Alwr
Full Member 2013/2014
Posts: 524
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« on: September 24, 2012, 11,32:14 AM » |
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Holbrook State of Origin Ride 2012.
By Al Mason.
After last year’s success, Mr Racy Lacy the Prez from Amtra NSW decided to run the ride again and make it an annual event. With a very healthy ride list weeks before, the numbers dwindled as the kick off date arrived. Only six Victorian Amtra members made the trip to Holbrook this year, which was a disappointment for all the hard work Pauly and Murray had put in with the loops, pre riding, support car and lunch arrangements.
I left home around lunch time on Friday to head for Holbrook, and plan to meet up with P-air and Serge at some point along the way. When I arrived at Holbrook P-air was just settling in and the NSW contingent was already there. Serge arrived an hour or so after that. As we sat, drank, eat and hung s%#t on each other (mainly Pauly) the day soon turned into night. With a quick call to see where the last two Victorians were, it was decided to head off for dinner as Trev and Nicko were still a ways off. After last year’s crap feed at the local pub, the RSL was to have our business this year. After a great feed and a riveting meat raffle, Trev and Nicko arrived after be found and guided by Murray to the RSL. A few more drinks and BS and we head back to the motel for some more of the same.
At some point we went to bed and awoke for our 7am breakfast in the motel restaurant, and 8:15am departure for the days ride. I think for the first time in Amtra history, everyone was ready early and headed out to the start point before our ride leader Murray had arrived. Shortly after arriving in the Woomargama National Park the rest of the riders including a group from the Holbrook Motorcycle Club had arrived geared up and were taking a ride briefing from Murray. Complete with a site induction for riding in the pine forest.
We headed off in a different direction this year to last, with some familiar tracks, bog holes, sink holes and attractions from last year’s ride. The pace was quite quick from the get go, with everyone flowing well through the obstacles Murray had laid out for us. I was glad to not have to do the walk of shame this year through a snotty little gully that I well and truly stuffed up last year. With the bloke who helped us through last year, been there again this year for assistance. No need though, as this year I was riding back to my true form and beginning to really enjoy my new ride. It wasn’t long and we were at lunch, after riding through some awesome trails through the pines. Which had people exiting from different points each time they hit the road, due to the fact that if you lost site of the rider in front? Your line selection became your choice until you found some disturbed pine needles to tell you were back on track. (Just bloody good fun!!!)
At lunch plenty of great stories and humour were banted about, but even more food was consumed. With one retire; due to injury we were soon back under way. With talk about having a crack at “The Hill of Sticks”. When someone like Murray says, “we will have a crack at it” and “I hate the hill the of sticks”, you know there is some fun ahead! After some just plain fun, flowing tracks we were soon at “The Hill Of Sticks”. And guess what, there was a good hill, and it was covered in sticks about a foot and a half deep. If you had to put your foot down, finding ground was a challenge. However as the sloppy mud and stinky water got flicked up onto the sticks, traction was even harder to find. (I was in heaven!!) I stuck around at the top and walked down a bit to keep an eye on a couple mates, which seem to be taking a few naps on the way up. To everyone’s credit, everyone made it up un assisted, maybe not un flustered.
The great tracks just rolled on and on until we hit the last few kilometres, which we the first last year, but this year run backwards. As I neared the end, I started to think how the two foot wide creek crossing that caused so much grief last year. (Only 5minutes in) Only to find a small and very flexible bridge had been installed. (Bummer)
It was then back to the cars and load up, local pub and back to the motel for showers. (In your own room, not AFL style)
Later that night Murray returned as some of us pitched in to light a fire, prep food and cook a great BBQ feed for the night. As we sat around the fire and eat our dinner, had some drink and shared some great stories from the day and the past. The night soon was getting on, and the clock was heading ever closer to morning. I pulled the pin (soft I know), Murray and a few of the boys kick on.
7am and a great breakfast again in the restaurant and for the second time ever, everyone was heading out to the start point early. Today’s loop was shorter, with a lunch time finish planned. It started with pine needles and stick, and sticks, and sticks, and sticks with the occasional pine cone. (A total hoot) We also run through some very, very long tight and technical sections that were just F$$%n great. After a food stop the tracks really opened up as did the pace. With a rhythm of left, right, left, right how cool is this type trails, with owe s%#t that corner is a lot tighter than it looks!!
We soon popped out back at the cars, with nobody without a smile on their face. As we loaded up and said good bye's, some chose to head back to the motel for a shower. While P-air and I went the extra squirt of shower in a can and headed for home in convoy. (Thanks mate)
Thank you Pauly and Murray for the weekend, it was an absolute ball from start to finish. Thanks to the riders, a truly great group to ride and socialize with. Till next year, Al
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« Last Edit: September 25, 2012, 07,18:53 AM by Peter r »
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Damian K
Full Member 2013/2014
Posts: 27
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« Reply #1 on: September 24, 2012, 12,39:39 PM » |
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Good report Al.
Thanks Paul and all involved. Even the weather was ideal. The weekend was great and the narrow tracks went on and on. Plenty of practice getting over small logs through the pine forests. That hill of sticks was something different. Imagine a moderate hill abount 400m long, covered with the offcut branches from pine harvesting, all laid across the track.
The Holbrook gang cooked up a great bbq lunch on the track. There was about 22 riders, 170 km of great tracks and no mechanical problems.
