Day 3 October 15th Wanaka

Up earlyish and drove to Wanaka.  1st ride was Deans Bank which we found out is like Mcleans Island on a hill with only a couple interesting bits.  The final downhill was fun though.  It was just a matter of climb, ride across, down then climb across and down again.  I enjoyed most of it but there were a couple who loathed it.

http://www.mapmyride.com/workout/2523078641

Into town for lunch before heading out to Sticky forest.  We all had a blast.  challenged ourselves, rode up and down and explored tracks we had never ridden.  Map my ride did not get elevations right for some reason but there was a lot of up and down.  Really enjoyed myself and I think the others did too.  Finally started to think...hmmm legs getting tired time to finish.

http://www.mapmyride.com/workout/2523357812

Trip day 2 Naseby 14th October

We loaded up and set out for the long drive to Naseby.  Long slow drive with McGyver getting slower as he conserved fuel.  Gave me the shits so had to stop and hide behind a tree.  Anyhow finally there and on the bikes.  First tract was a fizzer as we rode up, clambered and found the tracks had been logged. Faffed about and came back down before finding a track that took us to the water race.  Found some tracks which were quite cool and challenging.  The followed the water race and found total destruction of all the best tracks.  Continued on and finally found a cool track that we all enjoyed.  Out and across to find some more tracks.  The Cook seat played up so a big regroup.  Then rode on.  The next track was started then bang as Silverrfox broke a deraileur.  He and I did an emergency dash back to Clyde Bike Shop to get a new one..  Back to camp.  When the others arrived Mcgyver fixed the issues.  A few laughs.

http://www.mapmyride.com/workout/2521538627

Trip day 1 Friday 13th October Tekapo

Up bright and early .  Collected Silverfox and Tinkerbell before driving out to Cookietime where we hooked up with Bugs, Dozer and The Cook 1st and then later with McGyver, Mellonfarmer and Phatboy.  The convoy set out and eventually pulled up at Tekapo MTB Park.  Some faffing about and then we rode.  Tried my driving sunglasses.  Will not do that again.  The track was not all that tough,easy really.  We did do one little steep grunt to a look out before heading back towards the cars.  Headed south again.

http://www.mapmyride.com/workout/2519879784

Saturday 30th September

Up early and outside by 8am to meet the team for a ride only to remember it was a 8.30 start so back inside for a quick laydown.  8.30 I went out and met Silverfox, Tinkerbell and The Cook.  We rode off heading to Ferrymead collecting Dozer at Bamford Bridge before heading around to collect Dozer at Ferrymead Bridge.  Up St Andrews Hill with The Cook setting the pace. Steady all the way and then I led into John Brittain with Bugs passing me about 3/4s of the way up.  We went right at the top before hopping the fence and heading up Broadleaf Lane.  Down Mt Pleasant at a good little pace before heading under the Gondola and to Castle Rock Track.  Good climb up here with a couple of us making just 1 dab to clear the steep section and a couple of dabs around the hairpins.  Down and over Witch Hill and then Vernon.  Regrouped and then made Dozer lead around the Traverse.  Good clip around here with us being held up by slower riders a couple of times.  Of course we blamed Dozer on his Fire Engine Red Trek.  Down into Vic by way of thedownhill trail then into Shazzas, Brents, Bridges etc.  Decided to go up Hidden Valley and do Old skool.  Great run down before we split and headed home.  A few went for coffee.

http://www.mapmyride.com/workout/2494631861

Saturday 23rd September

Up and outside early for the planting at Halswell.  Dozer and Bugs joined me and we headed around Hansens and then up Ramahana onto Aotea and then Hunstbury turning right and heading down into BroadOaks.  From here we went around Cashmere Rd and up Dyers Pass turning right down Hackthorne.  I had a brainwave and we shot a left through an alley and came down Bengali Drive and back onto Cashmere Rd.  From here it was flatish with 2 little humps as we rode out to the quarry getting there with plenty of time to spare. I then encouraged the others to ride up Kennedys Bush Rd and we came back down through the park and stopped for coffee.  At 10 we rode to the planting site where we dug a few holes, planted a few plants and chatted.  Phatboy arrived after sleeping in.  After eating we headed back home into the wind.  Dozer was not with us but Phatboy was.  At Wilsons he headed towards work while Dozer and I completed the ride.  Nice ride.  I actually ended up riding the cruiser to Richmond and back later in the day and also got another 12km in the following day.

http://www.mapmyride.com/workout/2480484971

http://www.mapmyride.com/workout/2482408463

Saturday 16th

I awoke to a damp overcast day but was going out regardless as it was the Travis Wetland Planting.  I headed off around Claredon Tce onto Radley St to the end and then skipped through Bromley and Ruru Lawn Cemterys and headed over to the meeting point by ITM on Dyers RD.  Getting a light drizzle so put my jacket on while waiting for Dozer.  Discovered Map my ride had not started so got that fixed.  When Dozer arrived we headed through the ponds turning right into Bridge Street and then onto the track around the estuary to Brighton.  Over to Rawhiti Domain and then down the alleyways to Pacific Rd and then onto Beach Rd.  At Broadpark we headed down the track along the beach.  Weather was holding out and just before the single track we both took off jackets.  We rode the single track out to Spencer Park with us each taking turns to set the pace. Rode through the motorcamp and then back to singletrack swapping lead after each stage.  All the way back to where we hit the beach.  Stopped to chat with April a friend before heading down Beach road to the planting.  Great weather now and what a great turnout for the planting.  After the plants were planted and the food was finished we headed off down the road along QE2 drive then down Wainoni Road onto Ottawa, Huron, Vancouver and out to Dozers.  I continued on for a round trip of 44km.

The boys rode on Sunday but I have had no report.
http://www.mapmyride.com/workout/2466263024

Sunday 10th Septemnber

Woke up ready to ride.  Headed outside and hooked up with Silverfox (on his new 27.5 trek), Tinkerbell, The Cook, Phatboy, Bugs and Dozer.  Big Posse.  We headed around the road and started climbing Rapaki.  At the top of the road I had real bad chest pain and took another dose of spray.  Considered going home but decided to grovel on.  Phatboy was waiting at the first gate.  Rode slowly up the motorway hoping to get on top of things.  Near the flat spot Phatboy headed off to catch the others who had waited.  I steadily rode on.  Finally got to the top where the others were waiting.  I considered heading down here but decided to see how I felt at the start of Traverse.  Took the option of steady road ride around while the others headed over Traverse.  Got there just after the fastest 3 of Dozer, Phatboy and Tinkerbell. Feeling ok so I tailended the group as they headed around Traverse.  The flatness and up and down nature allowed some recovery so by the halfway point I passed Silverfox and chased The Cook down.  Regrouped at the pines.  They all talked me into going on to Marleys so I headed off ahead.  Good run down Thompsons and the boys caught me up just before Worsleys Rd so I did not bad pace.  Groveled up to the start. My run down Marleys was a bit shakey, certainly feeling things and still a few pains.  Into Vic park where it started to rain just as we went into the Gums.  Hailing as we went down Shazzas.  I decided the best thing for me was a ride straight down K2 while the others did Bridges etc.  Met them at the Hospital Corner.  Down we went and then onto Fava for drinks and food.  Thankful that I completed the journey and great support by the riders.

http://www.mapmyride.com/workout/2453807204