Sunday 17th July

Wow what a day. If you were not there you missed an awesome ride. Phatboy picked Sandals, Silverfox and I up on time and we headed up Mt Pleasant Road. We hooked up with Te Rex (he rode from Hornby) Dozer and Tinkerbell. We headed around John Britten Reserve and regrouped before coming back. Ages since we went both ways here but very enjoyable, all pumping hard. We then headed up the first bit of Greenwood. Once again all hitting it at pace, feeling good and the gap from front to rear rider was less than usual. We regrouped at the farm track before the ruins. Headed down this and then cross country to the top of Jollies Bush for a look. We headed down this interesting little track, enjoying it. Some awesome steps and I was pleased to master one lot. Yahoo I was on a high. We regrouped at the road where Phatboy wondered how to get over an attack of native nettle (Onga Onga or Urtica ferox). Up the road to the Pines. We then headed down this track for a change. Phatboy led to the first fence where we all stopped and had a laugh about everything and nothing just cos we could. I led off followed by Silverfox who was charging. Down over the fence and then down the side of Clifton (I think it was Clifton). We have come up here but never gone down. Exhilarating and at speed awesome. Feeling good we headed down across and up onto Richmond Hill. Clambering up here following the sheep trail then up and up to the road where we climbed up to Greenwood ruins for a bite to eat. Everyone feeling on top of the world. The weather was perfect, the sun was shining and we still had a good downhill to go. Phatboy set off at pace, closely followed by me then the fox and others from there. Fast we were not missing a beat, until a regroup point where the Fox had to fix a puncture. We watched some other riders go through and as we had time we cheered one who attempted the rock challege near the end twice. gave him a cheer. Phatboy then led off again with the pack in the same order. I made a mistake of following too closely and missed the rock climb (dabbed at the top) due to having to bleed off speed. We were flying. Stopped for another giggle and a look over the harbour before climbing back up to the top. I was not as good at the climb as I was at coming down. Phatboy and Tinkerbell cleaned a nice nasty section on the way. Regrouped a couple of times. I failed in the technical section and walked across the slope to miss the worst of it to my shame. Still better than recent excursions though. From here we blasted across the top section and back to the cars. All in all a great ride and it will become a regular route maybe mixing it up and doing different directions. fun, fantastic and oh so fast. Enjoyed it all.

Sunday 10th July

Silverfox arrived bright and early and we drove around to Phatboys. We hooked up with Mellonfarmer, Dozer and Sandals (with Shoes). The six of us spread out in 2 cars and headed out to Mt Grey. Mellonfarmer said we would like it so most of us were a bit wary. This had been said before. It turns out he was right and I put it down as the 2nd best ride this year. The first being the Rameka at New year. We had a pleasant drive out and unloaded at Lake Janet before heading up Mt Grey Road. As we rode up we could see the snow sitting on the top and it was a tad cold. I stopped and walked a couple of times to stretch the back but this hill is 100% rideable. It goes up and up. At the top we passed all the aerials etc before mellonfarmer led us onto some snow covered single track and I was in heaven. This was sweet track and I felt at one with the bike. The switchbacks (and there are a few) were the downside but these were made up for by the long flowing stretches, weaving in and out of trees, hardpack, rocks, mud and tree roots. it had everything. We all enjoyed it and at every regroup people were smiling. Fantastic feeling. It was sad to finish really but we did. We then headed back to the cars via the road. Mellonfarmer got there and bought the ute back for poor little old me. I was nearly there but it was kind. Good choice MF and we will do this more often.

