With a few of the lads having spent all day Saturday drinking at the beer fest and then one of them (Rubberjaws) having a bit of a prang coming home only a small posse went out. The below description was written by Bugs.  I have highligted and commented on a few bits.....

Tinkerbell and The Fox arrived at Bug's place where a new guy call Paul (Friends of Mellonfarmers) was also waiting out front. While Tinkerbell fixed his problem of a leaking bladder Dozer arrived on a brand new sparkling Trek. As it was red we all knew it was going to be fast. After a short chat we headed down Alport place to the single track around the river. Bug's lead with the other 4 close behind. Scared a runner on a blind corner and gave way to 5 or 6 others on the track. Arrived at Ferrymead bridge where we headed straight up St Andrews Hill. No stops on the way up but feeling the head as we climbed (when I ride I try to leave the head alone as it interferes with my ability to hold the handle bars) with no wind to cool us down. Short rest before we headed up the shared track though the paddocks. Tinkerbell lead with Paul just behind him then Dozer on the Red Trek, Bug's and Silver fox. Headed around under the summit road on John Britten. This is overgrown which meant the 1st 3 headed down the old track. Bug's shuck (whats a shuck) ahead of Dozer where the 2 tracks meet. Onwards to the road then over the fence and up we headed towards the aerials. At the top Bug's applied his pads to his knees and we started the down. Dozer 1st, then Bug's, Tinkerbell, The Fox and the Paul. 1st time here for him. Gave way to 5 guys riding up the rocks. Down we headed enjoying the ride in the dust the Treks 27.5 wheels. At the start of Greenwood Bugs lead with the rest behind. The 5 guys who were riding up where now chasing us all. Good ride down here with them getting past most of us. There leading guy caught up with Bugs at the 1st rocky climb at the bottom when Bugs cocked it up. Keep in-front of him till the bottom. The rest of them arrived then Dozer and the rest. Headed down Cpt Thomas from here with Dozer leading then Bugs, Tinkerbell, Paul and The Fox. Great ride down here clearing most of it. Stopped at Dot Com for Coffees etc. Bugs had an unknown traveler down his top which managed to sting him twice down his belly. After coffees we headed to the bikes where a comment was made about how skinny Fox's back tire was. Yes it was flat. While he fixed it we all watched. Headed back across the Causeway into a strong head wind. We all dropped into the single track at Ferrymead with Tinkerbell and the fox turning off to the nursery then Bug's and Dozer turning off at the bridge. Paul headed around the river to his from here. Great hot ride about 27km with 645m climbing.   

Tuesday 24th January

Collected The Cook and drove to Worsley Rd where we unloaded the bikes.  Silverfox and Tinkerbell arrived so we rode into the Adventure Park and I led off up the uphill track.  Steady pace, dabbed on 1 section of hairpins on the way and eventually climbed out onto the access Rd that led us to the entrance into the lower green track.  I jumped in 1st and enjoyed a fast blast down to get my eye in.  Tinks came next followed eventually by Silverfox and The Cook.  They were delayed by Rex who they bumped into at the top.  Silverfox led off into the uphill for a 2nd loop.  Good run although dabbed on the same hairpin and then my phone rung.  This time we climbed to the start of Double overhead Cam.  Tinkerbell led followed by me.  Best and fastest run I have had down here shaving 41 seconds off my fastest time.  Felt good.  From here we went and had the customary beer at the cafe before riding back to the car and heading home.  Nice run .

