back down deliverance which is a really technical downhill.  Lots of rocks and tree roots for every one to play on.  We all took differing lines at differing speeds.  At one point macGyver left the track and after picking himself up had to fix a puncture.  We all waited and just to fill in more time Bugs had to put a tube in his tubeless tyre also.  We continued down enjoying oursleves to differing degrees all the while.  A few creek crossings before the track spits you out at the vehicles.  We then parked up at Makara Park and rode off for lunch.  nice cafe and a few gigles befor eheading back to the park.  Up Koru and sally Alley before taking 701 straight up the guts to the top.  From here we split into 2 groups with Helmut, Macgver and Mellonfarmer heading down Trickle falls while the rest of us followed A to Z , Northface, JFK, Smokin down hooking up with the others at Ridgeline extension.  Before going into Swiigg some decided to head up 701 while Dozer, Cook, Silverfox and I continued down Swigg and Starfish before heading to the cafe.  The others went up and most came down T3. Skyline and Wahine the others did T3 and Vertigo.  Everyone end up at the cafe before we headed back to town for showers and feeding.

Day 4 of the trip October 19th.

Makara Park.

Drive out to Makara minus Junior as he had his bike in getting the brakes fixed.  The plan was to pick him up as soon as the bike was ready.

We started the climb going up Koru.  Some saw the sign Koru Shortcut and attempted to ride/walk this.  I and a couple of others continued on the real track.  We all regrouped at the skills area which did not seem to attract our attention as much this time.  A few jumps by a couple of guys before we started back up the last section of koru.  This spits you straight into Sally Alley which is very similar.  Spin spin spin before regrouping at the start of Missing Link.  This costs you a bit of altitude but it is quite a bit of fun.  Down and then up before starting Aratihi.  A long climbing uphill.  Not steep just long.  It was sheltered and warm.  Near the top we regrouped and hung a left into leaping Lizard.  The first part has a couple of climbs, some fast little grassy down hills with sweet jumps before starting to point down the hill  getting steeper and steeper with lots of techy corners.  I loved it all the way. hands and legs were burning from hanging on by time we reached the bottom.  We then headed up possum Line.  What a shitter of a trrack.  Got to admit I walked some of this and I heard that I was not the only one. Steep and narrow with lots of switch backs.  Not a good line.  At the top Phatboy peeled left back into leaping Lizard as Junior was ready to come riding.  We did not see them again until back at the motel. The main group headed into nikau Gully which was not too bad.  Downhill and then a climb out.  It was warm going.  The track spits you out at the end of Missing Link.  We took this and continued up Aratihi going right instead of left at the intersection. (Left to leaping Lizard, Right to the top)  We waited for Silverfox who had punctured and Dozer who waited with him to arrive before the last sweet climb to the tower at Makara Peak.  We decided to do Peak Flow which locals had been raving about.  I had gear problems at the start which spoilt the run down a bit.  Not a track than anyone of us really raved on about. At the bottom MacGyver gave aid to my gears while the others rode up 701 (a steepish 4wd track) that takes you back to the Peak.  They waited there until first macGyver and then me arrived.  A bit of a break in the sun before heading into A to Z which takes you to North face (or other tracks if you want).  This was it.  An awesome downhill run.  Nothface was fantastic.  It had everything from Rocky drops, switchbacks, technical stuff and fast stretches.  Whooping and hollowing shit eating smile kinda track. This takes you into JFK then Smokin which were both funtastic tracks then they spit you into Ridgeline extension before shooting you into Swigg and Starfish which take you back to the carpark.  Great afternoons riding.  We loaded the bikes into the truck and secured this before driving back to town for showers etc.  meanwhile Phatboy and Junior had gone up the mainn tracks, Koru, Sally Alley, Missing Link and Aratihi before picking their way down Ridgeline.  By all accounts steep and rocky with no speed being gained.  they enjoyed this before coming back to the motels.  A relaxing evening was had.

Sunday18th october day 3 of the trip

Clinical, Highbury Fling, Car Parts extension, Barking Emu, back, Car Parts, Transient, Serendipity

Today we got up early to head out.  The wind was blowing pretty hard so as we crossed town to Aro Valley we had a tail wind mainly.  A couple of gusts on the side streets certainly had us pumping hard. 

