AMTRA.com.au

1, Will Munro KTM 540exc Route director
2, Johnny De Goey Berg 570Assistant Route Planner and human compass
3, James Creasey Honda CRF Morning Tailman
4, Zeb Colic Small Berg Arvo Tailman
5, Mat Creasey Honda CRF 510 on and off bike entertainment
6, Gary Clarke Husky 300 on bike entertainment
7, Lynton McPhail Very Fast WR250 who's arse was just a blur
8, Mark Jaensch Honda CRF was in Heaven all day
9, Colin Pearce WR250 not as fast as Lynton but quick at times
10, Phil Edgecumbe Husky TE310 Fuel Misser machine
11, Charlie Bennison Kwaka KLX450 I can swim boys and still ride without a clutch.

Where does one start on what was a bloody awesome day out.
I left around 6.30am and arrived around 8.45ish to find most there already.
We geared up and started to realize there were a couple missing who were on the list.
9.30 debreaf and ready to leave when Charlie the visitor arrived so a few pitched in to get him ready and about 10am we were off. We had dressed for around 20 degrees but not before long the temp was gradually rising. We headed up Hickey to mnt Margaret Tk and left into Hickey again and then right into Dolodrook and then onto the Avon Rd and then right onto Ben Cruachan ck tr and down into Huggets for lunch around 12.30ish. The morning was full of rocks and more rocks and river crossings and sand and dust, owe did I mention the rocks, Charlie soon informed us that he was not a fan of rocks and some one quickly pointed out that he best start to like them cause there was more to come. The morning was mainly uneventful accept for one steep up stair case were a couple had a little bit of trouble.
Mark Jaensch was loving it as were the rest of the group, smiles all around at lunch, we left Huggetts around 1.30ish in dribs and drabs crossing the river to Huggetts mnt Angus tk, five of us reached the heli pad within a few minutes and set up for a group photo but the other six failed to arrive, not long and the laughter was on the radio and Charlie decided to have an after lunch swim with his Kwaka so about 1/2 hr later the rest of the group arrived it was starting to heat up now so of we went straight away for a much needed breaze.
We rejoined the Avon River Rd and headed back and across the river a few more times Jameses, Cheap Arse HD tubes failed him once more as he killed a rear so another good reason for a rest and some much needed shade as the temp as hitting around 30 by now, once on our way again we were back to the start of mnt Margaret track were we followed it to Burgoynes and headed to the Licola rd. Again not everyone was at this regroup, I had sucked my camel back dry by this point and with about 125klm on the speedo my day was just about done. Word had come that Pommy Mat decided to Shake hands with a sharp rock after a boulder jumped into his rear wheel and locked it up spitting him to the ground as he was trying to avoid another rider doing the rock dance, owe did I mention the rocks and how the rock fairy had been out placing them in the most interesting spots and how many of them were out there to tease us.
I decided that I would take clutch less Charlie and Pommy Mat back to the cars with Phil Tagging along as the rest continued with some more of the loop.
We got back with 130klm on the speedo around 4.30ish for a cold beer and a wash in the river and some first aid on Mats had with an Ice block from the cold esky.
The rest of the group arrived back around 5.15 with around 150klm on there speedos.
Owe I must mention this one erosion mound or what we thought was an erosion mound, we were on one of the typical big climbs and going over and over erosion mounds , now as some one who just rolls most of them nothing out of the ordinary for me but we have come up to this one that was just a view of the sky and as rolled it I quickly realized that it was infact the top of the hill with a about a 60degree 30 foot vertical drop to the right on the other side, well my sphincter valve was clamped shut but could you imagine what it was like for the erosion mound jumpers in the group , then there was this one down hill that was bloody rutty, stair cases and very rocky that there was no way of keeping your bike straight or even stopping if you had to and have 2 or 3 go past me swearing there guts out the nicer ones were owe Sh_t owe Sh-t F_cking Sh_t and so on. 
Ride Leaders, were everyone I think most had a go at riding the front, there was no real rules other than stop at every corner and of coarse it makes for a much more relaxed ride if you just let everyone ride there own ride were possible.
A big thanks to the other ten who manned up for what was quiet a physical ride with most of the ride either going up or down some really big nasty hills. Its been a while since Ive ridden up here and I forgot how hard them rocks are but all in all it was a great day with a great group that just flowed well with very few hold ups. I think everyone would have had at least 1 owe Sh_t moments I know I had a few but that's what makes riding in the high country such a special thing to do. I backed into the drive at 7.25 into the bath with a couple of fizzy drinks, had dinner and hit the sack, few, awesome, lets do it all again soon. Till next time happy new year everyone, Will.

Thanks for putting on a great ride Will.

It was my first time riding this loop and I thoroughly enjoyed the hills, views, river crossings, rocks, rocks and more rocks.

I had no unplanned dismounts however lost traction going up two of the rocky staircases and paused to take in the majestic views before continuing upward.

The weather was perfect although a little light rain would have helped to keep the dust down.

I used 9.5 litres of fuel for the 130km so averaged about 13.6km per litre. I've not been on the bike much lately so had a few blisters on my hands slowing me down. This probably helped the fuel economy.

All in all a great day out with an entertaining bunch of blokes in the fresh mountain air (and dust) with a refreshing swim in the river at the end.

Thanks again to the ride leaders, cornermen and tail gunners.

photos from the day....
(http://www.vinamtra.com.au/forum/gallery/5741_30_12_12_5_59_35.JPG)

(http://www.vinamtra.com.au/forum/gallery/5741_30_12_12_5_57_08.JPG)
(http://www.vinamtra.com.au/forum/gallery/5741_30_12_12_5_55_31.JPG)

(http://www.vinamtra.com.au/forum/gallery/5741_30_12_12_5_54_47.JPG)

(http://www.vinamtra.com.au/forum/gallery/5741_30_12_12_5_54_09.JPG)

(http://www.vinamtra.com.au/forum/gallery/5741_30_12_12_5_53_31.JPG)
These are the pics Johnny took these on the day  ;D

Sorry for the delay in getting this up, have had a couple of other things to attend too.
  I arrived nice and early and was all geared up to go with plenty of time to spare, so enjoyed listening to the pooe stirring with a wry grin as anyone who has ridden with this bunch before ,espacially the Creasey brothers can attest that I was in for one hell of a fun day. Old mate on the klx 450 arrived just in the nick of time as we were about to head off.. I think the saying goes something like "if you are on time then your 10 minutes late" .
 Once we got underway it was a reasonably tentative start for me as I haven't done a lot of riding here ( have four wheel driven it a bit though), once I found my groove I relaxed a bit and really started to enjoy myself, even though I was one of the riders that had a bit of a lie down early on in the ride, my front wheel deflected off a fairly big rock and high sided me as I was just heading up a rocky incline, no damage done, always a pleasure to give a laugh to so many as I went down infront of nearly everybody.. From here on it was uneventful in the way of slips,trips or falls ,, this is an area that is a fun place to ride, big, ups and big downs,, off camber erosion mounds, small rock step-ups and downs,, creek crossings and also a nice river crossing on the Avon just after lunch. So all in all for me a fabulous ride, watching Will as he slid his way down a steep descent made me feel sick so when the opportunity to pass was there I had to take it. I must say that the scenery is pretty hard to beat if you take the time to have a look, A great day..
  Thanks so much to Will for putting this ride together, morning and Afternoon Tailmen and everyone else who came and made this a great day..
  You just have to love dirt bike riding hey.
 

good intro ride, thanks guys!
KLX chugzy.
I'll bring my floaties, spare clutch cable n and a watch next time..
yeeew!