[Dave WigginMember]

I need new tyres for the High Country too.

I was going to go with a 606 on the front and a Mitas E09 Dakar on the rear.

My Tenere had E09’s front and rear when I bought it. The rear has lasted really well (7,000k) and I commute on mine, so that is really good for a knobby. The front I would buy again if I was “Adventure Touring” but Old Bull rides are pushing the envelope for that tyre (for me anyway, I am no dirt rider and need all the help I can get) so something more aggressive is going on this week end, even though it’s got easily another 5/6 k in it. It’s hardly worn. Good RTW tyre!

Thoughts anyone? TB, PTW, Lefty what are you guys running?

Wigster

[Dave WigginMember]

I’ve bought a ton of stuff from Adv Moto.

Great service.

Janice is great.

I have noticed over the last couple of years in my business that a few people have become very aggressive over various issues when dealing with a women. Not nice, and definitely not the OBT way I would have thought.

Wigster

[Dave WigginMember]

Thanks Guys. Yes I forgot about that mod TB. All good then.

I know I said I wouldn’t, but the sound of the twin Barratts through the harbour tunnel means I have just had to commute on the bike. Bloody awsome noise.

The other thing I have noticed is that people hear you coming and don’t change lanes on you as much. An important safety feature, as explaiined the the wife when she saw the invoice.

Wigster

[Dave WigginMember]

I was at the Cold Flame rally last week end. The Barry Way was in great nick. It had been wet so no dust but good traction. Great fun. Went up and down it a few times (ran out of beer).

I cannot wait for this ride. One of the best locations on God’s own earth.

Wigster

[Dave WigginMember]

That’s too bad mate.

Was hoping you might front for the Snowy ride.

Have a good time up there. Plenty of sunscreen while fishing on that Irish skin of yours.

Uncertain times for sure in the Aussie economy.

See you when you get back. How about TTT in August mate?

Wigster

[Dave WigginMember]

Top work guys, though I am a bit worried that you might come back a different shape if all you have to eat is a can of tuna all day. Surely not enough for two burly boys.

TB, I know from experience how painful a dislocated thumb is. I have done both mine. Brings tears to me eyes just to think about it. You have done well there mate to get it back in and keep going. Don’t suppose you had much choice though! How was PTW’s bedside manner?

If Mt Pinnabar makes Jacobs Ladder look like the F3 then guess who won’t be doing the special! I find the F3 tricky enough sometimes.

I’m going to the Cold Flame Rally this coming week end, at the Pinch River camp just on the Barry Way. Be there Friday night and Saturday night. Be great to catch up if you are still in the area and haven’t starved to death by then.

Wigster

[Dave WigginMember]

Jeffro wrote:

Ok. Flights re-arranged for the 6th of May so I count me in for this one :woohoo:

Might need some assistance organising accomodation though.

Way to go Jeffro.

Fire that old Tenere up.

Wigster

[Dave WigginMember]

Happy Birthday Kat.

You must come on the High Country nav ride. I want to see dancing on tables.

Wigster

[Dave WigginMember]

Blasting down the Barry Way with the Old Bull’s. Yes please!

Count me in.

Wigster

[Dave WigginMember]

You don’t look a day over 38.

Wigster

[Dave WigginMember]

Junior wrote:

Didn’t intend to open such a can of worms. I agree that there are many good reasons why the gatherings should be for members only. My intention was to give other newbies a heads-up in case they were not logging in. Still finding my way around here is all. Cheers

Come on the next ride. A friendlier bunch of lunatics you would be hard pressed to meet.

It helps if you are a bit mad yourself though.

Wigster

[Dave WigginMember]

Thanks TB. Filter cleaned and oiled tonight.

Actually James made a good point. I was thinking of cutting the snorkel off too. What do you reckon?

Wigster

[Dave WigginMember]

And so the morning came and the knights of the realm gathered to break their fast.

Their hearts were singing with joy as the clan chief, their feudal lord and protector, their liege, their monarch, the very embodiment of themselves as a race of people, King Strucky the 1st, had endured.

How they longed to kneel before him once again to gather the pearls of wisdom that fell from his honeyed lips.

How they longed to see the royal standard fluttering on the breeze in the field.

How they longed to see him galloping his trusty warhorse towards the enemies ranks and carrying all before him.

They were dispatched to the four corners of the land on their mighty steeds to spread the message. THE KING LIVES! LONG LIVE THE KING! LONG LIVE THE KING!!!!

I hope this gives you a laugh Strucky, get well soon!

So it was day 2 and Jacobs Ladder looming on the agenda.

Early trails were good fun and I was getting used to the Tenere. I had to work the box a bit more than the Tiger but didn’t feel that it lacked power compared to the Trumpy on the dirt. Certainly not at the pace I ride at anyway. It felt a lot lighter on tight turns after a nav mistake, and there were a few of those during the day!

