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