Sunday 24th January

8.30 start so I went outside and there waiting was Bugs, Dozer and Tinkerbell.  I let Bugs oil his creaking joints  and then we had a steady ride around to Gruntsbury.  Nice climb at a constant pace up here with a wee stretch at the Aotea hairpin and then at the 2nd Cattlestop.  Bugs always leading the group ever upward.  Got warm with no wind as we climbed.   At the top we headed straight into Vernon having a nice flow.  Couple of guys let us through and then Bugs and Tinkerbell (who were leading) took the right hand line and I followed Dozer.  We got in front of Tinkerbell and had a fast blast down the hill.  Into Witch Hill.  I cleaned the first rock section but after stopping while Dozer and Tinks messed up the next section things went downhill for me.  The others got a bit of a break and I only caught them on the tarmac run up to Castle Rock.  Bugs led with Dozer and Tinks in front of me.  I should of taken a lead role here but I had fun anyway.  Good blast and no flats.  Up the tarmac we went and into John Brittain for a change.  Nice run and then Greenwood.  Flowed nice passing a couple of gutsy 60ish ladies as we went.  A quick regroup at the ruins and then we headed down.  Bugs taking the lead.  Good run but I stuffed up the 1 little bit in Gloomy Gulch before continuing.  Just flowed from here.  Got the last rocky hairpin that now has the new line.  Stuffed up the 1st rock and cleaned the 2nd.  Down Ct Thomas having a great run.  Tinks and I walked the last rock while the others rolled it.  Down we went.  Happy lads at the bottom.  Dot com for drinks before a steady run home.  Nice ride. 34km basically.

http://www.mapmyride.com/workout/1320247511

Meantime, priorly, ie the day before, MacGuyver and Mellonfarmer rode the Blowhard, knocking off 1000m of climbing over a 27km sort of round trip, taking a new line down, the Bypass Track into Glentui.  Steep it was...  and hot by the time they'd finished

Tuesday 21st January

Dozer picked Bugs up and they drove out to Sumner to the meeting point at the bottom of Captain Thomas. Didn't appear to be anyone else there so we started to ride, found The Cook just around the corner thinking no one else was turning up. After a small chat we headed up to the start of Captain Thomas. Bug's lead with Dozer behind and The Cook behind from there. The front 2 cleared all the corners on the up to the rocks. The Cook dropped back a little. Regroup then continued though the rocks in the same order. Bug's got a small lead on Dozer and The Cook dropped way back. Waited at the Summit road and could see The Cook having some trouble on the up. Got a text from him saying he was struggling and we should carry on. Headed up the road at a nice clip to the start of Greenwood. Bug's lead on the down with Dozer chasing. Track was in mint condition and Bug's was flying. Got a small gap on Dozer until 3/4 way down Bug's got a snake bite on the back. Changed tubes then continues on the down. Dozer lead into Captain Thomas with Bug's close behind. Great ride down here with both clearing all the downs and missing the last up that we all miss. Raced down the tail cutting though the track behind the cabbage tree. At the bottom with big smiles. This is why we love mountain biking. Off to the Twisted Hoop for a quite beer then home for tea. 

Last camp ride. Friday 15th january

As it was the last ride I decided to mix it up with some of my favourite bits.  I headed up the road grinding to the saddle and then up the fire road to the start of Upper Corkscrew.  Down here catching a wee jump or 2 then down the steep to Jaws.  Nice run down here at a nice steady pace to the end.  Chatted with a couple of riders before I headed up Big Airs and into Skullduggery.  Good run down and followed all the way to the bottom.  No b line for me today as I jumped off the drop.  Very fancy.  Up Easyride and out to the start of the tracks via Halfpipe.  Into Kaiteriteri for a road ride home.  Some cluncking in the chain.  Could not spot it. so continued the road ride back to camp.  By the end i had all sorts of cluncking and slippage but made it back.  checked the chain and it was held together by just one side as a link had busted,  was it the jump or the landing??

