Sunday 29th November

Hills were covered in cloud and a slight drizzle but was keen to ride so Bugs rode to Rubberjaws place (who was not riding) then Dozer arrived. Rode around the river to Huntsbury where Tinkerbell was waiting. Headed up Huntsbury at a steady pace. The higher we rode the wetter the road was getting. One stop on the up then we arrived at the summit road. Tinkerbell lead into the Traverse with Bug's then Dozer following. Track was wet with a few puddles added to get the tyres wet. Bug's hit the 1st lot of rock and slipped n dabbed his way over them. Felt like riding on icy with slicks. The others had a couple of small issues but everyone kept upright. Headed around to Vic park with the cloud getting thicker and the drizzle getting heaver. Could only see 100m in all directions as we headed up the road to the top of Marleys. Decided to give the Nun a miss and dropped into the Body Bag. Same order as before. Bug's had some issues with deep ruts so Dozer got past. Up into the forest where we headed down the old original way. Track was dry under the trees so we kept the speed up. Down we headed then down fight club. Great ride down here by all and before we knew it we were at the bottom. Up the 4WD track to Worley's where we found the Trees had all gone from the lower track. Headed down where we used to ride to the carpark. Crossed the road then into a new track though the paddock to where we used to park the cars. Down the tarseal we headed to the tracks at the bottom. Great ride though here as the track was dry and the weather improving. Out the bottom then around to Tinkerbells where we had a coffee and some home baking with the family. Dozer n Bug's headed off across town to Ruberjaws place. Dozer loaded his bike into the van while Bug's headed around the river to his. Great ride 32km with no regroups required. 

Tuesday 24th November

Hot Tuesday night ride.  I collected the Cook and headed out to Dot Com in the van.  We hooked up with Dozer and Bugs before heading up the road to Sumnervale.  I led off up the singletrack and as I rode around the first hairpin I looked left then right to see which track I would take and then went blank and stopped.  The other 3 rode past on left track.  Dah. I followed from here up the hill to the shitty gate near the top.  Nice steady climb mainly in the shade with little wind.  Nice cooling breeze considering the weather.  At the gate the Cook let me past and I followed the other 2 to the top.  We had a regroup before I started up the road to the top of Greenwood.  Bugs and Dozer caught up with the Cook a little way behind.  Steady climb all the way before heading left into greenwood.  Same order as the top of Ct Thomas.  Bugs, Dozer, Rubberjaws and the Cook.  Reached the ruins to get a text from the Cook who had a puncture.  We could see him on the skyline.  He eventually caught us us and we headed down the track.  First rocks I got dust in my eyes lost vision and was a passenger bouncing through the rocks.  The front 2 pulled ahead a bit and I never caught them again.  Good run the rest of the way.  Regrouped at the bottom and then into Ct Thomas for a great run, most of us cleaned the sections we do not get although I still dabbed on the 2nd cluster of rocks.  At the bottom we went down the steps and along the field to lower Sumnervale back to the cars.  From here we drove to The Twisted Hop for a beer.

http://www.mapmyride.com/workout/1259153591

Saturday 21st Novemeber

I got out a couple of times early in the week and discovered a new bit of trail that could be utilised so today was a good chance to put it to the test.  The Cook arrived at mine and we headed off towards Ferrymead along the usual route.  Hooked up with Phatboy and Dozer at the bridge before starting a steady amble up St Andrews to Upper Major Hornbrook.  After a brief regroup I led off and the others followed at their own pace.  3/4s of the way up Phatboy passed me before we regrouped at the new turning point into the orginal John Brittain track.  I led off up here enjoying myself and we all regrouped at the road.  We crossed and climbed the fence and Phatboy led up the new line onto Mt Pleasant.  This is sooo much better than dropping down and climbing that gutbuster.  We regrouped at the top after a steady climb before I led down the other side.  We all had good runs down here with all of us trying to stay on line without wondering off the track in the tussocks.  Regrouped and then into the top of Greenwood heading back towards Mt Pleasant Rd.  Good fast blast with me dabbing in the one rocky mess.  From here we headed up Broadleaf and turned rght back down the Mt Pleasant climb retracing our climb to the start of John Britain.  I did stop for my usual crap time.  Thought it would be the end of my rie time.  Regrouped and I led around the new line in Jon Britain.  Sidles around the front of the hill and rejoins the main track just befoe the downhill.  At this point I decided I would be good to cotinue so we headed into Greenwood. Bloody good run to the ruins.  Got a text from Sandals asking what time to meet us at Dot Com.  30 minutes was the time we told her.  Phatboy then led off at a blistering pace.  I held on until Gloomy Gulch and then he was gone.  Continued on down, fluffing about in the last rocky corner, missing the first rock before finishing fast.  Dozer on my tail the whole way.  Into Ct Thomas for a nice blast down.  hesitated on the 1st of the last 2 rock sections, dabbed through then walked the 2nd one.  From here we all ripped down to the bottom.  Out to Dot Com 5 minutes behind schedule.  Sat down chatted to Sandals who was sick with the bot before riding home with a tasty wind blowing us along the causeway.  Separated back to 2 teams for the last run home.  I followed the Cook along the oppisite side of the Heathcote than normal before ambling around Claredon TCe and home.

