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Hey what a day?? That was fantastic fun.
Johnny and I got to the meeting point the night before to camp and to be there bright and early Saturday morning to get the day started, Will, Steve, Jake and Mario (friends of Fred and Marls)joined us so the camp site was jumpin Friday night,

Up bright and early Saturday morning to get breaky over and done with and get the bike gear on and by 8.00am....they started rolling in...and before we knew there were 33 happy smiling faces all ready to go and play.

Johnny started the briefing...where I was to stop my incessant chattering and join Johnny...we both delivered the briefing and ensured everyone knew how this ride was going to work as there were quite a few of us and we were at times splitting into 2 groups and then at other times, all riding together. I have to say I was nervous, wondering if everyone was going to enjoy the day, and making sure nothing went wrong....well it didn't - the day flowed beautifully.
I set off first with my group and took them along some nice flowy tracks...and my newly acquired (Log Track)....yep, just a few laying around that we had to get over and around...but funny it wasn't logs that got me...and they weren't big ones anyway, but it was the bloody wombat hole that caught me unawares...so there I am after I have almost endo-ed myself, and I look back and all my group could see was their ride leader not going anywhere in a hurry  :D..but I had very cleverly already appointed Al Mason to be my wingman whenever Johnny was off with the level 2 gang, so I had Al right there to help me out... ::)..Thanks Master,

As we all know the ride leader doesn't see much of what goes on, so I will have to rely on others that were amongst the pack to tell their stories.
A quick regroup with Johnny and co and my group was off again on our loop while the level 2's took on a more adventurous track - After a really grouse zip along what we call fence line track and then whats affectionately become known as Bobs sandy whoopy track, and to think, we said there would be no whoops....oops  ::) :P, oh come on...it was only a few and they were harmless ;D.
We had a big regroup with everyone at the beginning of Feral Track where we sussed out how everyone was and from the looks of the smiles and the sound of the chit chat all seemed happy...Phew!!! I thought, they are enjoying themselves!
At this stage my wingman Al and I decided we had better put a ride leader vest on him aswell, as I had appointed him to put down the corners (2 per corner) so I could keep moving to help with the flow...it dawned on Al that as he put a corner down people looked at him a bit odd like as if to say (your not the ride leader - why you doing that)- and that worked really for helping to keep the flow and pace.
So from there we all went as one group - and off we went from one fun track to another until Lunch...it was great flowing tracks and then some slower (little bit tricker for the level 1'ers) and then it was time to go the Death Bowl...we all stood around and watched as Johnny rode around the circumference of it - (3 laps), no pressure darlin but theres lots of people watching, so do it right lol. I must say, he did look pretty good going round there.  :-*
Time to tootle on back for lunch and chit chat was the order of the day while we munched on our tucker and bantered about with each other.
After lunch we went off together until a few tracks where we split off again...I had cut Al free and grabbed Rossi by the collar and he became my afternoon wingman...so he now put down the corners for me as I blasted off....apparently it took Rossi a bit to catch up to me he said...so my pace was pretty good.... ;D ;D - off we went through some tracks that took us to what we call Cave Hill...your bopping along and have to do a direct left when a really cool steep hill (steep for woodside that is) just pops up...roared on down there and to the other side where it was a regroup with the level 2 folks again....from here Johnny lead the rest of the ride (and sadly Haydn's bike decided to have a hissy fit - so Will led him back to the cars) while we kept going ahead and  flowing along moving at a good pace...when nature calls..Bob has to pop into the bush  for a minute....Marls stops and waits for me when Gary come along and said to wait here as he was going up to get  Johnny and then heading back and picking up cnr men along the way  to go back to another track as sadly Al's bike had died...So Bill Toan our ever reliable towman was there ready to take on the task of towing Al and his Husky back to the cars.... but not without comic incident- and I will let one of the guys tell you but just know that before the tow had even started, Bill was down, so was Al and another random bike...I reckon about 30 people all burst into laughter at the same time, Sorry Al and Bill but it did look hilarious from our end :D
So we towed Al back.,..There was only about 45 minutes of the ride left so it made sense to all wander back together -  I was pestered by Lefty along the road as we were both gee-ing each other up, but I did love it when the cheeky bugger tried to be a smartarse and lean over to hit the kill switch while riding along..except my kill switch is on the other side of the bike....and I will remember this attempt to stop me Lefty...just gotta figure out where your kill switch is first  ???

