Sunday 17th December

A big posse of Mcgyver, Mellonfarmer, Phatboy, The Cook, Dozer, Silverfox, Tinkerbell, The Lovely Jenna and myself set off in the heat for a bit of fun.  We made our way around to Huntsbury and started to climb.  Any shade was good as the heat was really starting to hit and no breeze.  Steadyish climb, but not a fast pace up the tarmac.  In the shade at the top most regrouped and enjoyed the shade.  I slowed right down but did not stop as I was a snail.  Continued on up, Mcgyver caught me and then took a few lads off the main track to come across the airfield while the rest of us stayed on the main track.  Grind grind.  The heat was intense at the top and we all gathered in the shade along the road as and when we arrived.  Decided to change the ride plan to avoid the excess climbing. Over Vernon we went and then Witch Hill.  Jenna doing the road and giving it a nudge along towards Castle Rock. Mellonfarmer punctured on Witch Hill.  Down Castle Rock we went then The Cook clipped a rock and over he went.  A bit of face damage but no broken bits.  Continued on and a regroup in the shade at the top of Bridal Path.  Onwards to John Brittain and then into Old Greenwood taking the left hand line down to the Pines.  Jenna did this track also.  Then we headed down the line towards Clifton Hill.  Dozer did a whoopsie and twisted his bars (a quick fix).  Continued on down with Macgyver leaving the track briefly and then out onto Canon Hill. Panorama Drive before cutting down towards Mulgans Track and then it was a road ride back to the Ferrymead Bridge.  Then some lady ran Silverfox down by turning into him at the lights.  Mellonfarmer and Phatboy headed home while the rest of us headed around the towpath and to Twisted hop for water, food and drinks.  Home after this.  A very hot ride.

http://www.mapmyride.com/workout/2620150765

Sunday 3rd December

A warm day ahead so the plan was to start a tad earlier.  8.30 start and 22 degrees already.  Phatboy, The Cook, Tinkerbell, Bugs, Dozer and I headed off around Hansens and then started the climb up Ramahana, Aotea and Huntsbury.  The lads were kind and rode slow for me who still trailled a bit.  It was hot and we all enjoyed any breeze we found.  Stopped in the shade when we could.  Finally got to the top and I led off over Mt Vernon.  Better for me on this stuff.  Good clip around with Phatboy chasing but not really closing, slowed by uphill traffic but smiling at the end.  Over Witch Hill, me having a better run than usual, Cook and Dozer dabbing a bit in front of me.  Then climbed to Castle Rock. Not a bad run down here but then it was hot in the sheltered spots.  We all sat in the shade at the top of Bridal Path pleased that there was some shade and a breeze.  Onwards and upwards under the gondala and then up the single track to the aerials on Mt Pleasant.  Good climb up here considering the heat.  Then down the otherside.  Tried a new track that takes you down to greenwood.  From here we did the track down to the Pines above Richmond and then climbed back to the old entrance to Greenwood.  !st time I had climbed this.  Good climb.  Down John Brittain.  Had a couple of close calls when my front wheel slid on the trimmed grass laying on the track.  Phatboy has the same but rear wheel.  Down we went hooking into McCormacks Bay track.  This was fun and very dry.  Couple of lock ups but otherwise just a great ride.  From here we took the trails around the towpath and this threw us out at the back of The Twisted Hop for a drink and feed.  I stayed on with my wife for lunch and the boys went home.

http://www.mapmyride.com/workout/2602711375