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I’ve realised the enjoyment of doing a big ride is not just physically riding the bike but it’s all the other activities that surround it.
It started by taking Friday off work and putting the bike on the trailer, checking and rechecking I’ve got all my riding gear. Packed the medical kits – alcohol, nurofen plus, anti inflammatory cream and Dencorub and started the journey south.
I picked up CathiM in Wollongong and with some help from Peter both bikes were locked in and ready for the 3 ½ drive. That gave us plenty of time for girlie chats and by Bateman’s Bay we were like old friends. The house in Malua Bay provided the comfortable bed and hot shower that was a high priority for our weekend of FUN.
Friday night we walked up to the local bowling club and had dinner at their Chinese Restaurant. The priority was to Carb up and thanks to many glasses of wine and a nibble on some noddles we staggered back to the house.
Nothing like cooking bacon, eggs, toast, 3 cups of coffee, Nurofen Plus and Berroca to get the body going when feeling dusty. We followed the directions to the Apex Camping Site but typical of ‘boy directions’ we got lost. Two girls with trailer in middle of bush lost…. NOT a good look. After making few calls we were put back in the right direction and found the place. Because we were so early the boys forgot to put the signs out directing people in….. It wasn’t due to our navigational skills.
Cathi and I did the KTM Coaching Clinic on Saturday and got some great tips. Had a few controlled falls but nothing that dented the confidence or caused any bruises. They decided to take us out on the Northern Loop in the afternoon and everything we learnt was forgotten and the aim was to just stay on the bike. The tracks were full of everything from single tight trails to open tracks with lots of bull dust. The pace was typically fast for Cathi & I and some of the tricky bits undid us but after some grunting and cursing the aim was to get back quickly for a stiff drink to calm our nerves.
Got a friendly OBT wave and greeting from Hatto on my return to camp. He said it wasn’t hard to pick me out from bunch of riders coming in. Not sure how to take that!! Did catch up for a drink or two Saturday night and I was proudly wearing my OBT tee-shirt.
Saturday night …. Well what can I say other than what’s done on tour stays on tour. But my legs got a workout from the dancing!!…. surprise surprise…. I was very dusty on Sunday morning.
On Sunday we organised some local ladies to take us for a ‘girlie’ ride. We had Wazza from Australian Trailrider doing a story on girls participating in organised rides. We gave him plenty of action shots and writing material that we hope will form an article in the next magazine. We didn’t have to go far for the first photo shot. Deep mud with a lovely log. It took all four girls to push and grunt to get each bike over that section. The next opportunity was a very sandy hill that was causing some grief. Leisa and myself gave it a go. I found a tree ¾ the way up the hill that I decided I needed to kiss and hug. Then once I got going again I did the next ‘non-controlled’ flop and was very graceful. Wazza was considerate in NOT helping me and taking lots of shots. The last challenging section was a steep narly downhill and took lots of patience (and time) to guide the bikes down.
CathiM did well across the two days considering she has only been riding for 6 months.
The drive home last night was a struggle but well worth the effort.
Will be back for next years event.
Here are some action photo’s
Leisa, Me, Allison & Cathi up top of Pork Chop Hill
Cathi walking her bike down with help from Allison
The girls consulting the map…. WE ARE NOT LOST!!
Cathi coming through a nice single track
Leisa coming through
KTM line with my Honda and Cathi’s bike… bomb fire in background
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