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Great to see that the KING makes the Hooters look good.
TB on the other hand………. Well what can I say……..nothing…. 
Good to see you guys doing it tough on a school night.
Kat
Day 3 â Monday 30/7/12
Bellingen to Urbenville (via Jackadgery)
Distance: 430km⢠The rosters were howling at 5.30am and so the day was underway with a big bacon and egg cook up and on the bike ready to roll by 7am.
⢠Few of the guys didnât have fuel so we headed off and grabbed a coffee whilst they got their bikes sorted outâŚâŚgrrrrrrrrrrr
⢠Clubby had a slight mishap when he came to a stop at the service station and laid the bike down. After quickly checking his muffler there wasnât any material damage except for his pride.
⢠This is where I said good-bye to Smick400. He was heading home after spending two days riding with Amy and I to ensure we settled into the rally. Without his support I know I wouldn’t have been able to do this.
⢠Well after the slow get away we were on the road and got to our original start for Day 3 at Dorrigo by 8.30amâŚ. so we were at least 1 1/2hrs behind.
⢠We went past Russell Crowâs pub at 10.00am and wasnât open thank god so we pushed on.
⢠We did a small diversion into Jackadgery for a fuel stop.
⢠The next section we followed the Mann River then through a forestry section till we reached Mallanganee which is an old timber cutters town.
⢠After Mallanganee we heading along the top of the Richmond ranges and there was 70km of rainforest.
⢠We came back out onto the tar and Steve took off on his KTM (being faster than our little bikes). We noticed that we were to head back into the bush but Steve wasnât anywhere to be found. We decided to wait 15mins to see if he returns considering we werenât behind him. As we waited a guy came out of his house and was riding to his letter box on a clapped out bike and asked if we were ok. We told him we were suppose to head up into the bush and work our way to Urbenville. He suggested that since itâs 4.30pm it wasnât wise and the track was in bad condition. So after some discussion we decided to hit the tar. We got to a township about 13km out of Urbenville and fueled up ready for tomorrowâŚ.. still no sign of Steve. Then we headed to the pub and arrived about 6pm and sure enough all the Sydney starters we out the back working on their bikes.
⢠We heard Team America (BMW Team)â Dan had a fall and broke his wrist on the last section. After hearing that it confirmed to us we did the right thing.
⢠By 8pm the famous steak and vege dinner arrived and the size of it was enough for three dinners. The only sleeping arrangements were bunking down in the dinning room with about 8 other blokes. They make interesting noises
Get a coffee fix first thing in the morning at Bello
Was getting hot so a strip tease was in order!!
Petrol station at Jackadgery
Riding along Mann River
It was in this area that we found some âinterestingâ skid marks left by other riders that were going off into boulder territory. It paid to go slow and enjoy the view.
Going through Toonumbar National Park
Well I’ve tried contacting Amy for her Day 1 view but seems like she is busy so I thought I would continue to post up my ride report
Day 2 â Sunday 29/7/12
Gloucester to Bellingen (via Barrington Tops, Gingers Creek, Taylors Arms)
Distance: 340km
⢠Couple of tricky sections âŚ. Only dropped the bike twice today.
⢠Lost one of my nine lives today on a slippery wooden bridge. We were on our way to Gingers Creek and coming up a little hill so gave it some to only find out that you had to cross a wooden bridge that was wet and slippery. SMick400 was behind me and got the best view!!!. The bike went completely side ways and stayed in that position for the length of the bridge. The only down fall was the front tyre was moving to the edge of the drop off (approx 9ft). Somehow I didnât drop it⌠the potential outcome was too ugly to think about. Unfortunately we didnât have time to calm my nerves as we immediately hit a long gnarly hill that required concentration. Once we got to the top SMick400 was overcome with what happened and gave me the following statements:
1. Didnât I remember what TB had said about wooden bridgesâŚoops
2. I would have been an overnight sensation on YouTube if that was captured on video
3. Cyril Despres would have been impressed with my riding skillsâŚ
I took a breather and calmed the nerves⌠it took some time for the bike to stop shaking after that experienceâŚ
⢠Had quick drinks at Taylors Arms but knew we needed to push on so we didnât arrive into Bellingen in the darkâŚ.
⢠After leaving Taylors Arms we decided to not do the next dirt section due to the lateness⌠but after getting lost on the tar we circled back and decided to do dirt. It was tough going and I realised that my headlight was useless at night. Amyâs bike was better setup for night riding so I called her back and we road side by side.
⢠We stopped in a Belligen before heading up to Steve place and did the normal routine of fuelling up each night ready for tomorrowâs ride. This is when we found out that SMick400 lost his fuel and house keys somewhere. After some grunting he had the fuel cap off and just got fuel in before the Service Station closed. He was remarkably calm and showed me the qualities necessary when addressed with challenges. We also picked up drinking supplies for the night.
