Tuesday 26th April

Picked up the Cook and headed up to the meeting point on Upper Major Hornbrook where we were joined by Phatboy, Bugs and Tinkerbell on his home built Keewee hardtail.  The wind had picked up and was cold so a few of us rugged up. Up the John Brittain Lower Track with the wind immediatley dying so we warmed up quick.  Phatboy and Tinkerbell chatting away as they led up the hill.  Quick regroup at the top hairpin loop where the aforementioned chatters kept chatting so I just got on my bike and rode on.  Everyone regrouped at the gate before the chatters continued on along the old rock strewn stretch of track.  Up onto and across the road where we then took on Mt Pleasant Track.  I started as tailender but at the hairpin I passed a stopped Cook.  Up up up to the top where we regrouped again.  Phatboy and I jumped into different lines to the stile and then we took off.  What a pig of a ride I had and by all accounts so did all the others.  Regrouped above Greenwood and next moment McGyver and Mellonfarmer joined us.  Up through the top section of greenwood we rode then up Broadleaf.  At theis point the late joiners carried on up and over to do a Greenwood run while the originals headed back down Mt Pleasant.  The chatty 2 went all the way down before climbing back to the start of John Brittan while the bright sparks dropped out the way they started.  Tinkerbells light stopped working so while he and Phatboy got a spare attached the rest of us took off.  Bugs led followed by me then the Cook.  Good run across then headed down the track.  Night riding sure does slow you down sometimes but eventually all 5 of us arrived at the vehicles alive and well.  Home we headed.  Average ride but good for a short nightride.

http://www.mapmyride.com/workout/1445790491

Sunday 24th April

Woke up feeling absolutely shite.  Went outside and met up with Dozer and Silverfox. Discussed how I felt and decided to do a town ride rather than the hill.  nice of the guys.  We headed down Opawa, Shakespear and then right over Waltham Bridge.  Cut through CPIT and then down High St and into the Square.  From here we rode down Oxford Tc past the Remembrance Park and then continued around the river past the boat sheds and museum.  Into Hagley Park for a loop at a steady pace to the Hospital where we crossed and then did a loop of South Hagley.  Back into North Hagley ducking down some tracks to the back exit by the gardens.  Down Worcester and then into Restart where we stopped for a drink and chat.  We then headed down Lichfield, left into Colombo and then right around the river to Fitzgerald.  Dropped past old haunts of Phatboy, Dozer and mine from 30 odd years ago.  Down Swans Rd and left around the river through the red zone.  Dozer set the pace along here and then we crossed at Wainoni Rd, into Cuffs Rd, Huron St, Vancouver Cres, Baffin St and at Pages Rd stopped at Dozers for a look around and a glass of water.  Silverfox and I then headed down Pages, Aldwins and Ensors to Opawa where we split to head to our homes.  A good flat ride but it was all I could cope with today.  Appreciated the support of the guys.

http://www.mapmyride.com/workout/1442237575

Tuesday 19th April

I drove around and collected the Cook before driving out to Taylors Mistake Carpark where we met Dozer and Bugs.  We headed around the coast track towards Boulder Bay, forgetting the short sharp steep but just after where the Anaconda comes down.  Good ride around then the climb by Boulder Bay is still a gut buster but not as bad as years gone by.  Up and around for a regroup by the first gun emplacement before continuing around and up some more.  Finally at the top before dropping down to the buildings on the harbour side.  Steep and sharp hairpins.  Quick stop here before the uphill to Godley head Carpark.  Flowed around the track under the road realising how this was my first ride under lights and the narrow track was a tad offputting.  Regrouped before dropping down the Anaconda.  Not a bad run down here.  Slower than in daylight but I was gaining on Bugs until I had a real sphincter tightening moment.  Thought I was gonna faceplant when my front wheel washed out... but I recovered.  Down to the bottom safely and out to the cars.  Short ride but good.

http://www.mapmyride.com/workout/1434513263

Sunday 17th April

Tinkerbell, Silverfox and I left mine at nine promptly expecting to meet Phatboy at Ferrymead Bridge, as we headed around the river I got a call from him wondering where we were.  He was at mine.  We cruised along while he gave chase.  We waited at the bridge before we all headed up St Andrews, Marama etc all the way up to Upper Major Hornbrook.  I led off up here and out onto the Summit Rd in very barmy weather.  Up Broadleaf Lane before heading down the Mt Pleasant Tract.  I led having a good run (makes up for the uphill) meeting a largish posse and taking some off piste lines.  Regrouped at the Col before dropping along the Summit Rd to castle Rock Track.  We all had a good run until the biggest group of riders started coming through.  We waited at the first hairpin chatting to Rex who was in the group.  Canterbury MTB Club.  After they got through we continued.  The last climb looming and bugger me days some arsewhle came down without giving way to me on the last grunt.  The ##@$%$#@ should of pushed him off. Down the road and over Witch Hill with more riders coming up.  Top of Rapaki was cream your pants city with lots of bodies around.  Over Mt Vernon and then along the Summit Track before heading down towars Bownvale.  Lots of free riding here rather than any lines.  Regrouped and then down down down we went taking different lines before hitting the single track.  No accidents along the way although the track was sketchy in a few spots.  Phatboy cleaned the sketchy exit.  Home we went not stopping for coffee as we all had things to do.