So once we got Al safely back, Johnny took some still very keen riders out for another blast (for about an hour or so)into the famous Woodside gully system which is a hoot...so a large group went out for some more fun while the rest just socialised .
It really was a wonderful day and the feedback I was getting from people  as they were leaving tells me  it was a success...Im still new at leading rides and I was really happy to have gotten a good number of people and have it go so well.
However I have got some serious thank you's  to hand out as these people helped me so much...
Firstly my fantastic hubby Johnny d, he has done so much to help me put this together and to ensure everyone who comes along gets to have a ride that they will enjoy.

Al Mason - my morning wingman  ;D..Thank you for helping to calm the nerves.

Rossi - my afternoon wingman:)..You do help make things easier :)

Gary -stickman - cupcake - Clarke - tail duties and my morning tea :)

Zeb - tail duties - and loving my leaning :) and power slides:)

Bill - Tail duties and towman expert - love your work :)

Shaz - for making me laugh :)

Marls - for being there when I need to stop :)

Freddo - the laughs at towing !! :)

Russell - for keeping everyone entertained with the beautiful sound of that big twin cylinder KTM - we were sure there was a black hawk helicopter hanging overhead at one stage...nice!

Denis Kelly (Charlie Boorman) and Mark Salter (Ewan Mcgregor)- for making the big ride down from Melbourne on those big banger 650's and then throwing them around like 250's on the narrow tracks - glad we didn't disappoint ya :)

The newer people who came and joined us to see what Amtra is all about...I think the best of Amtra's camaraderie was on display to make them feel welcome.

If there is anyone else who stepped up for duties that I have missed..thank you and apologies...was a big day so unsure if I missed anything :)



To everyone who came along and had a GREAT day with us in our back yard- I'm so grateful to you all because it just isn't gonna happen without you!.

Again Thank you all and hope to see you soon

P.S - the tooth....it has been found....again.....don't ask :)
Love Bob  ;D ;D ;D

Where was the tooth ?

Great day Johnny and Bob, well organised and well run. It was great catching up with members old and new. 112ks on my trip meter. Cant believe the great weather, dust in the middle of winter !!! I really enjoyed watching Russell on the 990, riding it like a 250 x'er. The never ending stories from our very own DK - Denis Kelly. The shoot out with Rudi over the last hour of the day.  On the negative - leaving the camp site !!! That fire and cold beer looked very inviting !!! Looks like Will was doing a great job. Bob, did the rain come ???
Cheers,
Lefty. 

Awesome day thanks heaps to Sandra and Jonny for putting on the ride, the drive down was worth it (Thanks Will for the tip to get home it shaved of heaps) :) Thanks to all the tail men for the day. Thanks to Freddo and Rossie for picking me up after my massive loop out, still sore but nothing broken but pride  :'( Can not wait to the weather is a little warmer and the days get a little longer, I might also be tempted to stay if you let us  ;D

Great day Bob and Johnny. Shaz was stuffed on the way home and had a great day on the ever reliable Yamaha!
I also had a great day as wingman for you and Johnny. (Must admit I did need to work a little hard to stay with Johnny.)
I'm glad I went out of my way to make sure the group was traveling ok through the gully behind camp 1 or twice  ;D
The towing thing was funny from my end as well, as I could see it coming as soon as Bill dropped the clutch. You simply need somewhere to go once attached to a tow rope, only issue was Daz's bike was already occupying that spot.
Dropping the Husky off bright and early to First Class for another engine rebuild, I suppose expecting at least 300k between them was a bit much to ask?  >:(
Cheers Al and will see you on the next one. (maybe on a Berg)

Hi Al, sounds like good ride had by All.
I thought those Huskys Were the Bee's Knee's !!
Husabergs are Only good for Husaberg thinking People, it would be good to see you on a thinking Persons Bike !!! ;D ;D ;D

Thanks, Bob and Johnny for putting on another great Whoopside ride, couldn't stop smiling after riding the gully section at the end of the day, see you at the next one,
cheers, Gary

"So Bill Toan our ever reliable towman was there ready to take on the task of towing Al and his Husky back to the cars.... but not without comic incident- and I will let one of the guys tell you but just know that before the tow had even started, Bill was down, so was Al and another random bike...I reckon about 30 people all burst into laughter at the same time, Sorry Al and Bill but it did look hilarious from our end "

Hey I stayed upright for the whole day, it was only Al who had a lay down.... ;D

Dave & I had a fantastic day, it is such a fun place to ride, thanks Bob & Johhny for putting on the ride.

