Saturday 6th June

Another Saturday ride. Upsets the patterns, but then we were off to plant trees at the top of Marley's. Hoping the weather held off. Sandals showed up early so we watched the mad uni guy doing his downhill bit on the DVD.Waiting for Silverfox who then advised he had punctured on the way over so we decided to meet him at the bottom of Huntsbury. Off we set and picked MotherTed up at the bottom of Rapaki Rd. She was dressed for some cold weather, while Sandals had on short shorts, Mother ted had her glove gloves and shoe gloves. We caught Silver fox and headed up Aotea Tc and were surprised when young Geez wheezed up behind us. Good effort put in to catch us. I was riding well for me as we headed up. Pleased with myself I was. As we rode we kept feeling that icy breeze slapping us and watched the clouds building. Shades of last years planting ride at the same time. As we cleared the tarmac the weather let her claws out and the wind started buffeting us about and made it clear that Sandals should of worn long longs. It was a wee tad bloody freezing and gusty. Got to the top and blasted around the traverse track. Windy days are great for allowing me to look good. All the weight holds me on the track while all the light weights got blown all over the place. I was loving it. The track was much dryer than last week. Top of Vic we shot down Thompson's and the to Sign of Kiwi. Short toilet stop for ....me!! We then rode around to Worsleys Rd and as we went up the deep throated roar of a V8 Ford hit us. Yes Phatboy had arrived with children in tow for the planting. Met Di Carter at the top, smiled and joked about the weather and headed up the track to grab a spade and get planting. Great turnout there was. At least 35 people on the day. Even Nick Singletrack was there planting. He sung his Roadie song to Motherted. It was great but no roadie would want to hear it. We put in 600 plants which was great. As the weather got cooler Sandals new the short shorts were not helping so she, Mother ted and Silverfox left. Then Phatboy and Emily. Alistair and his mate had their bikes and headed off only to return 5 minutes after Phatboy left with damaged bike. He had to coast down the hill, poor little downhiller. Planting done so Geez and I got the bikes and bombed down the track. It was funky, with me getting some air time and blasting it. Great fun. Upto top of Vic, with the wind behind us, then down Seasame St, dazzas, Brents and bridges. Geez got loose here and had to bail before going over the edge. Great landing style earned him 7 outa 10. Home for a shower which was deserved. I was wasted after all this effort though.

Tuesday 2nd June

Only 11 days to my drinks and then I am going to celebrate my b/day. Yippeee.

Anyway enough about me. Last night we had an awesome ride. We gave the hills some extra drying time and rode Bottle Lake. Silverfox and Sandals met at mine and we drove to Broad park and met up with Phatboy and MotherTed. Geez arrived last and then it was a race to see who would be ready first, him or MotherTed. Geez won with about 5 minutes to spare. It must of been the booties and the glove gloves. We cruised along the beach and then turned left onto the stinky wee track with lotsa bumps etc. Waited for all to get along this and then took off towards the hut above the dump. Saw a couple of people along the way. A regroup and chat. I was starting to feel much warmer. Down the hill we went and then cruised around to Juliet Rd and into the single track. A good blast through here with Phatboy leading. The boyz went left and the girls and I went right at one stage. I hit the sand and MotherTed took the lead. After criss crossing I got in front and led into Spencerville for our break. Phatboy led from there and I followed then Geez and the others. We blasted through a couple of sections and then I realised I could not see all the lights behind. I thought maybe we had lost Silverfox again so I pulled over. It was Sandals missing but not for long. Followed her until the next regroup. The boyz led off then Silverfox had light issues. MotherTed, Sandals and I kept going and then MotherTed started pulling away. Could not have that could we. Regrouped and found our way through to the Landfill Rd, Phatboy led at a good clip, then MotherTed, myself and the others. Pump, pump, pump. MotherTed then pulled over and I chased Phatboy. Had a moment when my rear wheel slid a long way on the timber edging but no whoopsies. Pumped all the way to the hut at the top of the hill. Then down and out. A few of the lights started to fade out by time we got back. Thoroughly enjoyed the ride, good pump by all and lotsa of movement in the pack. The track was in great condition and very little water and even less sand. Roll on warmer weather.

