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The BIG hills ride.
The BIG hills ride.
Let's not underestimate the word big. One of the new Crusty's, KTMSteve, offered to organise a BIG ride in the hills lead by one of his mates Marcel. These guys have ridden the hills area for years and really know the area well. 19 riders turned out, meeting up at Bickley and leaving the cars safe at one of Steve's other mate's property. Only 10 k's into the ride two off the boys picked up front flats probably due to the rocky surface. A quick break and a couple of new tubes later, the group was back on its way.  TIME TO CHANGE A FRONT FLAT. THE GUYS WHO NEW WHAT THEY WERE DOING PITCHED IN TO HELP OUT. The rest of the morning was taken up riding on some of the best trails I have ever ridden on. There was a bit of everything from goat trails, through to fast flowing fire trails, a few good hill climbs and plenty of gnarly rutted out wash aways. There was certainly enough to keep everyone on their toes and provide a very enjoyable ride. One of the new guys, Ricky, picks up the prestigious SOTD award. Not because he had the best crash but because he had the best 30 crashes. By lunch time he had converted his brand new WR450 into a bike that looked like it had just finished the Paris Dakar. Both radiators were bent back around the frame and one of them required some liquid steel to stop the water lose. It was then time to pick up some fuel and a bite to eat at the Lakes Road house. HINT: Fit good quality radiator guards to your water cooled bike and heavy duty tubes to help prevent flats.  LUNCH AT THE LAKES ROAD HOUSE.  19 BIKES LINED UP FOR FUEL AT THE LAKES.  A GOOD CHANCE TO HAVE A CHAT ABOUT HOW THE RIDE WAS GOING.  The afternoon's ride started with the group becoming separated after the oldest Baboon made a little blue and the corner man system failed. Fortunately, after a bit of back tracking all the riders were picked up and back in the main group. The first half of the ride was similar to the mornings until Marcel headed into places that only goats should climb over. The younger riders were having some fun but still struggling big time. A few of the older fellows just couldn't make the climbs and fatigue had set in by late in the afternoon. On a few of the nasty sections it was possible to find an alternative route and rejoin the group. This became harder the further we were into the wooded hills. In the end the baboons decided they were to leave the group and make their way back to Bickely with the aid of Pete's GPS. As the sun was on its way down and the temperature started to drop, I could see a night in the scrub next to a big camp fire. Next minute we found a tar road and made our way back to the car. Back at the cars were the other guys loading up their bikes. Marty (Motoman) and his mates all had smiles on them from ear to ear. The other new guy Andrew also said he had a top ride and can't wait to get out with the Crusty's and do it again. I awarded one of the new guys (Marty's mate on the Husky, I'll get your name once we have your pic and details) ROTD. This guy road hard all day and managed to pop a wheelie or slide sideways no matter what the surface looked like. Marcel lead a fantastic ride through the hills with my only (positive) criticism that the ride was tougher than the ability of the weakest rider which did cause some frustration. All in all though KTMSteve and Marcel, a great big thanks for a top ride. Deets took these great pics so I had to add them -    |