http://www.mapmyride.com/workout/1969889738

Saturday 21st January

Dozer arrived at mine (on a Giant Trace loaned from Bugs)and we headed off towards the Adventure Park via Cashmere Rd for the most part of it.  Got there early hoping to head up the uphill track before buying my pass.  Track was closed so we rode over and bought my pass.  $40 for 3 rides now.  We rode back in time for the uphill to be opened just after 10.  Quite surprised how many people were heading up.  Dozer was off and away and there were a couple of people between us for most of the climb. Nice steady climb with some mean tight switchbacks.  Dabbed on a couple and had to stop when a guy in front managed to slam off the track above and fall in front of me. he was fine. Continued on up and then it comes onto the access rd.  Stopped for a pee.  As we rode up the road the same guy fell off on a slight rise ahead of us.  His response to us asking how he was "having a bad day"!!  Got upto the start of the lower Green line and headed down.  Dozer let me lead due to the dificiencys of a Giant. Nice fast and flowy run down here.  Up to the chairlift base for my first ever lift in Christchurch.  Found it a little bit worrisome to start but the chair is pretty steady and does not rock.  Got off at the top and we did the green Line top to bottom.  Very quick and enjoyable at pace.  Fun was the only way to describe it.  Chased a chick down who was trying to stay in front, passed her and continued on to the bottom.  back up the lift again feeling quite relaxed.  This time we came down Lord of the Possums. Felt good all the way then into Double over Head Cam.  Ok run for most of it but really busy with a few downhillers catching and passing.  Up for the 3rd lift and we cam down Yeah yeah Gnaw.  This is my sort of track.  More technical, slower but so much more challenging. Had a lot of fun here.  Then back into double overhead cam.  Not quite so busy this time.  At the bottom I spotted Tinkerbell sitting with Sandals and Helmut.  Dozer, Tinks and I headed up for the Traditional Beer and Chips. We then headed out with Tinks turning left for his placing while Dozer and I headed home.  All up 43km with all sorts of altitude but only about 200m climb in reality.

http://www.mapmyride.com/workout/1963936586

14th january 2017

1st group ride I have been in since going away.  Went outside and hooked up with Phatboy, Bugs and Silverfox.  We headed around the river and started up Crapaki.  Decided to skip the side loop and maybe have an extra loop at the CAP (Christchurch adventure Park).  Phatboy rode the new rapaki single track, Bugs and I started to but headed onto the main track.  Silverfox had whizzed pass at this stage so we caught him up.  I could see Tinkerbell and Young Jenna ahead of us. After some unfair play, Silverfox summitted head of us.  I then continued on up Mt Vernon after Tinks and Jenna catching them before the last steep climb on the bend.  Stopped for a regroup at the road crossing and I was surprised the Phatboy arrived first.  He led off around the traverse having a good run, then Bugs, me, Silverfox etc following.  Bugs stopped to let some riders coming towards us get past so we could get a good run into Vic park.  Stopped in the trees out of the wind and after regrouping I summited ahead of the others.  Led off down Thompsons with everyone in close order before climbing around to the top of Worsley.  Down the bodybag for another regroup before heading in the gate and climbing to the chairlift drop off point.  From here the lads led off down Lord of the Possums.  For me a first time in the park.  Clean and quite fast with some good little air options. gonna be hard on bikes as the surface is like concrete.  regrouped at the bottom before heading down Double overhead Cam.  More of the same but with a lot more switchbacks.  Finally got to the park village.  Could not get a single ride pass so we coffeed or had a beer before heading home.  Great morning ride.

http://www.mapmyride.com/workout/1950960260

Rubberjaws Holiday adventures.

Off on holiday to Marahau as usual.
my 2nd to last ride for the year was  from Marahau Beach camp along the tarmac and then grunted up the Marahau - Riwaka Rd.  Stayed in the gutter to avoid the cars and campervans.  Good steady climb and then I made the left hand turn into the forestry for a little bit more climbing. Felt quite good at this point.  Around to Upper Corkscrew for a short downhill.  A little bit rutted but rolled well.  Into Jaws for a good run down.  Past a guy who jumped to far and landed on the side of the track.  he was all good.  Continued down enjoying the flow with just enough twists and turns to keep you honest.  Into the bottom half with a little air time and a small grunt before the awesome end run.  Just flows with yumps and jumps.   Climbed up Big Ups to the start of new Big Airs.  This track is certainly made for air time.  Rolled some and launched on others. Took it quitly though.  Good fun.  Returned up Ziggys and then into Corkscrew.  it was hot by this stage and I was pushing as hard as I could. The last 50m of Corkscrew sucked. Onto the fireroad and climbed to the top before heading down the fire road to the Kaiteri -Sandy bay Rd.  Good fast run with some loose shingle keeping me honest.  Drew blood on the gorse along the edge.  from here it was down the road and back to camp.

