Tuesday 25th Solo

Dropped my girls off to St John and headed out on a small training ride.  Headed around Cashmere Rd and up hackthorne Rd at a steady pace.  Nothing to harsh.  Then up into Vic park I went feeling quite chipper.  Took the walking track over the last hill by the picnic area and the info center, past the 19th Memorial.  Into the single track that loop around to the base of the gums etc.  Found a couple of big mud holes in here causing me to dab.   I then headed up the gutbuster, felt good and much faster than ever before really.  I then continued on up to the top of Vic Park and down Thompsons Track to Sign of the Kiwi.  Hung a sharp right and did the Old Dyers Rd track stopping to admire the view of all the new tracks in the adventure park.  Back up to Vic Park I went and then followed my uphill back to Dyers Rd for a quick blat down to the start.  Felt real good.

http://www.mapmyride.com/workout/1830402656

Wednesday 19th..home

We loaded the trailer, cleaned the house and headed north to auckland.  Easy drive back.  Checked in the luggage and waited for the flight.  Some tired and sick bunnies amongst us.  Got home at a reasonable hour in the end.

I really enjoyed the trip overall.  Think that the shuttle is a must a Rotorua.  Would do rainbow mountain again for sure but would skip Craters.  The trip will be remembered for the illness and the BBQ.

Tuesdays 18th into the forest again.

We started the day as a full posse albeit some sickies amongst us.  I led off up the road before we headed into the forest by a route I had scoped out on the app Trail forks.  Was a very good plan if I say so myself.  Took us to the top of K2 which was a great ride down.  Steep as with a few techy spots but great fun had by all.  This took us to the acess rd and then into Bunny Jumps 1 and 2.  We were at the shuttle where we relaxed.  Finally up the hill and we came down Corners.  Great downhill that took forever to come down.  Fun fun.  Back onto the shuttle to the top. Bugs was tapped so he went down Eagle Vs Shark and back to the house. The rest of us went down Huckleberry Hound and Little red riding Huck.  More challenging but we all survived....just.  A bit of skin was left by some.  Back up the shuttle and this time down Eagle Vs Shark.  feck this was great.  Fast flowing with wee jumps and spots like a pump track.  Mt quads were screaming by the end.  Shit eating grins on everyones faces.  Down a fire rd before the team split.  Macgyver wanted more so he headed back to the shuttle.  The rest of us headed out via Lynmore Link which had a wee push.  Then we headed down Tank to Town.  Started with a bitchy climb but became a cool downhill and then meanedered back to the house. great finish.  I could of done more but was very happy to finish.

Drinks and an early night.

http://www.mapmyride.com/workout/1817030831

Monday 17th Rainbow Moutain

Piled bikes and people into the van.  No Bugs as he was real sick with a flu/cold. Headed down to rainbow Mountain.  Mellonfarmer led off as the rest of us finished getting ready.  He was sick with a cold.  The track starts easy then you take a right hand turn and it starts getting steeper and more technical.  I was pleased as I rode all the first half which was challenging everyone.  Some walked some rode.  About 2/3s of the way up it got real mucky and we stopped to look at steam coming out of the side of the hill.  Track from here was so steep we all pushed up.  near the top we managed to get some pedalling in again.  Finally reached the summit.  Had a bite to eat and chatted.  Oohed and aahed over the views and then came down the other side.  Reminds me of the song "the bears went up the mountain"  The down started with a very steep technical track with a few dabs by about 95% of us.  All of a sudden it became super ride able.  Fast, flowing, rooty, mucky but so much fun.  Then we were down by the van. 7 short kms. We dipped in the stream which was warm as .  Felt good a relaxing.  headed back to town.  Showered and cruised around town checking out bike shops and finding a halfway decent bar before returning to the house.  By now Phatboy was falling sick with the dreaded bug and you could here coughs starting in others.  had dinner in town before an early return to the house.  most headed to the sack.

http://www.mapmyride.com/workout/1814651441

Sunday 16th. into the forest

 Bernie hired a bike and then we set off into the forest.  Thought we were on a nice uphill track that turned into a muddy climb consisting of pushing our bikes and mud up the hill.  You have to take what you get on a trip.  Finally got up to the top.  Plan was to ride down a couple of tracks get the shuttle for a couple of runs and then Bernie would depart.  Plan did not turn out.

We headed down Gunna Gotta which was fun and mucky.  Challenging in spots but we all had grins at the bottom....except Bernie who thought we were all mad shits.  We then rode numerous other tracks with interesting names that I can not remember.  Be Rude not to, Lions Tale, etc etc.  Some were really cool runs while others were a bit of uphill.  Finally we made it to the shuttle base only to find out it only picks up there once a day.  The rest of the time it is on the hill.  opps.  Bernie was tapped out so he headed home.  We had lunch and then headed up the hill to find the shuttle.  expected a big ride only to find it was just up the hill a tad.

