Sat 24th May, 2008.
Rawson ride - 2 loops.
Heading off bright and early for a 8:30 start I couldn't help but notice the temperature gauge inside the hilux didn't get above -1 all the way to Moe.
It was not much warmer as we pulled into the carpark either. It was going to be a busy day in the bush as there were already around 30 bikes in the carpark ready to head off.
The disappointing thing was about 1/3 of these were not registered or had unlicensed riders (kids).
Does not do a lot for our image as a whole with the locals in the caravan park.
So eventually all the AMTRA boys arrived and we fired up the bikes, well all but two of the Honda's.
The ever trusty XR400 just wouldn't fire up, after trying for what seemed like half an hour they decided to tow start it with the CRF. The only problem was as soon as the rope was hooked between the two bikes neither would start.
Dave attached the WR to the XR and towed it for a while but to no avail. As there was no spare plug for the XR we had to leave it at the cars and let him catch up for the second loop once a spark plug was sourced from town.
A very good reason to always carry a plug or two even.
Loop 1-
Heading off along Mormon town track there was still a few trees down from the strong winds a few months ago, I kind of hope they stay there because they actually make a pretty simple track a bit more technical.
Onto deep creek 1 track, I never get tired of this one. There's not a lot of tracks where you ride along a river bed for 300 meters with water still flowing. The ledge at the end of the rocks is quite large now with 2 of the bikes trying to flip getting up it, it was great to watch.
Next taking the turn into deep creek 4 down the big hill into the valley, the track today was quite greasy and none of us could get more than half way up on the way out, so we all went the chickens way around with our heads hanging low ( last time here I flew straight up the middle, It's amazing how a bit of rain can change the level of a ride : )
Coming down fulton track to the rivers we were very surprised to see dave get wet nuts in a river that was quiet low on the river bed, the problem was after the major flooding up there the river bed had all washed away and left a giant hole. So just because you have crossed a river a million times don't think it will always be the same.
On the way back we found a broken 4wd at the bottom of deep creek 1, that was sure to be an expensive tow truck from there.
Back at Rawson pub for lunch around 1 and 70 odd k's done it was time for a feed, from steaks to parmas the food was great as usual.
As with most rides if you have two loops for some reason a few always leave at lunch, might have to put a bit of cement in everyones drink bladders next time so they can harden up a little ; )
Loop 2-
So we headed off after lunch towards Erica, I don't know the names of any tracks over this way but some good names for them could be - tight snotty slippery single track or something like that.
After a lot of log crossings due to recent high winds in the area we came across what was once a bridge over a stream, now more of a couple of sticks held together with chicken wire.
It was a bit hairy walking the bikes across but we all got there without slipping off.
Next was a awesome piece of single track which lasted around ten minutes, many tight corners and up hill log crossings. A few bumps of encouragement were given when people got stuck mid corner but it was all in good fun and all had a grin at the end of the track. At the end of this track Aaron ripped a cupcake out of his bag and began eating, I don't know where he was putting it as I was still chockers from lunch. Needless to say Aaron was know as cupcake for the rest of the day, quite fitting as all the boys were calling me Napi-san because of how white my riding gear was.
Heading back towards Rawson through a very narrow track we came across a 4WD which was a bit of a surprise to see in this area, he was bashing his way down a single track looking at his map and saying I want to get here, we said turn back and go around as the bridge was out and out handle bars were banging trees it was so tight. His answer was " I have a winch, can I make it?
?"
A few more very muddy hills and back to the cars around 5, good time for a beer at the stockman's pub before the trip home.
David - Ride leader - WR450
Aaron - Cupcakes - KTM250
Rowen - Napi-San - WR450
Matt - XR400
Mark - CRF450
Andrew - WR250
Matt - CRF450
Leo - CRF250
Stewart - KLX400
Cheers, Rowen.
