Trailzone Victorian High Country Adventure Ride

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  • #215133

    Nick Jackson
    Member
    BOLLOCKS wrote:
    Nice reports so far guys..keep em comming :cheer:
    Nick,what did you think of the BMW ?
    Only the choosen few get to ride them :P
    I would be interested to hear your thoughts…and can they still out drag a Ten?
    Bol :woohoo:

    The Beemer was a good thing Bol but it doesn’t compare to the Tenere for the type of riding we did , the power : traction ratio was all wrong for maintaining speed out of corners on loose ground. I enjoyed the chance to ride a new bike ( who wouldn’t ) and for a better rider it could well be a perfect adventure bike.

    Nick

    #215132

    Greg
    Member

    We made Gunning and fueled the bikes. The pub had no rooms and as we had to meet Lance from Trailzone here and it was to be our only accommodation we booked into the motel next door. A quick shower, a few beers, a chinese banquet and a good nights sleep eh Dejay  :laugh: 

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    Day 2

    We got going got at 7.45 almost straight onto the dirt, Lance was on the shinny new Tiger 800 and punting it along. We had changed the ride format back to the cornerman system and pushed on nicely. The tracks were awesome we followed the blue line and soon found ourselves back at Mickp’s dead end from last years 3 state ride, last year saw us detour through Canberra but this year we cracked a beauty of a track without turning around.

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    We trucked along, stopping from time to time for the odd photo etc for Lance. We travelled along through the Brindabellas, Namadgi national park, Brindabells mountain, Brindabella, Bondo state forest, Broken cart fire trail, long plain road, Murrumbidgee river, Kosciusko national park to Cabramurra for a late lunch and fuel. From there it was a straight forward run to Khancoban for a beer, load some supplies and a quick run to the evenings camp site ( famous last words there. ) I had plotted a track out of Khancoban, all good and ready. Steve and I asked a local bike rider about the track in question and he said ” yeah mate no worries, I could ride those big bikes over that range piece of piss!!” so off we set the local said there was a chicken option and I figured this late in the arvo and worn out bodies it was the go. Let me start by saying that when the mountain goat was tumbling past me down the hill at the start I should have thought WTF! It was a very very steep hill, we have used hills not as steep on the poker run and large OBT rides and have had troubles on enduro bikes. Luckily everyone got some drive and we made to the top, the switch backs were wicked and slippery. Lance lost drive on one stopped but couldn’t hold the Tiger up. The Boulders were quickly there to help and Lance made it up to where we stopped the first time. I said to Nick that has to be the top but it wasn’t, bloody well far from it. Once closer to the top we stopped and regrouped again, I haven’t seen so red heads. I thought shit someone (me included) will have a heart attack here in a minute. We rode off along the ridge, over the Scalas it was discussed that whatever goes up has to come down. Soon the track seemed to be running out off ridge and yeah it went down. It was by far the steepest hill I have ridden the Tenere down, last year I paddled it down a hill to the haunted stream but this was steeper (we stopped twice going down the haunted stream hill in question) you couldn’t stop the bike once you went over the edge. Honestly as I rode it I knew one slip one lock of the rear brake it would gain speed and you would be able to stop it. I was very happy to make the bottom because I had been shitting myself on the way down. Once at the bottom Nick and I waited, there was two not very happy campers come down (We actually copped some abuse from one punter, but he quickly applogised so it was all good) we regrouped high fived cleaned our undies and took of to the camp. The same local had suggested a camp and we looked for it couldn’t find it and after the hill from hell we made a pack to go back to the pub and kick the crap out of him. The blue line took a dead end so we turned and headed the other direction when we found the camp site and what a site it was on the Murray River.

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    Deejay at the site kicking back

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    Jacko showing off his new Armour 

    We had some beers and camped under the stars all was good. I hadnt set a start time so we got away a little later, into Corryong we wandered for fuel and breakfast. We left and headed for Mt Pinnabar, it was a great track winding around the mountains until we got to the jump up to Pinnabar from the Heli pad. I came around the corner to see this hill covered it bloody rocks, I had a crack and got to within about 2 metres from the last windrow. Deejay was behind me and he basically got to the windrow and lost drive, as luck would have it we both turned into the bush and didn’t drop it. We couldn’t ride back down, I mean starting off on big heavy piggys down hill wasn’t an option so we bull dogged them down. The decision was made to go around the mountain for many a reason. I reckoned we would have got the bikes up, I know Dejay and I could have with help man handled them over the last windrow. Still we rode some great tracks to Omeo for a break, there was a breakdown in the cornerman system that saw Dejay, Nick and myself on a corner in the sun for ages. 

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    Once into Omeo Steve said that Lance needed to go,  and he was going with him to make sure he was ok which was good. Andy was worn out and thought he was holding then group up and was going, Glen said he would go with Andy so only Old Bulls were left. It was here at Omeo I discovered that I was in tyre trouble, the vehicle had been operated irresponsibile I was told 

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    We bolted for Dargo through Hotham Heights

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    We sooted along Dargo plains road and into the pub at Dargo

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    To be continued soon

    #215138

    Greg
    Member

    Once we had a few rums or beers etc Nick and I went across the road to see Dan (Dargo Dan that is) he remembered us from last year’s ride and hooked us up in the little miner’s cottage across from the pub for 30 odd bucks each. Only problem he said was that there wasn’t enough beds, we said that’s no problem the Boulder brothers like sharing I missed my chance of a shot last year but not this time

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    The boulder bros, sweet eh if you are into that thing I guess Must be a DR riders thing, actually thought it would be more of a BMW thing

    Next morning saw us over at Dan’s early, I was in tyre trouble, my new Meffo Stone Master was well rooted and I needed a tyre. Dan had new a K190 Dunlop there in a 17inch. He was concerned it wasn’t road legal but it was a whole tyre unlike my Meffo so he did me a deal ($75) and I threw it on.

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    Nick threw a Dunlop Geomax on the front of his loaner BM and a Bridgestone 404 on the rear again another sweet deal from Dan.

    Dan has a great setup and can’t do enough for bike riders down there

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    Dan

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    Tenere finished in Dan’s shed

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    Tyres in stock

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    Spares mostly KTM but that makes sense

    We loaded up and everyone fueled up

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    Nick on his loaner BMW

    We left town about 10.30, not the best time when we had a mile to make but we got into it and headed for Swifts Creek through the forests. It was all dirt running through upper Dargo road, Farm Track the rest of the names fail me now. We wasted no time at Swifts Creek but left the line to take a short cut, I remember now a short is by definition the longest distance between two points Once back on the line we went around the back of Ensay headed east up some massive hills. The hills were either leave covered twin trail 2nd gear endless climbs that you topped thinking well that’s that or dusty rutted twin trails that again you topped thinking well that’s done but the all seemed to dip for a second and start climbing again. We had to do some navigation getting the maps out, as Phil said somewhere it does feel good having a map in your hand sometimes. We had two pretty steep long downhills and then continued across a couple of creeks towards Buchan. I have to say that the ride between Ensay and Buchan was a highlight for me, the uphill’s and the tracks were epic, the suspension on my bike was gold and I was able to gap Nick and the others with ease as he struggled with an bouncing and overheating rear shock on the BMW. Once in Buchan we headed straight to the pub to wash the dust and get set to head up the Barry Way. No photos sorry of this section although there is some helmet cam loading now I will post later.

    We left for a camping spot Dejay was raving about in Jindabyne

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    Start of the Barry Way proper

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    Slippery but fun

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    Views

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    We arrived in Jindabyne just before sunset, beers were located and purchased and Dejay lead us out to his spot and what a camping spot it was on the lake

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    More soon including some videos and days 5 and 6

    TB

    #215163

    Great Reports from both TB and Nickj. Keep it coming boys its a good read.