Saturday 30th May

It was a a chance to give some time towards track maintenance so a few of us met at mine. There was Tinkerbell, Bugs, Geez, Silverfox and Phatboy (oops that's right Phatboy slept in and forgot,:) and me. We rode up Huntsbury, taking the Tce instead of the main Road. Worked well. Considering a couple of us were working through the excess of the night before we went well. Even little old me. At the top we took the Traverse track which was open around to the top of Vic Park. It was very wet in a couple of spots which surprised me. From there we went down Thompson's to Sign of Kiwi and then up the road, onto Worsely Rd up the track where we grabbed some grubbers off the Rangers Truck. We met the work party and found out what they wanted from us. In the end we grubbed out a number of drainage channels while the others armoured some of the track below us. Put in only about 30-45 minutes work but x 5 people was good. We then had permission to test Marleys track which we took. The work everyone had done was awesome. We then rode back to the top of Vic and down the Rockgarden into the gums, which was wet and muddy in a lot of spots. Silverfox went down the road while the rest of us took Dazzas, (muddy) and then the old Nationals, onto K2 and then out. Muddy in lotsa spots along the way so taking it easy all the way. Good to be out on the track again.

Now the important notice.

Tree planting this Saturday with Trees for Canterbury. Going to start from mine at 11.30 and then ride to Marleys plant trees and then back. Be good to get a good turnout as this is about making our tracks better.

Sunday 24th May

Well it has been a week since my last update. So it is a double wammy now.

Tuesday we met to confirm who is going on the trip. Pretty much everyone really so that is great. Accomadation is now booked and confirmed. I have to tyhank the guys at Groundeffect for a donation. We have had Debbie making our new headgear. Nelsie will get the logo on them. it makes them all cheaper than planned. Great night was had and once again Thank you to Tinkerbell for the provision of the meeting room and nibbles. Ta to sandals for the muffins.

Sunday was a day to go Tree planting with the TFC crew. We met at the Ferry Rd Bridge in 2 groups for a road run to Dot com. Tinkerbell arrived at my place where 3 of us departed from. The Boss (aka Janine on her Boss 7 cruiser, hence the name) Tinkerbell, Geez and myself headed off and met Bugs near his place and cruised down to the Ferry Rd Bridge. Waited for the other group who sneaked past us by going the back way. The 2nd group consisted of Phatboy, Candystriper (aka Debbie on her new Electra Cruiser) and Mellonfarmer. We ooed and aahed over the bikes and headed out to Scumner for coffee. We then headed back to the planting at Charlesworth Reserve. Silverfox arrived for the planting. The girls peeled off to go look after the chillblains while the boyz helped plant 1608 native plants. Great day and the girlz put in a good ride. Most impressed really. The next organised ride will be Thursday out at Mcleans Island by the looks of things.

All tracks will be mush and worse news is the weather does not look good for the weekend. Will be in touch.

Sunday 18th May

A beautiful morning, cool but sunny and I was well recovered from the excess' of the night watching Canterbury cruise into the semi's. Phatboy, Tinkerbell, Te Rex, Silverfox and Sandals arrived at mine and we headed up Huntsbury again. All enjoyed it as it is such a pleasant ride (even with the short grunty bits). Arrived at the top and finally got some single track. Headed around the Mt Vernon Track towards Rapaki. So cool, cleaning all and getting some nice runs. All flowing well. At Rapaki we watched the helicopter land to pick up an injured roadie. He looked a bit bloody, and no bloody helmet either. We headed over Witch Hill, sweetly riding with the wind blustering, then from there up to Castle Rock track, blasting through here, rocks flying. A casual ride around to John Britten, a flick through here and then blasted Greenwood. Awesome ride through here. A couple of moo's to get through and past but the track was sweet. The slippery boardwalk has now been replaced with a non slippery boardwalk. A couple of close calls for me and a couple of the lads. Nothing more than a whoopsie though. All the tracks holding up quite well although a couple of puddles along the way. Down Ct Thomas (Slippery in quite a few places) and then Dot com for coffee. All feeling quite good. Sandals a bit tired (I wonder why!!?) . The long ride home with wind blustering and buffetting all the way. Got back to my place in good order.

meanwhile, sunday night, PictonBlenheim and the Farmer of Melons singlesped on the hills...

