Saturday, part 1
I rolled into camp late to the sights of bikes, cars and kids everywhere! I thought man we have got some numbers here. Turns out most were not our gang. I even introduced myself to two ladies sitting around ‘our’ camp fire. Pauly and Seb rocked in late Friday night and found a fire that was miles away from other campers and assumed it was ours. Awkward! They made another one away from the rowdy bikies later that evening.
I had the 300, bbq and Stump of Knowledge in the trailer and before long everyone came over to help unload it all. I didn’t think I was that late lads! The Stump of Knowledge was rolled into the fire ready to fill us with knowledgeable learning’s later that evening.
Intros done, Maniac vid #0001, and all geared up we had 11 eager beavers ready to rumble……Marty400, Clarkyktm, Axel, White Rocket, Seb, Pauloco, Twobanger, Gocman, Jack and myself. Mad Maniac was making his virgin OBT ride and was made welcome, even being rear ended by another virgin on Sunday’s ride up a step up hill climb!
With Marty400 sweeping we headed off into some A4DE single, Maniac vid #0003, only to pop out and discover 2 Jnrs coming towards us. We turned off to another direction and went to the hill climb that we did first up on the Sunday morning of the B’day ride home to Capertee. See Maniacs vid # 0005. I will call this hill Lefty’s Hill as I remember him falling off his bike whilst waiting for some bikes to go past. I remember at the time thinking that he was supposed to be a gun rider, so benefit of the doubt mate. I had it easy as I was first through even forging new tracks around downed trees. I stopped at one such log crossing that had some lads picking up bikes. Axel? Jack another virgin was all at sea on his 450 and told me he was turning back for camp! He explained that he hadn’t ridden these types of trails before. I helped him over Axels log and he then had a breather with the boys. Once back on my steed I set sail for the summit without issue. Man I love that climb. Sorry. I then walked back down to help out where needed. Most of the lads had it sorted. Jack had another breather and whinge/pity session then proceeded to the summit only to fall short. Marty came along who wasn’t able to give me a lift to the summit for some reason or another, lack of skill I say. When I finished staggering to the top, I jumped on Jacks bike and managed to not flip it and get it up. Good on him for having a good go.
Tour boss Clarky suggested we do some easier trails to warm up but I think most were warm enough. We headed down the loamy track that mirrors the fire trail heading to Mt Horrible. Not much single in this area but we had fun. We encountered the Dads from the other camp but a wave was all that they returned and continued on their way. Well that was the way we were heading! I cautioned our group and charged on. They took the easy loop and we..well we took the OBT way! Meeting their backmarkers at the bottom they quickly moved on up the hill to regroup around the next corner. Hearing a gaggle of snarling bikes coming their way they moved to one side to let us past, everyone except Jack who stopped to make some new mates. Marty sorted him out. The rutted 5 part climb awaited us and not thinking there would be any dramas I carried on. I only issue I heard of was Gocman getting near the top then pivoting on his back wheel and going down for another run. A showman he is.
The rest of the trail to Mt Horrible passed without any dramas, even the rocky downhill to the creek crossing barely caused a stir. Once at the lookout, Maniac vid #00010, and trail snacks underway I asked for silence while I soaked up the serenity with arms outstretched. It didn’t last long before the laughter started. Marty400 grabbed the opportunity to adjust his tappets while we were having morning tea. I mustered up the uncouth lads and went back the same way to Eskdale rd.
A bit more fire trail to a nice hill climb we went up and back down then continued on. Some of the lads surely thought we were lost. Another little used hill climb was next which Rocket charged straight up only to fall short of the top. Clarky and Seb were next with both having trouble besting Rockets mark. Pauly was chomping at the bit to get into it and went straight to the top. This is a technical hill with no run up and not easily conquered so all credit to him. Not to be outdone I threw myself at it but only got to Clarky’s effort before the show ended. I realised that I had selected the wrong ignition map for the climb.
Some ST from the A4DE was our next obstacle with Rocket on my tail I gave him the lead. We encountered a stack of downed trees, not that Rocket cared as he made a path around the mess closely followed by Axel. We came to a regroup spot and had a nervously large gap in the middle of the group. Jack had come undone on a greasy downhill and was thrown over the bars onto his back. He was in a bit of pain but happy to head back to camp via the ST.
More ST followed by what could be described as one of my weirdest offs. Due to more downed timber or the wrong ignition map again, my rear wheel was heaved into the air and sideways at full lock only to have another branch stop the wheel landing on the ground then spin me round 180 facing almost the whole group. Nothing was said until I picked Katie up then Rocket let out a big laugh. Time to put some distance between these louts. Heading for camp we gave the bikes a splash at TISCOS Tunnel.
The BBQ was fired up and all manner of beef cuts were cooked and consumed. Bob joined us at this stage and stories shared.
TBC
axel wrote:GaleyKTM300 wrote:Actually by watching what you were doing I just did the opposite. :whistle:
You are well and truly overdue for a Sunny Corner dosage. 
Top fun in the Sunny Corner loam. 