    Lefty

    #215164

    Great ride reports guys keep them coming ,Tb you must be real happy to catch the boulder bros in bed together pure gold. :laugh: :laugh:

    It sounds like you guys had a great trip hope to make the next one

    Baggy britches

    #215169

    Dwayne O
    Member
    baggy britches wrote:
    Great ride reports guys keep them coming ,Tb you must be real happy to catch the boulder bros in bed together pure gold. :laugh: :laugh:

    It sounds like you guys had a great trip hope to make the next one

    Baggy britches

    No hard task there Baggy, It aint the first pic we have seen of the Bros in the same bed :whistle: :blink: :sick: :sick: :sick: :laugh:

    TB seems to have a liking for catching pics of the sleeping ADVers :dry:

    #215172

    Greg
    Member
    EAGLE`02 wrote:
    No hard task there Baggy, It aint the first pic we have seen of the Bros in the same bed :whistle: :blink: :sick: :sick: :sick: :laugh:

    Actually Eagle it’s the first photo of them in the same bed, there has never been another picture off them in the bed, lots of speculation but defiantly the first time they have been caught ;)
    Actually Eags do you read the posts before you comment because you have been all over the place this thread :laugh: :laugh: :laugh: :laugh: :laugh: :laugh: :laugh: :P

    TB

    #215177

    Dwayne O
    Member
    Trailboss wrote:
    EAGLE`02 wrote:
    No hard task there Baggy, It aint the first pic we have seen of the Bros in the same bed :whistle: :blink: :sick: :sick: :sick: :laugh:

    Actually Eagle it’s the first photo of them in the same bed, there has never been another picture off them in the bed, lots of speculation but defiantly the first time they have been caught ;)
    Actually Eags do you read the posts before you comment because you have been all over the place this thread :laugh: :laugh: :laugh: :laugh: :laugh: :laugh: :laugh: :P

    TB

    Nah, Not really :whistle: :laugh:
    But you still have a knack of chasing the elusive pics though ,,,,,,and finally succeeded :cheer:

    Now,,, More RIDE pics please

    #215179

    Greg
    Member

    We quickly setup the tents and had a wash in the lake. It was bloody cold by all accounts, I didn’t go in in the end as I was looking at my bike :pinch:

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6aGKnxNegiE&feature=youtu.be

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    I was chasing a vibration in the Tenere which was diagnosed as swing arm bearings. No problem they would get me home. We ate the Kebabs we bought in town and setup around the fire :)

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    The boys stayed up until midnightish into the Honey Turkey and Bundy. We got away about 8ish, I needed to find a 22mm socket to nip the swing arm bolt up which wasn’t a problem in the end. We grabbed a pie the boys a coffee and we decided to make the big ride to the southern highlands push push push would be the order of the day. We took off scouting some amazing open paddocks / plains and some gun dirt roads with awesome stand up drift style corners, cattle grids, twists and turns. Every time I pulled up for a regroup everyone had a shit eating grin :woohoo: . I said that Nick and I were going to push on APC style and now as everyone had a GPS it was full navigation from here on in. So Nick and I blast off like tapped out rabbits, chatting on the blue tooths about the APC and stuff when I look down, guess what NO BLUE LINE!!! We turned around Nick panned out and realised we missed the right hand turn off 4 kms before. We turned and ran back, we could see where Dejay, Fish and Boulder had turned so now we were behind and 8kms was a long time to catch up. It was a flowing twisty twin trail in the gums that we flew down. I had a moment into a left hander and had it all sorted when I hear Nick on the blue tooth having a big moment, so big in fact he actually yelled I am down! When I looked in the mirror he was upright apparently saving it at the last minute. Still we pushed on wanting to catch them before Braidwood which was the next stop for fuel. We came across a long concrete causeway, it was a curved causeway which made me think how would Lefty handle it as he doesn’t seem to be able to get across a straight one :laugh: :laugh:
    The track turned up through a farm and as we rode through I caught some dust, and yes it was the Boulders and Dejay, they had navigated like champions. So we rode into Braidwood altogether and filled up. I tightened my swing arm again but the bearing was rooted, it would make it home. We decided to keep going the line took us up through Morton National park, Corang River, and eventually ending up at Marulan. We went around through Penrose to Bundanoon pub for a beer and to check the accommodation. Sadly the pub is a dump, it was also here that Boulder said his front wheel bearings were rooted!! Luckily Dejay is a well prepared Boy Scout and was carrying a set of new bearings ;)

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    I mean it wouldn’t be an Old Bull Adventure ride unless one of the Boulder boys had a wheel off now would it!!