C U Tuesday at Tinkerbell re the Trip. 7.30pm.

Saturday 9th May

A day that was fine for a change and a chance to ride. We were riding on a Saturday this week cos of Mothers Day. Lucky for us as it was just a tad wet on Sunday. None of the good tracks were open and we decided that the top of Rapaki would be shit now that they have turned it into a mud slope....so we choice to go up Huntsbury. Now this is one of the ways we use to gain access to the top. Geez, Tinkerbell and Bugs met at mine for a late start of 9.30ish. We started up the road and the first couple of straights were good then it steepened a bit and then a bit more. It eased off for a while and we had a wonderful view across the city. I pointed out where the tarmac used to finish and then took on the last steep tarmac at the top. Off road we went and at the second gate we went off piste for about 100m. This was due to the clay track being steep and very slick which was to much to tackle. The grass was at least holding together. After this it was shingle track all the way to the top. Pleasant ride and I think more enjoyable than Rapaki. Might use this access more often. At the top it was tarmac all the way to Sumner. We did this in good time. I was impressed by how well we all rode. I even stood in the pedals at some sections of up and used bigger gears all the way. At the top of John Britten we stopped and geared up for the downhill run. It was going to be cold as the previous two short downhills proved. Quite a few roadies passed us while we were stopped. I had on a face mask to keep the cold out. We started the run. Tinks led off followed by me. We caught a Ginga roadie chick and while tinks enjoyed the view I passed them both and kept up the charge pedalling hard out whenever I could. Tinks put in a chase never passed though. (do i sound like mellonfarmer). So a roadie way up ahead and decided to chase them down, caught them at Evans Pass. Tinks and I just kept going and passed the roadie at the first bend and went hard. I led again (as Mellonfarmer would say) but Tinks passed me at the bend. I was not having that and so I charged hard and passed him. I would say it was possibly the quickest I have ever come down there. We cruised until 1st Geez and then Bugs caught up. The roadie went passed and gave whoop of acknowledgement for our effort. Stopped for coffee at Dot Com. J9 and Grace joint us.

The ride home was gonna just be a cruise and was until Shag rock. A roadie couple passed us and he gave us a look of contempt. I rode for a while thinking about it and the at Redcliff shops I decided that I was pissed by this. I pushed into top gear, stood in the pedals and gave chase. Tinks just said, See ya. Bugs held on a we rode hard. Caught the roadies 50m into the causeway and was just drafting. The plan was to bide my time and pass them at the end, but his phone rung and they stopped. Pissed me off but we kept pushing. Slowed at the end and waited for the other 2 to catch us, which was Ferrymead shops. Cruised home from here. A bloody good ride and challenged myself. I was a little pleased. Especially cos of a night on the piss before hand.

Now a important notice. We will be having a meeting for the trip on 19th May. Tuesday. It is commitment day. At this stage accomadation looks like $30 per night. Maybe less yet. I need exact numbers. Even if you are not coming for the trip, come to the meeting. I will confirm where soon. Also put in your calenders a gathering for a few quiet drinks at my place on the 13th of June. We will celebrate my 12th birthday.

Sunday 3rd May 2009

The first planting with Trees for Canterbury for the season. I left my place on the cruiser and pedaled over to Fatboys where Geez and Tinkerbell (pictured actually planting) met up. Fatboy rode Grandad (his 1941 Swiss Army Doctors Bike). We headed down Kilmore into Hagley park, through the middle then down Kilmarnock St and right onto the cycleway all the way to Northcote Rd. Missed all that filthy road doing this. We then cut across from there to Styx Mill Rd and got into the planting. 2000 plants into the ground in under 2 hours. A drink of juice a couple of sausages and then we headed back to Fatboys just reversing the trip. 40 km for the others and 50 km round trip for me. The longest ever trips for the Cruiser and Grandad. A great day for a ride and a nice way to travel on a planet saving adventure. You all missed it but we will get you to the next on.