⢠We stayed at Steveâs retreat rather than head to Dorrigo. The Yamaha team, Scott and Gav (KTM Team), Glen were all present for the huge dinner (steak and vegies) which was expertly cooked by Scott. It was an amazing cook-up.
⢠We heard that night that Steve Tunley had a falling out with Andrew over team dynamics then Andrew sustained a broken ankle and meant Steve was without a riding partner. Amy suggested for Steve to join our team and after discussions on objectives and riding approach Steve was in Team OBT fold.Up and early Amy on her way
Amy cruising on the easy dirt roads
Early morning and crossing one of the many causeways
Amy in the distance heading towards the tricky section
I had a love/hate relationship with this hill that caused me to kiss the dirt.
It was moments after this shot that I dropped my bike. Both Mick and I had trouble picking it up as our boots were sliding all over the place.
Kat flying so fastâŚ.. NOT caused the photo effectâŚ.
It was nice getting a breather on the tar every now and then
Nice afternoon cruise
Couple of late after causeways to cross
Then trying to get to Bello before darkâŚ. Wasnât going to happen
But got to âslumâ it at Steveâs place for the night and enjoy a steak/vege cook up.
Thanks Amy …. over to me for my version of Day 1…..
Day 1
Wisemanâs Ferry to Gloucester (via Singleton and Moonan Flat)
Distance: 370kmSome highlights from the first day:
⢠Big breakfast cooked up by the owners of the Bed/Breakfast
⢠Supported by TB, Smick400, Dan and Mike at the start line
⢠Amy and I set off at 7.30am with TB, Smick400 and Dan in tow
⢠Took many wrong turns that caused a blonde to get dizzy. TB and Smick400 where waiting on each corner for us to turn around. Lots of laughing occurred
⢠Kat dropped her bike 5 times that day trying to get through muddy sections that required some paddling⌠problem was my feet couldnât quiet touch the ground to paddle and more importantly I didnât have the skill to stay upright.
⢠Came to a tricky section that had TB fly up a difficult hill and made it. We soon realised that it was âEagles Hillâ and the course had us going around it and up the other side. It was still difficult with the muddy ruts and it was responsible for me dropping it twice on this section. Thanks to Smick400 he was close by to pick up my bike without any complaints.
⢠Amy had a fall and tried to radio me for help but I was also under my bike and couldnât help. Thanks to another APC rider Amy was back upright.
⢠We got into Gloucester about 5.30pm and soon after the Yamaha Team (Clubby and Steve) arrived after providing assistance to Andrew who fell and hurt his ankle (dislocation). It appears the boys had concerns regarding their bikes and TB was in there giving them a hand.
⢠TB had a quick beer with us at Gloucester Pub then fanged it back to Cessnock for the night sleep before picking up his car/trailer on Sunday morning so he could spend time with his missesâŚ
⢠Decided to stay in the Gloucester Caravan Park in a cabin as we were too stuffed after a hard dayâs ride to think about putting our tents up6.30am start⌠on bikes and foggy/cold
Our support team at the start line (from left to right â Mike, TB Dan and SMick400)
Amyâs bike was a loud and proud Old Bull
Group shot of the Sydney starters
Heading to the Wataganâs via St Albanâs
Action shot of Amy flying along
Kat going through many of the causes ways after Singleton
More causeways
Kat getting a cool down⌠plus wet socks
Yamaha team at the end of day 1.
Over to you Amy on your perspective of Day 1.
Pre Start Day (Saturday 28th Julyâ12)
Artarmon to Wisemanâs Ferry (via Berowra)Had organised to meet Smick400 at Berowra so we could do a slow ride via Berowra Waters and River Rd to Wisemanâs stopping off for a lunch overlooking the riverâŚ.plans changed and realised I had oil leaking out of the oil filter cap. Turned out the o-ring was incorrect size but SMick400 had it all under control and left me the job of freaking out. The bike was on its side, oil cap off, grabbed some silastic from service station and oil leak fixedâŚ.We ended up having a later lunch down by the river at Berowra and it hit home that I have no friggen bike maintenance skills but if the shit happens out there just find someone who knows what they are doing. I think I could manage that!!
I had never ridden along River Rd before and it gave me an opportunity to get use to the feel of a fully loaded bike.
We got to Wisemanâs Ferry at 3pm to find Amy and Mike (on this Triumph) arriving at the same time. So time for a calming drink or two!!
We headed to our Bed/Breakfast and enjoyed some nibbles on the balcony and watched the sun go down
The owner of the B&B had trouble parking his car late one night after having one to many Schnapps
Hooked up with TB at the Wisemanâs Ferry pub for a meal and enjoyed it with the whole team and other APC Rally participants.
Won a meat trayâŚ. Question is what to do with it
