AMTRA.com.au

Another 'non-AMTRA' ride, but still a goodie!

Stratford Vinduro 8th Sep 2013

Started the day with the alarm going off at 4am and quickly loaded up the TT600 for the long haul down to Stratford (near Sale). I had coerced my wife into coming along, so I had some company for the drive, plus she doubled as photographer and pit crew.

Driving along watching the sun rise, it became obvious that the weather was going to be kind to us.

We arrived at the Stratford property at around 7:30 and judging by the number of tents around, it seemed that many other riders had chosen to make a weekend of it.

The ride itself was broken into two loops – the actual Vinduro course of around 12kms, and an optional 15km forest loop for registered bikes that wanted to play in a more open environment.

Bikes in Parc fermé

(http://home.exetel.com.au/karramar/Stratford/Stratford_1.jpg)

Bikes were pushed into the Parc fermé holding area to await the cold start test that marked the beginning of the ride. After cold-starting their bikes, riders headed out in groups of three at one minute intervals.

Awaiting the cold start

(http://home.exetel.com.au/karramar/Stratford/Stratford_2.jpg)


The Vinduro course began on a sloped paddock, with bunting marking out the corners of the track lines. There were some open sections that allowed the bikes to be pushed up through the gears. At the top of the hill, things got tight, with the track zig-zagging back and forth through the gum trees that marked the paddock boundary.

Open paddocks

(http://home.exetel.com.au/karramar/Stratford/Stratford_3.jpg)

Tight lines around trees

(http://home.exetel.com.au/karramar/Stratford/Stratford_4.jpg)


Then it was into the scrub, with more tight, twisting lines through the undulating terrain – it was the classic ‘up hill and down dale’ scenario. Jumps were included here and there on the track, with optional lines around them for those that wanted to avoid getting airborne. There were a few decent hill climbs, including one with a wombat hole in the centre of it (which I managed to ride into!)

Ups and downs

(http://home.exetel.com.au/karramar/Stratford/Stratford_5.jpg)

Loose soil meant keeping up the momentum...

(http://home.exetel.com.au/karramar/Stratford/Stratford_6.jpg)
 
...but watch out for the wombat holes

(http://home.exetel.com.au/karramar/Stratford/Stratford_7.jpg)


After a few k’s in the scrub, it was into a taped off section of switchbacks though a young gum tree plantation, which was a bit eerie, as you got to see other bikes flashing back and forth around you on the other side of the tapes.

Playing in the plantation

(http://home.exetel.com.au/karramar/Stratford/Stratford_8.jpg)


Finally it was back out into another paddock and a chance to open up the throttle for the blast back to the start/finish line.

Yay – ‘freedom!’

(http://home.exetel.com.au/karramar/Stratford/Stratford_9.jpg)


As the day progressed, the rutted lines between trees began to fill with a soft, silty grey dust that filled the air as each rider passed. Surprisingly, this wasn’t really a much of a problem, as the track was long enough to cater for the 50 plus competitors that were out there enjoying the day.

Tony H (another AMTRA Vinduro tragic) dropped by to say hello, saying that he recognised the TT from my build thread on the forum. I wouldn’t have had much luck spotting him, as the field was very much biased towards the blue of old Yamaha ITs – they seem to be the mount of choice in the Vinduro world.

As I expected, the TT600 was a bit of a handful in the tight stuff, but excelled in the more open sections. It performed flawlessly for the whole ride, and we finished the day with 8 loops under our belt. My arms and shoulders have certainly had a good workout!

I'm looking forward to the next one!

Peter D

Great report and pics, Pete.
Al

Great Ride report Pete, pitty I couldn't attend.
And I will not be Attending the next one either, i'm off to the Bike GP that weekend " I think "

Good stuff, Pete.  You and the TT looked like you enjoyed yourselves.

And your missus did well with the pics, is she coming to Cooka?

That is one neat bike.

Thanks guys - it was a fun day, and everyone was relaxed and friendly.

...Damn, I've just read that Castella has been swapped from December to October 13th... I had planned to do that one as it was close to home, but I'm going on Tim's desert ride that weekend, so I have I'll miss it.

I think Cooka is a bit far to travel for a single day's ride - I really hate driving long distances after spending the day knackering myself on the bike.

Sook!
 ::)

Yep, totally agree - I'm a sook...however I am now a happy sook, as they have just re-rescheduled Castella for the 20th Oct.  ;D

Correct!

Now, the REAL men will do Castella and then do Cookadinia.

So I have to ask my missus if I'm a REAL man!

The only question Real man askes his wife is

Where's my dinner?

Tim now runs away and ducks for cover :P

A woman waked up  to me at the pub the other night.  She was dressed in a short, black leather skirt, fish-net stockings, tight singlet top and stiletto heel shoes. 

She looked deep into my eyes and said:  " for $50, I'll do whatever you want....but you have to tell me in only three words"

I looked deep into her eyes and said: "paint my house!"

Stratford was one of the best bike weekends. Went up Saturday arvo and camped. The weather was great,the bullsh around the camp fire kept flowing. The coarse was great, after a while the ruts were like rails. The IT250J didnt miss a beat. Next is Cookadinia. Woohoo.
The IT in the park ferme.                                     
(http://i593.photobucket.com/albums/tt18/ty4album/SAM_0396.jpg) 

She looks a treat.

 How did she look afterwards?

Serge, the IT washed up a treat. A fresh guts full of oil and aircleaner wash and it's good to go for the next vinduro.

The bike went like it was new.


(http://oldschoolmotophotos.weebly.com/uploads/4/9/4/7/4947504/3657780_orig.jpg)

I was even allowed to take the WR for a lap.

(http://oldschoolmotophotos.weebly.com/uploads/4/9/4/7/4947504/2498515_orig.jpg)

I was drooling over that WR at the event - is it yours?
I have it's little brother, a WR250ZE

Hi flipper, yes the WR is mine, I am the third owner from new. The vinduro was not quite the correct place to ride it but it did fit in the trailer. Haha.

Lucky you  :) - I hope to add one of those to my stable at some stage in the future...

Hi Pete enjoyed your report looks like you guys had a great ride.
Hey Chippy I had your model IT250 from new, they were and still are a fantastic enduro bike!

Hi Wade, purchased the IT as a kick and go bike. I recomend anyone looking to get into vinduro to look at these finished bikes, some of the restorers put so much into them that they will never get the correct return. A labour of love rarely returns the true benefits.Still at least the bike has a new life.
                   Cheers Chippy.