Tuesday 29th March

I collected The Cook and headed up to Upper Major Hornbrook where we hooked up with Phatboy.  The 3 of us headed up the singletrack at a steady pace.  Phatboy led, then me and The Cook but all of us quite close actually.  Swung into Upper JB track and along to the road where we crossed over and into Mt Pleasant Track.  Same order applied.  Good climb up with Cook throwing a chain just before the top.  We headed down and I took the lead.  Had a bloody good run here, smooth through the rocks and flowed the tussocks.  Regrouped at the bottom before going back into the same order foe the ride out the top of Greenwood.  Cleaned all of this even my hated rocky section.  The Cook actually pulled his foot out of his shoe somehow.  Up the road and onto Broadleaf.  The Cook showing that his long illness could be over as he rde up here alongside Phatboy at a good pace.  I spun my rear wheel on the gravel and nearly nutted myself.  Ouch.  At the Mt Pleasant Track Phatboy stopped for a photo so I led off.  Smooth run down here with a regroup at the road.  Into Upper JB for a fast crossing and then into the Lower section.  Fast flowy fun it was.  All of us hitting it at speed.  No offs although some front wheel sliding by the Cook saw him squeezing his cheeks together once.  Good fast short ride.  No lights were switched on or injured.

http://www.mapmyride.com/workout/1404977241

Tuesday 23rd March

Meeting point was top of Huntsbury. A few pulled out for various reasons. Bug's arrived at the top followed by Dozer then Phatboy. The Cook arrived after that. Dozer speed on up while the others chatted. Headed up at a average pace with the Cook going well at the start. Thing's slowed for him as well got further up the Hill. Dozer was still leading with Phatboy catching him slowly. Bug's held back and rode with the Cook. 3 trail bikes speed past us all about 3/4 way up leaving us all in dust n stones. The Cook and Bugs arrived at the top where the others had rested. After letting a few riders go though we headed off across the Traverse. Phatboy leading followed by Bug's, Dozer and the The Cook. Caught 2 ladies before the 1st rocks, they let us sneak though then we caught a couple of guys half way around to the pond. Bug's n Dozer stopped to let them get a lead when one of Bug's mates arrived behind. We speed off catching the two guy's before the pond. Got past them then raced all the way to the pines. Phatboy was waiting there. We stopped followed by Bug's mate n his wife. Then there mates arrived and there was about 15 of us chatting at the pines. The Cook arrived and we all decided to head onwards. Most dropped down into Vic park while the 4 of us headed towards Dyers road. Headed up towards the Nun with The Cook doing the lower half then heading towards the cars. The other 3 continued up to the top. Straight into the down with Phatboy having to stop and unlock his front forks. Bug's got the lead with Dozer hot on his heals. Raced down here trying to keep ahead of Phatboy. Raced all the way to the bottom where Phatboy caught up. Up the road then into the Traverse. Phatboy pulling ahead of the others as we worked our way around. Regroup before dropping down the 4wd track to the single track though the paddocks on Huntsbury. The Cook was waiting at the fence. Light was fading fast as we picked our way though the paddocks around all the fresh sheep shit and the odd cow shit. Arrived at the cars just as it was getting too dark to see. Great ride on a nice warm evening. Lights next time.

Sunday 21st March

Headed off in the van parking outside Redcliffs School.  I then rode out to the meeting point at Dot Com.  Dozer  (who passed me in his car) and Bugs (who rode out) were waiting.  We had a short break in the shade as we waited for Phatboy.  It was already pretty warm and it was decided to shorten the loop to a run up Ct Thomas and out to Godley returning via Taylors.  We set off up the rode to Sumnervale and then to the start of the track.  We stopped by the fence and let a bunch of keen lookingh guys on matching Stumpjumpers all go first.  We then set off up the hill.  No wind but plenty of sun as we rode.  Cleaned all the lower and at the start of the hairpin Bugs chain dropped into his spokes.  Rested while he got that under control and then got going.  I dabbed on the worst hairpin but cleaned the rest of the hill.  Good climb with no big gaps in the group.  Phatboy held the barstard gate while we all rode on to the top.  The fast group were actually at the top having a break so they had not gapped us by much.  We rested in the shade of the hill.  Into Godley track stopping at the cattle stop while Phatboy readjusted his seat post.  Onwards with differing success on the firsat couple of rocky bits.  From here we continued.  I did not go well in the rocks from here and lost ground but then by all accounts neither did anyone.  Good blast down the hill but the gravel was sketchy.  Up the next climb quickly and down over PFMTBC rock.  From here we went out to Godley along the sheep trail.  Rested in the carpark under some trees with a breeze helping cool us down.  Off back towards the Anaconda at a good pace.  Phatboy me, Bugs and Dozer.  At Breeze Col I jumped in front and led the way down.  Had a good run down here.  First corners befopre the cattlestop I accidently rode a shortcut, tight into the cattlestop but on a mission so kept the pace going.  No thought of the others here just me hanging onto the bars.  Great fun.  Down at the tail I stopped for a quick regroup before dropping down into Taylors.  We nearly got clipped by a Paraponter dropping into the grass area on the track.  Brief stop in the shade before crawling up Taylors Rd.  No speed kings today.  Down the other side speed and breeze feeling good. Along the esplanade which was busy and stopped at Dot Com.  Drinks had we all departed.  Bugs and I riding back.

