Sunday23rd December

It rained all night and I thought we would not get out for a ride.  Fined up but as we thought the tracks would be too wet we decided to continue with the plan to do a tarmac ride.  Bugs and Tinkerbell arrived at mine so we headed down Richardson Tce and turnt right onto the Heathcote Cycleway, this took us to the park and the towpath.  It was a bit wet in spots but good riding.  The lads let me set the pace.  We arrived at Ferrymead Bridge just as Phatboy showed up.  While he lost a layer I took off up St Andrews Hill knowing the others would catch me up.  Grind grind grind with a wee break along the way. At the bottom of John Brittain we decided the track would be too wet and continued up Mt Pleasant Road turning right onto Summit Road.  Got passed by a group of roadies but we caught them up as the slowed for the rougher stretch under the gondala.  Boys had a wee stop at the top of Bridal Path and I mossied on.  Got passed by the roadies who got passed by this big guy on a leckie Fatbike.  It was humming along.  Stopped at the top of Castle Hill before continuing on.  Finally layered up at the top of Huntsbury for a quick blast down here.  Turnt left on the tarmac so we could go towards Moon under Water for a Xmas beer before they closed.  Nice wee interlude before the ride down Tennyson and home.

https://www.mapmyride.com/workout/3297545386

Sunday 16th December

I set off from mine at about 8.45 to try and make it to the top of Huntsbury at troughly the same time.  Phatboy, Bugs, Dozer, Tinkerbell and The Cook left about 9ish.  I grunted up the hill feeling not too bad and finally hit the Summit road.  Load clloud was hanging around and thinking the boys would not be far away sent them a text saying I would continue on slowly which I did. Steady run down Vernon with a few riders coming up which slowed me down, an average run across Witch Hill expecting the lads to catch me at any moment.  Continued around to Castle Rock and after stopping and looking back to see if the lads were there I decidsed to continue on.  Down Castle Rock and then rode around to Mt Pleasant.  Stopped and chatted with a bunch of E mtb riders and as the lads had not shown up I followed them up the hill.  Finally about half way up I saw the lads at the bottom.  I continued up and waited at the towers.  A bit of a break and then I followed them down Greenwood and then Ct Thomas.  Not a bad run, Phatboy decided to test how soft llanding in the grass is at the top of Ct Thomas along the way.  Drinks at Dot Com before a steady ride home.  Pushed hard for me.

https://www.mapmyride.com/workout/3289238887

Suynday 9th December

Another ride with an early start for me.  Headed out and around Hansens Park to Ramahana Road where I met VJ my old flatmate. She was keen to ride and we headed up at a steady pace.  Slower than the lads would go but that was why we started early.  We made the summit and waited for the others.  20 minutes it was before they arrived which means I do not need to start out quite so early.  Maybe 15 minutes would be enough.  The posse included Mloonfarmer and Paul, Dozer, Tinkerbell and The Cook.  We set out around the Traverse with me holding back to keep an eye on VJ.  She did ok and so I let her in front at the halfway point which saw me get to see her go over the handle bars.  She recovered and off we went.  Regrouped and then into Thompsons and then onto the start of Choirboy.  Nice flowing run down here with VJ going faster than expected.  Regrouped and then some went via Captain Cook to the start of the tracks.  Half went via Shredzilla while the other half went via Loees Rider.  Nice run and I was feeling good.  Regrouped at the bottom before heading up the lift.   Came down Lord of the Possums before splitting off into 2 groups.  Some did Double Overhead Cam while others did Handle the Jandal.  Nice!!! At the bottom VJ was excited and beaming.  Went for a 2nd uplift but Mellonfarmer and Paul headed home.  This time VJ followed me down Yeah Yeah Nah, Loerd of Possums and then Snakeobs etc while the others did Swinger party and DOC again.  Nice run again then drinks and food before heading home along the river etc with people dropping off as we went.

https://www.mapmyride.com/workout/3280807507

https://www.mapmyride.com/workout/3280809235