As I stopped in at Phil's place to pick him up we lamented the in accuracy of the weather beureau over the past couple of weeks, specifically their seeming inability to predict rain. We were really hoping for a decent drop or two. As we headed through Healesville and up to the black spur it was dry all around us and we were each praying for an hours rain to settle the dust. Just as we got to the black spur our prayers were answered with some very handy spring showers. These continued at various rates, all the way through our journey to Eildon.

As we got to the car park some were hoping the rain would stop. I was happy for it to keep going as long as it wanted.
Looking around I noticed that almost half of the bikes on the ride were Bergs. Seems people have caught on to how good these things can be. We geared up at the pub and headed up the road to Mallets track. The new FE570 was getting it's first real ride.

Over winter a lot of the loose gravel on Mallets had been washed off but we were still able to get along there at a good clip of pace until we hit Jew's Ck Road. Gap Tk was where things got scary. The pace along gap track can get really hectic and with the rain making the gravelly surface ideal for riding it wasn't long before I'd passed everyone including as surprised Peter. Another half a Km saw me on the corner at Sims Tk before the rest headed on to O'Tooles flat and 15 Mile Rd. We looped around Paddock, Gillets Homestead and a couple of others before coming to Second Creek and Dray then onto the Big River Camping area at the Base of Newmans Tk.

The Climb up Terrible was good. I took a lot of care to ensure that I dodged the worst of the rocks and kept clean lines. We did just a couple of the side tracks before enjoying the view on from the top of Mt Terrible.

The nicities over and done with we headed down Terrible then Polleti's into Jamieson. For a refuel and pub lunch.

On the way back we did pretty much every side track we could as well as looping a few other bits in. On the end of Gillets there was a berm that went right up the side of the bank and I managed to ride right up on the bank putting on a great show for Peter behind me.

The 570 was handling so well I really wanted to push it hard ads see what would happen. On Paddock track I went flying past Pete up a rutted rocky climb and roaring down the narrow track in front of me. Only to find a deep bog hole some 1km or so later.

The bog hole looked deep on the left and shallow on the right.  Looks can be, and were deceiving. We all got back to the cars at about 4 and headed home after a brief stop for a cuppa at Blue Gums.

Yet another great fun AMTRA ride.

Peter Ross Berg 570 Lead
Paul Smith Berg 570
Phil Randall CRM250 Tail
Adrian Manger WR450
Darren Dorcich Berg 550
Rob Srbinovski XR400
Rob Cecelja WR450
Steve Winstone Berg 550
Leo Giannini CRF250