We met up with one of Mellonfarmers mates and he took us up a side street by the entrance to Pol Hill Reserve.  Nice easy climb.  Then it was into single track starting with Clinical which climbed steadily through the bush up the hill switching one way then another until it threw us out at a park.  From here we were led into Highbury Fling which was a lovely climbing track in the bush.  As we got higher the wind was sounding blustery but we were sheltered.  This track through us out near a gate and a short windy four wheel drive section.  We stopped while we were accosted by a friendly dog wanting a pat from everyone.  Onward we continued until we reached Car parts Extension.  This track once again took us through sheltered bush that protected us from the wind and the grey skies.  At one point you here the thump thump of the Wind Generator as we rode under it.  Finally into Barking Emu which was much more exposed with some big drops as we encountered the blustery weather.  A couple of very exposed bends were dealt with carefully.  Stopped for a bite before retracing our route along the top. I threw a chain and ended up right at the back.  My run round here was one of my best on the trip.  Pulled in Sandals, Then Mellonfarmers mate, then Dozer and Silverfox.  As I went to pass The Cook he put his right foot down causing him to shoulder me.  Big tree hug for me.  Regrouped at the Wind Generator.  Nothing much to see other than a slight dislocation of my little finger.  Fixed it and we all carried on down Carparts.  great fun track with one sneaky uphill that catches you by surprise.  Regrouped before dropping down the 4wd and hanging a left into transient.  An awesome run for everyone.  fast and flowing taking forever to loose altitude. Junior hugged a tree down here somewhere and also found his front brakes disappearing.  regrouped before bombing down Serendipity.  An awesome downhill section with some slightly more technical bits compared to the rest of the days riding.  From here we cruised home for showers.  Quite late in the afternoon so no more riding.  Out for dinner.

Saturday 17th October.

Wainuiomata & Miramar.

We drove out and over to Wainuiomata today to meet up with a friend of MacGyver who was gonna show us around.  Unloaded at the carpark and did a loop of the small pump track while waiting.  We then headed up a nice climbing track called Jungle Gym.  Easy climb through some lovely bush.  This led onto Labyrinth which climbed  up and around the hill and spit us out at the top of Spoonhill.  We then took a left into 491 which was so much fun.  i followed Dozer down here at pace.  Shit eating grin all the way.  This hooked up with Spoonhill track lower down before we turned into Nga Tuna (Then I think we went) onto Wetland Loop and then Snail Trail as a climb back to Labyrinth and a full run of Spoonhill.  From here we climbed some more and ended coming down Beeline if I have got it all right.  Great mornings ride.  We departed driving to the top of Wainuiomata hill.  At the top everyone unloaded except phatboy and I.  They did the cycle trail along the road down the hill.  We met them at the bottom hearing stories of how good it was.  Phatboy managed to take a wrong turn and we followed so we ended back up the top of the hill.  Dozer and Sandels kindly drove down so Phatboy and i joined the others for a run down the hill again.  Fantastic blast down with only MacGyver having a crash as he sideswiped a tree and of the edge. Nothing broken but pride.  Continued to the bottom.  A happy bunch of riders headed back to town for lunch.

After a break we drove to Mirimar for a fun blast on a small reserve.  Up the hill we climbed on another good up hill track. A bit of a play at the top before coming down Jailbreak.  A fast track with big sweeping berms that just made you want to go faster.  Everyone was loving it.  Up we went for another go.  Somehow we lost macgyver.  At the top we were ringing him and he showed up having done n extra loop.  Down jailbreak we went again with the same hoots and laughter of the first run.  At the bottom a few of us said we were happy while the rest went up for a run down solitary.  Obviously not as much fun as Jailbreak by all reports.  We regrouped waiting for the Cook who had gone for a walk before heading back into town for showers, drinks, then Dinner.  A hooty day.

Friday 16th October

Up bright and early as the day of the trip had finally dawned.  had the trailer packed with bikes already waiting just for macGyver to arrive to tie it all down.  In the van with me to the airport was MacGyver, The Cook, Dozer, Bugs, Tinkerbell, and Silverfox.  Hooked up with Phatboy, Junior, Mellonfarmer, Sandels and helmut at the airport.  Got boarding passes and labelled the bikes before presenting them at baggage handling.  All good and underweight.  Then a bit of a wait before loading ourselves on the planer for Wellington.  Once there 3 of us headed out to collect vehicles while the others unloaded and got the bags and bikes.  vehicles were good.  A van (a bit underpowered) and a small truck.  off to the accommodation which was adequate if not flash.  We unpacked and rebuilt the bikes before heading into town for some grocery items and food.  Back at the motels we geared up before a short ride up Mt Victoria.  Steep grind up to the top before following a track down.  It was steep and loaded with roots.  By halfway we had to groups going the fast and the not so fast.  The fast forgot to regroup before heading up a hill loosing the rest of us.  They did their thing (which they say was not all that good) incurring the first injury of the trip as Phatboy began to destroy his beautiful knees. The rest of us found our way down and headed back to the motels.  Showered and waited. When everyone was ready we headed on the bikes across to Aro Valley and a tour of Garage Project brewry.  Great event with lots of samples.  Loaded some beers into the van (Sandels had kindly driven over) before another blast back through the traffic. Into town for dinner ending up at a few  differing places.  Back to motels and a few drinks before bed.

