Tuesday 29th March

A quick ride before attending the trip meeting. Mellonfarmer, Abba, Sandals, Te Rex and Silverfox arrived at mine and we headed up Huntsbury slowly. Amazing damage was seen as we climbed. Phatboy caught us near the top of Aotea Tce. We continued the grind up the hill. I am just so out of sorts climbing at present which annoys me. Up up up. At the top the boys tried some sheep herding. We whizzed around the Summit trail as the light grew dim. Dropped into Vic pines which were dark and no visability, down the Rock garden then on down the road to Sandals. Hooked up with Thumbhook(Buggs), Tinkerbell, Dozer and The Queenstown Goat. Discussed the trip. We are going to go to the coast this year. 5 nights. Time to organise accommodation.

Sunday 27th March

Woke up to a light shower and considered calling it off, but I thought it would be OK. Phatboy, Mellonfarmer, Tinkerbell, Dozer and the Silverfox all arrived. We hummed and haaed about what to do and settled on our plan to head up towards Greenwood. Around the river we went where it got pretty interesting as the bank started to break up a bit. Added to the fun as we rode over some deep renders in the bank. Started up Mt Pleasant after removing jackets and me cursing my knew pack which had a problem. Grind Grind we went as we looked at some of the broken homes. Carried on up and then I hit the wall at the 2/3rd mark. Just felt stuffed. must of been the late night before. Tinks stayed with me as we rode into thickening cloud. At the regroup (top of the road) we all thought that the rocks were gonna be interesting and sketchy. We were right. The first part had lots of slip and I dabbed a few times. Glasses steamed up which did not help. At the ruins we sorted out an order and headed down. Track was in great condition and the rocks were sharper and less slippery. Only one wee boulder on the track in Gloomy Gulch. Stopped and chatted with Nick and track builders. Felt guilty for not joining in. Continued on down past another group and out onto Evans Pass. Good blast down the road into Sumner. Looked at the bottom of Marleys from the road and some big broken trees and boulders where we would normally ride. Coffee at Dot Com. Bugs joined us and showed the pin they removed from his thumb last week. We then blasted home along the causeway and then back along the bank for fun. Good ride all in all.

Tuesday 24th March

Tracks at avoid yet again. Driving me crazy. Phatboy, Dozer, Abba and The Cook (on a new bike and out for the first time ever with us) arrived at mine. We rode over to Silverfoxes, looked at his crack again...(he told us EQC is going to fill it for him, and hes looking forward to it.) It goes right around the house and even the windows have cracks around them. Sandals and Jandals arrived. We then headed via different streets to Hagely. Did a circuit of Sth Hagley, then crossed over and did Nth Hagley. Went and had a look at Arts Ctr, then St Elmos Court then rode by odd means around the edge of the cordon. We ended up having to ride part of Hagley Park back to Bealey Ave. Rode along the medium strip to Manchester St, then Salisbury then around the river to Fitzgerald and then to Pomeroys. Nice drink before we all split at differing times.

Tuesday 15th March

Mellonfarmer arrived and we headed around to pick up Silverfox. Stopped and oohed and aahed over his crack...s in his house. Pretty Big but house seems to look somewhat straight. Mellonfarmer and I thought that the timber framing was solid even if the blocks weren't. We all then headed up Hackthorne, and Dyers to the Sign of the Kiwi where we were met by Dozer. Cold wind blowing and rain threatening as we headed up the road. Helmut was at the Marley's car park and we all continued the amble up the road catching Jandals then hooking up with Sandals at the top. Helmut led off followed by Mellonfarmer then me then the others. Helmut pulled over along the way so passed him. Had a good run down to the car park where we all regrouped. Jandals headed down and we all headed up for another run. Same order coming down but I think I rode it better this time. Mellonfarmer and Helmut had pulled up at the car park but I continued down towards Kiwi. They dropped in and gave chase catching me at the long brake less stretch. I got all the little jumps along the edge. Felt pretty good but can do better yet me feels. We regrouped and as I wanted an early finish and the weather was cold we all headed off. Sandals, Helmut and Mellonfarmer heading towards Vic to get down into Cashmere. Short but good ride.

