Thursday 29th July

Dozer picked up Bugs and drove to Upper Hornbrook road. Not long until The Cook arrived. Unloaded the bikes then started on the up. Dozer leading with Bug's behind then The Cook. 1st 100m then the Cook stopped. Lack of air in the bottom of the tyre. Headed on up with the front two having a small lead over the cook. Regroup at the top switch back. Bugs lead across John Brittan. Great ride though the rocks to the summit road. Crossed the road and jumped the fence where we had a short break. Dozer lead on the up from here and we headed up and up towards the Aerials. Dozer had a couple of stalls on some rocks on the up as did the Cook. Regroup at the gate then up to the top. Into the down with Dozer leading and Bug's hot on his tail. Though the rocks and tussock at speed as the track was dry n firm. Out to the top of Greenwood and a short wait for The Cook who had a close call with a large rock. Into Greenwood with Bug's leading then Dozer chasing and the cook following. Great ride down here with the front two pulling away from the last. Track was fast and so were we. Regroup at the road. Started the climb with The Cook setting a fast pace on the up. We all pumped hard on the up with The Cook falling behind in the last 300m from the top. Good effort by the Cook on the up. Into the shared track to the car with the wind and tears in our eyes on the down. Back at the cars then off for a Beer at the Twisted Hop. Great night for a great ride. 

Meanwhile, McGuyver and Mellonfarmer were exploring new (to them) trails with a whole different bunch of guys...

Saturday 23rd July

Dozer drove to Bug's place then the two rode the road to the Meeting point at Dot Com, The Cook had dropped the work van at Redcliffs and rode the rest to Dot Com. Waiting a little and no one else showed so headed up to the start of Captain Thomas. Dozer lead on the up with Bug's then the cook. Dozer missed the 1st steep hairpin while the others cleared it. Upwards we headed then Dozer stopped to check out a new jump installed on the down. Bug's grabbed the lead from here and continued on the up. Cleared all the hairpins with the others getting most. Though the rocks with a little walking and some riding. Regroup half way for the Cook to catch up who was doing well today. Up to the summit road then left towards Godley. Bug's n Dozer both got to 1 peddle stroke from the top of the 1st rock climb with The Cook clearing it for a 1st. Upwards over the next steep rocky section taking the left side for a change. Bug's n Dozer cleared this but not sure about the Cook. On wards though the rocks we headed spreading out a little. All having some Dabs from time to time. Wind had picked up now which was blowing us around a little. Regroup after the cattle stop then into the down. Great ride down here except for the loose shingle on the track. Into the up again with Bug's leading, then Dozer and then The Cook. Down we headed and over the PFMTBC rock then Bug's nearly lost it on the cattle stop when the rear wheel slid out. Regroup at the top of the Anaconda. Headed out towards the heads on the top side of the road. All going ok though here then into the down to the Carpark at the heads. Caution towards the bottom as there was a couple with a loose dog on the track before the road. Across the road and into the single track back towards the Anaconda. Dozer leading now and setting a good speed. Regroup at the top of the Anaconda then down we headed. Flew down here enjoying all the high lines on the berms and getting a little air on the odd rise. All down in one piece. Out though the tail and into the carpark at Taylor's. Started the grind up the road and before we knew it we were at the top. The Cook was riding well today and kept close behind on the up. Down the road with a top speed of 56km then around the walkway to Dot Com. Coffee, Hot Choc and Ginger Beer and then we were off towards Redcliffs. Dozer set a cracking pace along here and the Cook got left behind, who we presume jumped in the van and headed home. The others continued across the Causeway with Bug's falling behind a little. Regroup at the bridge then into the track behind the shops. Nice ride though here then onto the main road at the round about and then down Bug's street to his. Dozer headed home from here. 35km with 2 hours 20min ride time.  

Tuesday 19th July - the Nun's reign.

The fellas (Phatty, Skinny, Mellony, Dozey, Buggsy, and TooPotty) all assembled at the Kiwi, rode up the road, down the nun, with a few pulling out to head back up at the halfway mark and a few heading on down.  Mellons craashed pretty good near the bottom doing in his shoulder and elbow.  They rode back up, and it started to rain proper, and the trails became slick as a slick thing and TooPotty crashed garking his knee too, so everyone bailed to the pub around 7.30...