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« Last Edit: September 25, 2012, 07,19:25 AM by Peter r »
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Glennboy
Suzuki 2013 HCR
Posts: 103
Albury Wodonga
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« Reply #2 on: September 24, 2012, 01,27:22 PM » |
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« Last Edit: September 27, 2012, 04,51:27 AM by Glennboy »
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Suzuki DRZ 400e, Husqvarna WR250 gone, now TE449
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Serge C
Full Member 2013/2014
Posts: 3011
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« Reply #3 on: September 24, 2012, 09,59:48 PM » |
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Yes, another great AMTRA weekend. I collected Onion around midday, and we had an un-eventful trip to Holbrook. A little showery on the way up, but otherwise the weather was fine. On arrival, the boys were already making themselves comfortable, so we saw no reason why we shouldn't join in. Dinner at the Bowling Club was special because we saw Mrs. Slocombe! But she didn't stay long 'cos she had to go home and shampoo her pussy! Saturday dawned a bit foggy, but after brekky it started to lift and by the time we arrived at the start point it was fine and clear. we had perfect weather for our ride, and as Al said, the tracks were great. Follow-the-leader through the pines got a little interesting at times, but we all re-grouped, so all was good. the 'Hill of Sticks' was a challenge, and after I put it down the second time, Al started the walk down to help (thanx mate). But no need, as with one last push I cleared it and on we went. Looonng singles were great, and at one point I caught up with Pete who was selling steamed dimmies and tea, courtesy of his over-cooked Burger! Back to the cars with 120 k's for Saturday. Return to motel for shower, dinner and beers saw us done by around 10:30. Another fine and crisp start for Sunday, heading off in a different direction. Nothing difficult on this section, just more great tracks, reminiscent of Eildon trails. 11:30 finish with around 50 k's. back to motel for a quick shower and time to hit the road. Thanks to pauly for putting it all together, and for Muzz (and his crew) for the great trails and feeds! If you missed out on this one.....then you missed out! Some pics:               |
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« Last Edit: September 25, 2012, 07,19:45 AM by Peter r »
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"He may look like an idiot, he may sound like an idiot, but don't let that fool you...he really is an idiot!" - Groucho Marx.
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Peter r
Full Member 2013/2014
Posts: 2482
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« Reply #4 on: September 25, 2012, 07,20:52 AM » |
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« Last Edit: September 25, 2012, 12,13:57 PM by Peter r »
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nathanstott
Full Member 2013/2014
Posts: 1125
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« Reply #5 on: September 25, 2012, 08,03:38 AM » |
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I had Fun
Will upload some pics one day
Hopefully not like the one directly above your last post!! |
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Tim Dykes
Abbeyard Officer
Administrator
Posts: 1859
Where I want to be...
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« Reply #6 on: September 25, 2012, 08,38:40 AM » |
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I sent these two guys to get the money Serge owes me, they got the cash but they ran off with it, if you see them stay clear they are nothing but... Just look at that one with the shifty eyes...tells a story... |
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I can recall the day Australia went to the dogs...
The day that I had to pay for sauce on my pie.
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Peter r
Full Member 2013/2014
Posts: 2482
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« Reply #7 on: September 25, 2012, 08,52:10 AM » |
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I sent these two guys to get the money Serge owes me, they got the cash but they ran off with it, if you see them stay clear they are nothing but... Just look at that one with the shifty eyes...tells a story... Yes Al you look a bit shifty, i look a bit hows ya Father !! |
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Peter r
Full Member 2013/2014
Posts: 2482
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« Reply #8 on: September 25, 2012, 08,56:50 AM » |
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I reckon we should get some AMTRA polo ( POLAR) Fleece beenie's made up.
The Trail Rider Beenie's are Grouse !!!
I'm sure the Club can fork out some cash !!
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« Last Edit: September 25, 2012, 10,50:54 AM by Peter r »
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Serge C
Full Member 2013/2014
Posts: 3011
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« Reply #9 on: September 25, 2012, 10,16:13 AM » |
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It's POLAR fleece, ya pillock!
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"He may look like an idiot, he may sound like an idiot, but don't let that fool you...he really is an idiot!" - Groucho Marx.
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Peter r
Full Member 2013/2014
Posts: 2482
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« Reply #10 on: September 25, 2012, 10,51:33 AM » |
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It's POLAR fleece, ya pillock!
Is that betterer |
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Trevor b
Full Member 2012/2013
Posts: 77
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« Reply #11 on: September 25, 2012, 11,12:45 AM » |
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« Last Edit: September 26, 2012, 10,05:23 AM by Trevor b »
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Glennboy
Suzuki 2013 HCR
Posts: 103
Albury Wodonga
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« Reply #12 on: October 06, 2012, 07,45:23 AM » |
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Tim did you get the $25 I gave to Serge to give to you via the NSW VIC Combined ride?
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Suzuki DRZ 400e, Husqvarna WR250 gone, now TE449
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Serge C
Full Member 2013/2014
Posts: 3011
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« Reply #13 on: October 06, 2012, 07,52:15 AM » |
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Tim did you get the $25 I gave to Serge to give to you via the NSW VIC Combined ride?
Yes, he did. |
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"He may look like an idiot, he may sound like an idiot, but don't let that fool you...he really is an idiot!" - Groucho Marx.
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