Sunday 13th March

Yes a ride. Tinkerbell and Dozer met at mine and we headed through the broken arsed streets to Sandals. Interesting ride. Hooked up with Sandals, Jandals (Ben), Helmut and Silverfox. Rode the steep drive behind the house then up into Vic Park where Tinks and Helmut got told off by rangers for riding on a walking track. Oh so naughty!!!! Then up the steep track behind the skidder site then cut across and went up the rock garden. That was nutty. Up the uphill track to the summit and then down Thompsons. Feeling good. Up the road to the top of Marleys where we let it roll. Awesome to ride again. Nothing like attacking rock jumps, twists and turns to make you feel normal again. Then back up to the top of Worsley where we rode on down. I took some good techy lines staying in ruts and generally attacking the track. Of course I did not watch where the others were riding but they were enjoying the track too. Down down down and then out. Rode to the old Coffee Culture for coffee before heading home. Felt good and normal.

Sunday 20th February

I set off from mine on my lonesome with music in my ears. Headed around the river, down the track behind Ferrymead with wind in my face. At the bridge it was time to hit the tarmac. Onto the causeway stiff easterly in my face and I decided to chase down a guy about 100m in front. Managed to catch him just before the end and as the guys who were riding drove past on their way to Cot Dom. Finally got there just as Te Rex drove in. The posse of Phatboy, Mellonfarmer, Tinkerbell, Dozer and Texas were all waiting to go. We set off up the Ct Thomas. Steady climb with Te Rex, Mellonfarmer and Phatboy charging, Tinks in between the the sensible 3 following at the tail. Climbed well getting most except when he who will be named blew a couple of techy buts to slow down the events. We made the top in not bad time. Then it was time to ride up Greenwood. This was the first time in a while for most of us and had never been done by a few. It was quite a nice climb. Stopped in Gloomy Gulch before climbing to the top for a bite. It was then time to come on down. Mellonfarmer, Phatboy, Tinkerbell, me followed by the others. Charging hard, keeping on the tail of the guy in front before Phatboy punctured. Stopped to fix this then rode onto where the others waited. Continued charging. I was feeling great and stayed on Tinks tail all the way. On down ct Thomas failing the 2 usual rocks. Tinks stopped and I charged past him slowly gaining on the front 2. Only caught them at the end due to the amount of people on the track. Into Cot Dom for coffee. I found out that Dozer had an off on the way down and dented his bike. Phatboy left and we were Joined by Bugs and his lovely wife Mrs Bugs. I then jumped on my bike and literally flew back with the wind in my back. Good ride.

Tuesday 15th February

I picked up Silverfox and headed over to the main car park at Halswell Quarry. Hooked up with Dozer, Helmut, Sandals, Tinkerbell, Phatboy, Junior, Mellonfarmer and Cuz. Also appearing out of no-where was Abba. We headed along the track avoiding dogs and people and then instead of heading up the valley track Mellonfarmer said lets head up this way. Short sharp shock that it was. Fun and challenging really but I got to the top as did everyone except The Cuz who had an attack of asthma. Must be caused by the cancer sticks he smokes. Up the little steep Zigzag and onto the road. At the top of the Crocodile it was straight down. Good run down here by everyone (I even cleared the little rock shoot that gets me every time) until we found Junior dusting himself off from an oopsy. No problems really and we all continued down. At the bridge we regrouped and then climbed back up the crocodile. Some did their sprint thing. I cruised up with Dozer and The Fox. Enjoyed the slog and cleaned it nicely. We then climbed the next bit and on up to Siberia and down to the gate. Abba did his usual and disappeared by himself, taking the short way home to his love and a meal. That's right he rode up Kennedy's rather than riding with us. The rest of us headed down, down down avoiding Betsy the Cow then down the Croc and up the other side before getting back to the cars. Junior was there riding his bike backwards for fun. I discovered my leg was bleeding for some reason. pulled a large splinter out of it this morning! not bad for 1.5 hours of mid week riding.