Big Al’s, Two Day, 450k Merton to Porpunka Ride..

Story By Al Mason

Big Al was putting on a 2 day ride from Rawson to Licola for middle of February. Said I’m in before the new year as I knew that it would be hard, challenging but most of all special.
   Then Black Saturday hit, and many people lost their lives and belongings. All of sudden our riding was not so important, helping family and friends touched or tortured by the fires more important than our enjoyment. How ever getting back to these communities that are safe (ish) is also important to inject money back into them and help the struggling businesses stay afloat until better times arrive.
   The decision was made to move the ride to a week later and from Merton to Porpunka instead. With this came the increase from 300ish ks to a planed 450ks.
   Twelve of us marked down as starters in Al’s book by the time of the club meeting. On inspection of the list at the meeting, Paul and I looked at the list and pondered what we had got ourselves into. With the rest of the list bar one being the top end riders of the club? In saying that though they’re also some of the most helpful people in the club.
   Most of us headed for Al’s on Friday night, and eagerly awaited one of Al’s great rides. Saturday morning and the final few arrive and we load our overnight and spares into Mick van to be driven by Dennis. Then came a problem, Mick had forgotten his helmet! Al quickly digs out a spare from the shed for him to try on? Mick said it didn’t fit, but the rest of us recon that it wasn’t BLING enough? So Mick headed of with Dennis bound for Tolmie via Mansfield for a new helmet.
   We head off out the gate just after 9am for the mandatory squirt through Al’s loop. Then its across the road and into the smoke and dust before hitting the Strathbogie’s Bogies tight stuff. Bound for Tolmie a bit over 100ks away we progress through realitivly easily and manage the dust very well. At the first head count, I had worked out my pace and place for the ride in the pack. To my supprise and his credit Paul was up there hassling me fairly quickly, on his first ride of his Honda.
   Lake Nillicooty is we had our first real rest and nibbles. Everyone mentioned the dust, but was soon forgotten by the fun. Already the group had bonded and were in good spirts, with advice and reticule abundant. Back under way and we meet up with Dennis at Tolmie for much needed food, fuel, drinks and a geared up and edger Mick. Whilst eating lunch and sharing the stories so far Dennis was receiving directions on getting to Porpunka and what we wanted in hour rooms?
   Once back aboard it very quickly become apparent that the WR’s seat was becoming uncomfortable, we head back to the dust, in search of Abbeyard. The open flowing track are broken up by some leaf lilted tracks that hadent seen trafic for awhile. These are always a blast, specialy the ones coverd with pine needles! And the always surprise packed pine cones, to remind you of your talent not your ego. With my sense of direction now totally useless we pop out of a narrow track at the club property, for a look around for us who had not been before. Also to get fuel and to see Brad. No Brad, but fuel. Fueled, feed and storied we are off again to find Porpunka hopefully before dark? The task is looking achievable, until Rowen gets a flat rear tyre. But his qickly back under way, catching up to us slower rides making up time on him and his pit crew. Rowan then flew past me as usual, but then slowed again. I stopped to see if he was ok? Between the swearing I could piece together that the tyre was flat again. With his support crew arriving, I took off to inform the corner men and Al.
   On dusk and with 290ks under our belts we pulled into the Porpunka pub to meet Dennis and Dave, who had ridden in on his new road toy. Paul’s CRF limped in, refusing to idea and a nightmare to start. The brains trust decided that the CRF had succumbed to valve issuses oddly? We probly shouldn’t have joked about Paul needing to carry spare valves? Dennis had allocated our bags to a bed and as we found our rooms he got us some very needed drinks. Showers and clean clothes, everyone is keen for a feed and we head to the bistro. My choice of any $80 meal I wanted, also came with a bed and a cooked breakfast in the morning. During dinner a plan was hatched by Taf of how to bring the CRF back to life for the morning. The publican said we could use his shed and tools and also gave his sympathy to paul for owning a CRF. With the bike quickly on a stand and rumage through some bum bags for the right tools and the CRF is apart. With a phone call Alex has teed up a grinder and vernier about 10mins up the road. This is where I hit the bunker for some sleep, and an hour or so later the silence was broken by the sound of CRF.