    We went up to Berrima, there was a wedding on and the posh people looked at us like we were freaks, but there was no accommodation. So we rode towards Mittagong, I said to Nick I am almost home maybe we should just go home. We rode on in silence when I thought what the hell its 5.45pm lets do the big push ride in the dark with the roos and head for ……..

    More later

    #215181

    Great read TB. ;)

    #214950

    The boys leading the way .
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    TB having a closer look
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    The scenery was amazing.

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    Thanks to everyone for a great ride, we covered a lot of ground and rode some fantastic trails.
    Tb as always you managed to link everything together and get us to our destinations!! ;)
    Nick, you punted the big girl everywhere mate!! Bloody awesome effort. B)
    Deejay for the best campsite ever. :)
    I had a great trip and had a good laugh along the way. 😆 Thanks to all involved, Boulder.

    #214951

    Dwayne O
    Member

    Top pics Boulder ;)

    Thanx for sharing

    #215232

    andy
    Member

    Great ride, despite you Old Bulls wearing me out I had a blast. Thought I’d share my version of the Tiger Tail, although I’m glad to read that I wasn’t the only one shitting myself. Amazing country and some great tracks.

    This is a view of the Tigers Tail from our campsite.

    We stopped at a pub after riding all day and met a local in the pub who suggested a nice short cut to our camping destination. I was already feeling sore all over so a short cut sounded good to me. After stocking up on some beers we rode out of town a few KMs and hit the Tiger Tail, with the promise of a nice camping spot on the other side of the “hill”.

    As I start to climb a very rocky and obviously unused track it keeps getting steeper and rougher, but once your committed there is no turning back.

    I stalled my bike about a kilometer in on a very steep section and dared not look behind me, for a moment I contemplated turning around but this was obviously a dumb idea, so I took a breath restarted the bike and kept my head up praying like only an atheist can and took off up the hill.

    I finally made the crest and spat the dummy, letting the guys know that this trail was out of my league. Thankfully all the guys where very level headed and after Steve said maybe I should camp here I “reset”, calmed down and we pushed on all the time thinking how shook up the beer was going to be. The worse part was over the crest with a nasty track winding down at an extreme angle. As I said, once your committed there aren’t too many options aside from bushwalking, so with some encouraging words from the boys I headed down and thankfully made it without falling off.

    After everyone reached the bottom there was some talk of riding back to town and beating the shit out of the local, but instead, we found a nice camping spot beside the beautiful Indie River.

    All in all no damage and I learnt two lessons. Number one, when you meet a local in the pub and he says “oh yeah I know a great short short cut” be wary. Lesson number two, when a trail has a name involving a vicious animal be wary.

    I lived to tell the tale of the Tigers Tail while the guy in the pub was probably having a good laugh.

    Thanks Greg for waiting for me……again

    You can see my photos of the trip and read a bit more at my Flickr page link below

    http://www.flickr.com/photos/morreski/sets/72157629091002607/with/6785729037/

    [attachment=3118]Tigertail.jpg[/attachment]

    #215235

    Greg
    Member

    Good read Andy, like the photos on your flicker account. Tiger hill eh it was a tester mate for sure but it feels good to have it under your belt ;)
    Adventure rides are hard to plan from 1000 kms away, the Tiger Trail was on the blue line, I had mapped it I only asked said local if he knew it. We were going to do it even if we hadn’t seen ol mate because it was on the line.

    BTW I would do it again its hard but worth it IMO :laugh:

    Thanks for sharing Andy I do appreciate hearing others view that were on the ride after all the work of planning etc you miss so much at the front (but not the dust :P )

    TB

    #214952

    Dwayne O
    Member

    Hey Andy,,
    Awsome pics mate on Flickr ;) Thanx a lot
    And welcome to Old Bulls mate, you were mixing it with some top bulls on that ride mate :)

    Cheers

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