Tuesday 24th March

Tracks at avoid yet again. Driving me crazy. Phatboy, Dozer, Abba and The Cook (on a new bike and out for the first time ever with us) arrived at mine. We rode over to Silverfoxes, looked at his crack again...(he told us EQC is going to fill it for him, and hes looking forward to it.) It goes right around the house and even the windows have cracks around them. Sandals and Jandals arrived. We then headed via different streets to Hagely. Did a circuit of Sth Hagley, then crossed over and did Nth Hagley. Went and had a look at Arts Ctr, then St Elmos Court then rode by odd means around the edge of the cordon. We ended up having to ride part of Hagley Park back to Bealey Ave. Rode along the medium strip to Manchester St, then Salisbury then around the river to Fitzgerald and then to Pomeroys. Nice drink before we all split at differing times.

Tuesday 15th March

Mellonfarmer arrived and we headed around to pick up Silverfox. Stopped and oohed and aahed over his crack...s in his house. Pretty Big but house seems to look somewhat straight. Mellonfarmer and I thought that the timber framing was solid even if the blocks weren't. We all then headed up Hackthorne, and Dyers to the Sign of the Kiwi where we were met by Dozer. Cold wind blowing and rain threatening as we headed up the road. Helmut was at the Marley's car park and we all continued the amble up the road catching Jandals then hooking up with Sandals at the top. Helmut led off followed by Mellonfarmer then me then the others. Helmut pulled over along the way so passed him. Had a good run down to the car park where we all regrouped. Jandals headed down and we all headed up for another run. Same order coming down but I think I rode it better this time. Mellonfarmer and Helmut had pulled up at the car park but I continued down towards Kiwi. They dropped in and gave chase catching me at the long brake less stretch. I got all the little jumps along the edge. Felt pretty good but can do better yet me feels. We regrouped and as I wanted an early finish and the weather was cold we all headed off. Sandals, Helmut and Mellonfarmer heading towards Vic to get down into Cashmere. Short but good ride.

Sunday 13th March

Yes a ride. Tinkerbell and Dozer met at mine and we headed through the broken arsed streets to Sandals. Interesting ride. Hooked up with Sandals, Jandals (Ben), Helmut and Silverfox. Rode the steep drive behind the house then up into Vic Park where Tinks and Helmut got told off by rangers for riding on a walking track. Oh so naughty!!!! Then up the steep track behind the skidder site then cut across and went up the rock garden. That was nutty. Up the uphill track to the summit and then down Thompsons. Feeling good. Up the road to the top of Marleys where we let it roll. Awesome to ride again. Nothing like attacking rock jumps, twists and turns to make you feel normal again. Then back up to the top of Worsley where we rode on down. I took some good techy lines staying in ruts and generally attacking the track. Of course I did not watch where the others were riding but they were enjoying the track too. Down down down and then out. Rode to the old Coffee Culture for coffee before heading home. Felt good and normal.

Sunday 20th February

I set off from mine on my lonesome with music in my ears. Headed around the river, down the track behind Ferrymead with wind in my face. At the bridge it was time to hit the tarmac. Onto the causeway stiff easterly in my face and I decided to chase down a guy about 100m in front. Managed to catch him just before the end and as the guys who were riding drove past on their way to Cot Dom. Finally got there just as Te Rex drove in. The posse of Phatboy, Mellonfarmer, Tinkerbell, Dozer and Texas were all waiting to go. We set off up the Ct Thomas. Steady climb with Te Rex, Mellonfarmer and Phatboy charging, Tinks in between the the sensible 3 following at the tail. Climbed well getting most except when he who will be named blew a couple of techy buts to slow down the events. We made the top in not bad time. Then it was time to ride up Greenwood. This was the first time in a while for most of us and had never been done by a few. It was quite a nice climb. Stopped in Gloomy Gulch before climbing to the top for a bite. It was then time to come on down. Mellonfarmer, Phatboy, Tinkerbell, me followed by the others. Charging hard, keeping on the tail of the guy in front before Phatboy punctured. Stopped to fix this then rode onto where the others waited. Continued charging. I was feeling great and stayed on Tinks tail all the way. On down ct Thomas failing the 2 usual rocks. Tinks stopped and I charged past him slowly gaining on the front 2. Only caught them at the end due to the amount of people on the track. Into Cot Dom for coffee. I found out that Dozer had an off on the way down and dented his bike. Phatboy left and we were Joined by Bugs and his lovely wife Mrs Bugs. I then jumped on my bike and literally flew back with the wind in my back. Good ride.

