Roothog – its better than it sounds!

[Eric SmithMember]

I was invited by my bro-in-law Dave to go for a ride yesterday. He is riding in the Condo 750 and the A4DE and this was his last chance to ride on a weekend between now and then. He called this run his “training run” and it headed from Orange out the Ophir Road then through to the Roothog camping area near the bridle trail, then back home the way we had come.

We met at his place after I had band rehersal this morning and he serviced the bike. He has an ’07 Husky 610 with a genuine 500km on it – but has only put 100km on himself!

There was a fair bit of transport in it, about 20km of bitumen each way and another 10 of fast open dirt road before things got a little slower and rougher. Most of you will know that transport is not my cup of tea, and even open dirt bores me to tears.

Fortunately, as I was loading the bike on Friday night I noticed a new front sprocket in the box of bits I got with my bike. The bloke I got it off said he had the 14 tooth front sprocket on. I should have known better than to trust him! In a bag was a shiny new 14 tooth and a count on the countershaft sprocket consistently came up with 13 teeth! ECKS you Dickhead! Swapped them over and slipped the pivot pegs off and the stockers back on and I was right to ride.

We headed off at about 2:30, Dave on the supertanker 610 and my WR250 buzzing along behind.

Once we got to some interesting scenery and a rougher road, we pulled up so that Dave could tighten his handlebar bolts – he had replaced the stockers and installed a map reader (position of which will have to change by the way!).

It was a quick run down the hill (well it was for me, Dave hates downhills) to Roothog where we pulled up for a break and a couple of pics.

Then it started to rain – just a summer shower really, but we headed back up the hill and retraced our steps back to town. Dave had a minor moment where ambition exceeded ability and he speared off a corner, before I led him back to town.

I hit reserve at 95km, but the bike was running rough all day, I think the filter skin was causing it to run rich again, but I will take it off and try another day. Cruising speed was upped from about 90km/h to over 100, with top speeds over 120 (I would think anyway, of course I would never speed!).

102km total distance, just a quick little afternoon ride really. It was nice to see some new country!

[GregMember]

ECKS I used to camp at Roothog all the time, did you ride across the river onto the bridle trail, the curved crossing, the next big ride like the Hillend ride will include the bridle trail and cross roothog and head to a secret destination for the overnight stay. I love it out there the ride that Tiny Boulder Moto and I did when Moto broke his thumb was supposed to come back that way but the river was up and its s tricky crossing at the best of times, so we did long point both ways

Nice report love the pictures from up top of the ridge its such a good location

Hey with the 14 you maybe able to man up an do the next big one eh?

TB

[alanMember]

looks like you had a good ride there ecks nice country but a lot of road work by the looks of it did not think you liked that .should come for a ride at dubbo we burn t about 11 litres of fuel today cut in another few kms of single track and had mud to play in yeehaa only problem was the pub had an hours wait for lunch so came home for lunch can not say where we went on here but.

[Eric SmithMember]

The 14 front sprocket is much more betterer, but I still prefer snotty tight single to anything else. I still have nightmares about kangroos… I’d rather clean one up at 40 on single than 100 on road – dirt or bitumen. I may change my tune one day, but as of right now, that’s the story!

We didn’t cross the crossing, the river was a bit up and I was tight for fuel, not to mention both of us being tight for time (had a surprise birthday party for Dave’s mum that night). Looked like a bastard of a crossing too!

[GregMember]

Theres a trick to it for sure ECKS, will show you on the Sunny Corner to ???? in Nov 2009, it will pack single trail, twin trail and fire trail be one not to miss, promise :laugh:

[alanMember]

hay ecks i herd on the grape vine there is a good run from wellington to stuart town through authervil and along the river sounds good do you know it

[Eric SmithMember]

Through Arthurville? That’s the other direction isn’t it?

There’s a few reasonable tracks around Stuart Town, one of the most popular is the railway service track from Wello. Haven’t heard of any through Arthurville though.

[alanMember]

i only found out from mate at bike shop he is going to try and find out because he wants to do it to.they come into his shop and buy stuff and ride new husabergs and ktms 180km round trip aparently?

[GregMember]

ECKS-Man wrote:

Quote:

Through Arthurville? That’s the other direction isn’t it?

There’s a few reasonable tracks around Stuart Town, one of the most popular is the railway service track from Wello. Haven’t heard of any through Arthurville though.

I need some information regarding all that for the big weekend in July mate

[Eric SmithMember]

No prob TB!

[GarryMember]

Nice little report there Ecks, just hope Dave doesn’t have to many of those ‘moments’ in the Condo.

I gotta admit I enjoy reading ride reports that shopw different parts of the country as it just makes me want to explore further out.

Keep them coming

Gaz

[Eric SmithMember]

gco0307 wrote:

Quote:

Nice little report there Ecks, just hope Dave doesn’t have to many of those ‘moments’ in the Condo.

I gotta admit I enjoy reading ride reports that shopw different parts of the country as it just makes me want to explore further out.

Keep them coming

Gaz

Cheers Gaz. I’m not so concerned about Condo, or even the A4DE, but the Safari needs some prep for sure! I was pleased to see how well Dave is riding considering he hasn’t had the chance to ‘gel’ with the bike yet!

I nearly didn’t do a report but I liked the scenic pics so I thought I would share. It wasn’t a huge ride by any means, but quite nice!

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