4th January 2009

Happy New Year everyone. The first ride of the year. I decided to ride from my place. Geez and Silverfox arrived as I went out the gate. We set off and then Te Rex drove past, and he didn't even stop to give us all a lift, (not that we wanted one). We blasted around the river and behind the ferrymead industrial area. When we got onto the road we practised a bit of slip streaming for the future and arrived in Sumner in quick time. All feeling good. Hooked up with Sandals, Helmut, Te Rex, Tinkerbell, Fatboy and Twopot. Mother Ted was gonna meet us at the top of Evans with friends but that became a whole new story in itself due to delays, punctures and things like that. As we set off from Dot Com it was noticed that Twopots rear wheel was wobbling. After checking and finding 2 wrecked spokes and a large buckle he decided not to risk the ride and went home pretty bummed out. The rest carried on and hit Captain Thomas. Everyone riding it at good pace really. I cleaned it nearly to the ramp which was a first. Tinks had a chain reaction on the first hairpin but got it sorted eventually. Up we went gaining on Sandals and Helmut who had carried on when we stopped. passing them and continued climbing cleaning all the little bits. Stopped for a regroup at the easy gate. Then up to the track divide near the top for another regroup before the push to the top. We had now found out that Mother Ted was not going to be there and would meet us on our return from Godley.

A little rest in the shade at the pass and then the ascent of Godley Head begun. It was warm climbing but I was feeling great and we all climbed this without any real issues. The run down to Livingstone Col was a blast. Fatboy leading Helmut, then Tinks for a while, (he got a little out of control and left the main track at which point I passed him) myself, Silverfox etc etc. Great blast at really nice flowy speed. From there I led off over towards Breeze Col and stayed in front all the way down, Fatboy on my tail though. A quick stop for catchup and then singled the bottom track around to Godley carpark for a break and snack food. Helmut showed some skills on the new picnic tables. We had now heard that Mother Ted would meet us at Dot Com.

Back we went all the way to Evans. Great climbs, grunting in the heat before the blasts along the downhill runs. Go go go all the way, with no mishaps, great rock riding and smiles all the way. A regroup at the road, watching as Sandals showed up a couple of the guys. Down Captain Thomas, Fatboy charging with Helmut in pursuit. Tinks leading Silverfox, then I chased them. Gained in some spots then lost them cos a dog and its owner got in my way. Pumped it from here and caught them at the steps, I was loose down these suckers as I saw the Fox near the end. Fatboy and Helmut had not waited, Tut tut, so we waited for the rest. Sandals arrived in her sedate fashion with a big grin saying how well she had gone. She is getting better all the time, and although not fast her technical riding is fantastic. You go girl.

Around for coffee we went. A couple peeling off. Mother Ted waiting for us with her story of the ride they had from Rapaki around the single tracks, then down Greenwood. We razzed her about the road ride down from Evans. Coffee and food then we all split. Mother Ted, Geez and I riding back. Across the course way she took off, and we gave chase. her immediate lead was held but I gained for a little but could not real her in. A stop at Top Sport where Geez peeled and then a cruise home from there.

A bloody good first ride for the year.

30 December 2008

The last ride for the year and it was always gonna be warm. I rode over to Sumner along the river, it was nice in the shady bits and not a lot of peeps to run into. Got to the course way and although the breeze was cooling it was in my face which warmed me up nicely. Arrived at Dot Com just after Tinkerbell and before English and Geez. We took off around the Boardwalk and then started the hot clammy climb over Scarborough Hill. No breeze plenty of morons in cars. Blasted down into Taylor's and met up with The Rex. He's in training for the Vulcanisor. Started the grind up the Snakes Tail which is not to bad and easy enough to clean. The grind up the Anaconda was a bit tougher due to the heat and we were lucky that no one ran over us on the way down. From here it was easier with a slight breeze. We blasted around to the Godley head car park, (it looks very tidy now it is completed) via the single track. A quick stop and then reversed to Breeze Col. Up and over to Livingstone with a couple of dabs. The grind up from there was not to bad and we blasted down towards Evans Pass. I was feeling good and in control. The Rex had a whoops over the handle bars just where Fatboy kissed the rocks a few weeks back. No major injuries but the pride and confidence went out the back door. Next we blasted down the last rocks to the pass where English managed to clean the rocks then whoops over the handle bars he goes. Down the Capt Thomas was sweeet and quite quick. No whoopsies at all and cleaned the steps faster than ever. Dot com for coffee except for The Rex who had to ride to Taylor's still. The rest of the boys hopped in their cars and I rode home in a nice evening breeze. 38km round trip for me.