Tuesday 13th October

Dozer picked Bug's up and drove to Upper Hornbrook Road. The Cook arrived shortly afterwards. Bug's on his old bike as the other was in a box. Dozer snuck off on the up early. Bug's gave chase and caught him just before the switchback at the top. Headed below the road to just before the down to the gondola. The Cook arrived shortly after then we jumped the fence and headed up the new track that Mellonfarmer had spoke about. Up and Up to the top above the aerials where the wind was a little cold. Dozer lead on the down with Bug's then The Cook. Down though the tussocks at a good but safe speed. Straight into Greenwood as the wind was strong n cold. Good run around here with The Cook not far behind. Track was good but ruff. All 3 being careful as we didn't want a injury. All missed the 1st rocky bit at the bottom but got the 2nd. Back up the road getting faster as we got higher. Regroup just before the shared track. Down we went at a fast speed chasing a couple of bikers that were ahead. Caught them just at the fence. Back to the cars then off to the Twisted Hop for a quite ale.

Sunday 11 October

A 8.30 start today.  Went outside and there waiting was Phatboy, Tinkerbell, Silverfox and Dozer.  We headed by the usual route towards Bamford School where we collected Bugs.  Around the river via the Old Towpath behind Ferrymead before starting the  warm  climb up St Andrews Hill Rd, onto Marama and then Clifton Hill.  Cut through the park before having a wee rest at the tennis court.  Up the road we continued up the steep of major Hornbrook onto the path and finally coming out on Upper major Hornbrook.  As the others chatted I decided to head straight on up the single track with Phatboy catching me near the top.  Cleaned the hairpin turn onto John brittan track stopping for a regroup in the shade of the trees. No wind at all to this point so it was a warm climb. I then hid in the trees to lighten my load before we headed up Broadleaf Lane.  I stopped to chat with friends while the others carried on up to the top of mt Pleasant Track.  No talking for me when I caught them I started the  downward track immediately.  Good run down here.  At the bottom got word that Sandals and Helmut were heading towards us.  Down we came along the gondala Bluffs before a wee stop at the top of the Bridal Path.  Into castle Hill track where we got strung out in the climb.  All but 2 of us cleaning the top section.  Down the road and over Witch Hill for a regroup above Rapaki where Helmut and then Sandals joined us. A cooling breeze was enjoyed. Over Vernon we went before heading down towards Old Skool.  Various ways down the top to the single track and a good run down was had by all.  Rode pass all the downhill muppets waiting for a ride back to the top.  Stopped for a drink at kaizuka before heading home.  About 808 metres of altitude for the day and 25km for me..

Sunday 4th october

I woke up pretty stuffed and body aching from spending way to much time the days before shoveling dirt and mulch at the father inlaws.  Got ready and out the front for a 8.15 dtart.  First to show was Tinkerbell and Silverfox, then Mellonfarmer follwed by Dozer.  We set off along Aynsley and then started up Rapaki Rd.  Phatboy catching us just before the end of Tarmac.  Grind up the track and when everyone regrouped at the first gate I continued on as I felt slow.  Mellonfarmer caught me and we chatted and as it flattened the others al caught up.  Up the last grunt before a quick regroup at the top.  It was surprising that it was warm with no breeze as we climbed.  A good run over Vernon and a fast run around the Traverse.  We all stopped in the shade of the pines before dropping down towards the Rock Garden and gums.  Fun blast then into Shazzas with knew lines all around.  Down through Brents etc having lots of fun.  Over the creek and up the Hidden track with me hitting a bit of a wall here.  Finally into Old skool which was overgrown and fun.  A few holes and wet spots to make it interesting.  I had a couple of close calls and Phatboy even scrapped a wall. Lots of Downhill muppets at the bottom.  We went to kaizuka for food and a beer before heading back to watch the recorded Aussie bashing England world cup game.  Great way to finish the ride.