Tuesday 29th December

The last ride for most of us for the year.  Felt tired and crappy but still loaded up and drove to Upper Major Hornbrook.  Silverfox was waiting and we were soon joined by Tinkerbell and his Fair Maiden.  Then along came Dozer.  We rode along and climbed the fence.  Dozer taking and shortcut and getting a good lead.  The Fair Maiden decided to go and start with out us.  The Cook arrived and Tinkerbell waited while Silverfox and I then headed off to catch the others who were waiting before the 2nd hairpin.  We all then started the climb Dozer leading, The Fair Maiden, myself, Silverfox. Tinks and The Cook.  Up and up we went at a fairly steady pace, me showing the others the nice turn into Upper mjor Hornbrook.  From here we headed around and crossed the road onto the New Mt Pleasant Connecter track.  Nice little push up to the top.  very warm and no wind.  At the top regroup we waited for the Cook but no show.  Then I got a text saying to go ahead.  His back had been playing up all week and it was a miracle he was even there.  He rode by himself to the top then reversed direction heading back down and home.  Meanwhile we continued down having a great blast. Fair Maidens seat did a shift thing causing her to make a small noise.  Tinks fixed that by playing with her seat in front of us all.  We then headed back out upper Greenwood to the road.  Nice run through here.  Up the road and into Broadleaf Lane.  Grunt Grunt to the mt Pleasant Track.  nice blast down, me leading having fun.  Clipped a rock on the way causing a bit of arse tightening.  Back to the top of John Brittain.  Tinks and his Maiden went down the steep and climbed back up the road.  I led into John brittain taking everyone around the front track and rejoining just above the hairpi.  Then it was down at a good clip, me leading and locking up on a couple of corners, sliding nicely into one of them.  Chatted and took photos at the cars before heading home.

http://www.mapmyride.com/workout/1290584275

Saturday 19th December

Xmas time is approaching and so many things happening forcing a change to days etc which is a bummer as some could not make it.  The Cook picked me up and we headed up to the flat just above Farside where we unloaded and hooked up with Tinkerbell, Bugs and Dozer.  We waited patiently for the Phatboy.  From here we cruised up the road for a warm up and then quick regroup at the end of the tarmac.  I led into the new climbing track until I got warm enough to divest myself of a layer.  positions changed and Phatboy led off with people in various order behind him.  Up we grunted and as I got into the pines properly my phone rung.  It was the Cook who was feeling off colour (same as happened a few weeks back) so he was going to pull out.  Bugs who waited with me then headed up the hill in pursuit of the others.  Hooked up with them at the top of the last steep grunt.  Nice ride up here. We then headed up to Tommys and then started down. At the rock landing there was some debate as to which way down.  I decided to head down towards Fight Club enjoying my run down here.  Some greasy spots but all good otherwise.  Got to the bottom and waited for the others.  Bugs came down the steep line with some feet scraping.  Up to the top and started up the guts to the rock again.  Some procrastination before deciding to ride all the way up and then head down the downhill tracks on the side we climbed.  So up we went and then down taking the first left hander after the steep drop.  Nice easy run taking all the B lines down.  Crossed the main trail onto a track with a braille sign.  Blind track and it was.  it went down to the pylons and no further.  Had to climb some steep track back to the main out line.  Good we fun run back to thew tarmac.  Down the road where Phatboy loaded up his car while the rest of us headed down the farside tracks.  Back to Tinks for tea and gingernuts before we loaded up and headed home.  Nice fun morning with threatening sky's.

http://www.mapmyride.com/workout/1282250547

Thursday 17th December

Dozer picked up Bug's and they drove to Upper Hornbrook road. Dozer lead off on the up with Bug's close behind. Weaved our way up though the paddocks at a steady pace. Both cleared the corner at the top as we followed below the summit road. Crossed the tarsal at the cattle stop and headed up the new track leading up to the ariels. Tracks were in fantastic condition with the recent rain. No mud and the tyres where gripping the rocks well. Dozer lead on the down heading towards Greenwood. Quick ride though the tussocks which we both enjoyed. Great to ride a rocky down hill single track as it's been a while. Bug's lead into Greenwood with Dozer trying to keep up. Great ride down here with Bug's opening up a 150m gap by the end. Up the road at a nice but not fast pace. Slowed a little towards the top and let two ladies following catch up. After a brief chat they pulled ahead as we dropped into the single track though the paddocks back to the car. Fast run down here. Jumped the fence at the bottom then off to the Twisted Hop for a beer or two. Great ride in the sun on some fantastic track.   