Tuesday 15th February

I picked up Silverfox and headed over to the main car park at Halswell Quarry. Hooked up with Dozer, Helmut, Sandals, Tinkerbell, Phatboy, Junior, Mellonfarmer and Cuz. Also appearing out of no-where was Abba. We headed along the track avoiding dogs and people and then instead of heading up the valley track Mellonfarmer said lets head up this way. Short sharp shock that it was. Fun and challenging really but I got to the top as did everyone except The Cuz who had an attack of asthma. Must be caused by the cancer sticks he smokes. Up the little steep Zigzag and onto the road. At the top of the Crocodile it was straight down. Good run down here by everyone (I even cleared the little rock shoot that gets me every time) until we found Junior dusting himself off from an oopsy. No problems really and we all continued down. At the bridge we regrouped and then climbed back up the crocodile. Some did their sprint thing. I cruised up with Dozer and The Fox. Enjoyed the slog and cleaned it nicely. We then climbed the next bit and on up to Siberia and down to the gate. Abba did his usual and disappeared by himself, taking the short way home to his love and a meal. That's right he rode up Kennedy's rather than riding with us. The rest of us headed down, down down avoiding Betsy the Cow then down the Croc and up the other side before getting back to the cars. Junior was there riding his bike backwards for fun. I discovered my leg was bleeding for some reason. pulled a large splinter out of it this morning! not bad for 1.5 hours of mid week riding.

Sunday 13th February

The posse of Bugs, Dozer and Tinkerbell arrived at mine and we headed over to meet up with the rest at Silverfoxes. Arrived and shortly after we were met by Phatboy. No Fox as he was sick and No Mellonfarmer. He had a hard night and was more than likely Piss crook although we have no physical proof other than a text saying he got home at 4am. We then headed around to Worsley where we hooked up with Sandals and Helmut. Grunted up the track beside the road (well all bit one) with Dozer looking as if he had a steroid breakfast until he gasped and stopped. Up the road we toddled and then onto the off road climb. Tough as usual but oh so enjoyable. At our normal corner for a rest, Helmut took the steep line (impressive) and while we got our breath a guy I know caught up. (Marty a web designer). We all rode on from here. Cleaned the next section for a change and got up to the bottom of the bag. Once again Helmut impressed with some incredible lines up from the main track. Up the body bag where Dozer and I failed due to our minds telling us to stop. Marty went straight back down. Up to the top of Marleys where I went straight in and Phatboy gave chase. he closed a bit on the top half but not on the bottom. I got all the jumps this time, loving it and just kept going all the way to the Kiwi where we regrouped. Dozer had a slight body dab on one corner but no damage. Up to the top of Vic we rode chatting with Nick Singletrack at the top. Into the run down we went some going down Sesame while I and others went down through the gums. Great run to the skidder site. Then down Dazzas (Helmut went his way) and we then took the track to the left. (do not know its name but we rarely do it) It has been tidied somewhat and is quite cool. Later may do some of the little jumps but this time took the B routes. At the bottom jumps we regrouped. Mmmm thought the others were taking a bit long then Dozer showed up saying Bugs had come off. Thumb was bent out of shape. Bugs arrived saying it was not bad and he would ride down and no do not get an ambulance. We all rode out together skipping hidden valley as we were with Bugs. On the tarmac we let him ride home alone while we stopped for coffee. Final report is after waiting for ages at the hospital he Dislocated his thumb...but thats not all. He broke it and has now proudly got his first cast. 3-4 weeks it will be on but he hopes to ride before it comes off. We will see.

Tuesday 8th February

Wayne, Dallas meet at Warren's then rode ova to Rapaki where Marie was waiting in the shade. Headed up Rapaki till Dallas decided to chat up some girl for 10 minutes at the end of the tarsel. Wayne & Warren powered up from gate to the top gate clearing everything in a tad over the 11min 33 sec record. Dallas and Marie were not far behind. Road up Mt Vernon track with some of us clearing most and some not. Hit the Traverse with the other 50 odd riders. Meet some guys who had decided to stop on the rocks at the top of the Lava flow to admire the view which slowed us all down. Clean run the rest of the way to Vic park. Down the Rock garden to the car park. Down though the trees from here showing Dallas a more challenging way. Up hidden valley with us all clearing the creek and most of the climb. Nice run down from here with everyone grouped together. Good hot ride and home by 9pm

Written by Bugs