With a few of the lads having spent all day Saturday drinking at the beer fest and then one of them (Rubberjaws) having a bit of a prang coming home only a small posse went out. The below description was written by Bugs.  I have highligted and commented on a few bits.....

Tinkerbell and The Fox arrived at Bug's place where a new guy call Paul (Friends of Mellonfarmers) was also waiting out front. While Tinkerbell fixed his problem of a leaking bladder Dozer arrived on a brand new sparkling Trek. As it was red we all knew it was going to be fast. After a short chat we headed down Alport place to the single track around the river. Bug's lead with the other 4 close behind. Scared a runner on a blind corner and gave way to 5 or 6 others on the track. Arrived at Ferrymead bridge where we headed straight up St Andrews Hill. No stops on the way up but feeling the head as we climbed (when I ride I try to leave the head alone as it interferes with my ability to hold the handle bars) with no wind to cool us down. Short rest before we headed up the shared track though the paddocks. Tinkerbell lead with Paul just behind him then Dozer on the Red Trek, Bug's and Silver fox. Headed around under the summit road on John Britten. This is overgrown which meant the 1st 3 headed down the old track. Bug's shuck (whats a shuck) ahead of Dozer where the 2 tracks meet. Onwards to the road then over the fence and up we headed towards the aerials. At the top Bug's applied his pads to his knees and we started the down. Dozer 1st, then Bug's, Tinkerbell, The Fox and the Paul. 1st time here for him. Gave way to 5 guys riding up the rocks. Down we headed enjoying the ride in the dust the Treks 27.5 wheels. At the start of Greenwood Bugs lead with the rest behind. The 5 guys who were riding up where now chasing us all. Good ride down here with them getting past most of us. There leading guy caught up with Bugs at the 1st rocky climb at the bottom when Bugs cocked it up. Keep in-front of him till the bottom. The rest of them arrived then Dozer and the rest. Headed down Cpt Thomas from here with Dozer leading then Bugs, Tinkerbell, Paul and The Fox. Great ride down here clearing most of it. Stopped at Dot Com for Coffees etc. Bugs had an unknown traveler down his top which managed to sting him twice down his belly. After coffees we headed to the bikes where a comment was made about how skinny Fox's back tire was. Yes it was flat. While he fixed it we all watched. Headed back across the Causeway into a strong head wind. We all dropped into the single track at Ferrymead with Tinkerbell and the fox turning off to the nursery then Bug's and Dozer turning off at the bridge. Paul headed around the river to his from here. Great hot ride about 27km with 645m climbing.   

Tuesday 24th January

Collected The Cook and drove to Worsley Rd where we unloaded the bikes.  Silverfox and Tinkerbell arrived so we rode into the Adventure Park and I led off up the uphill track.  Steady pace, dabbed on 1 section of hairpins on the way and eventually climbed out onto the access Rd that led us to the entrance into the lower green track.  I jumped in 1st and enjoyed a fast blast down to get my eye in.  Tinks came next followed eventually by Silverfox and The Cook.  They were delayed by Rex who they bumped into at the top.  Silverfox led off into the uphill for a 2nd loop.  Good run although dabbed on the same hairpin and then my phone rung.  This time we climbed to the start of Double overhead Cam.  Tinkerbell led followed by me.  Best and fastest run I have had down here shaving 41 seconds off my fastest time.  Felt good.  From here we went and had the customary beer at the cafe before riding back to the car and heading home.  Nice run .

http://www.mapmyride.com/workout/1969889738

Saturday 21st January

Dozer arrived at mine (on a Giant Trace loaned from Bugs)and we headed off towards the Adventure Park via Cashmere Rd for the most part of it.  Got there early hoping to head up the uphill track before buying my pass.  Track was closed so we rode over and bought my pass.  $40 for 3 rides now.  We rode back in time for the uphill to be opened just after 10.  Quite surprised how many people were heading up.  Dozer was off and away and there were a couple of people between us for most of the climb. Nice steady climb with some mean tight switchbacks.  Dabbed on a couple and had to stop when a guy in front managed to slam off the track above and fall in front of me. he was fine. Continued on up and then it comes onto the access rd.  Stopped for a pee.  As we rode up the road the same guy fell off on a slight rise ahead of us.  His response to us asking how he was "having a bad day"!!  Got upto the start of the lower Green line and headed down.  Dozer let me lead due to the dificiencys of a Giant. Nice fast and flowy run down here.  Up to the chairlift base for my first ever lift in Christchurch.  Found it a little bit worrisome to start but the chair is pretty steady and does not rock.  Got off at the top and we did the green Line top to bottom.  Very quick and enjoyable at pace.  Fun was the only way to describe it.  Chased a chick down who was trying to stay in front, passed her and continued on to the bottom.  back up the lift again feeling quite relaxed.  This time we came down Lord of the Possums. Felt good all the way then into Double over Head Cam.  Ok run for most of it but really busy with a few downhillers catching and passing.  Up for the 3rd lift and we cam down Yeah yeah Gnaw.  This is my sort of track.  More technical, slower but so much more challenging. Had a lot of fun here.  Then back into double overhead cam.  Not quite so busy this time.  At the bottom I spotted Tinkerbell sitting with Sandals and Helmut.  Dozer, Tinks and I headed up for the Traditional Beer and Chips. We then headed out with Tinks turning left for his placing while Dozer and I headed home.  All up 43km with all sorts of altitude but only about 200m climb in reality.

