Willbar
Full Member 2013/2014
Posts: 2825
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« on: December 28, 2012, 11,25:26 PM » |
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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.
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