20th February Craigieburn

I headed around and collected Silverfox and Tinkerbell before driving out to the Sheffield pie shop which was today's meeting point.  In short order the others showed up, McGyver then Bugs with The Cook, Mellonfarmer followed by Phatboy and Dozer.  They were shuttling 2 big V8s to Craigieburn for a couple of Phatboys clients.  We all drove upto Broken River carpark with a short detour to drop off the mcGyvers and mellonfarmers cars at Castle Hill Village which were to be shuttle bugs later.  headed up and parked at the enviro centre buildings by the start of Dracophyllum downhill.  From here we headed around and down to the start of Dixon's.  Nice small down before a short sharp up to the actual beginning of the track.  The Cook peeled off back to the cars due to heart thumping palpitations while the rest of us climbed to the top of Dixon's d/h.  Not a bad climb but always good to get to the top.  nice sweet downhill to follow with no mishaps, lots of smiles all the way back to State Highway 73.  I got a wasp sting on the way down which pissed me off no end.  Along the road back to the carpark for a regroup then up Sidle 73.  Everyone at their own pace.  the little climb seemed way easier than last time.  We cruised up the Craigieburn access rd to the 15 minute track to Lyndon saddle track.  A lot of pushing by quite a few of us ensued.  We all rode what we could.  Altitude sucks energy for sure. Up to Lyndon saddle we went before heading down the Luge.  For many the best track of the day.  I started a bit slow but got faster and faster as i felt more comfortable.  no mishaps at all.  A regroup before heading up the road to the cars. No Cook.  checked phones to find he had headed down dracophyllum and we would catch him. It took some catching.  dracophyllum seemed rougher than usual but so much fun, across the bridge and then the stinky climb up to the flats.  really nice cruise through here then into forest and a little grunt up to Texas flats where we took a break.  We could see the Cook pushing up the Hogs back.  We headed down all clearing the creek before ambling across and up up up to Picnic Rock.  Some success on the stinky first climb for some, some pushing for others.  I felt reasonably good by time I cleaned the hairpins and seemed to gain on the others as we headed across and up to Picnic Rock.  We caught a glimpse of the Cook as he was heading down.  Off we went.  Love this part of Hogs back.  lots of down a couple of short ups and more down.  Caught the Cook at the 2nd to last up.  Onwards across to the final up, up past the dead tree and along the ridge to the last downhill.  My favourite down even if it is short. blasted down here with a shit eating grin on my face to the end where a small regroup occurred.  cross country back to the cars where Bugs got out the equipment for a sausage sizzle.  Yummy finish.  back home we headed.

http://www.mapmyride.com/workout/1352665819

Tuesday 16th February

Bug's turned up at the bottom of Worsley's followed my Dozer then The Fox on his bike. All piled into the Colorado and headed up to the end of the tarsel. Headed up the smooth track though the gate on the right with Dozer leading, Bug's behind and the The Fox bring up the rear. Steady pace on the up with The Fox dropping back a little towards the top. Chatted to some other bikers at the top then up into the Forest we went. Same order as the up we headed down the middle normal way. Passed lots of people heading up the down hill track. Some enjoying it more than others. Dropped into Fight club with Bugs dropping back a little to show the Fox a few lines as the Fox was having some issues after some crashes a few weeks back. Dozer speed off in a cloud of dust. About half way down Bug's let the giant go a little and speed off leaving the Fox to walk, ride his way down the steep rutty bits towards the bottom. Big group at the bottom chatting. Up the farm track we headed to the Worley's track. Continued on the down then across the main track and down the new track to the start. Down the road we speed and into the far side tracks. Took the new track on the hard left. Only a new track so didn't flow too well and had some tricky bits with the odd hole. Out the bottom where the Fox headed home and Bug's n Dozer jumped in the van and headed up to get the Colorado. Off to the Twisted Hop for a standard Tuesday night Beer.  

Sunday14th February

The boys arrived at mine for an 8.38 start.  They were Macgyver, Mellonfarmer, Silverfox, Dozer, Bugs and Phatboy.  We then trundled our way around Hansens Park and started the grind up the hill at an ok pace.  Not our fastest and I took up the tailend Charlie for most of it.  Finally got to the top where we encourage a lovely sight to take the top line around the Traverse.We headed over Vernon at a nice steady pace taking the old top line where we changed positions as I passed Silverfox on the hairpin and caught up to Dozer and Bugs.  Stayed hard on them to the bottom hairpins where I took the shortcut to keep momentum.  Up over Witch Hill with me dragging the chain.  Cleared most of this and then up the tarmac to Castle Hill.  I dropped in behind Mellonfarmer having a great run down here with Bugs catching me on the uphill.  from here we headed around the road under the Gondola and along the cliff face (pleased we were not here when the quake hit because I would of shat myself)  from here Bugs went up the steep of Mt Pleasant while Dozer, Macgyver, Phatboy and Mellonfarmer took the new line in.  Silverfox followed me along John Britain track.  We had a good run and entered Greenwood by the original line.  gave it a push a we arrived at the ruins ahead of the others.  Quick break before we headed down.  I dropped in behind Bugs and just after the first rocks my phone rung.  The wife on a non urgent matter.  Now I was way behind so I set out to get down as quick as I could.  No chance of catching.  An ok run down.  From here we headed down Ct Thomas which as always was a good blast.  Down to Dot Com for drinks.  Silverfox headed off to an event.  We dined before cruising back along the road with Phatboy peeling off first, then Bugs.  Home by 12.30.

