Am I banned yet – another mid week ride

[GarryMember]

Well, it turned out that a mate (Mark – Ozy) had the day off today due to his shifts and with me being on holidays it meant a bit of a chance to enjoy some of the local roads. So after no thought at all we chose Penrose Forest as the destination.

http://maps.google.com.au/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=hanging+rock,+nsw&sll=-34.646484,150.206108&sspn=0.051828,0.077248&ie=UTF8&ll=-34.646554,150.196495&spn=0.050134,0.077248&t=h&z=14&iwloc=addr

Will try to keep this report short, mainly because I just didn’t take enough pics, but after a slightly delayed start the ride got underway as Ozy and myself met-up at the rest area that marks the entry to Penrose Forest

The mighty blue pig awaits company

The destination was this way

So once we all arrived we simply headed out into the forest with no plan other than to see what we found, which I think it safe to say we enjoyed.

After riding for a short period with me in front turning left here and right there we came across a little piece of track I remembered from a previous visit so took it and headed to our first little water crossing (ok, so it was a puddle) before powering up the hill and over one of the largest erosion mounds I have seen. Now, normally with erosion mounds it is relatively easy to get over them, simply twist the throttle and land back on the track near the base, but this one had a ditch at the landing spot so safe to say it was a little rough but fun.

Getting to the top of the hill meant decision time as to whether we followed the track we were on or took a right, so right it was and to cut a long story short this was to be the start of some very fine pieces of road complete with a few backtracks.

But first things first and after following the track for a short time we descended and found some water.

So given I was leading I sized it up, right was shallow and straight didn’t look much deeper so straight it would be. Did I say not much deeper?

Well after I got across it was Ozy’s turn so not wanting to be outdone he decided to follow my line while I had the video handy.

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

But still, I wanted a pic of me in the water so headed back across via the shallower route, only to find that while it was indeed shallower it was amazingly soft and very slippery (as we found again later).

My turn

Well after much laughing and admiring our abilities and now cleaner bikes we continued along the track, all the time having no idea where it headed but knowing it looked good. So it was off and onwards just following the track and turning here, there and occasionally everywhere through hard packed sandy surfaces, soft sandy stretches, dead ends (logging) until we eventually found our way to a small hill.

Now, the hill itself will look nothing in the pics but it sure looked testing to us. Not just were there rocks but tree roots, rock steps, a fence along one side and the final step at the top that required a sharp turn left, or did it?

So, with me being the host I was first off and whilst walking down the hill decided on a change of tactic. Initially I was looking at hugging the main tracks and just trying to go over the rock ledges but noticed a smoother line to the left (when looking up) which was covered in leaves but seemed easier. It was with my only moment being as I found myself giving a handful of throttle near the top and being to quick for the hard left so I just went straight ahead, hopefully Ozy’s pics turn out.

Now it was Ozy’s turn.

Surveying the hill, trying not to fall over on the walk down

So with a deep breath he fired up the bike and headed on up (unfortunately the video only captures some of the result).

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LAj7akyg92g

So after all that it was time for a small rest at the top before continuing on.

Now as the saying goes, what goes up must come down and we soon found out that the track went nowhere so had to return to the hill and head on down as they say on TV, both successfully with no moments, although I reckon it was harder.

From here we just pottered around having no idea where to go but eventually decided to head back across the creek and take a side track we had noticed and god are we glad we did. This little track was magic as it wound through the trees and had everything from sandy corners, harder berms and one tricky corner where you come around it to be confronted by damn monster tree roots. When we got to the end we were just laughing about how much fun it had been, so much so it had to be redone ……………… later.

Ok, so from here the plan of not having a plan continued as we just played on the forest roads which were everything from grippy, to sand, through rocks and even one surface that if it wasn’t dirt you would swear was ice covered in oil, no kidding.

We found it by taking on of the turns and as soon as we hit it I saw Ozy fishtailing which I put down to him rubbing my nose in his sheer ability, that was until I got onto it. I fishtailed wildly all the way up to third and even when no throttle was applied the damn thing still went sideways, never out of control and fun but still interesting to boot.

So the riding continued and I had to try a scenic shot of Ozy in the distance which as it turned out was the last shot I took, although I think Ozy may have gotten a few more.

From here we simply rode around, turned left, then right all the while sliding when we could, enjoying the sand where it lay and having a blast on the variable surface. But we wanted more and we eventually saw what could best be described as a no-longer-used track so took it avoiding the fallen trees and stumps whilst the two wheel tracks ended at one and eventually none as we bashed through small trees before re-emerging on the main track. Appetite whetted.

Not having any real idea where we were in terms of exit, although Ozy’s GPS knew we just kept riding and again came upon two wheel tracks that disappeared into the bush. This was far tougher than the previous but we both made it through easily and deciding to have another go we tried to find the exit, we couldn’t it was that disguised so we retreated and found the entry point again. All in the cause to get a pic or two you do understand (Ozy to post).

Now the time was wandering along and Ozy had commitments later but we still had a while so kept plodding around before we came upon that great little piece of track found earlier, the one that I mentioned we would do it again later.

So after a quick discussion the decision was that we would redo this track, back across the creek and then follow what we though was an alternate way into the forest, although it was a dodgy alternate at best.

So, off onto the track and again this track only this time from the opposite direction and it was just as before, fun with a big F as it tested, teased and tantalised us into thinking we could ride. Soon enough we emerged near the creek crossing (yep, that same one) so headed back through it only this time with dramas as I got wickedly sideways but got through ok before Ozy hit something and lost the front, caught it, then had the rear decide to two step on him. All good though as he kept it upright and exited the correct way.

So from here it was just the simple little track to the way out, right?

Not quite.

The track we followed to the alternate entry was great as we found earlier, but the alternate entry road was something again, all of which was fun and will have to be redone time and again.

It started ok, just as the track before although with a few rocky and some slightly rougher patches but boy near the end you are basically just rock hopping or balancing on the edges as you traverse a rock platform. Not dangerous but was the first time I had ridden across so much rock and it was rutted, gutted and difficult in terms of the lines needed but damn if I won’t be back soon it was that much fun. Eventually we emerged where we had thought and with the commitments to attend to we decided to head to the Sutton Forest pub for a cool drink then split and make or ways home.

Seriously a great way to spend some hours and learn so much more about the DR as well as build up my own confidence and all with great company. A day very well spent ………… speaking of which so am I as I am really starting to feel the bumps now.

Added some of Ozy’s shots and GPS track.

My effort on the hill. To bef air he assumed I would use the track bujt I had other odeas.

One of the little side tracks we found, who says Pigs can’t single track (in both photos there are two such pigs).

One of the typical trails. I did kinda scare Ozy here when I asked him if he smelt smoke. :laugh:

Refilling the used fluids before departing and heading our separate ways.

And the GPS tracking (he only started when we found the creek)

Garry

[PeterMember]

Mate I live for ride reports as saddle times can get a little few and far between here:( , so I vote no banning you can stay . Sounds like a good day was had, just cruising and exploring can be some good times:silly: .

[Dwayne OMember]

Man, You are certainly enjoying yourself out there. Way to go man;)
Top report, as usual, it gives us our fix without actually getting out there:dry:
Cheers

[Scott SouthwellMember]

Luv ya work, it’s just frustrating when im stuck at home with other crap that needs doing .

[Paul SouthwellMember]

dont worry scotty we can load up bikes and get down south sooooooooonnnnnnnnnn :woohoo: :woohoo:

[Anonymous]

Another top report Garry, you certainly are clocking up some K’s

[Author]

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