Tuesday the Last of September

Cancellations from Phatboy and RubberLips, so Buggz, Dozer, Mellonpharmacist, Silverfox, the Cook and Tinks met at Upper Major Hornbrook.  Up Britten, and around the tussock-hidden-rocky singletrack, down the road, up Mt Pleasant singletrack, all climbing well.  Big regroup at the top, then into the descent.  Fun fun fun.  First rocky sections were good, gliding over them, then into the tussocks, swooping from bend to bend, total groove and flow, one or two missed corners...  Regroup again above the ruins, and then headed on down.  Bony upper half and a few scratchy corners, but no one lost too much traction.  Flowing and pumping around to the 'gulch through the humpy bits and paused and hung for another regroup.  Back into the descent, heaps of speed on the rocky start then flying through all the swoopy corners, some catching air on the humps and one screaming at the sheep to get out of the way.  Scratchy drifts around into Dave's section, hooning down this and around the bends.  Through the bit that's been so grovelly over winter, pumping, around into the wee valley.  Mellonframer paused here til the others appeared around the hillside, then got going again, flying, into the first rocky up, both him and Buggs mis-gearing this - foot on a rock, push, and rolled onwards.  Into the next up and swoopy swoopy down to the end.  Then a cruise up the road, slowly leaving the Cook behind, but at the big pines everyone dropped into their granny gears and rolled nice and slow til he caught up, then it was onwards up round the bends and into Britten, still enough light to see by.  Total blast on this descent, flying down the trail. Over the fence, good-byes said all before 8pm.

Monday 29th September

I knocked off at 3.30 and as the girls are on holiday and I did not need to cook I decided to get a small ride in to try and work on my fitness.  I left home at 4 and I headed up Rapaki at a steady pace, the wind was in my face on the way up but at the flat section it was a gusty side wind, no great use to me but had a a cooling effect.  At the top I headed straight up Vernon.  Now the wind was behind me and was quite good.  Not exactly blowing me up the track but eased the burden by a percent or 2.  Got to the top of Hunstbury and the wind was blustering and bloody cold.  I had always intended to come down here so I layered up a top and put my pfmtbc scarfie bandana thing on to keep me warm before setting off.  What a wild ride.  The wind was blowing me all over the palce even on the farm track.  Had to peddle to go down the hill, my helmet was being pulled off my head nearly as the wind blew into it.  Choking me.  By the pylons I was wondering if I would survive to write the blog.  Finally down to the tarmac where I thought it may be better.  No it actually got worse in a few spots and I had some scary moments. I was pleased to be home. An hours ride but a days thrills. Home by 5.10. Meanwhile the Cook knocked off at 5 went home and grabbed his bike.  He was doing my ride in reverse.  He struggled up Huntsbury with side winds blowing him everywhere then across vernon.  First bit was good as he was sheltered from the wind but as he turned for the downward stretch it was totally different.  Into the gail on a downward singletrack.  Frightening.  He then came down Rapaki which was a bit better but lots of walkers spread all over the track.

Saturday 27th September

An early start as we headed out to Halswell Quarry for the last planting of the year.  I went outside and was surprised to see Silverfox waiting.  He was soon followed by Bugs.  We headed around to the bottom of Rapaki rd where we were met by Dozer.  We started the climb up.  I knew it was gonna be a struggle for me after weeks of bugs.  We climbed steadily all the way.  Silvefox had some gear trouble and while a regroup happened at the gate I pushed on slowly.  We were all together as we started the last climb.  Now I had gear failure as my seat dropper played up.  The others ambled on while I got out the 100mph tape.  Worked a treat and I then pushed on after the others.  A regroup and then up over the Vernon Track.  I lost ground over here.  Around the traverse which was a good blast then dropped into Thompsons and headed for the Sign of the Kiwi.  Up the road and because we had been slower (Thanbks to me) we skipped Marleys and went straight onto Kennedys.  Everyman for himself as we headed down here.  Bouncing all the way.  Over the fence 2 went left up the track while the other two went up the fatm track.  Then down the single track which offered some surprises with some chunky ruts.  Straight into the crocidile finally I started to close the gap on the others.  Regrouped and continued down eventually showing up at the planting right on time. Phatboy showed up later after having gone up Dyers Pass and down Kennedys.  Tinkerbell arrived by car just in time to miss the planting.  Job done time for the road ride back along cashmere rd at a good clip.  Silverfox peeling off at  Hoonhay Rd while we went on to cups of tea at the roadies stop.  Dozer peeled off at Barrington while Bugs and I finished the ride home.  Good to survive the ride.

