[Dave WigginMember]

What a fantastic week end. Loved every minute of it.

A huge thank you of course to TB. Also to PTW, Amy, Strucky, Crash and the guys in the support vehicle.

And also to Lefty, our group leader. He may be small in stature but he is a giant when it come to punting his KTM around the trails.

My third Old Bulls ride and for the first time I managed to get round without crashing. It was mighty close on a few occasions though. I’ll have nightmares about steep slippery downhills and sticky red clay for the rest of the week.

The ride home from Lithgow to Sydney with one tired pilot on board in the pouring rain was strangely enjoyable.

Ride report to come when I have unscrambled my brain.

Get well soon Lotsa

Wigster

[Dave WigginMember]

Thanks guys. will take your advice re sandpaper and WD 40. I hope it’s not as hard to get back in!

Wigster

[Dave WigginMember]

Lefty wrote:

james wrote:

Lefty wrote:

Hi all I was talking to TB earlier today about the Nav ride next weekend and we were discussing the route of next weekends ride, amongst other things, and I have volunteered to take a few guys who have not done this type of thing before. I will be teaming up with James, Isambard and possibly Wigster (not sure if Wigster already has a ride partner) and their is also room for a couple of more starters in this group if anyone is interested. I know that it should all be fairly straight forward but if anyone is uncertain of how this all works, as you maybe a first timer at this or would like to join the group as you are just learning the Navigation skills and maybe a little unsure of your GPS/Map reading. I don’t pretend to be an expert either so we can all get lost together :whistle: , however some of the planned roads I have ridden previously and it should be fun as a group. Just remember that it is not a race and you don’t have to ride in the dust of your ride buddy and I will try to regroup along the way. It is just a thought if anyone is interested, however we will keep the group to around 6 riders.
If anyone would like to join please PM me so that I can let TB know as it was his idea. We will however need to meet at the pub at Lithgow and the departure time from the pub will be 8.00am sharp. Please ensure that you have spare tubes, pump and tools for any puncture repairs and I would suggest new or near new tyres as it could be a little damp and slippery in spots, a battery in good condition as starting a bike in freezing temps can sometimes be a little testing and warm/winter gloves, Jacket etc as it will be a little chilly in Lithgow and Orange. :blink:
I am the short 12yr old on a KTM 640 Adv :huh: :laugh: :laugh:
Anyway I look forward to seeing you all there. :woohoo:
Cheers,
Lefty

Volunteered I would say more like drew the short straw Lefty :laugh: :laugh: One things for sure you will probably be witness to a few funny moments leading Leftys Learners.
Seriously though thanks in advance for volunteering to show myself and possibly some other less experienced riders the ropes on such a journey.Takes a lot of the pressure off knowing that,well there isn’t any
Now just bring on the 22nd cant wait :woohoo: and thanks to the tyre fairy :laugh: :laugh: :laugh:
I have a brand new set of 606s that I am stinging to get dirty 👿

Cheers James

:laugh: :laugh: No worries James I might have to go and see that tyre fairy too :whistle: :laugh:
We have another starter in our group, Usi on a DR650
Welcome aboard mate we will catch up with you at the pub on Friday night mate

Cheers,
Lefty

Count me in your group Lefty.

I was doing a bit of prep today and thought it might be a good idea to make sure I have all the tools to get both wheels off. 17mm allen headed bolt to get the front off, surely in the Triumph tool kit that came with the bike? Shall I check? S’pose I’d better. No such article in mine. Off to Super Cheap Auto tomorrow.

My front Mitas E10 has 8k on it, looks OK but in view of conditions a new 606 (or something similar) is going on along with swapping out the rear E07 (only got 600k on it!) for an Eo9 Dakar.

As an obsession James, it’s worse than bloody rock climbing (and that’s saying something, just ask my wife).

Wigster

[Dave WigginMember]

Trailboss wrote:

Wigster wrote:

Great read Amy, I’m glad you are OK after your stack. Concussion can play some strange tricks on your mind so you have done well to get back on the horse, so to speak.

The photo of that slippery clay rutted out track has me gibbering in front of the screen. I’ll have my outriggers out for that bit. Even so I can see a face plant or two in the mix for me, especially as some of the sections might be “challenging for the larger Adventure bikes”.

Wigster

Wiggy there is nothing harder than anything you have done before. There is a hill that looms bad in the distance but isn’t, is it Amy every technical section can be ridden if only in first gear mate

TB

First gear is my best friend TB. So looking forward to this one mate, now I have an idea of what to expect!

The great thing about OB’s is that the less experienced among us are encouraged at every turn and never made to feel like idiots. Even though the rides are supposed to be unsupported I get the distinct impression that you wouldn’t be left to die in the bush. (I hope I’m right about that!)

Wigster

[Dave WigginMember]

james wrote:

Wigster wrote:

Great read Amy, I’m glad you are OK after your stack. Concussion can play some strange tricks on your mind so you have done well to get back on the horse, so to speak.

The photo of that slippery clay rutted out track has me gibbering in front of the screen. I’ll have my outriggers out for that bit. Even so I can see a face plant or two in the mix for me, especially as some of the sections might be “challenging for the larger Adventure bikes”.