Sunday 17th July

Bugs rode to the meeting point at Rubberjaws place who was not riding today. The Silverfox arrived just after Bug's followed by Dozer then Phatboy. We headed around the river towards Rapiki. Started the upward ride with a cold head, then side, then head wind. Lots of runners coming down the hill carrying Tyres, Fence posts, Ropes and even a large Sledge hammer. Great way of getting fit I guess. All arrived at the Summit road to be meet by a cold strong wind. Didn't hang around too long then headed over Witch Hill. Phatbory 1st, Bug's next, Dozer then Silverfox. Few dabs for most but got there in the end. Around the road to keep ahead of a large group following. Phatboy dropped into the single track from Castle rock to the Bridle path. Dozer followed then Bug's with the Gopro recording. Dozer threw a chain after the slippy angled rock between the switch backs. After a quick adjustment he was on his way again. After the switchback he had a few issues which caused him to nearly fall off the side of the next wooden bridge, all caught on film. On wards chasing Phatboy who was on a mission to make a record time on his MAP MY RIDE. Regroup at the top of the Bridle path behind the water tank for shelter from the strong southerly. Around the road below the Gonadal the up into the single track up to the Aerials. Bit of a hard climb with the wind but after a short regroup at the gate we were all at the top. Downwards we headed the Phatboy taking the old way round and Dozer and Bug's taking the new steep direct root. Over the fence with Phatboy behind Dozer n Bugs now. The fox was bringing up the rear. Rocks were slippery with Bug's having a close call when his peddle caught a large rock. Though the tussocks at a fast speed with the wind pushing us along. Into Greenwood with the 1st 3 having a great run. Got to the 1st rocky climb at the bottom and no Silverfox. He was up around the top with a flat tyre. Waited at the rock watching the other riders from the big group behind have a crack at the rocky climb. Only one made it. Several minutes later The Fox arrived and we were on our way to the bottom. At the road Phatboy put the more air in the Foxes Rear. Into Cpt Thomas in the same order as Greenwood. Great ride down here for the 1st 3 and The Fox taking it easy as he didn't wanta blow another tyre. Regroup after all the rocks then down though the switchbacks to the bottom. Rain was just starting so we headed down the road to Dot Com where Tinkerbell was waiting for Coffee. Coffees and food and chat then on wards though Redcliffs and the Causeway to Ferrymead. Phatboy headed down Linwood Ave to home while the others went down Ferry Road. Bug's turned off here and the others headed to Rubberjaws. Dozer headed home in the van while The Fox rode to his. Great windy ride without anyone getting to wet. 31.3km and 862m climbing for Bugs. 

Meanwhile the day before, McGuyver and Mellonfarmer did a mucky Wharfdale of very similar proportions to that.

Tuesday 12th July

Dozer picked up Bugs and drove to Upper Hornbrook road. Nice clear night with a slight crisp refreshing wind. Unloaded the bikes then headed up the shared track though the paddocks. Bug's leading with Dozer bringing up the rear. Straight into the track below the road then followed the lower track which Mellowfarmer showed us a few weeks back. Across the road then a short stop before climbing the fence and heading up the single track to the aerials. Bugs got a small lead on Dozer. Wind had picked up a little at the top. Dropped into the single track though the tussocks to Greenwood. Great run down here with Bugs getting the lead over Dozer while Dozer was adjusting his light. Into Greenwood at a nice pace as always. Track was dry but ruff in a few places. Both missed the 1st rocky up but enjoyed the rest. Out onto the road then started the grind up the road to the top. No one else out riding tonight. Dropped into the shared track to the car. Fast ride down here as always. Back to the car, 12.5km in 1 hour 8 min. Quick pint at the Twisted Hop then home by 9pm.   

Sunday 10th July

Drove out to Sumner for a 9.15 start.  Phatboy, Twopot and Dozer also showed up.  We headed up Ct Thomas.  Started well then we were passed by a large posse of young female runners.  I was plodding my way up trying to go as hard as I could be the other 3 still pulled away.  I got rid of my first layer as it flattened out above the hairpin.  Plod grind plod I went.  Struggling on the rocks all the way.  No flow.  Started getting chest pain on the steep climb which continued to the top.  Pissed off.  Chatted with the guys and decided I would ride the road to the Anaconda while they went over the top.  Got there in plenty of time.  They then did the track above the road and I went below the road.  Met at Godley then came back nicely.  Down the snake we went then the grind over Scarborough.  Dot Com then home.  19.5km ride but it was cold.

Sunday 3rd July

I finally got out for a group ride with the lads where I started with them.  Dozer and Bugs arrived at mine and we set off.  Phatboy was running late and was gonna catch us up.  We headed around Hansens Park and then out and into the climb up Ramahana, Aotea and Huntsbury.  Stopped at the Aotea hairpin to take off some layers.  It warmed up pretty quick.  Continued on up and at the road end I stopped for a pee.  Phatboy arrived just after this.  Onwards we rode.  The boys stopped while Phatboy delayered and I continued not wanting to slow them down.  Bugs caught me not long before the climb by the landing strip.  As the others caught up I needed a short break to get rid of some chest pain.  Slow grind up the last stretch but finally we were there.  Stopped to chat with Rex and his MTB club.  They took off and then we waited to give them a start.  I tail ended.  Not a bad run with the track in great condition.  Phatboy caught the club just after the half way then waited before giving more chase.  I was a little slow, more cautious than in the past.  Time will get me back up there.  Around and to the top of Vic then down Thompsons.  Nice run down here.  Grind grind up the road and I decided I was flagging so suggested the lads go ahead and do a loop of Marleys.  They decided not to.  They are nice lads really.  Around to Kennedies and up the small climb to the top.  Phatboy led off at great speed while the rest picked a line through the rocky section then regrouped at the first flat zone.  Continued on down with the others getting some distance when I got caught among walkers and beasts at the same time.  Finally caught them at the gate.  All feeling pretty chuffed.  Uo Siberia and down the the Low Road before heading down Crocidile and into the Connector track.  This is a bit tame.  Finally out the bottom and into the road back.  Got past by a group of roadies on the first climb.  Just before Westmoreland they were having a rest.  They took off ahead of us so I hooked onto the tailend.  Realised they were all young girls.  Hmmmmm.  The last stretch down Cashmere Rd Bugs led us past and we pumped along until we stopped for coffee.  They stopped as well where we realised exactly how young they were.  Then we headed home by the river route.  31.75 km for me and Dozer while the other 2 did about 38km.

http://www.mapmyride.com/workout/1580318249