Millfield for lunch Sunday

[Brendon CarreMember]

Yakka, Pebbles and myself arrived at Martinsville about 7.20 to find we were the first there, but it wasn’t long before the rest of the troops arrived. We geared up in the rain and soon we were ready to go bang on time 8am.
So it was off to the Pines to meet ‘Traning Wheels’ and his brand new KTM 400. I was green with envy but this would change later!!

From here we were on our way and riding some really nice trails that brought us to Millfield a little wet but right on time for lunch and a refuel.

After a great feed, we hit the trails again, heading back to Martinsville on a slightly different route. We stopped at some nice lookouts on our return and it was at one of these called “Flat Rock” that ‘Training Wheels’ brand new KTM refused to start! So it was off with the seat and tank to see if we could find the problem. At this point ‘Training Wheels’ said to me, “That’s what was good about the DRZ – it never failed!” He asked if I wanted to do a swap – a brand new KTM with 100km on it for my old 2000 DRZ! I thought for a moment, then said “Nah, you can keep it! I’ll stick with the old banana!”

It turned out to be the CDI connection had worked loose and after fixing that, the 400 never missed a beat all day.

Thanks to Paul for leading the ride, and everyone else for coming along in such wet conditions.

A special mention for ‘Katgirl’ who was on her first O.B. ride and even in the wet conditions, did herself proud, making the return trip with a little loop added at the end.

Sorry there are no photographs but I left my camera at home, but there should be plenty of pics in the other reports.

Boulder.

[Paul BolandMember]

Good day out Beemer, thanks for organising the day.

Yes, I rode my new steed today (KTM400) and sure enough, true to form, the KTM tool bag got to see the light of day. With me riding sweep and all the others having ridden off from Flat Rock Lookout, the pumpkin just would not fire. Boulder ended up doubling back and lending a hand (after I pushed it up Flat Rock Hill three times trying to clutch it). Thanks Boulder for your help, and your nifty spark plug remover T driver. Will have to add one to my additional tools bag.

Good crowd, good weather (dodged most of the drizzle) and good trails.

Thanx Boulder for sweeping the morning ride and Al for later on.

I’m half suspecting Troy to submit a report ….. on his burger!

Enjoy the pics:

[Dwayne OMember]

Onya Boulder
There are a few great lookouts up there, FlatRock is one of our regular stopovers.
Sorry to hear it was a bit damp & great to hear Katgirl did well

I ended up downing a couple of Panadiene Fortes during the day to help with the back :unsure: Sorry I couldn`t make it for a catchup, but we will make up for it in 3 weeks

Look forward to the next one at Chichester,,,,

[Dwayne OMember]

I told ya the Burgers were good up there :laugh:

Good one Wheels
Pics coming,,,,,,, Awsome, I`ll stay up for that :laugh:

[Brendon CarreMember]

[Anonymous]

A top day out. The conditions were perfect, a bit wet underfoot but plenty of grip and the occasional shower to cool things down. Some of the single track that Wikd had planned had to be bypassed as the ride was a grade 2 and the rain had upped the grade anyway. Did not spoil the ride though.

Kat has already been mentioned for her great effort in the conditions but I think I should mention one incident that will stick in my mind. On the last loop of the day we had to negotiate a greasy “pick a groove” steep downhill. I was sweeping at the time and the rest of the pack had gone leaving just me a Kat. I went down first and then encouraged Kat to pick a groove and come down. She had already expressed concern at downhills and was a bit reticent. Anyway down she came, both feet out as outriggers and a death grip on the front brake. Her eyes behind the goggles were like saucers but she made it to the bottom without incident.

Then she took a deep breath, looked at me at said the immortal words that will stick in my mind forever. “I think I have just shit meself.” :laugh: Well done Kat, a great effort.

Thank’s Wikd for organising the ride and boulder and Training Wheels for sweeping. Good ride, good company.

old al.

[JohnMember]

Thanks for organising a good ride Beemer, and also Boulder, TW and Old Al for doing sweep duties. Conditions were good (occational rain kept it cool and presented a few ‘surprises’), the trails were good, company was good, as was the lunch.

Nice camera work, TW.

….I couldn’t help wondering last night if that Range Rover ever got out of there!!

That was my first ride with Old Bulls. I think I’ll be back for more.

John

[katrina ratcliffMember]

Wow what a ride that was yesterday…

Big thankyou to Beemer for organising the day.