Wigster

Your talking yourself in to a spill Wigster 😆

I am looking forward to riding with nobbys,never run them on the bike before and keen to see the difference.
James

You could be right James!

The main difference I have found running knobbys all the time is how much lighter your wallet feels when you have to change the rear every 5k.

Wigster

[Dave WigginMember]

Great read Amy, I’m glad you are OK after your stack. Concussion can play some strange tricks on your mind so you have done well to get back on the horse, so to speak.

The photo of that slippery clay rutted out track has me gibbering in front of the screen. I’ll have my outriggers out for that bit. Even so I can see a face plant or two in the mix for me, especially as some of the sections might be “challenging for the larger Adventure bikes”.

Wigster

[Dave WigginMember]

Trailboss wrote:

Ron, good choice fitting something a little more aggressive for the dirt on this ride. Wiggy if and only if you are doing mostly off road and aren’t worried about being able to drag the knee on the black crap try the combo I had on the test tiger last time.
Dunlop 908 rally raid front ( the expensive one )
Mitas EO9 rear
Both hooked up fine, were ok on the tar I thought ( good enough to out corner Pete the Wulf :laugh: ) and have worn really well remember I have an unfair reputation for destroying tyres :blink: these things are still on the tiger now and it was road ridden to Phillip island after I finished with it

Just my thoughts

Most importantly if there is a heavy overnight dew more aggressive tyres will be the go on this ride

TB

Thanks TB, my front is still OK, but my rear is shagged. I have a Mitas E07 in the shed waiting to go on, but if it is going to be any way wet I might sell it (as it seems I’m never going to get the thing on) and go for another knobby. I had a Mitas E10 for Mittagong ride and liked it. Will look at the Dakar though.

I’m thinking about getting a spare rear wheel for the Tiger and keeping a knobby on it for Old Bull rides and the like. But have just been quoted $1400, so maybe not!

Wigster

[Dave WigginMember]

Ron wrote:

Hi Wigster,
Can be a bit flexible with time, I just didn’t want to do much in the dark.
Tyres, tyres, tyres. What a can of worms.
I had just fitted my second set of Michelin Anakee 2’s and have done less than 200km on them. The first set saw 12000 km and I was extremely happy with them on road and very surprised with them off road and if this ride was in summer I would probably be happy enough using them but of course it is winter and more than likely it will be wet so I bought a set of Metzeler Karoo T and then did the unthinkable and fitted them myself only with the tools and equipment I will be carrying. I surprised myself, been 30 years since I fitted a tyre and didn’t pinch a tube! So now my concern is how bad are these going to be on the road.

Ron

Ron,

The last flat I fixed was in 1979 on my CB 200. With a couple of stout serving spoons from my Mum’s larder. I suspect I might struggle with the same equipment on a Karoo.

I’m completely with you on not doing too much in the dark. I have clipped a kangaroo less than half a k from my house (northern beaches) so god knows what it will be like going over Bells Line.

Could meet at the servo at Kurmond?

Wigster

[Dave WigginMember]

Ron wrote:

Hi All,
I will be riding to Lithgow on Friday (21/6/13) afternoon leaving Londonderry (Richmond) at about 3pm and travelling via Bells Line of Road if anyone is interested in traveling with me. Please call.

Ron (Tiger 800xc)
0404875876

G’day Ron,

If I can leave work early enough I’d be keen to join you. I’m coming from Rose Bay so it might take me an hour to get to you.

I will let you know nearer the time. I also ride an XC. Bloody awesome machine. What tyres you running for this ride?

Wigster

[Dave WigginMember]

I’m really keen to get to this. I love a good fire.

Only problem is, due to sons sport, I can’t leave northern beaches of Sydney till about 3 in the arvo on Saturday.

Where exactly is Mount Seaview and how long do you reckon it would take?

I don’t mind riding in in the dark as long as there is a good fire going and a rum or two to be had.

Wigster

[Dave WigginMember]

Trailboss wrote:

My only dear diary entry, it was the last day. Mother’s Day Sunday morning after a fair night out in Trangie

http://youtu.be/6i0LBMlcb9M

TB

Gold!

[Dave WigginMember]

Done

[Dave WigginMember]

Lefty wrote:

Orange Hotel is all booked up! :huh: I have booked at the Great Western Hotel one block up the road. So I can have a few cleansing ale’s and can walk just up the road

Cheers,
Left

Me too Lefty. Someone has to make sure you get to bed that night.

Wigster

[Dave WigginMember]

Like I said, something about a Tenere in the desert.

Brilliant TB. More please.

Wigster

[Dave WigginMember]

Ace wrote:

Its hard work in the slow stuff Wiggy but those crash bars saved me big time!!!

5 slow speed lay downs all up. 2 while turning around in sand and 3 within 2 minutes in the Menindee dunes :S

All up, I couldn’t be happier with the bike. It handled the trip faultlessly.

Nice going mate. I laughed my head of about the key still in the packed away tent. If I had a dollar for every time I’ve done that………

Wigster

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