Sunday 28th December 2008

A beautiful day to go for a ride and get rid of the excesses of all the Xmas celebrations. Tinkerbell, Silverfox, the Dreaded One, English Mark, Geez, Tinks Bro and Mother Ted all met at mine about 9.15. After a bit of fixing of me (I had my contact folded in my eye and needed Mother Ted to assist) we set off up the Rapaki. Everyone was riding quite well except for me, I was feeling every bit of Chocolate and drop of booze over the past few days. The top section was tough as I watched everyone pull away, but enough of me moaning. We found Sandals and Helmut just before the last haul on Rapaki. We all survived and regrouped at the top. The dreaded one did his usual puffer billy act so I set off around Witch Hill followed by Silverfox and Tinkerbell, I thought everyone else was following and after discovering that the were not, I thought I would keep going so as not to hold the team up. Silverfox and I headed up to Castlerock still no sign of the others at this point so we flowed on down, bombed it well, got all the hairpins and felt good for it. I decided to keep going to the beginning of John Britten. The others must of had lunch as I got there and had to wait quite some time. I felt a lot better for pushing harder. We all caught up and headed to Greenwood for the blast down. Flowed well around the top cleaning all of it. We were all spread out by the ruins so I waited for the tailenders. Sandals and Mother Ted started on down. Flowed well with both of them cleaning it all. I took it easy but made sure we all got to the road. Decided to go down Captain Thomas and someone was going to go by the road so I acted as a guide. That someone rode most of the track except the most technical rocky bits. We got through the gate and hit the last rock. I said,"You can ride this" and so she did. Showed Mother Teds language at its best. The team watched as she rode the rock swearing as she went. Sandals laughing so much she nearly fell off the hill. Made the whole ride worth it just for the look on Mother Teds Face. We sat for coffee at Dot Com then The Dreaded One laid the challenge. 3 minute head start and a race back to Rubberjaws. He lost by 5 minutes. Made us all pump hard on the way back and will ensure that no one races Mother Ted on the flat for a while. Everyone ate chocolate and biscuits before heading home.

Photos of the Xmas Drinks.

Tuesday 16th December

What a night. Rain threatening but not eventuating, nice balmy wind. Tinkerbell, Silverfox, Mellonfarmer, Geez, Fatboy, Abba, Mother Ted, Sandals and Helmut arrived at my(Rubberjaws) place at precisely 6.16pm for the Xmas ride with drinks. An easy ride into town ensued via railway tracks, tunnels, CPIT steps, The Square and Bridge of Remembrance saw us arrive at The Thirsty Weta. We piled the bikes up and then had a drink or 4. Twopot and Pantson arrived also. Mellonfarmer only stayed for 1 as he had anther function to attend. I must say the Mussell Inn Captain Cooker is one of the nicest NZ beers I have tried. After much laughter and joking about the Irish and Fat people the professionals amongst us had to leave for their beauty sleep. I do not understand this as most people look terrible when they wake up, so what is beauty sleep and why do professionals need it when they are beauties to start with. The rest of us non proffesionals jumped on our bikes about 9.30 and after a quick do dah break on the banks of the Avon hit Victoria Square. After many jumps, steps and a pinch flat we non professionals went home for some Beauty sleep. Merry Xmas and see you all Sunday.

Sunday 14th December

Finally the expanding stomach, that bulging belly gets to go riding after its return from the land of Oz. Oh hang on I lost a kilo, but only when I put the beer bottle down. :) The ride was great, Fatboy, Geez ( on Fatboys Giant), Mellonfarmer and the Silverfox met at mine and we set off. We met Mother Ted and Nikki at the bottom of Rapaki Rd and started the grind up the hill. I thought I would struggle due to the bot, but I did better than I expected. Mellonfarmer was slower than normal while Fatboy rocketed up the hill. We met Sandals at the top and headed over Witch Hill. A first for some, (they did well), and I cleaned this completely which was also a first. Rode around to Castle Rock and bombed down here, cleaning it all. Once again a couple of virginties were lost on this track. Everyone smiling at the shelter above Bridal Path except Mellonfarmer who had a flat. He managed to loose a tyre lever only to find it in a safe place. Inside the tyre!!! After correcting this we rode up the road, blasted Witch Hill and up and over Mt Vernon. We rode around the Traverse in good time. Mellonfarmer dropped off at The Old Skool track and the rest blasted into Vic, down the rock garden and into the gums. Sweeet riding. We met Tinkerbell at Maries where we moved the spa pool after coffee and a few laughs. Blasted down the road and dropped Mother Ted off then home by 1.15. A good ride with an absolutely lovely bunch of people. Look forward to drinks at The Thirsty Weta on Tuesday.

Tuesday, 2nd December

Well, what a fantastic night, perhaps a tad to hot, but that didn't stop Fatboy, SilverFox, Abba, Sandles, Mother Ted, Nicole and myself(Tinkerbell) from heading up the hill for a blast. We made our way up Rapaki, which was a good cruise and stopped at the top to wipe the sweat away and chat to the girls about their MOA race mission on the weekend.. Took off around the traverse track and re-grouped before the pines above Vic Park. Nicole was on a mission to get home so she kept moving while the rest of us discussed our descent. We were all very warm so decided to head down rather than carry on to do Marley's. Down through Vic Park, Dazzers and followed on down our usual route to come out in Bowenvale Ave. Sandles took off home, Mother Ted and Abba headed off in their homeward directions, leaving Fatboy, SilverFox and myself(Tinks) feeling rather parched. There was only one logical solution...stopping for a nice cold Wheat beer at the Brick House...Arhhhh! Good ride had by all on a beautiful summers evening.