One XR400, One Girl and the Watagans (Sat 23 Apr)

[katrina ratcliffMember]

I decided to do a solo on Saturday …. the XR400 was going to get some ride time. Filled the 22litre tank up in Hornsby and checked the tyre pressure and then fanged it via Old Pacific Highway/F3 to Parmdale. Stopped in at Mount White Cafe to fuel up my tummy (burger and hot choc). So hit the Ourimbah State Forest up the hill and the dirt felt good under the bike. The XR400 sounds like a tractor compared to the CRF230. Looks like they have graded the Red Hill end of the track which made it toooo easy. Turn right and down the tar to Yarramalong and into the bush and heading up to the Watagan State Forest. Went down via the Basin Campsite for a pitstop then up the hill and stayed on the firetrail till back onto the main firetrail. Came across a brown snake in the middle of the track that made me look like a midget. The head was on one side and tail reached the other side. I found reeving the engine and causing vibration into the ground made it slither away. Decided to head to Wollembi Pub. The track had some interesting turns that caused involuntary grins!!!. Didn’t see any bikes or 4wd on the track which was a surprise.

Got to the pub and had rum/coke which I had one mouthful before it fell over. So decided to get back on the bike BUT… as I was walking to the bike, 3 guys on dirtbikes arrived. 2 on Honda XR250’s and a Kawasaki shit thing. The green machine decided to park next to me but the poor old bloke(in his 60’s) got a cramp as he was getting off and he and bike fell over and crashed into a Harley Davidson. I came to his rescue like anyone would and got a free rum/coke out of it…. there is a god. The Honda riders were very impressed with the XR400 and the suspension work done by Tekniks. The green machine owner was always worried about getting a bigger bike but after talking about Tekniks I think he will reconsider his next selection.

I left the guys and headed down Yanko track back out onto the tar for Letter A Watagans. It was coming on 4pm and thought I had another hour of light before I had to get out of the bush so thru the bush to Yarramalong up Bumble Hill and back into the bush at Red Hill. There were two blokes trying to double on a Husky shit thing – total weight would have been 200kg. One bike broke down near the archery and couldn’t get it started so they were leaving it overnight. The suspension bottomed out and the rear guard was resting on the tyre. They had 20km of dirt riding. It would have been quicker if they walked. So I suggested that I could double one of them on my XR400. The bigger of the two blokes said yes. I was sitting on the tank and he on the seat and we did a steady pace home. Can’t quiet put into words how the ride went cause I was shitting myself. I didn’t have the heart to tell him that I’ve never doubled anyone let alone in the bush until I got him back to a spot where his older brother had come to collect him. He was bit white after I told him that one!!! Hi brother gave him heaps that a girl had to rescue you….. the poor bloke would have been half my age and very embarrassed. Anyway said my good byes, turned back onto the dirt road and fanged it back up the hill…. it felt good helping someone out……..

Popped out at Parmdale after nice ride down the hill. Put my ipod on and set Dire Straits on blast mode then did the F3 dodge home. Got home at 6.30 and bike, body and spirit were smiling. All up 300km and fuel tank didn’t even get close to halfway. I’m looking forward to working out how far I can go on this tank.

Sorry no photo’s but lots of good memories.

[alanMember]

sounds like a fun day out cat well done

[MichaelMember]

Great report Kat

Sounds like a great day out

Cheers
Strucky

[GregMember]

Exactly what the doctor ordered I reckon Kat what a solo ride (maybe time for a spot tracker young lady :laugh: )

Hey next time if you want company Sal and I will go maybe if we are free

How is helping old mate

TB

[Jeffrey SmithMember]

Good one Kat, I was just wondering the other day if the XR had been readied and tested yet.

[Dan BatemanMember]

Hey Kat it sounds like you were out on a man hunt what with old mate falling at your feet and then pulling the old why dont you sit on my bike line… :laugh: Did you get any phone numbers?
great report and lucky you for getting ride time, my bike has a hole in the side cover which left me out of any action over the weekend should be fixed this weekend though :cheer:
How did you feel the next days after 300km’s on the XR? Was it easy/nice to ride (silly question i know).

[scott bockingMember]

Trailboss wrote:

Exactly what the doctor ordered I reckon Kat what a solo ride (maybe time for a spot tracker young lady :laugh: )

Hey next time if you want company Sal and I will go maybe if we are free

How is helping old mate

TB

Nice one Kat. Nice to see there is a knight in shining armour patrolling the Central Coast. Good call about the Spot Tracker. I felt guilty about riding solo so I called Adventure Moto a couple of times to organise one but I have not heard back yet but it is definitely something I need to add to the hydration pack.

STM

[katrina ratcliffMember]

wazzup wrote:

Hey Kat it sounds like you were out on a man hunt what with old mate falling at your feet and then pulling the old why dont you sit on my bike line… :laugh: Did you get any phone numbers?
great report and lucky you for getting ride time, my bike has a hole in the side cover which left me out of any action over the weekend should be fixed this weekend though :cheer:
How did you feel the next days after 300km’s on the XR? Was it easy/nice to ride (silly question i know).

Ha Wazzup….after 300km the bike and me were just warming up. It was comfortable even doing 110km on F3.
and no I’m not in the man hunt game or getting numbers……… all to hard….and still missing my riding mate….. just love getting out and enjoying my bikes now.

Thanks everyone for your comments….

[GregMember]

singletrackmind wrote:

. I felt guilty about riding solo so I called Adventure Moto a couple of times to organise one but I have not heard back yet but it is definitely something I need to add to the hydration pack.

STM

Steve is away still I think Scott. I will track him down and get him on the case when he is back

TB

[drewMember]

KatGirl wrote:

Got to the pub and had rum/coke which I had one mouthful before it fell over. So decided to get back on the bike BUT… as I was walking to the bike, 3 guys on dirtbikes arrived. 2 on Honda XR250’s and a Kawasaki shit thing. The green machine decided to park next to me but the poor old bloke(in his 60’s) got a cramp as he was getting off and he and bike fell over and crashed into a Harley Davidson. I came to his rescue like anyone would and got a free rum/coke out of it…. there is a god. The Honda riders were very impressed with the XR400 and the suspension work done by Tekniks. The green machine owner was always worried about getting a bigger bike but after talking about Tekniks I think he will reconsider his next selection.

i thought Eags had sold the super commuter :huh: :dry: :unsure:

.:laugh: :laugh: :silly:

top stuff Kat! sounds like a spot tracker and a helmet cam are in order;) :cheer:

we want pics!!!!

[malleeMember]

Great report there KatGirl, :cheer:
The 400 must of looked like a tractor with a little thing like you of it, great to see you are handling it OK, I ride by myself a fear bit, do you own pack, stop if you want etc.

I like this: ride to this pub then down another track and well there is another pub, sounds good:evil:

Until we ride again,

Mallee

[Dwayne OMember]

Crikey Kat:blink:
Out there ridin` solo on the XR, as long as you had a good time I suppose,,,,,
Will have to hook up for a blat when I pick up the 690, hoping to rip down to Wisemans for it`s maiden voyage, so will give you a bell & see if your free;)

Cheers

[simon burkeMember]

Good read Kat :cheer:
Well done on being a good Samaritan
Good day out

Bol :woohoo:

[MAL BURMEISTERMember]

Hi thats a great day out you & your trustie tractor XR400 ,I have similar memories of great rides & w/ends on my XR400 & they are still happening must meet up one day soon & enjoy a good ride day out cheers BULL400. ps meeting at palmdale this sun the 15 might see you there cheers .

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