http://www.mapmyride.com/workout/1345507769

Tuesday 8th February

Dozer meet at Bug's place just as the southerly hit the hills. Headed towards Rapaki with the head wind getting stronger. Decided to head to Huntsbury Hill instead as this looked more sheltered. Headed up the hill taking the straight instead of the normal left upto the top of the steps. Found this quite steep as we got around the 1st bend. Up we headed until just before the shingle and sheltered behind a parked car from the dust n wind. Even some wheely bins were moving around. Up we headed to the top of old School then down we went. Dozer lead down the farm track taking a few of the off shoots which were tricky with the wind blowing us around. At the single track Dozer lead off until the 1st major corner where something went wrong and Bug's took the lead. Track was flowing quick as we chased down a guy ahead. Both got past him about half way down. Down though the lower corners and out onto the 4WD track at the bottom. Over the fence then headed across town to the Twisted Hop for a pint of the good stuff. Back to Bug's place as it was starting to drizzle.  19.5km and a enjoyable ride in the end. 

Tuesday 2nd February

I loaded the bike and headed up to the meeting point on Upper Major Hornbrook.  Feeling quite grotty.  Surprised when I got there to finf The Silverfox waiting.  2 rides in a row.  Bugs showed up shortly thereafter and a brief chat about motorbikes followed.  I headed up to the track and waited.  Eventually the others started to ride and I dropped in behind them.  A steady climb with me feeling tired and slow.  Up we went straight into Upper Brittain track and then at the pine tree I went high the others went low and had to stop for a ride.  I raced through this section feeling somewhat better and then regrouped at the start of the side entrance to Mt Pleasant.  grunted up here feeling somewhat better.  Finally at the top.  I dropped down the short line while the others took the normal line and dropping down a new steep track. I flew down the the next grassy section and waited for the others.  Bugs had stopped for some brake issues.  Into Greenwood and I had a great run down here.  Hard on Bugs rear wheel.  He nearly had a big dab at the mat leading off the boardwalk but recovered with some foot work so I dropped back briefly then sarted to push.  At the steep rock run I had a large moment but somehow managed to save myself.  Back into the chase gaining as I went then the rocks where neither of us made the first and from there it was down to the road.  Silverfox was not far behind and we happy three started up the road at a steady pace. better pace than I thought I would maintain.  Bac into the downhill run of J Brittain.  Once again hard on Bugs wheel and only dropping back when he started going wide and having a moment.  Nice finish.  Down for a beer and then home.

http://www.mapmyride.com/workout/1331767653

Sunday 31st January

Mellonfarmer, Dozer and Silverfox all showed up at mine ready to go.  Phatboy showed up sporting his headband with no helmet......oops lucky I had a spare.  We headed around the road and started the grind up Rapaki. Others all slightly quicker than me.  At the first gate everyone stopped to delayer where needed while I grunted on past at my snail pace.  Mellonfarmer chased me down and we rode on starting our way up the last steep section.  He passed me followed by Phatboy then Dozer and Silverfox rode up and past me.  Not a lot of distance at the top but I thought I should continue on over Vernon ahead of them.  While they rested I continued actually getting to the start of the Traverse ahead of them all.  Regrouped and then Mellonfarmer led off followed by Phatboy, me, Dozer and Silverfox.  Good run around here but the runners need to get further off the track.  We passed a group that looked like a couple of riders had fallen.  Down Thompson's and then up the road to the top of Worsley.  Laughing at some of the efforts being put into the Pioneers Races.  Down the body bag then up to the top of the forest.  It was pretty greasy in spots.  We followed Mellonfarmer down his new track only to find it greasy.  For some we were not prepared to ride it so it was walk and ride with the occasional slide.  Finally got to the bottom then up to the exit tracks which were all cool then down the road to far side.  Silverfox had headed down the road and the rest of us just took whatever track suited us.  From here it was the normal ride around the river with us separating at New World St Martins.  Ok ride but I felt like I was riding poorly all the way.