Gentlemen Start Your Engines

Wiggys Gentlemans Ride to Licola

C'mon Dave stop talking and get on yer bike (ha ha)

The drive up was exciting thru the thick fog heading into Power Valley Latrobe. Using a young lady in a 4WD at 115kmh without her lights on! as a shield, we were thru the fog in about 20 minutes and out under a blue sky but still with the temp gauge struggling to get above 6 deg. Driving thru the BIG GREEN LAND was a pleasure.

Thompson dam still has room for a lot of water but was looking good.

Jeff led us away from the dam and we guessed Wiggy would have to stop talking then and get ready to follow us to Licola.

We were soon climbing our first big rocky hill with arm pump setting in early as we all got to the top OK. Wiggy reported a technical problem with his vision - a lens had fallen out of his specs luckily caught by his goggles. He said he would fix it later - no worries!

At the next re-group Wiggy reported a technical triumph -When the Bergs front wheel dug in down a steep rocky hill and sent him over the bars he was pleased that the "look out" gizmo had shut down the Berg engine as it lay waiting patiently to be re-mounted.

We finally talked Wiggy into correcting his vision and I put the lens back in with my trusty Swiss army knife.

The riding was great with no dust and some variety from the rocks including many puddles and some mud that reminded me I need a new rear tyre - thanks again for the rescue Wiggy.

Jeff was setting a good pace up front on his XR4 with Lintons WR4 nipping past occasionally to hit the jumps faster and higher. Wiggy had decided tail was OK and relayed directions at the regroups. It was obviouse these 3 guys knew the area very well.

A few more rocky ups and downs and we were at the helipad at the intersection of Cobb Spur and Green Hills what a great view down over the Mcalister river Valley.

Riding along the ridge was grouse, juggling the view with rock watch and pleased to report no punctures. (Hope Dennis & Rob read this) Linton was lucky enough to be looking down on an Eagle in flight at one stage.

Just before Licola we had a choice - more track work or some black top twisties. Jeff and Linton chose track while I forced myself to ride the bitumin snake with Wiggy as backup. Ye Ha!!

Licola was green and pristine but still a bit quiet for the locals. May be time for another licola 2-day - what do you reckon guys??? Fueled and fed we were off again for a bit more bitumin and back into the rocks.

We all had some "extra activities" during the day with Jeffs XR deciding to make a detour into the bush half way up a nasty rutted hill. I managed a gracefull "low side" out of a rut on a RH uphill corner. And Linton reported he had dropped the WR but it was'nt a crash - hmm? All good stuff with no damage.

Linton stopped to show us a big goanna escaping up a tree - man those claws could do some damage. Later in the day we came across a fox caught in a trap -horrible to see that suffering - Jeff kindly put it out of it's mysery.

Going down Trig with it's 12 switchbacks was a good workout for the wrists - just have to keep pushing the bum back and gripping the back of the tank - remember - remember!

Back at the cars about 4 with 145ks done.

Looking back in the mirror at the large steam plume highlighted by the setting sun and a near full moon rising was a great end to a great day.

Thanks guys
Ken R

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