Sunday 20th January

Up and to the gate by 8.30 to meet the Cook.  We rode around Hansens Park to the botoom of Huntsbury.  We waited their for The Cats Mother and waved to Tinkerbell who was meeting Bugs and Dozer at my place to start later.  Anyhow the 3 of us ambled up Huntsbury with a couple of short rests/regroups where the others waited for me to catch up.  Made it to the top ith a couple of miunutes to spare before the other 3 caught up.  Along the Travers, the first half for me was a tad slow but the 2nd half was better.  Down Thompsons and then regrouped at top of Choirboy.  Instead of tail ending I took the number 4 spot and had a good run down here.  Then we headed into Ct Cook which was good and we all cleaned this.  Then Loess ride with The Cats Mother taking tail end spot.  Enjoyable run down but tiring as always.  Tinkerbell and the Cats Mother headed home while the rest of us got a lift to the top.  2 very long stops while on the chairlift did not impress me at all.  We headed down Summit Connector (only the 2nd time for me) and then into Lower Ct Thomas.  The first time in a very long time.  Rode up to the top of Vic and took the Rock Garden, into Gums then down Shazzas, Brents, Bridges and out.  Long time since I did any of Vic park and it was fun.  Had a drink at FAVA and then home for a wee break.  29k so far.  I went out with Lady Janine for a practise ride in the sun and ended up doing just over 24k.  Big day and I was stuffed and sore at the end of it.

https://www.mapmyride.com/workout/3340261012

https://www.mapmyride.com/workout/3340450849

Sunday23rd December

It rained all night and I thought we would not get out for a ride.  Fined up but as we thought the tracks would be too wet we decided to continue with the plan to do a tarmac ride.  Bugs and Tinkerbell arrived at mine so we headed down Richardson Tce and turnt right onto the Heathcote Cycleway, this took us to the park and the towpath.  It was a bit wet in spots but good riding.  The lads let me set the pace.  We arrived at Ferrymead Bridge just as Phatboy showed up.  While he lost a layer I took off up St Andrews Hill knowing the others would catch me up.  Grind grind grind with a wee break along the way. At the bottom of John Brittain we decided the track would be too wet and continued up Mt Pleasant Road turning right onto Summit Road.  Got passed by a group of roadies but we caught them up as the slowed for the rougher stretch under the gondala.  Boys had a wee stop at the top of Bridal Path and I mossied on.  Got passed by the roadies who got passed by this big guy on a leckie Fatbike.  It was humming along.  Stopped at the top of Castle Hill before continuing on.  Finally layered up at the top of Huntsbury for a quick blast down here.  Turnt left on the tarmac so we could go towards Moon under Water for a Xmas beer before they closed.  Nice wee interlude before the ride down Tennyson and home.

https://www.mapmyride.com/workout/3297545386

Sunday 16th December

I set off from mine at about 8.45 to try and make it to the top of Huntsbury at troughly the same time.  Phatboy, Bugs, Dozer, Tinkerbell and The Cook left about 9ish.  I grunted up the hill feeling not too bad and finally hit the Summit road.  Load clloud was hanging around and thinking the boys would not be far away sent them a text saying I would continue on slowly which I did. Steady run down Vernon with a few riders coming up which slowed me down, an average run across Witch Hill expecting the lads to catch me at any moment.  Continued around to Castle Rock and after stopping and looking back to see if the lads were there I decidsed to continue on.  Down Castle Rock and then rode around to Mt Pleasant.  Stopped and chatted with a bunch of E mtb riders and as the lads had not shown up I followed them up the hill.  Finally about half way up I saw the lads at the bottom.  I continued up and waited at the towers.  A bit of a break and then I followed them down Greenwood and then Ct Thomas.  Not a bad run, Phatboy decided to test how soft llanding in the grass is at the top of Ct Thomas along the way.  Drinks at Dot Com before a steady ride home.  Pushed hard for me.

