Tuesday 4th May

Dozer picked up Bugs and drove to the meeting point at Halswell quarry. Arrived just as Rubberjaws texted to say he was pulling out and not riding. Tinkerbell arrived then The Cook and Phatboy. Quick chat then up we headed though the park. Up the single track we headed with Phatboy leading then Dozer, Tinkerbell, Bugs and the Cook. Up the Crocodile which was dusty but very firm. Spread out a little with most clearing all on the up. Dozer stopped at the bridge to move his lungs out of his throat. Got to the gate where we all caught our breath while we waited for The Cook. He arrived and had a short break then up we continued in the same order though the paddocks. Most cleared all the ups except for the one steep grunty bit in the middle. At the gate four of us headed onwards to the top gate at the trees while The Cook made his way to the gate. Great quick run down here then back to the gate. Phatboy lead on the down with Bugs behind then Tinkerbell, Dozer and The Cook. Dusty as for those towards the back. Regroup at the gate then continued on the down. Fast ride down here with lots of Dust for the ones following. Down to the end then back up the new down Diversion track. Past a couple of big black cows then returned just before we meet the Crocodile track. Tinkerbell had a light issue just past the small hedgehog as we headed down the new down. Phatboy took the old top track and we regrouped just for the end. Down though the paddocks and back to the cars. Short ride then Dozer n Bugs stopped for a quick pint on the way home.   

Sunday 1st May

The 1st planting of the year so a flat ride out to Styx Mill was on.  Bugs and I set off from mine at 8.40 and arrived at Phatboys at 8.55.  Shortly after Dozer arrived and the 4 of us headed down Avonside Dr onto Kilmore and along here to Hagley Park.  Took the pathways through the park avoiding the runners from Shr Chimnoy run as we went.  Into Kilmarnock and arrived at the cycle way just ahead of Tinkerbell and the Silverfox.  Straight down the cycleway we went with only one wee incident to remember.  We crossed the road and a couple of slooooowww riders were ahead of us on the crossing.  Phatboy got past and I thought I would get past too.  A woman cyclist heading towards us did not faze me and I snuck through.  Scared all the slow riders and words that are just too rude to come out of their mouths followed.  From here we rode on and due to being early we stopped for a drink at the Cosy Cafe.  Onwards through the reserve to the planting we went.  After the planting and the obligatory sausage or 3 we returned homewards.  The usual sprints on the homeward track occured and at Kilmarnock The Fox and Tinks departed.  The rest of us headed back through Hagley trying to avoid the runners only to get hung up in traffic breifly then down Armagh St to Linwood Ave.  Here we separated with me stopping to book airline tickets with Phatboy.  Then home.  Good ride.  For some 37km others about 40kms.

http://www.mapmyride.com/workout/1452738907

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!