I was very nervous at the start and it must have taken me 1 hour before I could settle into the mode. I have to say a very special thankyou to Boulder, Old Al and Training Wheels for being the sweeps, picking me up, giving me tips and having lots of patience.

My confidence built as the day went on and I know with lot more time in the bush I will be able to get over those obstacles that I had trouble on.

Yesterday confirmed what a bunch of nice blokes you are …

I’m happy to report to Yakka that I did end up cooking a roast dinner for Adrian instead of buying a pizza. I felt guilty that he was out cleaning the bikes for hours whilst I was sucking on my gin & tonic and having a long hot shower.

There was another plus to bring Adrian along….. I didn’t need to explain to him why I had very big bruises on the inside of my thighs.

Thanks again everyone.
:kiss:

[Mick DMember]

KatGirl wrote:

Quote:

There was another plus to bring Adrian along….. I didn’t need to explain to him why I had very big bruises on the inside of my thighs.

Thanks again everyone.
:kiss:

Yeah I spose that would take some explaining. :blink: :blush: :blush: :blush: :laugh:

[PaulMember]

old al wrote:

Quote:

….. looked at me at said the immortal words that will stick in my mind forever. “I think I have just shit meself.” :laugh:

Thank’s Wikd for organising the ride and boulder and Training Wheels for sweeping. Good ride, good company.

old al.

There is one bad part about being up front, you miss these moments.

It was a better ride than I expected, mainly thanks to the great crew I had (everyone on the ride) especially the sweeps.
Well done everyone.
KatGirl; you’ve done sand, wet muddy slip slop so maybe next you could try dry & dusty. Then you could tell us what the best (or worst)? It is always a contestable opinion that, a great thread starter

As a side note, I had problems doing the pre-ride and hoped to run us through some choice grade 2-3 single but it was not to be.

Doing the pre-ride I snapped the rear drive chain after 7Km.
The bike was at a dead end at the time and there was about 500m of gradual hill to try to push the bike up before there was a hope of getting the car & trailer in.
During a rest stop from pushing (Friday was a hot day) I had the bike on its stand and my helmet on the handlebar, as they say you should not do.
Then the stand gave way and folded up, dropping the bike on the helmet and rendering it unsafe, damaged the outside shell and inner styrene foam.

So eventually (2.5hrs) I got the bike on the trailer after walking to the nearest road and getting old mate to run me down to the car and then off the the bike shop for another chain set, stand and helmet.

Oh well, it was probably time for a new helmet but a think the bike should have some explaining to do, I thought I was good with the maintenance :S

[PaulMember]

…. helping the natural timber stock replenish themselves.

[PHILL YATESMember]

Well Guys & Girls,I can only repeat what has already been said.
What a great day out in Gods Great Garden, with some absolutely great people, I was so impressed with the look out positions, in particular Flat Rock, while this may not have such fond memories for some.

Thank you Beemer, Training Wheels, Old AL and my old digger blue mate Boulder, you guys certainly done the O.B’s proud with great leading, great following and a watchful eye overall.

Thanks to Troy and Adrian for dropping back to check and ensure everyone was tickin along tickety Boo.

Troy next time I will bring some valvoline – if you know what I mean – cough – choke.

We certainly are lucky to have such a wonderful country and to be taken to some of its special places by a couple of amazing people.

It makes you proud to be an Aussie and an O.B.

One of the highlights of the ride was b eing able to get out of my Ute by myself, shower and dress myself and not have my bride and kids lauging at me- not to mention all bones in the correct place.- Bit of a bonus really!

Thank you all and cheers – well cheers in 22 days but who’s counting.
P.S
Well done Cat Girl on knocking up a roast you did exceptionally well.good luck in April.

Yakka 01

[PaulMember]

Thanks Yakka 01, I was a bit worried about going too fast but that’s what the sweeps are for I guess, without them a ride can fall apart easily as shown by our new KTM 400 riding mate
Actually it was the cornerman system which really showed it value in this case, when riders stop or break down the ride eventually stops and falls back to recover the missing.

I may run a different version of this ride again soon(ish).
Stay tuned.

[katrina ratcliffMember]

This is my first time posting photo’s up so may have got it wrong….

[GregMember]

Looks great Kat, the only problem I see is you riding a Honda with bloody KTM pants :laugh:

Otherwise photos look great

TB

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