My first ride I have lead...done and dusted and may I say...very successful.
Johnny and I as usual had an early start to the day...and we love it..we met some of the gang in Traralgon and Marls met the others at Woosdside to convoy everyone to the off loading point..where some of the others were already there and getting ready. Within no time at all we had 21 riders all keen as mustard to get started for some fun. With the ride briefing (my first...and was nervous)...all taken care of we hit the trails...as the ride leader I didnt get to see much of what was going on...but each time we stoppped there was lots of chit chat and laughter...so figured all was good. The morning loop was approx 40 k's and flowed really well as Johnny was pointer man and was putting 2 to a corner and even making up corners...just to keep it flowing well....this really worked well as we had a couple of beginner level riders and wanted to make sure it went well for them...after all, thats who it was all about. At our last re-group before heading back for lunch we had a hiccup with Rocket..his bike failed him and Rossi had to go and rescue him with a tow rope and slowly putt back to the cars (fortunatley it wasnt very far)....but for any fun and games and carnage that happened i will leave to anyone that was in the pack and saw it to put their take of events up.
Lunch time...everyone was having heaps of fun...including our newer riders...so i was happy with that. Sadly at this point though we lost Rossi and Rocket, as they had travelled together and Rockets bike was a done deal...they loaded up the bikes and headed home for the afternoon...really look forward to seeing you guys out there again very soon...thank you both so much for coming out to support my day..i appreciate it so much...and Rocket...take heart mate ...you will get better in time ;)After lunch we changed things around to keep it interesting....Johnny became ride leader...Marls had been our wonderful Tail in the monring and Paul kindly put his hand up for the afternoon stint....and we had some more fun tracks to do that we hadnt done in the morning...so off we went...oh wow..it was so much fun...a little carnage as Marls tried to negotiate a tree limb that had laid itself across the track...the result was ..bike and Marls - not upright-..so there was Marls laying down..waving her hand around frantically to make sure no-one came around the bend and ran her over..alas, she was safe, it was me who came around and saw her...with some help from Phil...we got Marls and her bike over the obstacle and on her way when i decided..well im not riding over it if thats the result..i will walk it over instead...same result...bike went down..Phil to the rescue...again...so with me and bike on our way the path was clear for everyone else. Had to negotiate around another bit of tree...missed my turn into the track and landed headfirst into the bushes...stuck...its ok Al Mason to the rescue...i get out of the mess im in and turn around to find about 12 riders all sitting there lookin at me and waiting..and someone with their hand on the horn...
..oh but no pressure Bob...just when your ready mate
...funny. Another spill that I missed but i hear Emma has footage..my beloved Johnny took a tumble..will leave Emma to tell her side but from all accounts...was very funny...although he is a bit sore today...so we go gentle on him...well for a short while at least
...Dont you just love it when someone cruises past you...dissapears around the bend...which is to the left...and by the time you get to the same bend, that same person who passed you a few moments back is now pulling their bike out of the bush....but from the right hand side of the road...the big skid mark in the road is a dead give away...well done T.J..We hit a track that Marls just loves and knows really well and Johnny gave the lead to Marls for this bit and she was like a demon possessed...she really put her new KTM through the paces....you go girl.
All in all we had a fantastic day...all the people that travelled (especially from a distance) helped to make this what it was. Without you there wouldnt be a ride...so i am so grateful to all of you for supporting Bobs first ride. You were there to help and assist where needed, and i beleive you all had a hand in that, so thank you.
The day finished at about 4, which is a nice time for a beginner ride, although we ended up doing approx 93 k's for the day...so a top effort by everyone. A special thanks to those who helped me put this together. Days like this cant happen without support. By the way Ted..i did think of you when i went out again for another ride on Sunday..
Big thanks to...
Marls and Paul..for going Tail.
Johnny for being pointer man, then lead rider.
Emma ...for what i beleive should be some great footage.
Big thanks Al Mason, Rossi and Father Ted for their advice encouragment and pats on the back.
Shaz..for the wheel bump...that'll teach me to not get over the log quicker
..you rock!
The girls...Shaz, Stacey, Marls and Emma..so nice to have gals ..next time we can try and outnumber the boys
.
I had a great day and cant wait to do it again.
Major thanks as usual to my terrific husband Johnny...for the weekends you have come out with me to put this loop together and encouraging me and allowing me to be perhaps a bit too excited at times...oh boy folks..hes a patient man
thats it from me...cant wait to hear the other reports as there was stuff i missed..lots of love...Bob xx
RIDERS ON THE DAY
Sandra de Goey
Johny de Goey
Al Mason
Sharon Mason
John Lay
Steve Wiseman
Stacey Van der Zaag
Andy Van der Zaag
Paul Bryce
Michael Jordan (Jordo)
Phil Edgecumbe
Tristian Maiden (T.J)
Jackson Dunning (Jacko)
Gary Barnes
Rossi Ranyard
Rocket Stephens
Bill Martin
Emma (Yarra Valley)
Ted Henning
Mark Ormrod
Marls Schenko....SEE YOU ALL SOON