I was up in Hanmer Springs yesterday with some of the Vorb crew for a couple of fine XC rides. Got up just in time for 10am kick-off, already quite a hot one (was 31c day before and didn't drop too much over night). Now I'm not going to remember what all of these trails were called as mtbrat was providing the local knowledge and linking all the sweetest bits up together. There was one bit called Bigfoot though which was a massive grins, whoop-whoop, yeeeharrrr, wow, love it, awesome. So I liked it then. Yep, that one reminded me of one of the Welsh trails, not sure whether it was CYB or Nant-Y-Arian, but whatever, it was damn fine. Mildred riding so well at the mo thanks to last week's tune-up. Sloth on fairly good form thanks to Mr Fancy's rigorous bull-fighting training schedule and swimming from Aus-NZ with Rob every morning.
Back into Hanmer after lots more up, lots more down and lots more twisty flowy stuff. Lunch at Powerhouse Cafe was disappointing - new owners have got it all wrong. Avoid. Group increased to 11 for the second ride - something a bit less hilly at first, then over and up to "Detox". Well you've seen it all before, Alain got the better of this one, ran down to zero energy after having lead the group through the forest. Yep, I was off pushing with a couple of others. Finally got to the top, nice sweeping singletrack back down and off back to Hanmer with some cramp thrown in for good measure. Apart from that end it was a wicked day out. Here's some pics:
Thanks to mtbrat (Vorb/Haven) for sorting it all out, thanks to SJ for letting me go and play while I should've been packing for the big move 
And another thing. 29 inch bikes (Niner). What's that all about then?! Not seen them before, but two of them out with us.