One of the very best rides I have ever had owing to a combination of people, accommodation, weather and tracks.
Finished work Friday which had been busy, packed the car and headed to the supermarket to get the weekends food supplies for the six of us. Finally 5.30pm on the way only to turn around after 5K's to get my sleeping bag.
Arrived at Charnwood about 9pm enjoying some beverages with the boys over a game of Texas Hold'em Poker. (I won!)
Saturday
Rider briefing and we hit the tracks about 9.30 where I warned of some fence wire on the ground and how to go around it which Trevor missed hearing and proceeded to have an off as the wire hooked him. The tracks were superb tacky with nothing but bikes traveling on them as there was a 30cm worn track on them all. We followed the HCR route maps and negotiated a rutted snotty downhill shortly followed by a track of ROCK'S (cricket ball to football sizes) down an up hill, survival was all about staying on a line the width of the bikes tyres. Found some new narrow tracks and at the south western extreme of the route housing has increased and the roads are boring 2WD. We cleared off the route and started exploring, wherby the tracks just got better and after doing a bunch in the pine forest we were lost and the boys were hungry as lunch was back at Charnwood, it was 2pm.
Pulled up and got out the compass and stared to head back to the last T junction where we got back onto known roads.
Lunch was 3pm after 110K's and everyone was happy to stop, eat do maintenance and crack open a beverage. Cranked the fire and got it roaring followed by a large BBQ dinner which saw everyone full this was washed down with Red wine, Port, Wiskey and beers. Out came the Poker set the game coming to a showdown between the two Dormans vs Keith who prevailed over the father and son.
Trevor
Keith, Dennis and Ken
Dennis, Ken and Scott
Sunday
Early up and pack up after which Rob and Doug arrived from Benalla to join the group. At the rider briefing I said a quick 50K's after an hour we had been to the lookout, lake and were at the end of Lightning Ridge track.
Small transport back into the mecca tracks and the pipes were singing loud and clear. Some of the 450 style narrow tracks allowed you to do 70km/h at times without fear, it was just gold. Did some more exploring and found some new unmapped mecca tracks then called it time and the boys roared back to Charwood arriving at 12.30 after 97K's.
Finished packing up and left about 1.30pm for lunch and home arriving around 6pm, unloaded and then it poured rain fantastic timing.
Trevor
Trevor
Rob
Ken
Dennis
Dorman's
Scott
Keith
Dougie
Average speed of the small group was around 53K's at times with everyone working out their pace and took off in that order so there was no pressure at any time.
We saw two other bikes and one car the whole weekend having the place to ourselves. No flats no breakdowns hardly ever enough time to get you helmet off between regroups talk about FLOW!
Sunday ride group
Ride List:
Brad McDiarmid WR250 Ride Leader
Dennis Dorman WR450 Tailman (thanks)
Ken Robinson KTM450
Trevor Healey WR450
Keith Bujea KTM525
Scott Dorman KTM300
Rob Crisp XR400
Dougie XR400
Photo's are under the AMTRA Gallery