http://www.mapmyride.com/workout/1392763377

Thursday 17th

Tinkerbell arrived at Bug's place followed by Dozer shortly afterwards. Headed down to the roundabout at Ferrymead then cut into the track next to the river. Followed around to the Ferrymead bridge. Up St Andrews Hill at a nice speed. Headed up with no stops as wanted to get up before we lost the light. Up though the single track at the top to the summit road. 50 Minutes from Bug's to the top. Straight into Greenwood with Bug's leading followed by Dozer then Tinkerbell. Great run down here with the track dry and fast. No dust tonight for the others. All arrived at the bottom with smiles and not far between the 1st and 3rd. Dozer lead into Cpt Thomas with Bug's behind and Tinkerrbell bringing up the rear. Great run down here with all clearing all the rocky sections except for the one up that no one gets. Down the lower section then over the fence at the bottom. Tail lights turned on as we were losing light fast. Down the steps though the paddock then followed the road back to Ferrymead. Sitting on 33-35km on the flat. Bug's n Dozer turned off for a beer while Tinkerbell headed home for a bath with Miss Tinkerbell. Great ride with fading light.

Saturday 12th. City partners ride

Rubberjaws and Mrs Jaws cycled over to Poms on Kilmore for the meeting of the group.  We arrived shortlly after Phatboy and his darling.  The Cook and the Intern had beaten them by seconds.  A drink or 2 ensued.  Silverfox and Mrs Fox arrived although Mrs Fox was only doing the first and last stops. Tinkerbell and Miss Tinks were next before Dozer and Mrs Dozer arrived all ready for action.  A bit of small talk and then we were off.  Phatboy imediately headed in the wrong direction but we got him under control.  We headed down Fitzgerald Ave towards Bealey turning left around the river.  Followed this back around towards the Fire station and then along the river to the old band rotunda.  A few false turns as road works and fences caused a few small issues.  Eventually rode past Margeret Mahy playground and into Victoria Square.  Down Armagh into new Regent past even more fences, then left into gloucester, left into Manchester and left into Peterborough.  Over Colombo before reversing and stopping at Mama Hooches.  A nice wee bar with a great selection of things to drink.  As we left there were oohs and aahs about the dog and a couple of photos.  Down Kilmore into Victoria St then a left and right and left and across to Hagley park.  A loop around here with a pit stop to empty some fluids before popping out the back of the hospital by the Curaters House.  Down to the museum and then down Worscester Boulevard and left into cambridge.  The idea was to stop at johnny sausage but ended up at Whit Bar.  Quite sterile place.  Mrs Jaws popped home for a break.  The rest of us then headed down Worcester to the Square then down High St, right up Cashel to restart and then down Lichfield to High St before riding past the Moores Place and around the block to Dux central.  Drinks and nibbles were then taken here.  The last official stop.  Mrs Fox and Mrs Jaws both returned to the fray.  People headed home with Rubberjaws and Mrs Jaws, The Cook and the Intern heading back to Poms where we all dined.  Phatboy reappeared after his family dinner and more drinking continued.  Eventually we arrived back at the Mancave for some laughs and a jolt from the earth.  From here we all headed home before the witching hour.  A great ride if I do say so myself.  I feel we need to do more family gatherings perhaps someone will host a pot luck dinner.  Food for thought!!

Saturday March 5th

Dozer, Bugs and I gathered in front of my place and we headed off around Hansens Park then climbed Gruntsbury.  Stopped at the Aotea Tce stopping point for a wee moment before continuing ever upwards.  Brief rest in the shade at the top of the Tarmac.  Watched a car load of bikers arrive and unload before they started up ahead of us.  We then continued up the 2 steeper sections of gravel pulling them in.  Up we rode.  In the last steep climb a couple of these lads sprinted past me only to have to stop for a rest.  Anyhow we regrouped at the top before heading around the traverse.  halfway around I got a phone call.  The others carried on.  Finally I got restarted and pushed along until we regrouped in the pines at the tops of Vic Park.  Down from here through the Rock Garden, The Gums into Dazza and then for a change we did the East side Track.  A few technical bits before we headed down and then up Hidden Valley to Old skool.  Bugs led off down here then Dozer and I.  As we went down the gap between us all pulled out as Dozer and I dropped back to keep the visibility happening in the dust.  Good run down here.  Enjoyed.  From here a cruise to Fava for a snack before heading home.  Nice ride beating the heat.

http://www.mapmyride.com/workout/1370585661

Tuesday 1st March

To go riding or not was the questin for me.  Felt tired and pretty awful but in the end I drove upto Upper Major Hornbrook to find Dozer, Bugs and Phatboy waiting.  Unloaded my bike as Tinkerbell and Silverfox arrived.  We then started the ascent of John Brittain at a pretty steady pace.  My fastest time up here in a while.  Then into Upper John Brittain we headed and across the rocky section and out to the road.  Up the Mt Pleasant Track (via the new bit) and grunted upto the aerials.  Feeling somewhat better than I was.  maybe just needed the grunt and the ride.  We then headed down most of us taking the new direct line down.  A first for me.  We got some order over the stile and I was hard on Buggsies tale for the first bit and then......I nearly came off.  Recovered but had lost ground on Bugs.  Chased on down to a regroup above Greenwood.  Off we went getting ahead of some other riders and then it was non stop down..well actually I fecked up the rock in Gloomy Gulch and again the 2 rocks at the end but other than that it was enjoyable for everyone.  Up the road I started by myself as I was the slow one.  Others caught me but climbed steadily.  At the start of John Brittain I led off having a blast going down.  Let it rip and got to the van in no time at all.  Had to rush off and I believe some or all the others went for a beer.

 http://www.mapmyride.com/workout/1366013515