Part 2
Action time now with my turn to torture, I mean, lead the group. Mal 3.0
‘Can Ride” took up the sweep duties.
We hit the singles with me sending KTM_Rules on ahead with the camera to capture the lads getting stuck in a bog hole that we had to cross. I gave him a minute to get a gap then rode a steady pace with CJ behind me. I wasn’t long before I caught up to him. Could he have had a moment? Maybe he had the wrong bog hole? I think I had his pace covered and was hunting him down. Anyway I had to back the lads up a little to give him some set uptime at the water hazard. I powered through on the side without giving away my line and judging by KTM’s pics some guys found the deep middle line.
More endless singles passed under our wheels without
issue. This led us to a short but tricky two stage hill. A little rocky with a couple of clean lines. I left GOCMAN as corner man and charged on. I was surprised to see him feature in KTM_Rules pics and having a moment or two on the hill and mal3.0 needing to be called into action.
Around the corner was a loose shaley sometimes steep, 4×4 hill to run down and join up with the bypass track. It had a tricky little rock step to tackle at the end as well. At the regroup at the creek, I took some pics of the team and word came back that only Pete had a lay down and walked the bike down part of the track. Yikes. Riding it would be easier, but if your confidence has taken a hit then OK.
We split into two groups at the creek. Lads that wanted a rest to recover (Pete) and those that wanted to push on for the hard hills ahead. We were doing a return loop so we were picking up Pete soon enough. The two steps are a challenging hill climb that rewards forward momentum and the ability to pick a clean line in the lead up to the second step which is the hardest of about half a metre and at 45 degrees to the track. KTM_Rules picked a good position after the second step to capture some action shots. Most had no problems, save for Gocman who found his own line through the bush, Murph who had a breather as he was catching up to the rider in front and Marty who ended up facing the wrong way.
Next up was a Pro level hill from the 2011 NSW 2 day Enduro with an easy out if needed. KTM_Rules and Dude charged straight into it with Dude having traction issues and returning to the easy loop. It started off Ok but rose sharply with a rock slab at an angle that you rode across then a dirt step up covered in rock then turned left and climbed up some more. A good one to keep you on your toes. Others to make the summit were Marty450, CJ, Murph, Al, Tim, Mal3.0 and I, twice.
Riding down a firetrail saw us descend the two steps to rejoin the rest of the group. Marty450, Tim and I had a fair crack at the three steps, which is up there for one of the hardest hills in Sunny Corner Forest. The first runs for Marty and I were not much to crow about. The start if it is really loose with big rocks you have to thread through and try to keep up your speed. On the next one I managed my best run by getting to the first step and on a little clearing on the side. I tried a attack from there, best bike preservation won out with a half hearted attempt.
Tim gave it a good crack and walked the bike a bit until attacking from the same clearing as myself. The vid will show his efforts from then. Well done Tim.
We met up with the group and no one was interested in the dozer track. Maybe one day I will give it a crack. Going down MIGHT be the way to suss it out or hurt yourself. Very slow I would say. We tackled the tunnel of love hill without issue and headed for the Ski Jump. When I got there KTM was already up it and had the camera out. I was puffing a little from the 3 steps so I took the lads on the bypass and waited. Reports were that Marty450, Tim and CJ gave it a fair crack.
Next we went to a new hill climb of mine in the pine trees I named Team Galey’s Hill. Not so hard but you need to keep the bike moving otherwise you get bogged down in the loose rocks. I may have been lucky as I was first through but other than KTM, Murph, and Al there was dramas. Holeshot had the DRZ boiling and took the side exit. Dude was making slow work of it as well.
CJ stopped to help others out, nice bloke isn’t he? Mal led a group of riders trembling at the knees around the Melee. I think Mal had to talk them into it as he didn’t want to tackle it himself.
The second part of Team Galey’s was tackled by a few as well. It had a tricky little step up off the firetrail, over a log, which caused you to lose traction, then straight up beside a log parallel to the track then snaked its way up to the top. KTM went up and down a couple of times to run it in a little and did it with ease. My first run didn’t have enough speed and the rear tyre dug a little hole.
The second run was all gravy as I powered to the top on the 300.
It was interesting trying to turn the bike with the front wheel in the air and then having the front come down while the wheel is turned the opposite way to where you want to go.
We took off back down Team Galey’s hill; I didn’t stop to ask if that was OK with the crew as that was where I wanted to go. Anyway going down is easy. A very short fire trail later we came up on some Moto boys who pulled over till our group had past.
Next up we took on Hear Attack Hill. CJ and Tim led off with Holeshot. Charging after them I caught up to them at a small bottle neck. Holeshot took the wrong line and I was able to get a clean run past him. I pulled over for some lads to come past when KTM_Rules shot by me. Well I wanted to see how the experts tackled the hill and took off with him. Coming up to the big log jump he cleared it easy, then rolled back just as I was jumping the log as well. Fully committed I smacked into the side of the 530 and down went both KTM and the 530. No harm no foul apparently but I felt like a retard. At least the 300 didn’t fall over. Pulling the bike off the log I turned around for another run and had no dramas. I pulled up a good spot with KTM who was getting some pic and helped out where needed. Everyone had a far crack at it except Pete who was doing it tough. We dragged his bike under a tree for him to go a different way. The rest of the team was at the summit with the pressure on Pete to get to the top and have a rest on the firetrail. Getting all bar the top he had a lay down and handed the bike over to Mal 3.0 who was keen to ride the KTM 400 to the top, and didn’t he look good doing it. Suited you mate, PDS and all.
Galey’s Hill loomed large on my scope. I sent a few lads up first to try their luck and mostly had no dramas. Pete had a breather down the bottom with Mal!
Handing over the lead to KTM_Rules for some singles back to base camp we took off as time was ticking for the tourists to depart back home.
TBC
shelbyjet wrote:Trailboss wrote:GaleyKTM300 wrote: