Saturday 26th May

Only 3 of us heading out today.  A late start to fit in with the Marleys Hill Planting and due to the weather we changed the plans slightly. We headed around Hansens and then up Huntsbury. Phatboy and The Cook cruising while I was pushing as hard as I could to keep up.  Just kept grinding all the way with a couple of stops along the way.  It was pretty cool.  Regrouped at the top and then headed around the Traverse.  Very wet from the outset.  You could feel the water spalshing up on your legs and shorts.  Made for cold riding.  Not a bad run considering.  At the top of Vic Park we took the road down to the Kiwi.  Thompsons was closed.  We had planned to drop into the MTB park but at that stage tracks were closed.  We stopped at the Sign of Kiwi for hot drinks and a tasty pie.  After this it was a grind upto the top of Marleys.  Planting time. We planted for about 1.5 hours.  Cold and slippery.  We then decided to check out Worsleys.  First time down here since the fire.  The top was usual Worsley until not long after the first bend past the top entrance to the MTB Park.  Slippery with an un-rideable mud patch we had to skirt.  Then it becomes high speed gravel road until you hit the tarmac. It was bloody cold coming down. Sad to see this old original track gone.  Down the tarmac and then followed the river along our usual route home.  Phatboy peeling off first the The Cook.
I have included Phatboys ride as I did not have map my ride on.

http://www.mapmyride.com/workout/2910710083

Saturday 19th May

I headed off on a cool morning towards Ferrymead Bridge, taking the towpath when I could.  About half way along Bugs caught up and we continued on.  At the bridge we were joined pretty quickly by Dozer and Phatboy.  I led off up St Andrews hill with the lads letting me set the pace.  We stopped at the first corner to strip a layer off and then continued.  Bugs had a quick brake adjustment so I got a small lead on them.  Finally (it seemed like a long grind) we were up near John Brittain.  The lads stopped while Bugs re adjusted his brake and I continued up the single track.  It did not look like anyone had been up there for a while.  We regrouped just by Broadleaf Lane.  Up the grind with my legs running on empty.  Quick stop and then down Greenwood.  Me cruising and enjoying the run.  It is months since I was down this track and I enjoyed it immensely. A couple of dabs but a nice flow.  We then headed down Ct Thomas with Phatboy getting out front to get some drone footage.  Once again I cruised it dabbing in the usuals.  We regrouped just after the last rocks and continued on down to Dot Com for drinks.  The slog home was awful.  I had nothing left in the legs and I was thankful that Bugs led most of the way and then Phatboy took over for the last bit of the trelk back to Ferrymead Bridge. We split off with Bugs and I heading down the towpath.  Had an incident where a woman with her son on the back of their ute bike slid off in front of us but otherwise just a cruise.  Pleased to be out .

http://www.mapmyride.com/workout/2895232639

Sunday 6th May

The 1st planting of the year.  I headed off on the Cruiser around to Phatboys where I met up with Bugs, Then Phatboy and finally Dozer arrived.  Straight down Kilmore and through the park to where we met Tinkerbell by the cycleway behind Monavale.  We headed straight along here meeting up with Mellonfarmer on the section after Wairekei Rd.  Continued on down and ending up at the cafe on Cavendish Rd.  A coffee and then to the planting where we worked for 1.5 hours.  We reversed directions with Dozer peeling off towards QE2 drive at Northcote Road. We continued with Mellonfarmer peeling off just after Harewood.  Tinkerbell peeled off at Monavale and the the last 3 of us headed through the park and down Armagh where we seperated at Manchester. I headed off to mow lawns before heading home.  After a brief stop I headed out with the family for a quick drink and a bite to eat.

http://www.mapmyride.com/workout/2866352494