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Friday
Our first day went well with the QLD and NSW crews all arriving within 30mins of each other. before even unloading any sleeping gear it was straight into riding kit and straight out into the bush.
We have not had rain up here for over 6 weeks which is very unusaual so the ridge lines are pretty dusty and loose but once you get into the singletrack under the canopy it is not as bad. You have to be careful praying for rain around here becuse when it comes cars float away but we were hearing thunder last night but nothing came of it.
All the bikes went well and everyone held a good pace. In the one bog hole that still exists after the warm, dry weather Moto came out covered roost and Tom was looking very guilty.
A few moments were had and a couple of soil samples were taken but not real incidents. We then rode back to the villa and had a couple of beers on the deck and got ready for dinner. I had booked the local chinese restaurnat which runs an all you can eat buffet on friday for $18. We all got our moneys worth particualry Champo who somehow managed to eat more dessert than he weighs!
Darren and Mike
Moto and Tom
Dean (itsagas) and Champo
Me and Dad
With stomach full we headed up to the pub to watch the footy and have a few more beers. It was a good vibe in the pub but with a big day ahead we only stayed for two and headed home. Moto did leave with a case of Corona so who knows what happended when he got back to the villa.
Meeting time is 9am ready to ride this morning with ollie coming down to make us a group of 9. Stay tuned for a full report on todays ride.
STM
Saturday
Saturday morning dawned clear and cool. It was only going to get to 25 so apart from being a little dry the riding conditions were perfect. Some morning gear checks and some breakfast and it was time to play. We all met at my local beach and from there it is only about 400 metres till you enter the forest.
After Fridays reco ride the crew had an idea of the sort of terrain and lay of the land and we launched straight into it. Once you are in the singletrack there are no intersections so it allowed us to spread right out without fear of getting split up and allow everyone a clear trail. The first 1 ½ hours went trouble free except for Mike’s bike which seemed like it had some dodgy fuel. It was running but it needed some attention so we stopped to drain the float bowl.
Just as we were about to head off I noticed Tom’s back tyre was flat. Out came the tools and after sticking a 21” in it we were off.
After this delay we were well rested from the first part of our ride but we were behind schedule so it was time to put the hammer down. The next sections of trail were all single, flowing and fast and with the cornerman system running to perfection we made excellent ground. We would regroup every 20 mins to check for mechanicals and carnage and then bust out the next section. On a few occasion when we regrouped there were some stories of offs and some sounded nasty but everyone was OK. Big D took a nasty one when a root stole his front wheel and he took out a tree
Moto came round an off camber left that fell away to the right with a log on the left. He did what he could to allow the front end to bite and instead of washing out it turned under him and he was thrown over the bars uphill at speed. He is a tough bastard and walked away unscathed.
It was Dean’s (itsagas) turn to get close to the forest and half way up a steep little gully spun out and flew backwards to the bottom. A tree stopped him dead and along with a sore shoulder his Gas Gas looked a bit bent.
Amazingly all bikes and bodies were still working so we pressed on. By now we were at the 40k mark with the trails being about 80% singletrack. He terrain changed a lot with everything form open dry eucalypt ridge line to deep sub tropical ravines and grassed riverside meadows. There was always a log waiting some where and Mike with his trials background shone in this stuff whilst Moto did what Moto does, smash into shit until it breaks, the bike breaks or you get over.
The trail led us past an old stock hut and started to climb out of the valley up a section of trail that had everyone screaming into their helmets. Everyone had found someone of a similar pace to duel with and there were two man freight trains barrelling through the forest. It was at this point that Tom and I found ourselves locked in a battle and I was not going to let a 20 year age difference get in the way of a good battle. We pinned a section of fast flowing singletrack which I know well and he was riding for the first time. I was on the limit and completely absorbed in the moment and just disappeared into that sweet zone. When we stopped we were both frothing like a pair of grommets. By now confidence was high, bikes were running perfectly and we were covering a lot of ground. We had made up time and were right on schedule for lunch.
We emerged from the forest and came out onto the beach with a three km stretch to the pub for lunch.
All hell broke lose on the sand at I have to give it to Champo for letting it hang out the most. There is no question that Champo can ride a dirt bike but his power slides on the beach were ridiculous. We sessioned the sand some more and then pulled in at the pub.
This pub is fabled for its lunches and everyday they do a $10 special. Today it was pork snitzel with salad and thick cut chips. For the $10 bucks you also get a drink voucher, which makes it a real deal. As you can see Champo was pretty happy with his.
