Thursday 26th

Rain was coming down at 5.15pm so we took the gamble and decided to ride as we had not ridden in a while. Dozer picked up Bugs just after 6pm. Headed to the meeting point at Taylors Mistake. Arrived to see stars above. No one else showed. Headed though the paddock then onto the walking track. This was wide and dry. No mud on this track. Headed around and up the ups, Dozer getting a small lead on Bug's but not to far. Down the steps we headed being careful on the greasy timber. Onwards to the gun emplacements. No stopping here as the wind was a cool southerly coming over the hill. Continued on to the top then dropped down to the gun emplacement at the heads. Bug's lead on the up from here as we worked our way back towards the carpark at the top. Cut onto the MTB track from here and continued to the top of the Anaconda. Missed the sign at the top so not sure if it was open. Dozer lead on the down with Bug's about 4 meters behind. Track was better than we thought. Only one little wet rut on one of the switchbacks. Both went high and missed it easily. Out the bottom then cut onto the walking track at the bottom. Rode out from here to the van. Headed for a quick beer then home.    

Sunday 15th May

Early start, meeting 8.05 at Rubberjaws place. Bugs rode there to find The Fox and Rubberjaws waiting. Followed shortly by Dozer, Mellan Farmer then Phatboy and Matt (on Pete's 575).  Off we treadled through Radley, Marshall, and through to the Heathcote Cut and under the motorway and at a cracking pace set by Dozer round the tow path round the back of Ferrymead to meet Tinkerbell and Miss Tinkerbell at the bridge.

Up St Andrews and Rubberjaws was suffering badly, not doing well. (Turns out he has extremely high blood pressure and some heart issues) We all waited for him a few times as we progressed up the hill. Marama, then Major Hornbrook all the way.  Up through the park and up Clearview and Ridgeview to the Upper Major. Rubberjaws had had enough and headed down to the Planting, to bail from that too.  Poor fella. We all headed on up Britten to the top, and then took the trail around the top of it.  Once back at the trees, we headed down past the stile and then tucked into the wee singletrack down from here, then over the fence and down Ridgeview into the steep wee zig zag to Mt Pleasant Rd, then flew down to Craigieburn Pl at a cracking pace.

Into the McCormacks zig zags, walking the first steps then down we headed careful on the new bridges down here with their tight little knob-ends, and meeting a few walkers and dogs on the way down, surprising a couple of them...  lots of friendly apologies, but no too much disharmony, then bombing down the last stretch, at a cracker pace again.

Finally, around the McCormacks bay onto the Causeway, and winding up the speed. We had a heap of time before the planting, so at Ferrymead bridge back onto the Tow Path and we bombed around this, ducking out between some buildings across the road from Waterman Place, into the back of Charlesworth and so many trees did we plant and some ate more sausages than the others.

At 12 o'clock, we all headed our varies ways home ...

Tuesday10th May

Dozer picked up Bugs and we headed to Sumner to meet up at the bottom of Captain Thomas. The Cook arrived Just afterwards. We headed up the start of Evans pass then dropped down to the stile at the bottom of Captain Thomas. Bugs lead with Dozer behind and then The Cook. Bugs cleared all the hair pins on the way up, Dozer got most and the Cook I wasn't to sure about. Just before the last hairpin where the track levels out The Cook caught his peddle on the bank and fell to the right. Bugs and Dozer heard the #%@8 word and saw his bike, light and him rolling down the hill. He stopped about 10 meters down. All was well just a small bruise to the knee. We all continued on the up with The Cook not far behind. Arrived at the summit road and then headed up to the top of Greenwood. As we got higher The Cook got faster. By the top he was nearly pulling ahead of the other two. Waited at the start of Greenwood for 5 riders going the other way. Bugs lead with Dozer then The Cook behind. Nice ride down here with not stopping required at the ruins. Into the rest of Greenwood with a small gap between us all. All missed the 1st rocky up at the bottom but cleared the other. Down into Cpt Thomas in the same order. Bugs n Dozer cleared it all except for the rocky up towards the end. Short wait while The Cook cleared all the rocks then down into the fast finish. No issues of any down here just a lot of fun. Over the stile at the bottom then down the steeps into the paddocks, though the gate then back to the cars. Headed to the Twisted Hop and meet Rubberjaws and Mellonfarmer at the door for a pint. 

Tuesday 4th May

Dozer picked up Bugs and drove to the meeting point at Halswell quarry. Arrived just as Rubberjaws texted to say he was pulling out and not riding. Tinkerbell arrived then The Cook and Phatboy. Quick chat then up we headed though the park. Up the single track we headed with Phatboy leading then Dozer, Tinkerbell, Bugs and the Cook. Up the Crocodile which was dusty but very firm. Spread out a little with most clearing all on the up. Dozer stopped at the bridge to move his lungs out of his throat. Got to the gate where we all caught our breath while we waited for The Cook. He arrived and had a short break then up we continued in the same order though the paddocks. Most cleared all the ups except for the one steep grunty bit in the middle. At the gate four of us headed onwards to the top gate at the trees while The Cook made his way to the gate. Great quick run down here then back to the gate. Phatboy lead on the down with Bugs behind then Tinkerbell, Dozer and The Cook. Dusty as for those towards the back. Regroup at the gate then continued on the down. Fast ride down here with lots of Dust for the ones following. Down to the end then back up the new down Diversion track. Past a couple of big black cows then returned just before we meet the Crocodile track. Tinkerbell had a light issue just past the small hedgehog as we headed down the new down. Phatboy took the old top track and we regrouped just for the end. Down though the paddocks and back to the cars. Short ride then Dozer n Bugs stopped for a quick pint on the way home.   

Sunday 1st May

The 1st planting of the year so a flat ride out to Styx Mill was on.  Bugs and I set off from mine at 8.40 and arrived at Phatboys at 8.55.  Shortly after Dozer arrived and the 4 of us headed down Avonside Dr onto Kilmore and along here to Hagley Park.  Took the pathways through the park avoiding the runners from Shr Chimnoy run as we went.  Into Kilmarnock and arrived at the cycle way just ahead of Tinkerbell and the Silverfox.  Straight down the cycleway we went with only one wee incident to remember.  We crossed the road and a couple of slooooowww riders were ahead of us on the crossing.  Phatboy got past and I thought I would get past too.  A woman cyclist heading towards us did not faze me and I snuck through.  Scared all the slow riders and words that are just too rude to come out of their mouths followed.  From here we rode on and due to being early we stopped for a drink at the Cosy Cafe.  Onwards through the reserve to the planting we went.  After the planting and the obligatory sausage or 3 we returned homewards.  The usual sprints on the homeward track occured and at Kilmarnock The Fox and Tinks departed.  The rest of us headed back through Hagley trying to avoid the runners only to get hung up in traffic breifly then down Armagh St to Linwood Ave.  Here we separated with me stopping to book airline tickets with Phatboy.  Then home.  Good ride.  For some 37km others about 40kms.

http://www.mapmyride.com/workout/1452738907