http://www.mapmyride.com/workout/1255944231

Sunday 8th November

Bug's waited at Bamford School where The Fox and Tinkerbell arrived without Rubberjaws (had a dose of the belly rot). Headed around the river to Ferrymead where Dozer was waiting. Headed up Mt Pleasant Road though the park and continued up to the single track at the top. No stops as we rode as a group. The weather was getting warmer as we climbed the fence and headed up the single track through the paddocks. Regroup at the summit road where we had a small wait for The Fox. Down the road to Greenwood where Tinkerbell led followed by Dozer, The Fox and then Bug's. Bug's snuck past The Fox as he got caught up on a rock. Continued around to the ruins where we had a regroup. Bug's led on the down with Tinkerbell behind then Dozer and The Fox. Gave way to a few bikers on the up. Great ride for all except for The Fox who punctured on the last bend at the bottom. Quick fix and we headed out to the Godley track. All missed the 1st rocky up and we all had the odd mishap on the rocks ahead. The Fox had a crash on the down which resulted in a skinned knee, elbow and another knock to his sore shoulder from a few months back. Continued onwards out towards Godley with us all having a great run. Caught a large group just after the PFMTBC rock. Gave them a head start down the Anaconda then down we went. Great run down here as most of us had not ridden this in a while. Stopped just before the flowing corners  to let the group ahead get through. Downwards we went and straight into the Tail. Great run though here and before we knew it we were at Taylors. Up the road we headed to the top of Scarborough hill where we had a small wait for The Fox. Down the road we went to sumner then along the foreshore to Dot Com for hot drinks. Weather was starting look wet towards the hill so homewards we headed. Dozer peeled off at Ferrymead while the rest headed around the river. Bug's turned off to his while the others headed back to Rubberjaws. Great ride and home before the rain.

Meanwhile, Mellonfarmer and his boy O got a slightly later start and did the Packhorse with O's friend Tane and his dad Tom.  The young'uns struggled, but loved the ride back.  They got fully rained on though mostly whilst in the hut.

Thursday 5th November

Dozer picked up Bugs and headed to the bottom of Evans Pass. Sandals arrived followed by Tinkerbell, Macgyver, Craig and Barry (Bug's Mate). After a quick chat we headed up the road to the bottom of Captain Thomas. 1st time for Barry on any tracks north of Rapaki. Macgyver n Craig disappeared ahead of all on the up while the rest followed at there own pace. The odd dab for all on certain rocks but all got to the road with a bit of Huffing n puffing. Passed The Cook who was doing his own thing tonight who was headed down Captain Thomas. Macgyver n Craig headed up Greenwood while the rest followed the road on the up. Continue past the top of Greenwood with intentions of headed Broadleaf. Changed our mind at the last second and continued on to the cattle stop where we jump the fence on the up side and headed up new track that cuts into The Mt Pleasant track. On the way up to the Aerials Bug's got a call from Macgyver who had just arrived at the top. Through the gate we went where we meet up with the others. We all headed down though the tussock with some going quicker than the others but all getting to the Greenwood Junction. Craig made some adjustments to Barry's suspension as he was having issues on the rocks. Macgyver n Craig raced down Greenwood with Bug's n Tinkerbell chasing followed by Dozer, Sandals n Barry. Everyone missed the 1st rocky climb at the bottom but got the 2nd. Down into Captain Thomas with a regroup at the gate. Down we headed with some clearing most and some not as many. Arrived at the gate at the bottom where some guy was shooting his crossbow at a red bag up the hill. Good shot as we watched him hit it at 100m. Headed back to the cars as people where starting to let off there fireworks. Sandals, Dozer, Bug's n Macgyver heaed for a pint at the Twisted.

saturday 31st October

ist ride for me since the big trip.  Not even been on a bike.  I went outside and only The Cook was there to ride with.  We headed around the river to the towpath at a steady pace.  At ferrymead bridge I lost a layer before leading the way up St Andrews, Marama, back onto St Andrews.  Stopped to check my phone once to read Mellonfarmer would not be joining us (doing this instead).    Continued on up the hill at a steady pace, I was feeling better than I thought but then the pace was not all that quick.  The Cook was not feeling flash and dropped back a ways.  regrouped before the last steep climb up major Hornibrrok.  Had another regroup at Upper Major Hornibrook.  I led off up the singletrack having a really good run and digging it in a bit.  Regrouped at the top before heading into the old entrance to greenwood.  Stopped at the ruins for a regroup and to let the Cook get a bite to eat.  A blast down Greenwood then followed, not the fastest but still had plenty of fun.  We then headed up Godley.  The first bit was typical dab and push up the rocks before getting a bit of a flow for the rest.  I climbed steadily and went straight into the downhill.  Wait at the Col and finally saw the Cook way back.  he had some trouble it seems.  Up and over the next little Hill feeling good.  Quite boney through here and I dabbed round the two breaks rocks.  Down and over PFMTBC Rock and then regrouped before heading above the road and around the sheep trail to Godley.  Nice flow here.  regrouped again and then down the hill across the road and onto the single track.  Nice flow.  Regrouped at the top of Anaconda before blasting on down.  Swooping around the bends, becoming a passenger a couple of times and straight out the tail. Had a pee while waiting for the Cook and a short stop before climbing up and out of Taylors.  I spun quite nicely to the top and then we headed down the road. Unfortunately we caught a whole bunch of traffic going down and no room to pass as plenty coming the other way.  A break at dot Com where we were availed of a cheeky (literally)sight or 2 :) before we headed back with a nice little easterly across the causeway.  Felt really good at the end of the ride.  Went and got some Day of the Dead and some La Calavere Catrina before relaxing for a while.