http://www.mapmyride.com/workout/1309836527

Tuesday 12th ride

Dozer picked up Bug's who was on the old Giant due to a snapped cable on the Reign and they headed out to Sumner. No one else was keen for a ride. Nice warm evening so Bug's lead up Captain Thomas with Dozer not far behind. Bug's cleared all the switch backs until the 1st rocky down hill which is a walk both ways for most. Dozer had a few issues with his lower gears jumping a bit when the power was put on. Headed up to the summit road with no issues except for a bit of extra sweet on the hot evening. Up the road to the top of Greenwood with no rest. Small rest at the start of Greenwood then Dozer lead off and Bug's following. Bumpy ride for Bug's on the old bike which let Dozer get a small gap. Both had a issue with the 1st rocky climb at the bottom as we all do. Into Captain Thomas with Dozer still leading. Nice run down here clearing all the rocky drops as normal. Caught up to 3 riders walking the rocks where Phatboy has his issues. Dozer walked after them but Bug's waited at the top then rode them all. Even got 3/4 of the way up the last rocky up which was the best he has done. Raced down to the switch backs chasing the 3 in front. Cut into the steeper track next to the cabbage tree. This now has a drop off dug into it just after a steep corner which nearly caught both out with a chuck over the handle bars. Raced down the lower section with Dozer over taking 2 and Bug's 1. Down to the car then off for a beer with the folk Dancers at the Twisted Hop.

Emailed and written by Bugs

Camp ride 5. Tuesday 12th january

The girls wanted to swim at Kaiteriteri so I loaded the bike on the back and headed around there.  They went to the beach and I went riding.  Up Easy Rider and straight into Cruise Control, Glade Runner and Revelation all at a much faster pace than I did with mrs jaws.  Straight up Ziggys giving it a pump before cruising up The Corkscrew.  I then came down the top 3rd of jaws before cutting over onto Velocity for a fast run down here catching some air and then into Skuldduggery.  This time at the intersection I followed lower Skullduggery (graded advanced).  God i loved this.  More technical and steeper with a couple of drops, and jumps and a b line too.  Shit eating grin at the bottom.  This drops you at the Riwaka end entrance.to Easy Rider.  Up here and out to the end at pace.  Finished by coming down 1/2 Pipe and doing the little gap jump at the end.  Good wee blast.

http://www.mapmyride.com/workout/1306171057

Ride 4 at camp Monday 11th January

A small ride with Mrs Jaws.  Actually the 2nd ride.  The first was a small road ride around Marahau and not worth the effort while this one consisted of driving to Kaiteriteri and parking up by the beach. After unloading we rode to the start of the tracks in the MTB park.  We took easy rider up.  I put it in a big gear and stood in the pedals to get some work out while Mrs Jaws grunted up through the switchbacks.  We then rode easy Rider until just before it dropped towards the road.  Here we returned along the trail and then headed around cruise Control.  nice easy ride for me.  We then dropped into glade runner with Mrs jaws actually increasing speed before riding Revelation.  From here it was out by bethany Park and back along the road for to the beach.  proud of Mrs Jaws for her effort.  8.57km for this ride and 8.69 for the road ride.

http://www.mapmyride.com/workout/1304966827

Saturday 9th.

Bugs rode around the river to the meeting point at bottom of Rapaiki. The Fox and Tinkerbell arrived after riding from there place. Phatboy arrived riding from his then Dozer arrived in the car from his. Unloaded his bike then joined the rest. After some chatting we headed up Rapaiki with the hot sun and no breeze. Lots and lots of people walking, running and riding on the way up. Some interesting sights to be had. Tinkerbell and Phatboy pulled away from about half way and made it to the top before the others. The wind picked up a little as we reached the top. Getting a bit cooler so we headed up Mt Vernon. Nice ride up here then a regroup at the start of the Traverse. Phatboy lead from here with Tinkerbell, Bug's, Dozer and The Fox following in that order. Continued all the way to the top of Vic. Had to give way to a few coming the other way. Headed down the 2 short tracks before Dyers Rd. Regroup at Dyers then a nice steady ride up the road to the top of Worsley's. We decided to turn back and do a loop of the Nun. Great run down here with most taking it easy as the track had been tided in the lower sections and no one had ridden it recently. The Fox got down without a flat tyre which was a first for a while. Back up the road to the top then down the Body Bag. This is very rutted with no really clear lines. Everyone took a different line and all got down in one piece. Up into the forest then down the normal way until the rocky drop. Took the track to the right as this was a 1st for us all. Nice start with a few rocky drops which we all cleared and enjoyed. The track started to drop steeply from here so we back tracked a little and cut up to the rocky look out. Down from here though the normal run and hooked into fight club. Speedy run down here by all except for the Fox who walked a couple of the steeper drops as he haven't been on these for a while. Back up the 4WD track then down lower Worsleys to the road. Down the road then into the far side tracks. Bug's lead down the 1st to the right with Phatboy and Tinkerbell following, Dozer headed down the middle track and The Fox found another way. Down the road at the bottom and found the Cook waiting in the park. He had ridden a little earlier. Phatboy headed home from here while the rest went to Tinkerbells for Coffee and short bread. All headed home from here. Great ride and about 35km for Bug's. 

another email written by Bugs

3rd camp ride Saturday 9th.

