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            Searching Fumina…
                  By Al Mason 15/8/09

   When I put this ride up in the club calendar with limited numbers, I didn’t expect so many phone calls or so quick for the ride list to fill. Luckily nearly all the calls after the ride was full were from understanding members, once I had explained that I was going to do some exploring and didn’t want twenty bikes stuck down a dead-end track trying to recover them. Well nearly all were understanding?
   The weather forecast was for 21c and fine, so a good 15c at Fumina. Some concern was also out and about surrounding a message I sent out to the ride list, about carry fuel for 130ks as they would need it!! After contemplating changing my plans, I decided that I had planned well enough to run the ride as planned. As my peers keep telling me. “Al its your ride, we go where you go” So my way ,was the way of the day.
   My chauffeur arrive at 6:45am to pick me up and meet with Andrew and Nathan up the road. Fuel and food and we were at Fumina for 8:30 and by 8:45 all nine victims had arrived. Geared up and my speech out of the way and we are under way for 9:15. A few people asked and questioned my decision to head straight up my infamous mine shaft track, where they were told “my ride”. I attacked the very slippery track  as usual and got stuck about half way up? Now stuck and seeing the carnage I was causing, I can understand what must go on out of my sight on the usual ride!
   After a regroup at the bottom of the track, a few said they wanted another go without a ride leader in the way? So Taff lead and Tim tailed the ones who want another crack. And with my tail between my legs I lead the rest the scenic way, only to save time and fuel of course. After another regroup on Fergusson Rd it was time to see if my map studding and note taking had payed off.
   I think the consensuses at the end of the long new track, complete with one of my famous bridges was that it was worth it. Then to find our way out of the rabbit warren to pop out at Russel Creek Rd and the run down to the river crossing a few have tasted the water of before. It didn’t look a lot deeper than last time and just as I was about to bite the bullet, Adam volunteered. And what better way to check the depth of a river than with someone else? Across he went unhindered, so off I go? No real probs, more wheel spin than a commodore in Dandynong, but myself and then the rest are across.
   I lead the troops through the usual and much loved tracks until we are blocked on one trail half way up the hill. Looking very awkward to negotiate, Tim and his eagle eye had noticed a track around it back a bit. We all get around and are back underway in search of the next batch of new tracks.
   We find the new tracks with ease and im feeling good as all the home work is paying off. After flowing through the new stuff, with smiles all round we head for the lunch stop by the river as usual. This is the river crossing that has appeared on the last two videos. Water was up a bit, but hopefully with another new track we would not be needing this crossing? And should end up further down stream at an easier crossing. How ever alone the way at some point Chris had decided to stop and have a chat to a tree about who had the right of way? The tree gave him a belt on the leg and sent him on his way, a little bruised but in one piece.
   After lunch we head along the river flats and into the very greasy tracks that brought so many undone on the last outing. With a few more obstacles on the track this time, it was out with the saw in a few place to clear away through. Everyone made it to the top, with myself last up and my lungs resting on the bars, other than tail man Tim. For a change I am the one the group is waiting for to  catch my breath.
   Rested and about to get back under way and we a greeted by a man in uniform to check rego and licenses. After a chat and everyone compiling to the laws we are back under way. Half way down the return track we were to explore a new track, but this was heavily blocked and with the usual track being far from clear  we head down the usual track for the river. The group push on with me holding up progress as I struggle more and more. I elect to send the group past one by one. Tail man Tim quickly catches me up and lends a hand to get my bike through some tricky stuff and get me down to the river. When Tim and I arrived at the river the rest are across and waiting. I hear a shout from across the river, “you alright Al?” By the time I finished shaking my head Angus is wadding across the river with Helmut and gloves in hand. He asked me , if I wanted him to take my bike across for me. And if I minded if he went the same way he did instead of the usual way? Which ever you prefer Angus, and as I waded across Angus took off back up the track. When he returned, he edged up to the six foot drop into the river ? He simply launched, landed and drove out!
   After a rest and chat it was decided to make the run for home. We are soon back into some of my favourite tracks and working our way home. At some point along this track Rob and his bike had parted company, and as I waited at the end of the track I got word the Rob had hurt his knee. Once it was established he would live and could ride, we started on a more serdate way home.
   With a regroup at the bottom of Kenny Spur, I checked if Rob wanted to do this track that everyone loves, or I would take him back via the road? Rob said, I’m not missing this one and once across the river I let the group off their leashes for a blast to the cars. Back at the cars and still in daylight, we load up chat and head for home.
   All in all a good day was had by all, and all the new stuff was worth finding. Thanks to all the crew for their patience’s as I nutted the day out and as they put up with my slow pace. Thanks to Angus for his help getting the bike across the river. And a really big thanks to Tim for tail man duties all day and assistance and encouragement given.

RIDE LIST….

   AL Mason      WR250
   Chris McCran      WR450
   Rob Broatch      YZ250
   Angus Boud      EC300
   Peter Levell      WR450
   Andrew Petrie      WR250
   Tim Dykes      TE510
   Adam          WR450
   Tafun         KTM200
   Nathan Stott      TE310

Great report Al and a awesome ride!!

Top ride Al,can't wait till the next one.