Sunday 30th July

A very cold morning and a boat ride required.  I was running late and nearly missed the ferry to Diamond Harbour.  Got there thanks to Phatboy buying my ticket.  On board was Silverfox, Tinkerbell, Mellonfarmer, Bugs (Dressed as Helmut), Dozer and of course Phatboy.  We rode up the hill and then found Wairewa Tce which led to Bayveiw which was up and down and then down down down, being careful not to loose it on the ice.  Then we headed up and over Andersons and into Orton Bradley.  Found our way to the MTB track and headed on in.  New track for a couple of the lads.  Up we went and it was in good condition.  Once at the top we came down and found a sunny spot to wait in.  Did the planting in a very cold shady site which was really wet so feet were frozen.  After stopping in the sun and having a sausage we headed back around the bays to Diamond Harbour brief stop for 1.5 pints between us but in reality only 2 drinking before heading down to catch the ferry. Home by 1.30

Sunday 23rd July

The day after the big wet and a great game of rugby saw me go outside ready to ride up the hills.  met up with Tinkerbell and Dozer who had looked at the weather and thought it would be a flat town ride. He had his skinny tyre bike with slicks.  Light mist drizzle but the hills were clogged in at the tops so we agreed with him.  Contacted Phatboy and arranged a meeting point to allow him time to get there.  The 3 of us headed through smelly slippery mud from the flood across the footbridge and followed Hansens Park.  More drizzle further along so our call was worth it.  We followed the river from the end of Hansens continuing along until we met Phatboy near Ensors Rd.  We decided to follow the river and see the sites of the flood.  After crossing Tenyson St and riding quite some distance in the water we got pulled over by council response team suggesting we do not ride the water as it was full of shit and a health risk. We heeded the advise and ziged our way back to Colombo St and headed up Strickland St and onto Antigua to the boat sheds.  Down Worscester Boulevard and into the Square.  Chatted before heading for a cuppa in New Regent St.  From here we headed past Margeret Mahey Playground, down Kilmore, Avonside and onto Linwood where Phatboy headed home.  The rest of us went up Britain, England, Oliviers etc and back to mine.  Just over an hours ride but not a lot of options.

http://www.mapmyride.com/workout/2347956569

sunday 16th July

Phatboy, Bugs, Dozer, Silverfox, Tinkerbell and I left mine and headed around Hansens and up Gruntsbury.  For me a tough ride, tired and and stuff going on.  Up up up to the top.  Breeze was cool, in fact very cool.  Over Vernon which was fun and then tarmac all the way to Richmond Hill.  Just a ride no more.  Down the Richmond Hill Farm track, down the tarmac and to Dot Com.  Then home via tarmac.

http://www.mapmyride.com/workout/2332452383

Sunday Muddy Sunday 9/7/17

Nice fine day with a cool breeze blowing.  Went outside as Tinkerbeel and Silverfox unloaded.  Set off briefly before I ducked back to check pressure in my rear shock.  Off we went towards Woolston Cut where we picked up Bugs at Bampton St before heading along the towpath to Ferrymead Bridge.  One major Tyre slip on the awful little footbridge. Met up with Phatbow and Dozer who were sheltering out of the wind.  Rode around the Coastal Pathway before heading up Mt Pleasant Road for a change.  I was definitely not at my best form dragging my arse slowly up the hill.  No stoppages for taking off warm layers as it did not warm up much. Up the road a bit and then the steep road into Longridge (i think that's the name) and on up to Lower John Britain.  I controlled the pace for most of this until Phatboy and Bugs went on by.  Short regroup in the fogginess at the top before heading around to old school Greenwood.  Started this in a slippery fashion and then into the new route in here.  Slippery to start but relatively nice with some speed.  Regrouped and then climbed up the other new bit.  Steeper but I enjoyed it for some reason, even the slippery bits.  Into Greenwood and I tailed the pack.  Not my best ride.  It was super muddy and greasy especially in the top stretches.  All got to the bottom safely before heading down Ct Thomas which was surprisingly good condition.  Coffee and home.