This was a repeat of my first days ride.  I set out to cruise it but ending up doing it all 5 minutes faster.  The start was a bitch on the road with a really stiff wind in my face until halfway up the hill.  I approached jaws slightly differently with a slightly slower top 1/3rd saving a bit of energy for the 2nd 3rd.  This saw me beat my fastest time yet again. I just love the last section so much.  Up The Corkscrew again yet faster than any other time.  beat my best by a minute.  Felt great.  Down the fire road and back to camp with a breeze giving me some advantage in the last stretch.

http://www.mapmyride.com/workout/1302342459

Camp ride2. Thursday 7th.

Started early again and repeated the start of my first ride.  Much faster down Jaws this time cutting over a minute off my time.  Loved it just as much as the first time.  This time at the bottom I turnt sharp right and headed up Big Airs until I found Skullduggery.  headed around here at a steady pace.  This ambles along the side of the hill with narrow track and some big drops.  Nice run though.  Then into Scoot Track and swish before dropping down remedy.  real downhill here with some nice steep twisty drops.  Straight into Shady lady I went having fun now.  Grinning all the way.  from here I went along revelation and up Ziggys catching some guys at the top having a rest.  Chatted briefly before starting up Corkscrew at a steady pace. The young guys caught me and passed me.  They could not keep the pace and I slowly caught up.  just in time to see one of them walking up the steep top so I puffed past without stopping with a grin on my face.  Up the fire road repeating my first ride back.  Cut time off my Corkscrew climb also.

http://www.mapmyfitness.com/workout/1299979593

Tuesday 5th January

Dozer meet at Bug's place and the two rode to Rapaki where Tinkerbell was awaiting. Phatboy arrived shortly afterwards having rode to Bug's and followed the others to Rapaki. After a quick catch up we headed up Rapaki at a nice pace admiring the views all around. All arrived at the top with no stops and still within a group. Bit cooler at the top so Phatboy lead up Vernon with Bug's, Dozer then Tinkerbell bringing up the rear. Another chat at the start to the Traverse. Headed off in the same order. Passed a couple on the way with Phatboy pulling away from 1/2 way. Regroup in the pines then Dozer lead down though the Rock garden and the normal tracks to the bottom. Great ride down here by all. Dover lead on the up into the hidden valley. Bug's got the rocky creek with one foot down at the top. Phatboy cleared it as well. Not sure about Tinkerbell so we will say he cocked it up. :-) Dozer got passed by all on the up as the steepness got the better of him. Phatboy lead on the down followed by Bug's, Dozer and Tinkerbell. Great rode down with the track getting quite rocky in places. Out the bottom then down to the tarsel. Tinkerbell turned left and headed home while the others headed across town. Phatboy turned of towards his place while Bug's and Dozer headed to the start at Bug's place. Great ride for the 1st one of the year. 24km.


Copied from bugs email by the jaws

Rubberjaws camp ride 1. Tuesday 5th January

I was up at Marahau so my first ride of the year was a good ride on a newish track. I set out from camp quite early and along the road.  The climb up the Marahau to Riwaka Rd soon started working my legs, and lungs.  Steady climb using the gutter as my route to avoid the campervans etc.  Got to the top in good order before heading up the forestry road.  Steady climb and then the slight downhill run before a small climb to the top of upper corkscrew.  This is a short blast with a few jumps but steepish all the same.  A few more ruts than last year.  Fun.  Down round the sharp left by the small cliff and to the lookout, but no time to stop.  Down the access to the top of Jaws.  I had done the top before but the bottom 2/3rds are new. Down i went, wide berms, sweeping corners short drops and fun little pumpy bits before dropping steeper over a nice jump or 2.  The track was fun, rollercoaster bits, sharp corners, but always down until.......it flattens sort of.  it has some grunty ups and short downs through the gully before an amazingly hooty finish. Fast and flowing lots of little jump type bits and rolling ever down to the finish.  Loved it.  Over 13 minutes of down on a new track.  Then it was up Corkscrew pushing steadily to climb this in just over 20 minutes.  Always a good climb. The very top past the entrance to Jaws is steep but I cleaned it all even though I was gasping. Up the fire road to the top and then a run down the fire rd towards the kaiteriteri-Marahau Rd.  This has some really good fast blasts along here.  Shit eating grin all the way.  Down the road and back to camp.

http://www.mapmyfitness.com/workout/1297409205