Sunday 6th May

The 1st planting of the year.  I headed off on the Cruiser around to Phatboys where I met up with Bugs, Then Phatboy and finally Dozer arrived.  Straight down Kilmore and through the park to where we met Tinkerbell by the cycleway behind Monavale.  We headed straight along here meeting up with Mellonfarmer on the section after Wairekei Rd.  Continued on down and ending up at the cafe on Cavendish Rd.  A coffee and then to the planting where we worked for 1.5 hours.  We reversed directions with Dozer peeling off towards QE2 drive at Northcote Road. We continued with Mellonfarmer peeling off just after Harewood.  Tinkerbell peeled off at Monavale and the the last 3 of us headed through the park and down Armagh where we seperated at Manchester. I headed off to mow lawns before heading home.  After a brief stop I headed out with the family for a quick drink and a bite to eat.

http://www.mapmyride.com/workout/2866352494

Sunday 22nd April

Another small posse consisting of Phatboy, Bugs, The Cook and myself set off around Hansens and then up Gruntsbeery.  A stop to delayer on the climb up the road and then a quick regroup at the top of the summit.  Up the track we went with Phatboy giving it a nudge.  I appreciate that they are  taking turns riding with me at my snails pace on the ups.  Regrouped at the summit and then Phatboy set off to set up the drone.  Bugs led off followed by The Cook and then me.  Bugs was not so quick as he was avoiding puddles.  At the rock garden section I took the high line passing the Cook who bashed his pedal on the low line slowing him down.  Sat hard behind Bugs all the way around from here.  Regrouped at the Pines before I led off to the top of the park and then straight into Thompsons.  No trees to hit but a weird tree fall nearly saw me hook up my bars.  Sounded like The Cook did the same.  Into the 2nd stretch and lookout the Chinese taking photos near the beginning.  They moved over in time.  Good run down here dicovering The Cook followed while Phatboy and Bugs bailed down the road.  Phatboy led off down Choirboy where we all had a good run.  They have scraped the muddy section which should be all good for winter.  Down we went and then into Loes Rider.  I enjoyed this as much as the others.  Caught the chairlift to the top and came down Yeah Yeah Gnar.  First time since the fire.  Nice little old style track which drops you into Lord of the Possums.  We then came down Double overhead Cam.  Nice track with a few little twists, turns and little steep drops along with some jumpy bits.  Stopped for food and drinks before taking the river route home.  Phatboy peeling off along the way.  Just a cruise home.

http://www.mapmyride.com/workout/2835363865

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