Saturday 1st September

Decided it was time to test myself on a hill.  I got dropped off at the top of the tarmac on Huntsbury where i played while I waited for The Cook and Mellonfarmer to ride up.  From here it was a steady grind up to the top.  It was tougher than I hoped but I made it to the top.  From here it was around the Traverse at a steady pace.  Nowhere near as fast as usual for me and then we dropped down to the skidder site.  The boys went via the rockgarden and gums while I took the easy route down.  Now we have to go down the road to the park as the other roue has been closed to riders which is dum.  It puts more riders on the road.  Anyhow we head down and entered the park through Captain Cook, which was greasy as.  I dabbed in one spot and then as it joins the main track it was a grease pit and I nearly came off.  Mellonfarmer headed down shredzilla while the Cook led of down Loess ride.  The top section was pretty greasy in spots but dried out as you went further down.  Mellonfarmer was off the bike on his journey in one spot cos it was greasy as.  We all made it down where we went and had a drink and some food.  From here it was the usual route homewards for us.  Felt good to be out but gosh I was stuffed.

https://www.mapmyride.com/workout/3118161079

Sunday 29th July

It was my last ride for a while due to my next stage of treatment.  Gosh the last stage slowed me down enough.  I set off half an hour early so I would not slow the others down too much.  It was a grind up with me looking over my shoulder in the top half.  Only stopped briefly to remove a layer and answer texts.  @ posses giving chase, the 1st was Phatboy, Tinkerbell, Bugs and the Cook and chasing them was Macgyver and Chocolate Boy (Paul)  As I neared the top of the hill I could see them all chasing.  Managed to stop and relax a moment before they all started arriving.  Then it was off around the Taverse.  Really enjoyed this catching and passing a few other cyclists.  Others headed down Thompsons to Sign of the Kiwi but I took the road.  We all headed down Choir Boy which was damp in places but very rideable.  Chocolate Boy had a puncture so the regroup was longer.  Down Loees ride which was fun and then a coffee at the bottom.  We all rode home via different routes.

https://www.mapmyride.com/workout/3047026108

saturday 23rd June

The Cook and I set off at a lovely 11am.  It was still only about 1 degree out but sunny skies.  We headed around Hansens and then started the climb up Huntsbury.  When we got onto Aotea TC I stripped off a layer before continuing on.   I felt like I was pushing hard while he was cruising along.  Continued on quick rest before the shingle started and then up we went.  Just past the pylons Phatboy finally caught us up.  A lazy morning saw him start late.  We continued on up.  The track was still very wet.  Finally at the top Phatboy played with his drone before we decided to avoid the mud and do the road to the Sign of the Kiwi.  We stopped for a cuppa tea and a bite before cruising on up to the planting on Marleys Hill.  Stayed longer than expected and started to get real cold in the shade.  Wrapped up and headed back the way we came.  I was pleased to have extra layers on on the downhills. Finally back at the top of Huntsbury we headed down at a good clip.  Home for a hot shower.

http://www.mapmyride.com/workout/2971111570

Saturday 26th May

Only 3 of us heading out today.  A late start to fit in with the Marleys Hill Planting and due to the weather we changed the plans slightly. We headed around Hansens and then up Huntsbury. Phatboy and The Cook cruising while I was pushing as hard as I could to keep up.  Just kept grinding all the way with a couple of stops along the way.  It was pretty cool.  Regrouped at the top and then headed around the Traverse.  Very wet from the outset.  You could feel the water spalshing up on your legs and shorts.  Made for cold riding.  Not a bad run considering.  At the top of Vic Park we took the road down to the Kiwi.  Thompsons was closed.  We had planned to drop into the MTB park but at that stage tracks were closed.  We stopped at the Sign of Kiwi for hot drinks and a tasty pie.  After this it was a grind upto the top of Marleys.  Planting time. We planted for about 1.5 hours.  Cold and slippery.  We then decided to check out Worsleys.  First time down here since the fire.  The top was usual Worsley until not long after the first bend past the top entrance to the MTB Park.  Slippery with an un-rideable mud patch we had to skirt.  Then it becomes high speed gravel road until you hit the tarmac. It was bloody cold coming down. Sad to see this old original track gone.  Down the tarmac and then followed the river along our usual route home.  Phatboy peeling off first the The Cook.
I have included Phatboys ride as I did not have map my ride on.

http://www.mapmyride.com/workout/2910710083

Saturday 19th May

I headed off on a cool morning towards Ferrymead Bridge, taking the towpath when I could.  About half way along Bugs caught up and we continued on.  At the bridge we were joined pretty quickly by Dozer and Phatboy.  I led off up St Andrews hill with the lads letting me set the pace.  We stopped at the first corner to strip a layer off and then continued.  Bugs had a quick brake adjustment so I got a small lead on them.  Finally (it seemed like a long grind) we were up near John Brittain.  The lads stopped while Bugs re adjusted his brake and I continued up the single track.  It did not look like anyone had been up there for a while.  We regrouped just by Broadleaf Lane.  Up the grind with my legs running on empty.  Quick stop and then down Greenwood.  Me cruising and enjoying the run.  It is months since I was down this track and I enjoyed it immensely. A couple of dabs but a nice flow.  We then headed down Ct Thomas with Phatboy getting out front to get some drone footage.  Once again I cruised it dabbing in the usuals.  We regrouped just after the last rocks and continued on down to Dot Com for drinks.  The slog home was awful.  I had nothing left in the legs and I was thankful that Bugs led most of the way and then Phatboy took over for the last bit of the trelk back to Ferrymead Bridge. We split off with Bugs and I heading down the towpath.  Had an incident where a woman with her son on the back of their ute bike slid off in front of us but otherwise just a cruise.  Pleased to be out .

http://www.mapmyride.com/workout/2895232639

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