http://www.mapmyride.com/workout/1963936586

14th january 2017

1st group ride I have been in since going away.  Went outside and hooked up with Phatboy, Bugs and Silverfox.  We headed around the river and started up Crapaki.  Decided to skip the side loop and maybe have an extra loop at the CAP (Christchurch adventure Park).  Phatboy rode the new rapaki single track, Bugs and I started to but headed onto the main track.  Silverfox had whizzed pass at this stage so we caught him up.  I could see Tinkerbell and Young Jenna ahead of us. After some unfair play, Silverfox summitted head of us.  I then continued on up Mt Vernon after Tinks and Jenna catching them before the last steep climb on the bend.  Stopped for a regroup at the road crossing and I was surprised the Phatboy arrived first.  He led off around the traverse having a good run, then Bugs, me, Silverfox etc following.  Bugs stopped to let some riders coming towards us get past so we could get a good run into Vic park.  Stopped in the trees out of the wind and after regrouping I summited ahead of the others.  Led off down Thompsons with everyone in close order before climbing around to the top of Worsley.  Down the bodybag for another regroup before heading in the gate and climbing to the chairlift drop off point.  From here the lads led off down Lord of the Possums.  For me a first time in the park.  Clean and quite fast with some good little air options. gonna be hard on bikes as the surface is like concrete.  regrouped at the bottom before heading down Double overhead Cam.  More of the same but with a lot more switchbacks.  Finally got to the park village.  Could not get a single ride pass so we coffeed or had a beer before heading home.  Great morning ride.

http://www.mapmyride.com/workout/1950960260

Rubberjaws Holiday adventures.

Off on holiday to Marahau as usual.
my 2nd to last ride for the year was  from Marahau Beach camp along the tarmac and then grunted up the Marahau - Riwaka Rd.  Stayed in the gutter to avoid the cars and campervans.  Good steady climb and then I made the left hand turn into the forestry for a little bit more climbing. Felt quite good at this point.  Around to Upper Corkscrew for a short downhill.  A little bit rutted but rolled well.  Into Jaws for a good run down.  Past a guy who jumped to far and landed on the side of the track.  he was all good.  Continued down enjoying the flow with just enough twists and turns to keep you honest.  Into the bottom half with a little air time and a small grunt before the awesome end run.  Just flows with yumps and jumps.   Climbed up Big Ups to the start of new Big Airs.  This track is certainly made for air time.  Rolled some and launched on others. Took it quitly though.  Good fun.  Returned up Ziggys and then into Corkscrew.  it was hot by this stage and I was pushing as hard as I could. The last 50m of Corkscrew sucked. Onto the fireroad and climbed to the top before heading down the fire road to the Kaiteri -Sandy bay Rd.  Good fast run with some loose shingle keeping me honest.  Drew blood on the gorse along the edge.  from here it was down the road and back to camp.

http://www.mapmyride.com/workout/1923855821

My final ride of 2016 saw me dropped off at the start of the fireroad at the top of the hill.  Rode up and headed towards jaws.  Decided to try something different and headed down velocity.  I had never done the top of this before.  Gosh it was testing.  caused some sphincter clenching and a couple of dabs.  Possibly would of ridden it all if I had a ride partner but was a tad hesitant due to being alone. Steep and rutted with a few big drops along the way.  Felt better the lower I went.  From here I went into Skullduggery which was fun.  Into lower skullduggerry which is quite old skoolish with a few twists turns and rocks.  Up Easy Rider into Cruise Control and then down Shady lady and across the new log bridge.  revelation and then Ziggys, Corkscrew and fire road and back to camp.

http://www.mapmyride.com/workout/1926830909

My first ride of the year started at the riwaka Market.  After having a look around i unloaded my bike and hit the cycle trail.  This runs along the road, through some orchards and then alongside the Kaiteriteri Rd.  After crossing under the road you are then back on Easy Rider inside the MTB park.  I headed up here and decided to hang a left into swish.  This climbed via some switchbacks upto the 2nd half of scoot that took me to Remedy.  A nice downhill that chucks you out above Shady Lady.  Down here i went and at the bottom they have put in a new uphill back to Gladerunner where I hung a left.  This took me back to Swamp Monster which is swoopy and fun.  I climbed back to Cruise Control then Galde Runner, revelation, Ziggys, Corkscrew and then Fireroad back to camp.

http://www.mapmyride.com/workout/1930756898

My last ride of the trip was with a guy from the camp.  A novice off road but what the heck.We headed up the riwaka Rd into the forest, Down Upper Corkscrew which saw him walk a few meters.  Down Jaws.  Slow for me, but he pushed it as hard as he could.  (very Slow) Up Big Ups to Skullduggery and around. Into Scoot and Upper Scoot before heading down Tank to Swamp Monster.  Climbed up to the top and headed down half Pipe before cruising through kaiteriteri and around the road back to camp.  Not a bad ride but not as tough as the others.

http://www.mapmyride.com/workout/1935974495

My first ride at home consisted of a short per funeral/memorial.  I headed around and up Rapaki before hanging left for Montgomery Spur track.  Good loop and then continued up the new rapaki singletrack.  Got steeper and steeper but I managed to ride right to the rock slope.  Walked 7-8meters befor getting back on a grunting to the top.  Returned down the single track but had some walkers get in my way and they were not moving so back onto Rapaki track with a few choice words for a run down here and back to home.

http://www.mapmyride.com/workout/1945388954