Big D decided to call it a day after 5 hours of fun and considering he is coming off a knee issue he did very well although admittedly his mind was distracted by his arm which was starting to swell. He was OK though and headed back to camp for a swim. For the afternoon Coffs new recruit Corey8 met us at the pub on his green 450 along with resident funny man Uncle Fester.
With stomachs full and hydration packs topped we headed off back into the forest. At lunch we decided we all had enough fuel for another few hours so we made a pact that we would ride until the first man hit reserve and the we would head back. By now everyone had there second wind and with Corey8 fresh, who can rip by the way, and uncle Fester hanging on like only a twisted man can we were soon back up to full pace.
Ollie was now in the thick of the action and keeping everyone honest with his trail skills. He had selflessly run sweep most of the morning and he was now well and truly making up for his time a the back. I had one last piece of singletrack to show off and then it was home for beers.
I was running close to the bush on an uphill stretch to avoid a centre rut and felt a vine rub across my neck. It quickly became apparent that this was no small vine and it had me in a noose. In hindsight I should have let go of the bike but I was doing 40 and my reaction was to hang on. The vine seriously tightened and then snapped. By now I had hit both anchors at full lock and dropped to the ground and ripped my helmet off. I could not breathe too good and I did not what I was going t find but I knew it had definitely left a mark. I had blood on my jersey and gloves and with it coming from my throat I was hoping it was only a trickle and not a flow. The boys saw there was an issue and dropped their bikes and ran to my aid.
The reactions ranged from shock to disbelief and I sat down as instructed. Dean had a rag that we used to clean it up and reveal a nasty gash.
Uncle Fes is a nurse and he checked it out and gave the all clear of anything serious. It was a big chunk of ‘wait a while’ vine and I was full of its barbs. To say it stung was a massive understatement.
Dean was on reserve so we turned and headed for home. It was about 25mins back to the coast and with the wind on my throat the clot would form fast but the burn came on strong.
I arrived home and after some tweezer work on the barbs and some benedine I was good as gold. Scary to look at, but good none the less.
In two days we had become a very close group and the concern and care everyone showed was much appreciated. If that vine had not snapped it could have been a very bad look but fortunately my little 250F was too much and dragged that bastard of a thing clean out of the tree. Just a shame it used my neck to do it.
While to boys lazed around the pool and spa back at the resort and did some work on the bikes I got my yard ready for our night.
I had set up a fire pit and had enough homebrew to satisfy even Moto so it was game on. We ordered pizza and sat and laughed and replayed the day’s greatest moments.
By now the burning in my neck was replaced by the glow of a few home brews and we had a great night. The boys headed home at 10 to rest up for a new day.
As I type this the day has dawned a duplicate of yesterday and the riding menu today is hill climbs.
Full Sunday report to follow
Great report STM really good, good pictures great story
That neck looks nasty stuff, the OBT spirit is awesome, we may take the micky and have the odd disagreement but we are a band of brothers and sisters (sorry ladies and Moto)
Give me a yell when you get back this arvo and I will help you relocate your report posts into the ride report section mate, its to good a report to be in the wrong section, I for one will want to read it for years to come and dont want to see it lost in the gatherings section
Excellent work and riding by everyone sounds like a ride that shouldn’t have been missed :angry:
TB
AnonymousActually scrolling through those photos, Moto you ARE a good looking bloke can see why the sandwich shop girl had her eye on you, if I rolled that way (which I don’t not that there is anything wrong with that) I be checking you out too, cause you remind me very much of another good looking bloke I know……………….
Me… it’s the heavyset brow, jawline and perfect skull shape, but your ears are a bit smallish for my tastes
Actually you do, my Missus picked it out… what an absolute bugger for both of us.
BC
Great ride report!!! Like TB said, it certainly looks like a ride that we should have been on…bugger.
Congratulations on the effort you put in, to show the boys a great time. I bet that neck was hurting like a bitch and it will be a day or two before you have a shave,
AnonymousMr Blue wrote:
Quote:Actually scrolling through those photos, Moto you ARE a good looking bloke can see why the sandwich shop girl had her eye on you, if I rolled that way (which I don’t not that there is anything wrong with that) I be checking you out too, cause you remind me very much of another good looking bloke I know……………….Me… it’s the heavyset brow, jawline and perfect skull shape, but your ears are a bit smallish for my tastes
Actually you do, my Missus picked it out… what an absolute bugger for both of us.
BC
Mr Blue did you really need to remind Moto of his boy band good looks :laugh:
Now THIS is a Report!
More! More!!
Ecks I wanna know if Moto debarked that nice Tallowwood log across the track, be wortha few bucks skinned as a girder….
I also wanna know how Deans subframe looks Naked….. :blush:And how STM explained the new Ned Kelly look to his other half.
So many questions we have..
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