http://www.mapmyride.com/workout/1923855821

My final ride of 2016 saw me dropped off at the start of the fireroad at the top of the hill.  Rode up and headed towards jaws.  Decided to try something different and headed down velocity.  I had never done the top of this before.  Gosh it was testing.  caused some sphincter clenching and a couple of dabs.  Possibly would of ridden it all if I had a ride partner but was a tad hesitant due to being alone. Steep and rutted with a few big drops along the way.  Felt better the lower I went.  From here I went into Skullduggery which was fun.  Into lower skullduggerry which is quite old skoolish with a few twists turns and rocks.  Up Easy Rider into Cruise Control and then down Shady lady and across the new log bridge.  revelation and then Ziggys, Corkscrew and fire road and back to camp.

http://www.mapmyride.com/workout/1926830909

My first ride of the year started at the riwaka Market.  After having a look around i unloaded my bike and hit the cycle trail.  This runs along the road, through some orchards and then alongside the Kaiteriteri Rd.  After crossing under the road you are then back on Easy Rider inside the MTB park.  I headed up here and decided to hang a left into swish.  This climbed via some switchbacks upto the 2nd half of scoot that took me to Remedy.  A nice downhill that chucks you out above Shady Lady.  Down here i went and at the bottom they have put in a new uphill back to Gladerunner where I hung a left.  This took me back to Swamp Monster which is swoopy and fun.  I climbed back to Cruise Control then Galde Runner, revelation, Ziggys, Corkscrew and then Fireroad back to camp.

http://www.mapmyride.com/workout/1930756898

My last ride of the trip was with a guy from the camp.  A novice off road but what the heck.We headed up the riwaka Rd into the forest, Down Upper Corkscrew which saw him walk a few meters.  Down Jaws.  Slow for me, but he pushed it as hard as he could.  (very Slow) Up Big Ups to Skullduggery and around. Into Scoot and Upper Scoot before heading down Tank to Swamp Monster.  Climbed up to the top and headed down half Pipe before cruising through kaiteriteri and around the road back to camp.  Not a bad ride but not as tough as the others.

http://www.mapmyride.com/workout/1935974495

My first ride at home consisted of a short per funeral/memorial.  I headed around and up Rapaki before hanging left for Montgomery Spur track.  Good loop and then continued up the new rapaki singletrack.  Got steeper and steeper but I managed to ride right to the rock slope.  Walked 7-8meters befor getting back on a grunting to the top.  Returned down the single track but had some walkers get in my way and they were not moving so back onto Rapaki track with a few choice words for a run down here and back to home.

http://www.mapmyride.com/workout/1945388954

Friday 23rd December.

Dozer arrived at Bugs place at 930 as discussed. The drizzle had just started but looked like it was going to blow though quite quick. (How wrong were we) We headed off around the river past Rubberjaws to Huntsbury where Tinkerbell was waiting. Hadn't headed up this way for a while. Started the grind up here till the 3rd bend where Dozer stopped to take a layer off. Continued up the rest with no stops. Noticed a few new buildings up there since the last time. Up the last steep climb with the loose shingle on. Tinkerbell dropped back a little here as he was on his hard tail. (Loose bearing on this normal ride). Short break at the start of the Traverse. Noticed a few dark heavy clouds coming our way as we headed into the traverse. Drizzle became rain as we got around half way to Vic park. Stopped in the trees where we were protected from the heavy rain. Jackets were put on and Bug's put his ground effect water proof pants on. Down though the 1st short run below the road then Bug's took the road to Dyers and the others did the 2nd short track. Headed up the road to the top of The Body bag. Decided not to ride the Nun as this would not be fun with the wet rocks. Dropped down the Body bag which was quite slippy due to the rain. Had to ride in the ruts so we wouldn't come to grief. Got to the Gate to the new bike park which was locked. Tinkerbell suggested that we jump the fence and sneak in which we reluctantly did. Rode up the road until we found the 1st track. The Green one called Dan's Donut. This looked slippy with the rain that was falling. Bug's lead with the others not far behind. Great track with big sweeping banked corners. This would be great in the dry but turned out to be slippy as riding on ice. Couple of close calls as we headed down. The dust that was on the track had turned into a 3cm thick mud that flew off the tyres like a plow and stuck to everything. Stopped at a junction where we talked to another rider who informed us they had closed the Blue and black tracked due to the slippy conditions. A large group of 20+ down hill riders rode though slipping and sliding. Gave them a few minutes then continued down. Half way down we caught them as they were having trouble turning there wheels with all the mud. Bug's got past them and continued down wards. The mud just got thinker as we came out at the carpark. Joined the Que to wash the bikes down. The Reign was twice it's normal weight and the muddiest it has ever been. Bug's was about the same. After losing most of the mud we had a quick look around and run into Helmut. Had a chat in the rain then we headed off. Tinkerbell turned off to his while Bug's n Dozer rode across town to Bug's place. Dozer headed home while Bug's washed the Bike, Helmet, Shoes, Pants, Jacket, Bag and undies. Great last group ride of the year for some. Keen to head back into the park but only on a dry day. Merry Christmas to all. Bu