Onto the shuttle to the top and then climbed to Billy T.  Mucky and technical.  All had some fun at different speeds.  MacGyver giving the drop and double gap jump a go.  Only person to.  Continued riding all these tracks.  Started feeling a bit tapped out from all the ups and downs and we headed back to base.  Finished on Ndo track which was a fun blast out.  42kms.  Did not drink half as much this day.  BBq was the highlight as it caught on fire and spoiled the food.

http://www.mapmyride.com/workout/1812987020

15th October, day 2. Craters of the moon

Headed south to Taupo as there was racing in the Forest.  The weather looked a bit dodgy all the way there.  We had to buy a pass to get into the craters Tracks and then stopped at Huka Falls for a photo shoot.  Finally unloaded our bikes as the sun started to shine.  We headed off into the tracks expecting a lot from all we had heard.  Started with an easy climb then headed into an assortment of tracks.  Too many to name but debs rack was one as was outback and Skunk works which was a stinky climb.  The tracks were fine but most did not flow.  You climbed then a wee down then climb.  We all agreed it was like Bottlelake on a small hill.  Silverfox had a couple of body dabs but all in all a fun ride with no accidents.  All to soon we were back at the carpark.  crossed into the otherside for a quick play.  Rated it as just a 6 out of 10.  back to Vegas for dinner and drinks.  Lots more drinks too.  Bernie arrived to join us for the night and following mornings ride.

http://www.mapmyride.com/workout/1811091887

Friday 14th October day 1 of Rotovegas visit

Up early to load the van.  met the guys as they arrived for a 6.30am departure.  Drove out to the airport where we met up with the others.  Finally we were all assembled.  Phatboy, Macgyver, Mellonfarmer, Bugs, Dozer, Tinkerbell, The Cook, Silverfox and I (rubberjaws).  Checked in bags and bikes then waited for the plane.  Cruisey flight to Auckland where we got our van and trailer for the journey south.  Good drive down stopping at the Queen Vic chippy in Cambridge for lunch.  Headed south again with the weather gradually closing in.  Arrived at the house in Rotovegas.  Good spot with plenty of space.  The weather was now shitting itself as we went off to do groceries and beer run.  Found a good supply of beer at the first spot so we were all happy.  back to the house, assembled the steads and then BBQ and a couple of beers before bed.

Sunday 9th October

Last ride before the trip.  Weather was looking dodgy later but 5 of us managed to get out. Phatboy arrived, then me, then Tinkerbell and Silverfox arrived in the van and Dozer cruised in on the bike.  A quick chat and then we headed around and climbed Rapaki.  We stripped to tee shirts at the gate. Not a bad blast up here with a little separation in the first half, then more in the 2nd half.  Phatboy arrived at the top first.  I led off over Vernon, giving it some pump, stopped to let a guy have a run down before continuing on with Phatboy hard on my tail.  Regrouped at the road before I led off towards Vic Park.  Nice good run through here. Hit the dipper at pace, no pedaling required coming out.  The downhill grommits were having a race day so we regrouped at the tape across the track waiting for the all clear then rode to the top of Vic.  A bit cooler so added a layer of clothing.  I headed down the road to avoid the runner while the others made their way to The Kiwi.  A few spots of moisture as we went down.  Then Phatboy put the curse on us and said "We might get wet ankles by time we get home".  The ankles were wet by time we got to the top of Worsley.  Rain made for sketchy body bag and then into New Worsley.  Last time I came down here it was dry and fast, now it was sketchy with greasy lines and roots.  We all survived until we hit the main trail where the rain jackets went on.  Water was running down the mud fest which helped keep us and the bikes slightly cleaner.  Onto the tarmac and we all wanted to get home.  The Fox took the road directly home, Phatboy headed down Barrington and Dozer skipped the St Martins line.  Tinkerbell and I arrived home quite drenched.  No time for talking just wanted to get warm and dry.

http://www.mapmyride.com/workout/1799064410

Sunday 2nd October

Outside I went to find Silverfox and Tinkerbell ready and waiting.  Tinks first ride with the group since knee surgery.  We headed around and down Radley before turning towards the Heathcote  cut and the towpath to Ferrymead bridge where we connected with Dozer.  Up St Andrews at a steady pace until we reached John Brittain.  My idea of heading slightly right to avoid the little walk did not pay off but enough said.  heraded up with me leading feeling like I was doing good.  At the top I thought great timer for a rest and regroup but everyone was on my tail.  Into Old greenwood entrance rather than pushing Tinks too hard.  Good pace with me leading until a little dab when Dozer took over.  he showed me some skills while staying on his bike until we reached the ruins.. Little stop for a sandwich before heading down.  A great run down to the bottom, over the fence and then I managed to fall off in front of a bunch of guys stnding in the shingle.  We rode up Godley Head Rd before taking the farm track up the hill and heading back towards Evans Pass.  I had a blast here.  Have not done this track in this direction for years.  Taking all the high lines.  Fun oh fun.  Down Ct Thomas with dozer leading then Tinks, Me and the Fox.  Great run down here.  Out the bottom, downb the steps and then off to dot Com for drinks and snack before heading home.  Good pump with The Fox and Myself somehow leaving the other two behind across the causeway.  Regrouped at the bridge then Dozer split and we merry three finished our ride home.  Fun in the sun.

http://www.mapmyride.com/workout/1785012224