Sunday 25th March

All tracks pretty much closed after the rain so a small Posse of Bugs, Tinkerbell, Phatboy, The Cook and I set off up Rapaki.  Steady climb with Tinks holding back so I would not be riding alone.  Surprised by how soggy and wet the track was in spots.  Continued around the tarmac to the left and had a wee break at Evans Pass.  Phatboy headed down to set up the drone while Bugs and Tinks played together.  Down we went getting up some good speed while Phatboy practised with the drone.  Down to Dot Com where we decided there were no tables so we headed off and stopped at the Twisted Hop for tea, coffee and fruit juice.  Then home by 12.

http://www.mapmyride.com/workout/2781383171

Sunday 11th March

Took the new bike out for a run with the lads.  Started at mine with Tinkerbell and The Cook, heading down Radcliff and then into the park and along the towpath.  The Cook riding like he had a rocket out his arse.  Hooked up with Phatboy, Dozer and Bugs at Ferrymead before starting the grind up St Andrews Hill.  Went up quicker than in the past but still not up with the front lads.  Up John Brittain feeling good and climbing well.  Up Broadleaf before coming down Cavendish Track.  Feeling the way down but felt great.  From here a road blast round to the top of Bridal Path.  We all headed into the climb up Castle Rock.  Good climb with the bottom hairpin being tidied up.  We all cleaned this.  Only dab was for the next hairpin.  A couple dabbed in the top 100mtrs but I was happy to clean it easily.  Down and around to Witch Hill.  Good run through here although I got to watch The Cook go over his bars.  Lucky he landed between the rocks.  Over Vernon and then took the Summit track until the rocks where we pointed down towards Old Skool.  Great flow here with the bike wanting to hit the jumps.  Flowed through the bottom gulley.  Small regroup and then into Old Skool.  Down we went taking the new lines further down before joining the old original line.  Good run and a good test for the new steed.  Loved it.  I wanted to get home as had many missions and when Bugs broke his chain I left the lads to it.  They went for coffee.  I ran into my wife on her bike and completed a short loop of Hansens with her.

http://www.mapmyride.com/workout/2756541031

Sunday 4th March

With a posse away on the Old Ghost Road a trio of Phatboy, The Cook and I set off towards Huntsbury.  Steady grind up the hill with all of us complaining that it was a bit warm. Got to the top and headed left over Mt Vernon.  A few people heading our way but amazingly I did not crash.  Headed over Witch Hill which was fun and then rode up to Castle Rock Track.  Phatboy went ahead and set up his Drone for some footage.  The Cook and I then headed down.  Not a bad blast down here and I felt good.  We had a wee rest as we waited for the Phatboy.  Up to John Brittain for a loop around the front and then back onto the summit road.  Phatboy headed in to Old Greenwood entrance to set up the drone for some shots on the new track to the Pines.  He missed the turn off but The Cook and I did not know this as we headed on down expecting to see Phatboy anbd the Drone.  We regrouped at the end.  Down the Old track towards the Canon Hill before switching back to Richmond Hill.  Nice Blast.  Drinks and food before heading home with a nice tail wind.

http://www.mapmyride.com/workout/2742981253

sunday 25th Feb

Finally 5 weeks off the bike and I am able to ride the MTB trails again.  Dozer, Bugs, The Cook, Tinkerbell (on his new Rocky Mountain Altitude) met at mine and we headed off around Hansens where Phatboy joined us.  Started the climb up Ramahana, Aotea and then Huntsbury.  Bugs was kind and rode with me as the others slowly pulled ahaead.  I was feeling the effects of no riding but enjoying the ride.  At the end of the Tarmac we caught up with Sandals.  This allowed Bugs to ride faster while I rode with her.  Finally got to the top and we headed along the Travers.  Had to muck around at the rocky section as Phatboy (who is in training for the Ghost Road) lost his bag from the carrier, not once but twice.  After finding a way to attach it properly we were off.  I enjoyed the run around the top and after a quick regroup we dropped down Thompsons.  This has had a few trees removed since last time I was there.  Started the grind up to Marleys and I was feeling the pinch.  I said I would only do bottom half expecting the rest to go to the top but no they were all kind and joined me.  Down we went which was fun.  Then down Choir Boy for more fun until the mud section.  We dropped into the park and split into 2 groups.  I headed down Loees Rider which I enjoyed.  We stopped at the park for drinks and a long chat before heading home.  People dropping out along the way.  I was suitably tapped at the end.  I will build up some ride time.

http://www.mapmyride.com/workout/2730745729

The first blog of the year

I have been slack of late and have not been updating much so lots of kms have been misssed.
I have been away and ridden at Kateriteri MTB park exploring some of the work up there.  Great stuff with most tracks now one way.

Here in Chch we rode last week but I can't remember much  This week I got out there by myself a couple of times and the lads got out also. 

