Tuesday 30th August

Dozer arrived at Bug's place and we rode down past Bamford school then around the river. The Cook texted to say he will start the climb up Rapaki. Continued around following the river all the way to Rapaki. Phatboy arrived at the same time as us. Dozer pealed off to see Mrs Dozer who was suppose to be walking some steps. No sign of her so he joined Bug's and Phatboy on the climb up Rapaki. Pumped up at a steady clip hoping to catch The Cook before the top. Lots of walkers and a few riders coming down. Halfway up before we needed lights on. Past the gate and then started the last steep climb. Caught upto The Cook here who was finding it hard. Slowed a little but Bug's n Dozer slowly pulled away. Phatboy stayed with The Cook for a while then The Cook advised him to head on with the boys and he will head back down. Regroup at the top under the Stars with No wind. A few others arrived so we headed up Vernon. Phatboy lead, then Bug's and Dozer. Short stop at the start of the Traverse. Into the Traverse in the same order around to the top of Vic park. Dropped down though the Rock garden and made our way down to the Skidder site. Headed down from here with Phatboy having a crash with a tree that wouldn't move. More dents to his knees and twisted handle bars and brake lever. Some repairs were made then on wards down though Vic park. No issues down here just a bit of mud and water to make things slippery in places. Across the creek then up though the hidden valley. Into Bowenvale in the same order. Great ride down here with a little water and mud here also. All got down here with a bit of mud on the bikes and faces. Out though the gate and headed back across town. Phatboy turned off towards his and Dozer n Bug's headed to Bug's place. Great ride with a bit of mud and sweet. 24km. 

Sunday 28th August

Planting day so up and onto the Cruiser and then Silverfox and I headed around to Phatboys.  We collected him, Mellonfarmer and Dozer before heading up Kilmore and through Hagley Park, past Mona Vale and then along the bike lane beside the railway track.  Pumped all the way to Tuckers Rd and cut through a couple streets and onto Claridges and across to Sawyers Arm Rd.  Up here over Johns Rd and into the reserve by the lakes.  Around here and into the track along the Otakaikino River to the planting site.  Spent 2 hours planting before reversing our journey.  Good steady pump all the way back.  Split into 2 groups at Mona Vale.  Silverfox and I headed towards Riccarton and then past Placemakers, Bunnings and onto Whitleigh Ave with me stopping at Carapult Employment for pre rugby meeting.  Watched the game, imbibed and then pumped the 5kms home from there.  A round trip of 43km approximately for the day.

Tuesday 23rd August

Dozer picked up Bugs and we drove to the bottom of Captain Thomas. The Cook was waiting there. Hooked up the lights etc and headed up the road to the start of Captain Thomas. Bug's lead on the up with The Cook behind and then Dozer, Cleared the 1st tight switch backs with Dozer getting ahead of The Cook. Half way up the next switchbacks The Cook had dropped behind. Regroup and found The Cook was not feeling the best. Plodded on with another regroup at the rocks. The Cook was feeling bad. At the top of the rocks The Cook decided to let us go ahead while he slowly made his way to the summit road. Up we headed at a steady pace. At the Summit road no stopping and headed up the road towards the top of Greenwood. Kept an eye on the Cook as we climbed and see he made it to the Summit road. Up and Up we went. Bugs lead straight in Greenwood. Fast trip around the start to the rurins. Headed down from here at a cracking speed. Dozer was hot on the heals of Bug's who could not get a gap on him. Half way down Bug's cocked up a couple of rocks which held up Dozer slightly. Down we headed with Bug's keeping ahead of Dozer just. Missed the 1st rocky climb and even the 2nd. At the Summit road Dozer was pumped with his ride. Into Ct Thomas in the same order. Flew down here clearing all the rocks and drops and loving it. Bug's got a small lead on Dozer. Down though the lower half at speed and before we knew it we were at the bottom. The Cook's car was gone. Great ride under lights. Off for a quick pint at The Twisted Hop.   

Meanwhile Rubberjaws who had family commitments to deal with took some time in the middle to jump on his bike at the end of Colombo and head around Cashmere Rd and up Hackthorne Rd to the Takehe.  Back down Dyers around Cashmere and up Hackthorne for a 2nd loop before coming down Dyers right into Westenra Tce back up to Takehe and down Kidson Tce.  Back up Dyers to Hackthorne where he went down and right into MacMillan Ave.  It was pretty misty now so he went down Dyers to pick up Grace.  About the same climbing metres and distance as the boys above.

Sunday 21st August

Mellonfarmer, Bugs, Dozer and I set off from mine.  We headed up Crapaki at a steady pace.  Judged my riding on Bugs who keeps a steady pace. Overall a good pace.  I don't think anyone poodled completely up the hill no matter what Mellonfarmer says. I felt good while Dozer struggled with his cold recovery.  Up and over Mt Vernon, catching and passing a couple of slower guys.  My ambition was not to loose touch with Bugs by too much.  Around the Traverse and this was an awesome blast at a good fast pace with a wee stop at the top of Vic before heading down Thompsons.  Up the road to the top of Marleys and then down to the Kiwi.  Cleaned this but still not enjoying it as much as in the past.  Back up to the top and then down the Body Bag.  Followed Mellonfarmer into a new track.  Awesome track for a change.  Got a bit dark with the glasses on.  Sweet flow though.  Onto the the climbing track which was muddy as in spots.  Onto the road and down to the Farside.  Good little run down here then off for a tea.  Heading home we bumped into Tinkerbell and Mrs Tinker.  Continued on a getting home in plenty of time.  Bloody Good ride.

