Fumina Oct 10th 2009 Ride report

Ride Report Fumina 10th of October 2009 by Brad McDiarmid.

It was the best weather for riding with a cool morning at Fumina. Ten people turned up and we headed off at nine up a narrow slippery track which was slick and had a couple of trees down further up. It was a bit tough first up so we headed another way and came to the river which was up and flowing. Another group of 5 riders had just crossed drowning a bike and it was our turn. Row lead the way with the airbox on the KTM soon becoming drowned so he hopped off and pushed it across. Now we could see the water was halfway up his thigh in places and everyone found out how cold it was and got boots full of water. The crossing claimed one casualty which was de-watered, most drained their boots and we headed off onto the great tracks of Fumina.

Came to the next river, which was much lower than the first, crossing it with no drowings just one machine being stubborn about restarting. We got onto a variety of narrow tracks which were physically demanding on man and machine which everyone, persisted and got through.
Lunch and tight goatie, then we started the return to the cars. Things went pretty smooth and the next river crossing was a piece of cake for all didn’t have the chance to pull out the camera which would have been a waste of time anyway, no spills! Ha good pun?
The track flow and ride pace on the return was excellent, easily level two with a few people having a race back to the cars until Row stuck all three of them on corners which was just as well as it was getting a bit edgy with one nearly coming a cropper on a log across the track.

We all got back safe covering 100Km and finished around 4pm, thanks to everyone who was on the ride and especially Rowen and Sean for their leading and tailman duties. Several of us went to the Noojee pub for one celebration bevy and then headed home.

Some observations/tips from the day:
1.   When pushing a bike across a river stay downstream of the bike it’s easier to stabilize it this way against the current.
2.   Use a bit of Loctite on bolts to keep them secure and in place.
3.   Don’t speed there were Police in Neerim South and on the M1 in the afternoon.
4.   A working brake light will stop your getting a fine (mandatory) or bike in the rear.

Ride list:
Rowen Smith      KTM250   Ride leader
Mark Thomas      TE450
Rossi Ranyard      CRF450
Gary Clarke      CR250R
John Lay      DRZ400
Anthony Thomas   WR450
Sean Douglas      XR250      Tailman
Michael Milner   KTM300
Colin Pearce      KTM250
Brad McDiarmid   WR250

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