g's

Sunday 18th December

As written by Mellonfarmer cos RubberJaws got a sick guts and had to crap his morning away.  reworked by Mellonfarmer

9am meeting at Rubberjaw's, MF was on his Fatty because he'd blown up his drivetrain on Wednesday night and hadn't replaced it yet.  He found RJ, Tinks, Slyfox and Dozey waiting for Phatbuoy (who didn't show) and then a text from Monsieur deSpa saying he was 5 minutes away.  Around Aynsley Tce and then up Crapaki, busy as always.  Reasonable pace up here but Rubberjawns's sick guts were starting to disturb him as they headed into the Full Monty.  Nice climb up and around then fun bits, with only MF taking the 'harder' option, from the rear, getting in behind Tinks and JubberRaws for the next section rolling across the face of the hill.  They stopped and peered down at Glenelg spur looking for potential ways up here.  It was here, that Jubber decided that he'd be bailing when they got back to the main track.  Cruised the climb through to the end, RJ bailed and MF led the way up the singletrack above the main drag.  Good roll up here; the fat bike feeling good.  Only deSpa-rado and MF stayed on the singletrack, the others choosing the easier climb,  Regrouped at the top.

Up around Vernon, easy riding, and into Traverse, speaking with a clusterfuck of riders all seemingly taking turns at attempting to fix some guy's tire...  Left them to it and had an awesome run around the Traverse.. Regrouped at the usual spot, and let some riders through, then on around to Vic Park for another regroup before the trees.  Into the trees and down past the see-saw then down through the rockgarden and the favourite little left-hand gummies trail.  Rolled out to the skidder site and there's a guy under a space-blanket being tended to, blood on his head, not looking too flash.  Result of the usual over cooking of the jump, landing nose first and being polevaulted head first into the ground.  Ambulance on it's way.  This is the umpteenth time we've found people injured here - and Beckyboo who rode with us years ago nailed her head here too...  Treat. With. Caution.  

Off down Spazza's, then straight down between Pono's and Brents and out the ridge straight ahead, and into a new wee one MF'd done a wee while back on his own.  Sweet steep entry, then a couple of techy features, then more steep and then zigs and zags in an oak forest, then over a wee jump (that looks worse than it is) onto Bridges.  Down this into Flow/NewFlow and the lower swoopy zigs and zags and down the bottom of the valley.

Into Hidden Valley Track, MF cleaned the creek nicely and was just making his way up the steep bit immediately after and he couldn't hold onto his balance and started toppling.  Left foot wouldn't eject and over he went, landing upside down, bike pretty much still on the trail, still attached, lying in a big old pile of blackberry.  Elbow blooded, and knee must have smacked the bike somewhere, and arm a little shredded by the blackberry.  He managed to climb out and get riding again, cleaning the first and last two upper switchbacks but not the lower second one.

Into Old Skool.  Mostly a good run, some of the rocks proving a bit pushy on the fatty, but everyone quite enjoyed it. 

Down Bowenvale, and Tinks, Silverfoxy and Dozer went for coffee, with deSpa-rado and MF splitting on their separate ways.

 With all the riding across town MF, totalled 31 kms, and climbed 585.  Tinks managed 34 kms, and somehow 635m climbed...