I was a little apprehensive at first to take the big girl down to Woodside, especially after a couple of the boys talked me into coming with them on Johnnys loop. Well Jesus Christ talk about getting stuck into it straight up. Tight trails, up and down gullys, up and over up hill logs. I thought to myself after watching one of the boys dragging his bike back onto the track. "What have I done" with a sort of sick feeling in my guts, you "bloody idiot" for not taking the easier option.

Somehow I survived to tell the tail and after warming up a little and getting use to the tight sandy tracks, well I could not wipe the smile of my face. This area rocks, sandy burms to die for and did I mention traction.

As you can tell I had a great day and once again thanks to Johnny, Sandra and all the helpers on the day. Splitting the pack in two was a great idea and the day just flowed.

Cheers Russ and yes I will be back. "AWESOME RIDING" even on a big bike.

The note on the 990 exhaust  ;D

in the other special safe place that I put it so I wouldn't forget. Doh!!!! 8)

It was very sweeeeet....you knew when he was behind you the ground just shook.

Thanks Johnny, Sandra and tailmen... Another great day's riding at Woodside.

Best part: Riding the whoops on the back wheel.
Scary part: Trying to hang on to the handlebars at the end of the day feeling totally shagged.

Oh and a big thanks to Al Mason who has volunteered to do the verbal report at the meeting.... I hope he tells it as it was - a pooe ride that no-one enjoyed..its a terrible place to ride and in fact its so bad were thinking of selling our bikes and gear and taking up golf  ;D ;D ;D...Can Al Mason change our thought process  ??? ::) :P :o

Couple of times I thought I would like to go past him but man that bike was wide, one minute the back wheel was on one side of the track them for no apparent reason the back wheel was on the other side then back again, we talk about a blip on the throttle of a 2 banger but a blip on that thing was awesome 20kph then add a blip then he was doing 50 or 60kph. Big effort to take that thing where he took it and for almost all of the day, I thought my old 525 could be a handful but that is just a monster, great effort Russ.

Thanks Sandra & Johnny....Awesome stuff as always  ;D
The fellas from Freddo's work had a ball & are hanging out for the next one like we are  :D
Big thanks as always to the minders, top jobby!! and as for all the crew that attended, you's rock... newby's & oldy's..great bunch  8)

...Now Johnny, something needs to be said....
In my eyes you have now reached "Legend Status" for your "Beyond Thunderdome" antics in the "Death Bowl"...absolutely unbelievable to watch & you survived....my hero ha ha....ya just had to be there  ;)

Chow
Marls

Hey Guys
The gully system ride sure put a smile on my dial and the weather was great with a mix of great trails and the coolest laid back people.Thanks Lefty for a late afternoon work out.
Hey Al hope it all turns out well with the Husky,too bad you couldnt enjoy the full ride.
Bob and Johnny You guys put on an awesome ride a new benchmark in Amtra riding. ;D ;D

When is the next one? ;D ;D :)

Cheers

Rudi

Thanks Sandra and Johnny for a great ride. Denis and i enjoyed lugging the dr650's around the myriad of tracks. Smiles all round.
Our ride back to Melbourne was an adventure along tracks through the Strzlecki ranges to Mirboo North and home after 9 pm after a meal at the Robin Hood pub and 650 kms total.

Mark Salter

Im so pleased that everyone had fun on this ride and thanks for the positive feedback I have received through here and personal messages etc,
I have to admit I got a bit scared  :o for a minute as there were a lot of us, and there were some very experienced riders, and big bikes, as aswell as some fabulous familiar faces, there were quite a few new ones for me too....but all of you are terrific to ride with and I appreciate your support for my style of riding  :P which is different to what a lot of you are used to, so thank you so much for all your positive feedbacks and kind words on and off the trail...by the way ...I have posted another one...check out the October Calender  ;D ;D ;D
Thanks again everyone  ;D

..

Maybe Al has been really busy with other stuff Bob  ;)

Al has been, but luckily there is more than one  ;D
Will still do the report grasshopper.
Al's