HCR 2012 Sunday Loop

I won’t comment on Saturday’s ride, cos i did it from the passenger seat of Robbo’s 4WD, but I can report on Sunday’s ride.

I was down to sweep on Sunday. I don’t remember volunteering to sweep, and I don’t usually do it (cos I don’t reckon I’m sweep material), but I was planning to go out and video so going with a group was a good thing. During Saturday evening, I had Ken and Big Bad Bob approach me, both saying they were looking forward to heading out on Sunday. I explained that I was planning to video, so Ken said: “mmmm..I don’t want to stop/start all day, I might get into another group!” I was fine with that. Bob quite liked the idea, as it was his first real side since his accident, and he would appreciate the ‘gentlemen’s’ pace. Freddo and Chris also wanted to video, so we figured we had a posse, and I suggested to Al B that he might want to slot into another group (if he wanted), so we wouldn’t bore him. That sorted, it was off to bed.

The rain started around 4:00am, and was quite steady until around 8:00am. I had brekky and went off looking for my boys. I soon found them, all hiding under their collective petti-coats! I don’t want to go out and get wet....my hair will go frizzy...my bike will get dirty....days of our lives is on the telly.... You get the picture. So I was left on my own and needed a wing-man. I walked back to my camp, and there was Darren, getting ready to go out in a 4WD. I asked him if he wanted to ride out with me, and after a little hesitation, he said yes. Finally, a real man! We got geared up and by the time we were ready to leave, Rossi rolled up on the Clake Gas Gas and asked to join us. “No probs,” I said, so it was down to the gate and off we went.

The run down the road to the bottom of Shultz’s Track is a little boring, so it was good to hit the real trail. We crossed the ‘creek’, and pulled up so I could start filming. I captured about 10 bikes doing the crossing, but then the camera put up a ‘moisture’ warning, and shut itself down. And that was it! No more filming for me, unfortunately. So that meant that all we could do was.......ride! And with that bit of rain, the tracks were magic and we were gonna enjoy it!

Half way up Shultz’s we heard some radio chatter about a bike with a broken rear end. I tried to radio back to the block (with no success), but soon heard that Daimo was on the case, and on his way to recover it. While this was going on, Rossi and I seemed to have lost Darren. We waited a while, and as I was preparing to head back down to find him, he suddenly appeared, with his right hand side covered with red clay/mud. Seems Dazz had had a bit of an off, but had recovered and was rearing to go again. We crested the top of Shultz’s, had a chat with some punters and sweeps, and took off along Mt Selwyn Road, taking advantage of some of the narrow tracks in the area.

We were having a hoot, riding to the top of Tee Tree Range, when we were confronted by the formidable sight of Constable Col at check point #1. He was questioning everyone, making sure they were all having fun! We left Col and the check crew and headed down the long decent on Water Spur Track, to the deepest river crossing of the day on Humfray River Track. We all got through without any problems, but there were some guys in the final stages of de-watering on the other side. Pat and Lee were stationed there, and they said that there had been many drawings for the day.

Although the rain held off, it was quite misty along the ridge at Harry Shepherds, and Rossi and I were starting to wonder whether to put our spray jackets on or not. We decided against it, and continued down to check point #2, where it was getting ‘warmer’ as we descended. Once here, we were faced with the choice of heading back by the road, or via Razor Track (one of the best tracks in the area). It was a no brainer! Razor’s the go! I was surprised to see Big Bob at the check point. He had ridden there via the road, so he decided to come back with us. Seems he’s not as big a sook as I took him for!

Razor is a hoot of a track. Multiple water crossings, good sharp up-hill pinches and a nice long downhill at the other end. Dazz was having all kinds of strife along Razor, but in true AMTRA spirit, we kept him moving and helped out where necessary. He was stoked when we reached the end!

The ride back via the road was un-eventful, and when we came into Abbeyard (at around 3:30), most of the punters had already left and much of the club’s stuff was already packed up. We had a bit of lunch, a few beers and prepared ourselves for the Sunday Silly Session.

Tim and Dave mapped out a great route for the Sunday loop. Those who didn’t do it, missed out on a fantastic ride.

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