Sunday 13th December

Got out the front of mine at 8.30 sharp to find Tinkerbell, Sandals and Phatboy waiting.  Dozer arrived moments later.  We headed around Hansens Park and then started the grind up the hill.  Quick regroup at the top of the tarmac and then up we headed.  Phatboy, Tinkerbell and Dozer pulled away and finally Phatboy left the other 2 behind.  I continued at my own pace slowing down so Sandals had someone to ride with at the pylon.  At the top we headed around the Traverse although Dozers start was one for the record book.  Good run regrouping just before the pines.  Then up to the top and down Thompsons to the Sign of the kiwi.  Up to the top of Marleys before dropping down the Body Bag.  Got almighty rutted again.  Up to the top of the Old B Line (or Tommys) before having a fun blast to the ledge.  (early the day before, Mellonpharmacist had been in this area too...)  Here we get confused.  Tinks and Dozer headed towards Waynes World, Phatboy gave them some distance and then lost where they were and I turnt right into a track which was groomed and fast.  We all ended up at Fight Club for a good run down here.   Up the 4wd track and into the exit track before heading over through the gate and taking that new exit line.  Down the road we headed and I led into Farside.  Great run through here in good time.  We then headed to Cracoft shop for a tea and coffee at Silverbacks.  Left here as the drops of moisture started to fall from the sky.  Pleased we came of the hill early.

http://www.mapmyride.com/workout/1277080331

Tuesday 1st December

Only 2 for a ride tonight.  I drove out to Worsley Rd and waited for Dozer.  When he arrived a short discussion and then we drove up to the 1st flat area just above the bottom tracks.  We then jumped on our steads and trundled up the road for a wee warm up.  t the end of the tarmac we followed Mellonfarmers advise and went through the gate on the right.  We followed the track straight ahead.  This climbs steadily but nicely through the grass and then into the forest.  There was one little downwards slope and I thought going down means more climb but it stayed steady.  We caught some downhill grommits pushing their bikes up the hill.  Loads of tracks with jumps on each side of the track. When we came out of the forest it was a left hand turn and a small but feckin steep grunt and we were just below the bottom of the Body Bag ready to climb up to Tommys.  Up we climbed and then I followed Dozer down the hill.  Good wee blast on a track that I have not done for so long.  Into fight club for a great blast and eventually out to the skidder road.  Up we climbed then because I had to pick up Grace we dropped down into the out track which has been logged and then over the main Worsley Track through a gate and down the hill.  Fun blast.  Down the road and past the vans into the bottom tracks.  Dozer had a moment dropping in to the track foot flailing out to the side but he recovered.  Nice blast through the off camber, steep and rutty track to the end before riding back up to the vehicles.  1 hour and 10km.  Nice wee blast.

http://www.mapmyride.com/workout/1265860743

Sunday 29th November

Hills were covered in cloud and a slight drizzle but was keen to ride so Bugs rode to Rubberjaws place (who was not riding) then Dozer arrived. Rode around the river to Huntsbury where Tinkerbell was waiting. Headed up Huntsbury at a steady pace. The higher we rode the wetter the road was getting. One stop on the up then we arrived at the summit road. Tinkerbell lead into the Traverse with Bug's then Dozer following. Track was wet with a few puddles added to get the tyres wet. Bug's hit the 1st lot of rock and slipped n dabbed his way over them. Felt like riding on icy with slicks. The others had a couple of small issues but everyone kept upright. Headed around to Vic park with the cloud getting thicker and the drizzle getting heaver. Could only see 100m in all directions as we headed up the road to the top of Marleys. Decided to give the Nun a miss and dropped into the Body Bag. Same order as before. Bug's had some issues with deep ruts so Dozer got past. Up into the forest where we headed down the old original way. Track was dry under the trees so we kept the speed up. Down we headed then down fight club. Great ride down here by all and before we knew it we were at the bottom. Up the 4WD track to Worley's where we found the Trees had all gone from the lower track. Headed down where we used to ride to the carpark. Crossed the road then into a new track though the paddock to where we used to park the cars. Down the tarseal we headed to the tracks at the bottom. Great ride though here as the track was dry and the weather improving. Out the bottom then around to Tinkerbells where we had a coffee and some home baking with the family. Dozer n Bug's headed off across town to Ruberjaws place. Dozer loaded his bike into the van while Bug's headed around the river to his. Great ride 32km with no regroups required. 

Tuesday 24th November

Hot Tuesday night ride.  I collected the Cook and headed out to Dot Com in the van.  We hooked up with Dozer and Bugs before heading up the road to Sumnervale.  I led off up the singletrack and as I rode around the first hairpin I looked left then right to see which track I would take and then went blank and stopped.  The other 3 rode past on left track.  Dah. I followed from here up the hill to the shitty gate near the top.  Nice steady climb mainly in the shade with little wind.  Nice cooling breeze considering the weather.  At the gate the Cook let me past and I followed the other 2 to the top.  We had a regroup before I started up the road to the top of Greenwood.  Bugs and Dozer caught up with the Cook a little way behind.  Steady climb all the way before heading left into greenwood.  Same order as the top of Ct Thomas.  Bugs, Dozer, Rubberjaws and the Cook.  Reached the ruins to get a text from the Cook who had a puncture.  We could see him on the skyline.  He eventually caught us us and we headed down the track.  First rocks I got dust in my eyes lost vision and was a passenger bouncing through the rocks.  The front 2 pulled ahead a bit and I never caught them again.  Good run the rest of the way.  Regrouped at the bottom and then into Ct Thomas for a great run, most of us cleaned the sections we do not get although I still dabbed on the 2nd cluster of rocks.  At the bottom we went down the steps and along the field to lower Sumnervale back to the cars.  From here we drove to The Twisted Hop for a beer.

http://www.mapmyride.com/workout/1259153591