https://www.mapmyride.com/workout/3289238887

Suynday 9th December

Another ride with an early start for me.  Headed out and around Hansens Park to Ramahana Road where I met VJ my old flatmate. She was keen to ride and we headed up at a steady pace.  Slower than the lads would go but that was why we started early.  We made the summit and waited for the others.  20 minutes it was before they arrived which means I do not need to start out quite so early.  Maybe 15 minutes would be enough.  The posse included Mloonfarmer and Paul, Dozer, Tinkerbell and The Cook.  We set out around the Traverse with me holding back to keep an eye on VJ.  She did ok and so I let her in front at the halfway point which saw me get to see her go over the handle bars.  She recovered and off we went.  Regrouped and then into Thompsons and then onto the start of Choirboy.  Nice flowing run down here with VJ going faster than expected.  Regrouped and then some went via Captain Cook to the start of the tracks.  Half went via Shredzilla while the other half went via Loees Rider.  Nice run and I was feeling good.  Regrouped at the bottom before heading up the lift.   Came down Lord of the Possums before splitting off into 2 groups.  Some did Double Overhead Cam while others did Handle the Jandal.  Nice!!! At the bottom VJ was excited and beaming.  Went for a 2nd uplift but Mellonfarmer and Paul headed home.  This time VJ followed me down Yeah Yeah Nah, Loerd of Possums and then Snakeobs etc while the others did Swinger party and DOC again.  Nice run again then drinks and food before heading home along the river etc with people dropping off as we went.

https://www.mapmyride.com/workout/3280807507

https://www.mapmyride.com/workout/3280809235

Sunday 11th November

Set off early to keep ahead of the lads on the uphill.  I grunted up Rapaki (1st time on the full climb for quite some time) and it was a slow steady grunt.  I then headed around the road to the start of the Traverse.  Thought I saw the lads coming up the Rapaki but obviously mistaken.  I sat looking over the city for about 15-20 minutes before they showed up.  The posse was Tinkerbell, Bugs and Dozer.  Phatboy showed a couple of minutes later as he was running late.  They had a breather before heading around the Traverse.  Nice run around here.  Me off the pace on any climbs.  Enjoyed all the downs and swoopy bits though.  Regrouped at Vic Park before dropping down Thompsons. Nice.  I decided to bypass the 2nd section which was a great idea as there were walkers creating a bottleneck and everyone and to stop. FDrom here we headed over to the start of Choirboy where there was a clusterfuck of riders waiting to head down for some reason.  We took the lead (me tailender) and had a great run down here.  Felt good.  Into the park with us all taking Loees Rider.  A few other users on the track but nice flow down here.  Up the lift and down Yeah Yeah Nah, into Lord of the Posums.  Nearly got shunted off the track by a tourist who went to let me pass then paniced and closed the gap.  Regrouped before Phatboy headed dfown Double Overhead Cam while the rest of us dropped into lower Duncans Donuts to get into Snakeobs which throws you out onto Non Compliant.  Stopped for a drink before doing the long drag home.  Bit of a head wind for everyone.

https://www.mapmyride.com/workout/3243816682

Sunday 4th November

I thought I should put something down on the blog.  I drove out to sumner while Dozer, The Cook and Tinkerbell met at Bugs and the 4 of them rode from there.  I parked up outside Dot Com and headed off towards Ct Thomas.  Grunted my way up there with quite a few dabs on the steep stuff.  I went out the walking track at the top as I was totally stuffed.  Watched the guys as they rode up.  From here they started the Godley head track while I rode the road with the intention of meeting them at the top of Anaconda.  I noticed they had put in a cattlestop at the farmtrack that joins up with the track so grunted up here in time to hook up with the lads.  From here I followed them all the way to the Anaconda.  They headed on towards Godley while I dropped down at a relaxed pace.  Headed over Scarborough at a leisurely pace and got my orders in at Dot Com before the lads arrived.  I drove home while they slogged into the wind all the way home.

https://www.mapmyride.com/workout/3233107705

https://www.mapmyride.com/workout/3233201992

Saturday 22nd September

Headed off by myself towards the Halswell Quarry planting.  The normal route down Ford Road, across the river down the alley past New World and as I got to Buxton St the phone went.  McGyver was at my place so we agreed that I would meet him at New World.  Did that and we were off again through the park around the river and stopped at Tinkerbell and The Little Bumblebee on her new bike.  We then cruised off to Halswell and rode up the road to the Start of the Crocidile.  The Bumblebee encouraged us to head up The Low Road which we did.  Then we came down and dropped into Crocidle and Murphs before hitting the planting site.  Great run down the hill.  Amazing how many new little tracks appearing here.  Tinks and Bumblebee headed home early so McGyver and I headed home.  Head wind and me struggling with no energy left.  Had to stop along the way but we made it...or should I say I made it.  McGyver very supportive and patient.  Good ride in the end.

https://www.mapmyride.com/workout/3159436963