   In the morning we all make our way to the bistro for breakfast, some a little slower than others. Over breakfast the stories of just how late some of the crew had stayed up came out. (3am) We gear up and head for fuel. But no Alex, he’d decided that the tube protector of his front wheel was probly better not hanging out of the tyre. Alex soon had it under control and we are back under way by 9:30am. Today’s first target is Tolmie for lunch and fuel with Dennis and Dave at around 12. Tim took half the group up a few hills and Al took the rest up the road to regroup under the powerlines over the Bucklan River. Once back together we followed the powerlines towards Tolmie. Then on one of the very intrest descents I over took Alex, feeling like a hero I then caught Al. Must be getting good at these downhills I think, till I find out they had both over heated their brakes. Once down to the bottom I regroup with Taf and Tim, who both looked surprised that I was the next one down. We find a nice shady flat spot a little further down the track and wait for the others. Whilst relieving myself on a bush, a black snake decided he didn’t want to get wet and slithered past, then news that Rowan had another flat. After some story time the rest arrived for a short rest and we are back under way. As I rolled into Cheshunt to become corner man Al said “your back brake looks a bit odd?” On inspection it was discovered that the brake caliper had dislodged itself from its locating slot and some how rotated backwards until only the brake line was stopping it. Al, Ant and I broke out the tools and begun work and quickly had it sorted. Even having time to check the rear pads for wear, like new with 7000ks on them? One day I will have to start using them! Myself, Ant and Paul sat under a shady tree as Al headed back to see why we had a lack of riders? Half an hour later Al returns with the news that the BMW has had electrical issuses. We gear up to be ready on their return as its 1:20pm, making our 12pm rondaview with Dennis difficult.
   Back under way we are soon at a holt again as Taf is out of fuel. With his oil and donated fuel we are off again, until about 10ks before Tolmie and Taf’s ready for another top up. I’d hit reserve about have way between and was watching the ks mount up? As I was about to drop the u turn at the pump, my bike let out a cough and died. 3pm, Dennis had got some handburgers under way as we fueled up and rested. A shorter route was sorted out, as light was running out fast! 3:30pm and we are on the homeward streach. And we are soon back on familiar ground of Al’s usaul Merton ride, back in some of the best tight stuff around!
   A trouble free run, apart from a little dirt tasting from us weary rides and we are back at the farm for the final blast around Al’s single track. Just after 6pm and our 240k day is done, sore but still smiling. Al fires up the hot water for the shower and the BBQ for the dimmies. After 540ks in two days a few of the boys still had some energy to burn of around the farm, not me! Shower, food, finances and stories swapped, MIA first aid bum bag, the troops began to depart for parts unknown?
   To Al from all of us a big thankyou, this ride would be one of the best flowing rides I’ve done. And considering the ks, terain and mechanical failures that was no small feet. To Dennis thanks for your efforts with our gear etc. Mick for the use of his van and Dave for the company. And from me, thanks to the troops for making a long and difficult ride for me, very enjoyable!

Ride List…..

Alan White   KTM 625      Ride Leader
Al Mason   WR 250      Story Fasiltator
Tim Dykes   Husky 570 Route Consultant
Tafun Urgasbul   KTM 200      A high pitch blur
Michale Kolinger KTM 300   Amusment Officer
Mark Edwards   BMW 650      Day 2 Tailman
Anthony Tomas   WR 450      Day 1 Tailman
Paul Lacy   CRF 250      Valve Wreaker
Rowen Smith   KTM 250      Brigestone Consultant
Dave Smith   Hyabussa   Blow in
Alex Peacok   KTM 450      Chief Sourcing Officer
Dennis Kelly   White Van   Support and Logistics

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