http://www.mapmyride.com/workout/2316717383

Sunday 18th June

The after birthday ride and with Mellonfarmer for a change.  Tinkerbell and Dozer arrived at mine and we headed off by the usual route to Ferrymead Bridge where we hooked up with M/F, The Cook and Phatboy. I led off up St Andrews at a comfortable pace and the others seemed happy with it.  Up up up finally ready for some single track.  Off up John Brittain we went slightly more strung out as we climbed.  The top was cool and as we went around towards the start of Greenwood a bit misty.  Into the track and then Mellonfarmer led off down the new low track.  A first time for me.  This was nice and flowy.  Enjoyed very much and then we climbed the track (the one we came down last week) towards the ruins.  A bit more effort but still a good climb.  Up the 4 wd drive and then into the Mt Pleasant Track towards the aerials.  The rocks were a tad greasy so lotsa dabs and a bit of bike dismounting ensued.  Overall not to bad.  Over the fence and we followed as track to the gates avoiding the rocky slog.  In the mist The Cook went missing.  He had hit a rock and slid off the track.  No injuries.  Down Mt Pleasant which was great.  I had a woopsy and by all accounts others had found some grease also.  Down under the Gondala and after a quick pause into the Castlle Rock climb.  I was very happy with my climb.  A couple of dabs but otherwise sweet.  Down we went Mellonfarmer and Phatboy taking the walking track at the bottom.  Tinkerbell was going to do this but after nearly skidding off he rode with the rest of us.  The front 3 went straight over Witch Hill and stopped at the top of Rapaki.  Finally Phatboy showed up explainging about Mellonfarmers brake issues and also about smacking his derailuer..  Down the side track of Rapaki until Phatboys deraileur fell into hios spokes ripping all and sunder apart. He walked down with Tinkerbell getting his van while us others went to Fava for Cake and coffee until Tinks and Phatty arrived.  Homewards.  Great fun ride apart from the breakages.

Sunday June 11th

Tracks open and a posse met outside mine.  Tinekerbell, Silverfox, Bugs, Dozer and I set off towards Huntsbury after a quick catch up.  1st ride as a group for a while.  1st ride for a while for some.  Just took the normal route at a steady grind all the way up.  I led off over Vernon having to wait for a large Posse heading towards us near the last downhill run.  We then headed over Witch Hill and I took tailend spot here.  I rode some of it well but bloody hesitant on some of it.  No confidence.  That will get better...I hope.  Around the road and into Castle Rock.  Some spots were wet but overall it was not to bad.  Slightly better run for me through here but a little slow.  Regrouped and I had a chat to Nik Singleton.  He was changing all the signs to open.  He suggested avoiding Greenwood which was open but not the best.  We already had a plan.  Around the road and into John Brittan track..  The start was great then it got greasy on the track around the knoll.  Regrouped and then into lower Greenwood.  A couple of dabs but eventually out to the new downhill stretch towards the Pines.  Flowed quite well with a few soggy spots and a couple of slippery spots as Dozer found out.  Then down the track towards Clifton Tce.  Ages since the group has ridden this.  It was in not bad nick.  The track back towards Greenwood and then down Richmond Hill we went.  Dot Com and then the ride home.  As we went around the towpath I hear ppphhhhffftt and my rear tyre went flat.  Jokes about tubeless started but I was on a loaner wheel and it had a tube.  Struggled to get the tyre off but finally back on the bikes and home.  Good to be out.

http://www.mapmyride.com/workout/2254081505

Saturday 13th May

Its been so long since I last entered a blog.  Many rides have past including The Old Ghost Road.  With me not able to ride with the boyz during the week no-one has been updating me so no blog entries.  Time to get back into it.

Saturday my bike was in the shop and weather reports did not look hopeful.  I had borrowed The Cooks Phatbike to give it a whirl.  He was still recovering from heart operation.  The weather was not bad but we did have early rain and some heavy stuff overnight so was surprised to find that the tracks had been opened.  Phatboy, Dozer and Silverfox all showed up so we trundled up Rapaki.  Lots of people.  I lagged a bit as I was trying to get used to the heavy steering of the bike and the large drag of the tyres.  At the first gate the lads regrouped and I trundled on. We all regrouped by the new track on the left but this was closed.  Phatboy tried to do the little single track along the edge but this was so slippery he came back to the main track.  Trundle trundle up we went.  Quick regroup before I set off over Vernon.  The lads gave me some space before riding on.  Phatboy caught me by the steep hairpins and Dozer soon followed.  Finally got to the road and the beginning of Traverse.  Waited for Silverfox.  The Phatbikes brakes were Phatastically useless with no front stopping power.  I tail ended this time only to learn that I had no traction on the greasy rocks which caused me a few issues.  Got to Vic Park for a regroup.  I headed down K2 track while the lads went down the Rock Garden.  Turns out this was pretty greasy.  I continued on K2 they took Shazzas.  AT the top of Brents Silverfox decided he had enough nerve jungling slipperiness and followed me down K2 for a regroup at Hospital Corner.  The other two came down the normal route but had to get off in spots becuase it was too greasy.  Down we went and after The Fox headed home we other 3 stopped at FAVA for drinks, watched some younglings play rugby before heading home.  Never will I ride a Phatbike again.