Thursday 25th September

Dozer picked Bugs up and they drove to Upper Hornbrook Rd arriving at 6.15pm. Up though the shared track in the paddocks with a sharp right before the Summit road. Dozer cleared the corner and Bug's didn't. Across John Britten which needs a grass trim as the grass hides all the rocks. Both rode this without any dabs. Dropped down the road then up the single track to the aerials at the top. Turned the lights on here for the down hill. Bugs lead with Dozer hot on his heals until Dozer's wheel slipped on a fresh sheep s---. Bugs got a little lead on from here. Into Greenwood in the same order. Flew down here as the track was dry n firm. Dozer stayed hot on Bugs tail all the way. No daps until the 1st rocky bit at the bottom. Back up the road pushing a nice pace as this was a fitness ride. Into the shared track down to the car by 7.45pm. Great ride.

Tuesday 23rd September

Bugs rode to Rubberjaws place who wasn't riding and meet up with The Cook. Shortly afterwards Silverfox and Tinkerbell arrived in the van followed by Dozer on his bicycle. After a short discussion on where to ride we headed over to Rapaki where we started at a slow pace until the gate where a couple took off some jackets. Continued up at a faster pace enjoying the views we had most of the way. Had a rolling regroup before the last steeper bit. Arrived at the top still with no lights on. Wind was picking up and getting colder so after the last person arrived we turned on lights and headed up over Mt Vernon. Into the Traverse until the 1st rocky bit then sharp right and down towards the top of Huntsbury. Down the rutted 4wd track to the top of Old School Bowenvale. Dozer lead down Bowenvale followed by Bugs, Tinkerbell, The Fox then The Cook. Most had a great ride down except for The Cook who had a small crash when one wheel slid out. All was fine though. Regroup at the bottom then down the gravel road to the bottom. Quick stop at The Brick Works for pint and a few hot chips. Dozer headed his way while the others when back to Ruberjaws. Bugs and The Cook continued on to there places while The fox and Tinkerbell drove home from there.

Saturday 20th September

Everyone was either working, away or  busy with something so I set off for a ride by myself.  The plan was to start early but I got a later start than I wanted.  The ride became a non stop sprint.  I headed out and down Radley St to Linwood Ave.  Through Bromley Cemetry and out onto Pages Rd eventually, past Dozers rebuild.  Down around Vancouver cress onto Ottawa Rd then Avonside Dr along the rugged stopbank to the Burwood Bridge.  Down to Travis Rd. left then right following Burwood Rd then into finally into Bottle Lake Park.  I have not been out there for a few years and as I rode I discovered a few changes. My plan was to go through the center and do a half loop but the center has changed a bit.   Anyhow I pushed as hard as I could ending up pretty much at Spencerville.  Not all the way but nearly.  I found myself then coming back along the beach which we never used to ride very often and finally back onto the old beach track that we did ride often.  Along here to the park at the end of beach Rd and then sprinted down to the planting at Travis.  Lungs and legs burning.  Planted for 2 hours, bbq then homeward bound.  Travis Rd then left to  the Burwood Bridge then roght along the stop bank into a head wind basically reversing my outward trip.  Pumped hard all the way and felt reasonably stuffed by time I got home.  Showered and then out for the afternoon.

Tuesday 16th September

The Cook went out solo.  Not sure what happened to anyone else but he rode up Rapaki over Mt Vernon and then did the Traverse Track.  The weather closed in and it got pretty windy so he headed back along the Traverse and then down the rocky sidle path onto Huntsbury.  Had a moment on a rock on his way down.  Continued down the single track above the farm track section of Huntsbury before getting back on the road.  Got home just before the rain hit.