http://www.mapmyride.com/workout/1691721131

Sunday 14th August

The weather on Saturday was shite so the planting was cancelled and we decided to ride on Sunday.  Went outside to find Twopot and Silverfox ready to go.  Bugs arrived followed closely by Dozer and then Phatboy.  We headed around the road and then the track along the Heathcote Cut to Ferrymead Bridge where we got rid of a layer.  I set off up St Andrews with the rest on the road behind me as they were ready.  Stopped on the top Flat of Marama Cres as the weather was warmer so another layer removed.  After this a steady ride up St Andrews with me dropping behind a tad near the tennis court. Gave a push and caught up to the others by the big hedge.  Had a short break here but I rode on and set off up the steep section and into the path. The others all caught up as we headed off the last steep uphill onto another entrance into John Britten.  We had a chat and off we went heading ever upwards.  Track was in great nick with only a couple of greasy sections.  Regrouped at the turning loop before heading up the Old John Brittan track.  A bit greasy over the rocks and then we followed Phatboy around the loop track which was very greasy at times.  Passengers on bikes rather than riders.  Up onto the tarmac and up Broadleaf Lane for a rest above Mt Pleasant.  Phatboy and Bugs led off.  Wow this was greasy in a lot of places.  In fact it was more than greasy in some spots.  Passengers going downhill.  Got more confident as we went down some hooting and hollowing coming out of mouths, laughter and fear.  We survived and regrouped at the bottom.  Down the road to the top of Bridal Path.  Decided that the Castle Rock track would more than likely be too wet and greasy for an uphill so up the road we went and down the other side.  Into Witch Hill which was not to bad a couple of dabs in the worst grease and then regroup at Rapaki.  Phatboy started telling some of some improvements to shocks.  A story I had heard so I led Silverfox and Twopot up over Vernon.  Some female runner mentioned that riders should giveway while we were in a steep spot so I said " we are riding uphill so shut your mouth" and carried on.   Straight into Traverse and at the rocks we turnt into the track heading down towards Old Skool.  Waited for the others and down we went.  Into Old skool all taking different lines, Phatboy taking off piste all the way.  Into the single track which was surprisingly good for the most of it.  A couple of sketchy bits and passengers we became in a few spots.  Survived it all and felt really good at the bottom.  best ride I have had for ages.  Not bad going up and not so jittery coming down.  May it continue to improve.  Silverfox headed home and the rest of us headed to Fava for coffee etc before splitting for home.

http://www.mapmyride.com/workout/1676108903

Sunday 7th August

Cool morning with tracks closed due to the damp weather we had been having.  Went outside and Mellonfarmer and Silverfox were ready to go.  Phatboy arrived shortly thereafter and we set off around the normal route to Ferrymead Bridge.  Delayed here and set off up St Andrews with a regroup at Marama.  Faster than I thought I would be but still got some chest pain.  Decided to squirt some nitro on my finger and lick it off.  Waited a couple of minutes and felt better so continued upwards at a steady pace.  The guys were good taking it easy.  Up went went to the top of Mt Pleasant / Summit Rd.  Cruised down to the Pines.  Very Cool so relayed before heading down through the farm.  Some work on the farm track making it easy riding.  Down Richmond Hill and to Dot Com for drinks.  Headed home at a steady pace with a good pump across the causeway.  Split into 2 groups and home we headed.

http://www.mapmyride.com/workout/1660240265

Sunday 31st July

Lets go planting.  Time to test the body for me on a bit of a cruise ride.  Silverfox and Dozer arrived at mine and we loaded our bikes into the van for a quick trip to Lyttleton. We hooked up with Phatboy before riding up the bridge and carrying our bikes down the temporary steps to the Ferry.  Across to Diamond Harbour we went.  Nice warm up on the road from the Ferry to the top before a steeady ride to Orton Bradley along the road.  Quick chat to Ian (Park Manager) and a chat with The Cook who was setting up the planting before we cruised into the short MTB track.  Good wee loop climbing up some switchbacks and riding through some trees before crossing a narrow bridge and dropping back down to the park in time for the safety briefing.  2 groups for planting.  We took the uphill group so back onto the bikes for a grunt up the hill.  Nice wee planting site in the sun.  Planting went quick so we jumped back on the bikes down the hill and back into the MTB track in reverse.  Different sort of climb from this side.  On a short wee climb Phatboy changed gears, chain sucked and ripped the hanger off.  Repairs went on for 10 minutes as he turnt the Yeti into a single speed.  Carried on the short distance to the top before a lovely little down hill.  Back to the Red schoolhouse for tea and muffins.  From here I set the pace on the ride back to the Ferry.  Pushed myself quite hard.  Felt good about the pace too.  Mellonfarmer arrived in his car just as we got back to the shops area of Diamond Harbour.  He was taking his Phatbike up to the snow - which he was successful in doing..  We stopped for a quick cuppa before arriving just in time for the 1pm sailing.  Back to the vehicles and home shortly beforte 1.30pm.  Good wee ride.