This was our second one, unfortunately I wasn't able to attend the 1st one arranged by Merrick on Erwon Station held earlier in the month, so I cant really report anything apart from confirming that those who were able to attend rose to the occasion and really put a great team effort forward as the ride ran really well with only one major splat (the injured boy is now on the mend but his dad is still suffering). It was a great learning curve, so much so that while people were still keen and the weather not too foul another ride was arranged. More people were able to help out with this ride. And a lot of fun was had by all - just ask any of the parents - they had to wait for ages before they could drag the kids away to head for home.

The day dawned grey and definitely wet, Dean tried hard to convince us with helpful remarks about it only being the water tank overflowing on the shearers quarter's roof that was making it  like the sound of rain - no one believed him (& there were a lot of blondes present too). The arrival of the Malcolm family (Ken, Garry, Nicky & the girls) at various times fully decked out in wet weather gear didn't help his story line either.  However, Kaitieke Valley put its best foot forward and it wasn't long before the day improved to just grey (no rain) and then sunny - making it really pleasant and quite warm. It stayed like this for the rest of the day.

Despite the push on advertising to every website (& paper) possible thus bringing enquiries from as far a field as Wellington & Auckland only the very keen turned up as apparently it was raining hard elsewhere - and if you like heaps of thrills (and a lot of spills), flying mud, challenges & speed - you would have had a fantastic day. The bikes (4wd racing quads, farm bikes, 2wd trail bikes etc) were like their owners in that they came in all shapes & sizes, with only one thing in common - they all started off clean and shiny !! After the 1st loop that all changed!! It was quite impressive really, some people really do look after their bikes like we do with our horses, as a lot of the bikes were washed off before their owners came in for lunch. Personally I think it was because the amount of muck on them covered up what colour they actually were so the riders weren't sure which was which.
The ladies had been hard at work preparing a wonderful hot spread for lunch - all the homemade soup went down a treat - while Craig was holding his own doing the Man Thing in charge of the 'Barbie' producing a stack of  perfectly cooked sausages & chops (not a burnt one in sight !!)  Gail had made some scones & muffins but all the helpers leap at the chance to do the official 'taste testing' and cleaned them up well before the bike riders could get a chance - purely a case of first in first fed.

The second loop was easier than the first, but again not everyone made it around. The reports back noted a heap of splats around the water crossing, apparently some people need more then 12ft to get thru a gate after negotiating the creek obstacle too. Plus it was discovered that bike riders use the same language as horse riders when

(a) falling off their bikes
(b) a discussion on how many goes it takes at getting up some hills
(c) the fact that some riders nearly fell off the top of hill after finally getting up there
(d) the person in front doesn't go as fast as the person following closely behind
(e) the following rider discussing loudly their displeasure at copping all the flying mud !!!

All in all a well run day, no major accidents (apart from Janna's blisters - she gave up waiting to be picked up so decided to walk back to base & some miles later - arrived), those playing (I mean working) with the RTs enjoyed themselves. People manning (or perhaps womanning is the correct word) the gates (kicked back enjoying the sun - the scenery a bonus) & didn't let stock get thru (that's always a bonus) - but I still wasn't as optimistic as Ken at his chances on getting his shearing done on Monday.

The tracks were well marked with lots of arrows and dots as well as heaps of little sign posts pointing out the right way - thanks to Garry & Dean - the fact that they had a ball trying out the tracks first apparently doesn't count. A huge thanks goes to Ken & Sylvia Malcolm for allowing us to use their farms, plus a big thanks to Graham Malcolm, farm manager, for the work of positioning the stock so nicely out of the way enabling the ride to be of minimal fuss and worker friendly.

And certainly without all the hard work done behind the scenes before the day(s) had even started plus the amount of people turning up to help out enabled the day(s) to be a success - and most enjoyable to all.