The tracks leading up to Jacobs Ladder were brilliant. The best of the week end. Plenty of traction on the loamy surface. Not too tight so a bit of pace was enjoyed. So much so that I overshot the turn off to the ladder and was rounded up by PTW (not for the first time).

Then I found myself at the top of the ladder. Usi and Pathless had already gone down. Holy Mother of God, it looked steep! As mentioned before , steep downhills are not my forte (what is). I decided to take it very cautiously and with a lot of dabbing with the left boot I trundled down at a record slow speed.

Quite frankly I didn’t care how stupid I looked, there was only Trailraider and PTW as my witnesses and they’re not going to tell anyone are they!

Having got down without laying her over I thought the difficulties were kind of over for the day.

But the tracks got rockier and rockier. It was hard to get a rhythm going as the rocks were bouncing the front end all over the place. I think a steering damper is the next mod for the bike. It was great riding though and I was feeling pretty pleased I hadn’t had on off, when I hit a series of erosion mounds. I had been getting a bit of air here and there on the Ten, something I didn’t do on the Tiger , and was quite enjoying it. By the fourth mound in a row I had too much momentum and I noticed that the track fell away quite steeply behind it.

Up in the air I went and the straight away the rear wheel appeared just below my right shoulder. “That’s funny” I thought, “what’s it doing there”.

As you can imagine, the landing was none too elegant. In fact my arse cheek took most of the force of the fall. (you should see the colour of it now, you would never believe the human body could exhibit that may shades of black, yellow and purple).

PTW and Trailraider were right behind me and I could see there shoulders heaving up and down with laughter and my ineptitude. But I’d like to say a big thanks too them as for the last hour I was REALLY tired and they shepherded me in. Thanks Guys!

No damage to my precious Tenere. They crash well that’s for sure.

Some very dusty single track alongside the highway led us back to Brokeback.

What a ride! Another cracking two days. Some of the tracks were super slippery or rocky, so quite a testing week end I thought.

Usi and I hit the highway after a quick beer. In a way I find highway cruising quite relaxing after a ride like that. At least I’m not worried about falling off every five seconds. Any time on a motorbike is surely time well spent.

Great to ride with Usi again, and Pathless for the first time. Amazing for only his second time on dirt. Well done that man!

When can we do all this again. Did someone mention Vic High Country?

Wigster

[Dave WigginMember]

So it was off to bed in the bunk in a room full of Olympic class snorers. Now I have heard some good snoring in my time but this was something else. I think Boulder might have been one of the main culprits but it was hard to tell above the cacophony. Usi had the right idea by sleeping on the couch outside the room with a pillow over his head. He was obviously trying to suffocate himself to escape the din, but he clearly didn’t succeed as he was still alive the next morning.

I hooked up with Usi and Pathlessridden for the days ride. David confessed it was only his second time on dirt, so I thought at least there will be someone slower than me on this ride. How wrong can a man be!

As usual, the day passed in a bit of a blur. Brilliant trails, beautiful country, it was the normal OBT fare. I do remember some really slippery gravel roads. Gravel is normally the sort of terrain I’m comfortable on, but these were like nothing I’d ridden before. Deep and loose, the surface was like riding on marbles. I locked her up a few of times coming in a bit hot to a couple of bends and went way wider than I should have. Thankfully there was nothing coming in the other direction.

A pie for morning tea helped keep the cholesterol levels at the required level for adventure riding. Up till now we were all riding at a similar speed, but as Pathless grew in confidence he got faster and faster so we ended up riding at quite a pace (for me).

We made our destination at quite a civilised hour compared to previous OBT rides. Late afternoon, plenty of time to settle in to the bar and big note ourselves to anyone who would listen. (Mainly each other).,

Then a dark shadow fell across the land as it was whispered that the King had been unhorsed on the battlefield. His loyal subjects grew grave indeed and silent prayers were said for their liege. Then a messenger arrived with tidings of great joy. THE KING LIVES! THE KING LIVES! Many tankards of ale were raised in celebration. THE KING LIVES AND WILL RIDE AMONGST YOU AGAIN! The King had indeed been unhorsed, but had been carried from the field in a carriage, bearing his injuries with noble grace. Even now he was recovering and would lead his people in battle once more. There was much joy amongst the serried ranks as even more tankards of ale were raised in even more celebration.

The riders briefing then ensued and it was realized that Jacobs Ladder was on the agenda for tomorrow so the trouser filling started immediately. I was sitting next to Katgirl and she confessed that If she drinks rum she starts dancing on the table. Armed with this information I urged her to join me in a rum and coke, on offer she sensibly declined. Next ride maybe.

I crashed in to bed well satisfied with the day but sh…..g pineapples about Jacobs Ladder. I hate steep downhills and apparently this was mighty steep. Bugger…….

Wigster

[Dave WigginMember]

jtb2879 wrote:

You must have BIG dinners at your house! :whistle:

You have no idea just how big……

[Author]

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