Tuesday 5th July

I picked up Silverfox and drove out to Mcleans Island where we hooked up with Mellonfarmer, Phatboy, Twopot, The Cook, Tinkerbell, Dozer, Bugs, Te Rex, and Texas. 11 of us makes a big posse. We headed in and those who could go flat out took off while the rest of us broke into groups and hit out at best pace. Regrouped once then carried on. A few took the extra river loop while I carried on followed by the others. We stopped at the overpass and waited (felt like forever) for the fastboyz to catch up. Took off around the Coringa Loop which started working our legs over those awful lumps. Regrouped and back to the carpark. This ride was about fitness more than anything and although there was lots of frost about it was really enjoyable. I felt like I went better than Sunday and so I am happy. We will be meeting regarding the trip at Phatboys garage on Thursday 14th

Sunday 3rd July

Finally a day to really ride. Phatboy, Mellonfarmer, Bugs, Tinkerbell, Silverfox, Dozer and Texas showed up at mine and we headed off in the frost. It was so cold my face hurt. We headed up Gruntsbury. Everyone feeling the first climb in ages and me feeling the effects of my back to go with it. In fact me holding everyone up was more than likely a good thing for most of the team. We eventually got to the top where we were joined by, Sandals, Helmut and Jandals. We headed around the traverse which was very enjoyable. I picked my own pace and everyone was full of smiles at the two regroup spots. Down Thompsons and then a qick toilet stop at the Kiwi. Climbed the road to the top of Marleys before we headed down. MF, H, and PH all did the full loop while the rest of us did the top half only. This was greasy but oh so much fun. I did not even stop for a regroup but just started the grind back up. Not feeling flash at this point. We all regrouped at the top of Worsleys then down the body bag and into the b route. This was enjoyable and we all did the bottom half for a a change. Nearly nutted myself getting off the back of the bike. We then went down the road and onto the side track at pace before heading home. People all dropping off as we went to end up with just Bugs, Dallas, Dozer, Tinks and I at the end. Nice to be out but all comfortably worn at the end.

Sunday 26th June

Well after what seems like months a gaggle met at mine. Mellonfarmer, Dozer, Bugs and Tinkerbell. Due to rain and wet tracks we rode out to Sumner via the south side of Heathcoite River inspecting damage as we went. Quite amazing. Checked out Whitewash Head before going to Cot Dom for the coffee fix. We then returned to my place. Not once did we gewt wet but it seems it rained in town a few times.

Saturday the 4th June

Hopped up to numerous messages telling me who was not riding. Bummed out a bit as it meant when we got to the tree planting i had to work harder and I was already in agony with my back. Mellonfarmer and Texas were the only 2 to show up. We headed up Gruntsbury. Me struggling with pain and it just seemed harder than ever. Finally got to the top and headed around the traverse. Things seeming a bit better but still not as quick as i could. Down Thompson's and then a squeeze through the no go zone on Summit Rd. Started heading up towards Marley's when I stopped and checked my wheels. Found that after putting in new pads the brakes had not been backed off. could not even get 1 complete revolution out of my back wheel. Corrected this and hey presto felt much better already. Damage had been done though and I was stuffed. Got up to the planting and Mellonfarmer stayed to plant 10 trees before heading off. Texas and I stayed on until the end. left about 2.30 and headed down Marley's. had a good flight, nice and loose all the way. Stopped briefly at sign of Kiwi then down below Dyers we went. Loose, slippery and sketchy but oh so much fun. From here we went down the road before riding into the wind. Just what was needed. All in all a success.

Tuesday 31st May

Drove over to Worsley Rd and up to the bottom of the track. Hooking up with Tinkerbell, Texas, Bugs and Dozer. Started the climb. I was riding like shite. Wobbling along but I did not dab until I could blame Dozer for cutting across and taking my line. He of course says it was due to me mucking around. Who can you believe the guy typing or the person who is not on line. The truth is he was just out to get me and had no regard for my safety while aggressively cutting everyones lines. Now we can continue. I continued to wobble up the hill. We were all sucking air like crazy. The lines were just not happening. Wobble dab wobble dab. Not enjoying it at all. Finally made it to the bottom of the bag where we headed off to the b line track. Bugs led off for while I started to get some vision going. Got better and better as we went. No falls although I am sure that Dozer did give himself a fright. Kept going and enjoyed it quite well. In the last section Tinkerbell led us up the gharden path and we lost the track. Finally found it and I threw in the towell. In fact we all did. The plan was to have another loop, but no we headed down for coffee at the Foxes where I was taught to use my manners.