Sunday 15th April

Only a small posse of The Cook, Tinkerbell, Bugs and I rode out from my place this morning. It was very cool and windy from the word go. Headed up Rapaki and I took off a layer at the top of the tarmac.  Tinkerbell rode with me while the others were a tad ahead.  Stopped at the next gate for a regroup and I took off the leggings.  Continued on up at a steady pace.  The Cook way out in front.  He was waiting at the Montgomery Spur track.  The boys headed up to ride the single track alongside Rapaki while I stayed on the main track.  The Cook actually started to ride Montgomery before realising no one was with him.  Nice tail wind up the end of Rapaki.  We headed straight into Mt Vernon due to the wind.  A bit gusty over here giving some movement as we rode.  It was nicely sheltered at the start of the Traverse so we stopped. Mellonfarmer appeared with his son Otis.  They had come up Huntsbury and were heading towards Rapaki. We carried on at a good clip stopping in the Pines.  I led off down the jumpy track for a change. Breif stop at the skidder site before heading down Shazzas then into Brents, Bridges etc.  Tracks were not bad a couple of greasy spots but not wet.  We headed up hidden valley to old Skool for a nice blast down to the end. Stopped at Fava for drinks before fighting the head wind home (although Tinkerbell had a tale wind.).

http://www.mapmyride.com/workout/2821475536

Sunday 1st of April

Dozer arrived at mine where I gave him the sad news that Silverfox was ordered off his bike on medical grounds.  This makes me the oldest in the pack now.  We headed around and hooked up with Phatboy and Juniour at the bottom of Rapaki Road, we could see Tinkerbell and his Bumblebee on the road ahead of us.  We all regrouped at the end of the tarmac before heading up the Rapaki Track.  Jenna and I were at the back for a while but at the Tree we hassled the others out of our way and took the lead.  Hung a left onto Montgomery Spur where I took the lead at a steady pace.  At the top I put a gap on everyone having a blast on the new bike.  Headed around having fun and pushing it along and stopped for a regroup before heading up the top of Rapaki.  Our Bumblebee on the main track while the rest of us started on the side track.  I slowed up to let Juniour catch as he was feeling slightly unfit.  Regrouped at the top before Phatboy led off over Vernon.  The rest of us spread out behind riding as hard or soft as we wanted.  Regrouped at the start of Traverse where Phatboy took off to set up the Drone.  I led off at a good pace passing the Drone and controller at the dipper  and then stopped before the pines for a regroup.  We all dropped down to the skidder site from here.  Most via the Rock Garden and Gums while Juniour and Phatboy went another way.  From here we took the track to the memorial and then down to the road and across into CAP.  A brilliant blast down Loess Rider before regrouping at the bottom.  We said goodbye to Dozer, Tinkerbell and the Lovely Bumblebee.  I went and got my pass before we headed to the lift.  Juniour had to go and reload his pass so Phatboy and I waited at the top.  The lads led into Lord of the Possums until Juniour flatted so while they fixed that I continued on down.  I waited at the half way point and they eventually showed up.  They led in to Handle the Jandal which was fun and fast but the last bit is a tad boring.  Should be good when its finished.  Phatboy punctured at the bottom so another short break.  Up the Chairlift and into Summit Connection and then onto the Flying Nun for a great run.  Up the road to the top of Vic park before Phatboy and I lost Juniour.  We went down the Rock Garden, Gums, Shazzas, Brents, Bridges etc and met up with Juniour who had come down the Nationals track.  We rode on until the headed towards their car and I headed home.  Bloody good effort I must say.

http://www.mapmyride.com/workout/2794963046

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