Saturday was my biggest ride of the week but it was hot.  Crawled up Huntsbury in 28 degrees but had a nice breeze at the top where I turned right and headed around to Sign of the Kiwi.  I rode down Choir Boy (what was called old Dyers) trying to time it so I could ride straight into the Adventure Park at 12.  Got to the start of Loess track to find it opens at 11am on weekends now.  Had a great run down here.  First time ever in the park and on this track since it reopened.  From there I made my way home but the Map my ride played up at the stop I made at Moon under Water.

http://www.mapmyride.com/workout/2667084553

Yesterday we had a small posse meet at mine.  The Cook, Dozer, Tinkerbell and the sweet Bumblebee (Yes Jennas new name) .  It was quite warm and we headed off around Hansens Park and then up Huntsbury.  The Cook riding out front by himself, Dozer chasing him and the rest of us just doing a steady climb.  Little regroup at the top of the Tarmac before The Cook rode on ahead.  The rest of us except the Bumblebee hung a right and got onto the single track half way up the track and followed this to the landing strip and then onto the top.  The Bumblebee followed the main track to the top.  I led off over Vernon with the Cook on my tail.  A few people coming our way but no problems.  Coming down the fast strecth towards rapaki some girl grovelling up so I pulled off to the side.  Then she stopped so I decided to drop back onto the track, did not see the ditch in the long grass so over the bars I went .  Hard landing and opened up my elbow on the wooden drainage system and banged my thigh and ribs on solid objects.  Stopped the bleeding and let the Cook and Dozer go first.  Tinks and the Bumblebee stopped and we decided to look at me above Rapki.  I got there and my leg was not functioning all that well so decided to go down Rapaki.  The lovely Bumblebee arranged to go down also and would meet me at their place to do some wound mending after showers. (different houses).  The others continued on around to Summner.  Today I feel rather sore and bummed out.

Steves run. http://www.mapmyride.com/workout/2668697425

The Cooks Run  http://www.mapmyride.com/workout/2668905175

Sunday 17th December

A big posse of Mcgyver, Mellonfarmer, Phatboy, The Cook, Dozer, Silverfox, Tinkerbell, The Lovely Jenna and myself set off in the heat for a bit of fun.  We made our way around to Huntsbury and started to climb.  Any shade was good as the heat was really starting to hit and no breeze.  Steadyish climb, but not a fast pace up the tarmac.  In the shade at the top most regrouped and enjoyed the shade.  I slowed right down but did not stop as I was a snail.  Continued on up, Mcgyver caught me and then took a few lads off the main track to come across the airfield while the rest of us stayed on the main track.  Grind grind.  The heat was intense at the top and we all gathered in the shade along the road as and when we arrived.  Decided to change the ride plan to avoid the excess climbing. Over Vernon we went and then Witch Hill.  Jenna doing the road and giving it a nudge along towards Castle Rock. Mellonfarmer punctured on Witch Hill.  Down Castle Rock we went then The Cook clipped a rock and over he went.  A bit of face damage but no broken bits.  Continued on and a regroup in the shade at the top of Bridal Path.  Onwards to John Brittain and then into Old Greenwood taking the left hand line down to the Pines.  Jenna did this track also.  Then we headed down the line towards Clifton Hill.  Dozer did a whoopsie and twisted his bars (a quick fix).  Continued on down with Macgyver leaving the track briefly and then out onto Canon Hill. Panorama Drive before cutting down towards Mulgans Track and then it was a road ride back to the Ferrymead Bridge.  Then some lady ran Silverfox down by turning into him at the lights.  Mellonfarmer and Phatboy headed home while the rest of us headed around the towpath and to Twisted hop for water, food and drinks.  Home after this.  A very hot ride.

http://www.mapmyride.com/workout/2620150765

Sunday 3rd December

A warm day ahead so the plan was to start a tad earlier.  8.30 start and 22 degrees already.  Phatboy, The Cook, Tinkerbell, Bugs, Dozer and I headed off around Hansens and then started the climb up Ramahana, Aotea and Huntsbury.  The lads were kind and rode slow for me who still trailled a bit.  It was hot and we all enjoyed any breeze we found.  Stopped in the shade when we could.  Finally got to the top and I led off over Mt Vernon.  Better for me on this stuff.  Good clip around with Phatboy chasing but not really closing, slowed by uphill traffic but smiling at the end.  Over Witch Hill, me having a better run than usual, Cook and Dozer dabbing a bit in front of me.  Then climbed to Castle Rock. Not a bad run down here but then it was hot in the sheltered spots.  We all sat in the shade at the top of Bridal Path pleased that there was some shade and a breeze.  Onwards and upwards under the gondala and then up the single track to the aerials on Mt Pleasant.  Good climb up here considering the heat.  Then down the otherside.  Tried a new track that takes you down to greenwood.  From here we did the track down to the Pines above Richmond and then climbed back to the old entrance to Greenwood.  !st time I had climbed this.  Good climb.  Down John Brittain.  Had a couple of close calls when my front wheel slid on the trimmed grass laying on the track.  Phatboy has the same but rear wheel.  Down we went hooking into McCormacks Bay track.  This was fun and very dry.  Couple of lock ups but otherwise just a great ride.  From here we took the trails around the towpath and this threw us out at the back of The Twisted Hop for a drink and feed.  I stayed on with my wife for lunch and the boys went home.

http://www.mapmyride.com/workout/2602711375