Marysville - April 1, 2007

Marysville April 2007 – by Paul Smith

With a bit of rain falling in the latter half of the week right up until Saturday but a dry Sunday to come I was looking forward to a leisurely Marysville ride. As Phil was away I’d be leading the ride that has been a constant on the AMTRA calendar for a few years now.

Phil is a bit of a twisted character and I was beginning to wonder if he got me to run this ride because it was April fools day...... As a level 1-2 ride I’d have to remember to keep it simple for the 20 something people there. So with everyone ready and the formalities of paper work and explanation of the cornerman system explained to everyone we were off. We headed off up past the mountain bike track and up the track that follows the phone lines to Marysville. When I got to the top of that hill we waited for the rest to arrive so we could do a regroup.

Everyone made it up the hill and it appeared that it did not cause too many hassles. We made our way around past the turn off to Marysville and back around toward Gypsy lane. When we got to Gypsy lane the group had become quite spread out so I set up a loop around a track not far from the road and got everyone going around the loop until all the tailman made his way through to us.

We headed off down to the highway and then over to project road with the intent of heading up Ures Tk and looping back around through Toolangi and Narbethong to lunch at Marysville only to come across a road closed sign Arrrgghhh ! With plan one foiled I resorted to the back up plan and headed up toward the honeypot. Again there was a nice little loop that I was able to set up to allow people to catch up. With everyone all grouped up again we headed off past the honeypot and then up the hill to the top of Ures Tk which was blocked off as well. So we Continued up to black range track and then took the next available track and then took a right onto Ridge track and all the way south to Maroondah Highway.

We grouped up again and with tummies rumbling it was clearly time to get to the cake shop. As we headed around the back of Narbethong we came across a couple of guys riding XR400’s around with no rego in the bush (Idiots!). Then a bit later we came across a group from the Melbourne Jeep club. These were not Toorak Tractors these were 4wd’s driven by keen 4wd’ers. They were kind enough to pull over to the side of the track and let us pass easily. Thakyou !

As we made our way into Marysville we checked how many K’s we’d done and were surprised to have done nearly 90. This was clearly enough for some as they had lunch and left. Others stayed just a bit longer and a hardy few were keen for a bit more riding. In the afternoon we did a bit more snotty narrow track and covered another 40km in quick time. The guys who stayed had a ball as we had a go a woods lookout hill and a few even made it to the top.

Here is the view for those who didn't make it to the top !

After that it was time for some spoonies so we did spoon drain after spoon drain on manicured tracks. We did those time and again until my thighs could take no more of it.

By the time we got back to the cars the dedicated few were well and truly satisfied with a great days riding. Thanks to all who attended especially to Mark and Dennis who were kind enough to ride tail for part of the day.

Adrian and Leon went up the hill after lunch,

Scott was in hot persuit,

Rob on made it up on the KLX (Green DRZ)

And a very tired Dennis made it up as well !

Regards,

Paul Smith

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