A little Friday’s ride – with more videos

Well, waking to a bright sunny day the choice was between the beach or the bike and with a new toy to play with the choice was easy ……………………. the bike it would be, but first a pic of the new toy.

So it was gear on, pack the bike with the usual tail bag, attach the toy and head out onto the road with the intention being to head out to the usual stomping ground in and around Meryla for a little look around given I hadn’t been there for a month or so.

A couple of videos of the Macquarie Pass ride

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TkoqlkHb9RQ

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=19vR-WUM1Xg

EDIT: Videos combined – vholdr.com/node/46006

Once at the top of the pass it was follow the tar into Fitzroy Falls before taking the usual Gwen Road sidetrack to the fire trails but not before seeing the boys in blue doing their stuff and keeping the roads safe on Nowra Road.

Once onto the trails it was obvious that there had been very little rain of late as the two early creeks were dry with no sign of flowing water, which was big change to my last visit and somewhat sad to see the creeks and bush so damn dry.

Continuing along, the track remained dry, dusty and slippery which meant a lot of fun was to be had before emerging at the usual place where I finally took the time to stop and enjoy the area for what it has to offer as I visit this so often I seem to take it for granted, much to my loss.

The road really gives a country lane feel.

From here it was the usual and out onto Gunrock Creek fire trail with the intention being to explore the little piece of single track that appears on some maps and not on others.

The bike at rest and the surrounding farm.

Unfortunately the video of the track didn’t work out as I had hoped so there is no video, which simply means a return visit is in order and before long the single was over so it was back onto Meryla Fire trail before taking the Link Fire trail and skirting the farm

Link Fire trail.

Usually from here I simply head to Meryla Road but today I decided to explore the power line track that I had always looked at but seemed to skip. Suffice to say that the track will definitely be revisited for a number of reasons not least is the view from the top but more so the damn testing downhill section on offer.
The downhill.

The view from the bottom.

Of course, need some shots of the pig.

Another view of the helmet cam – probably a little clearer.

The track ahead was far easier than the downhill but still offered a few challenges with some fallen branches, but nothing testing before it re-emerged onto Meryla Road.

Once on Meryla Road I decided to follow a hunch and see if all of the trails I had seen at other times could be linked up to form one interesting track and the short and long answers are – YES.

This little hill is quite testing although the DR made it with ease before being gently manipulated between the rocks before appearing at the back of the old quarry and back towards but not quite to Meryla Road.



A little piece of video of the early parts of the track after the hill and quarry.

As the track keeps following Meryla Road it tends to be open a bit but again, there are ways to avoid Meryla Road and it was during one of these small deviations I gave the bash plate a workout on what was now concrete but was a few months back a pile of dirt.

And the bike at rest immediately after – all good though as while the plate was dented it has yet again proved a worthy investment.

More of the track.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tIV5ZKdLZYI

EDIT: The track leading up to the concrete and bashplate incident :laugh: – vholdr.com/video/meryla-tracks-1-2009-09-25

From here it was the usual run along Gunrock Falls fire trail, across the creek and up the hill. Kind of as I tried a different line and failed miserably but with no fall, just a restart before parking at the top for the usual rest given my low level of fitness.

EDIT: Video from the concrete upto the failed effort on the hill – vholdr.com/node/46020

So with that out of the way it was a short stroll back to Redhills Road before crossing and following the single track that I find so damn enjoyable and then off home it would be.
Now apologies are due as I am still trying to understand the damn video side as I have heaps of footage but it seems to ‘break up’ at times and as such I can’t extract the good bits but will keep trying. In the meantime though, the footage that is viewable shows me that the camera is well worth the few dollars it cost when compared to a new one and if I can get things sorted I will post the videos separately.

EDIT: The trip out via Redhills Fire Trail – vholdr.com/node/46027

As for the ride, was good fun and a good shakedown which has shown that I still need to work on a few things, get a new card and hope that fixes the issue but all up a good few hours spent but so damn frustrated that some of the footage is not playing the game.

Gaz