http://www.mapmyride.com/workout/1430941065

Saturday 9th April 2016 - Satan's Post

A small posse met at mine for a 9am start.  It consisted of The Cook, Bugs, Mellonfarmer, Dozer and myself.  We headed around Hansens Park chatting about Bugs and Dozers ghost Road adventure and then up Huntsbury at a steady pace.  Brief stop on Aotea and again at the 1 st cattle stop before reaching the summit.  The Cook once again showing that he was much better than he was a while ago.  We then headed around the traverse with Mellonfarmer leading and I jumped in 2nd followed bu Dozer, Bugs and The Cook.  Good blast around here with a brief stop at the normal spot halfway.  Waited for a few to come past (they were heading towards us) but a couple of munters went through and pushed their way in.  We then followed them catching up and then up to the top of Vic park.  Down Thompson's and then the ride up to the top of Marley's.  Going up Worsley I cramped up so I only did the top half.  had a good run and then rode up to the top again.  meanwhile the others did the bottom half with Mellonfarmer getting a double snakebite.  They all came back up after the repairs.  Down the body bag which is sketchy and then down Old Skool Worsley.  This has changed so much.  Sketchy and greasy in places.  Dozer had an off but no major blood.   We chatted with Tim Prebble near the bottom.  He was handing out leaflets re the MTB park.  Down from here and into Far side where we all took differing lines.  I knee dabbed on the far side track.  We regrouped and then down and around to Zeroes for drinks and nibbles.  From here we rode on home.  Nice ride.

http://www.mapmyride.com/workout/1419828333

And latterly, it has come to my attention that this is the 666th post.  The post of the beast.  Satan's Post!

Tuesday 29th March

I collected The Cook and headed up to Upper Major Hornbrook where we hooked up with Phatboy.  The 3 of us headed up the singletrack at a steady pace.  Phatboy led, then me and The Cook but all of us quite close actually.  Swung into Upper JB track and along to the road where we crossed over and into Mt Pleasant Track.  Same order applied.  Good climb up with Cook throwing a chain just before the top.  We headed down and I took the lead.  Had a bloody good run here, smooth through the rocks and flowed the tussocks.  Regrouped at the bottom before going back into the same order foe the ride out the top of Greenwood.  Cleaned all of this even my hated rocky section.  The Cook actually pulled his foot out of his shoe somehow.  Up the road and onto Broadleaf.  The Cook showing that his long illness could be over as he rde up here alongside Phatboy at a good pace.  I spun my rear wheel on the gravel and nearly nutted myself.  Ouch.  At the Mt Pleasant Track Phatboy stopped for a photo so I led off.  Smooth run down here with a regroup at the road.  Into Upper JB for a fast crossing and then into the Lower section.  Fast flowy fun it was.  All of us hitting it at speed.  No offs although some front wheel sliding by the Cook saw him squeezing his cheeks together once.  Good fast short ride.  No lights were switched on or injured.

http://www.mapmyride.com/workout/1404977241

Tuesday 23rd March

Meeting point was top of Huntsbury. A few pulled out for various reasons. Bug's arrived at the top followed by Dozer then Phatboy. The Cook arrived after that. Dozer speed on up while the others chatted. Headed up at a average pace with the Cook going well at the start. Thing's slowed for him as well got further up the Hill. Dozer was still leading with Phatboy catching him slowly. Bug's held back and rode with the Cook. 3 trail bikes speed past us all about 3/4 way up leaving us all in dust n stones. The Cook and Bugs arrived at the top where the others had rested. After letting a few riders go though we headed off across the Traverse. Phatboy leading followed by Bug's, Dozer and the The Cook. Caught 2 ladies before the 1st rocks, they let us sneak though then we caught a couple of guys half way around to the pond. Bug's n Dozer stopped to let them get a lead when one of Bug's mates arrived behind. We speed off catching the two guy's before the pond. Got past them then raced all the way to the pines. Phatboy was waiting there. We stopped followed by Bug's mate n his wife. Then there mates arrived and there was about 15 of us chatting at the pines. The Cook arrived and we all decided to head onwards. Most dropped down into Vic park while the 4 of us headed towards Dyers road. Headed up towards the Nun with The Cook doing the lower half then heading towards the cars. The other 3 continued up to the top. Straight into the down with Phatboy having to stop and unlock his front forks. Bug's got the lead with Dozer hot on his heals. Raced down here trying to keep ahead of Phatboy. Raced all the way to the bottom where Phatboy caught up. Up the road then into the Traverse. Phatboy pulling ahead of the others as we worked our way around. Regroup before dropping down the 4wd track to the single track though the paddocks on Huntsbury. The Cook was waiting at the fence. Light was fading fast as we picked our way though the paddocks around all the fresh sheep shit and the odd cow shit. Arrived at the cars just as it was getting too dark to see. Great ride on a nice warm evening. Lights next time.