Thursday 3rd October

4 people and 3 rides.  So I will mix them up.

Cookie got out early and after taking advise from Rubberjaws headed up the Vernon Farmtrack by himself.  First time he had ridden it up.  Tough slog and he had to push a few times in the steep rutty section.  Got up to the pylons and headed back down.  In the rough section he blasted by a guy who was going pretty slow.  meanwhile I (Rubberjaws) had raced home from work and changed.  Hopped on the bike and rode around to the start of Vernon Farmtrack.  As I arrived Cookie was opening the gate at the end of his ride.  We chatted briefly before he headed home and I got stuck into the nasty climb.  It was pretty warm in the valley section, no breeze at all.  I remember why we hate this climb.  It is a grunt.  Cleaned all but 2 steps to the first bend before the last really rutted section.  Up here I did well cleaning all but 8 steps.   Lungs burning and sweat pouring I got to the grassy slope and headed on up. Grind grind grind.  Passed a couple of walkers coming down but kept a steady grind going.  Finally got to the gate 2/3rd of the way up thinking shite still more to go.  grunted up the last steep section and finally made the top at 6.15 precisely.   At this stage Bugs and Dozer were starting a ride of their own.  Details below.  I decided to keep going and entered the steep section of Mt Vernon and rode around to the start of the Travers track.  Feeling stuffed from the clim still.  Straight into a repeat of Tuesdays ride.  Around the Traverse before dropping into the connector to Old Skool.  Took all the off piste lines I missed on Tuesday then into the single track.  Flowing nicely but not pushing.  Turns out nelly and Mellonfarmer were doing loops of this and hidden valley but did not see them.  I was down and home by 6.55.  meanwhile.....

 .....Dozer had picked up Bugs and they headed to Upper Hornbrook Road. Straight into the single track up though the paddocks. Bugs in front with Dozer puffing close behind. Both cleared the hairpin at the top and headed along below the summit Rd. Track over grown and covered in sheep shit making it challenging in places. Dropped down the tarseal and into the single track to the top. Bugs still in front with Dozer hot on his heals. 1st rest at the top before Dozer lead off on the down hill. Great ride though the tussocks with no mishaps. Into Greenwood with Bugs leading and Dozer bringing up the rear. Quick run down here with both of us cocking up the 1st rocky piece at the bottom. Plenty of fresh sheep shit to flick of the wheels. Track was running fast and dry. Regroup at the bottom then a nice grind up the tarsel to the top. Bugs lead down though the paddocks with Dozer hot on his heals. Back at the car at 7.45 with plenty of day light left. Not bad for one half hour ride. Home by 8 for a Bourbon.