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North Banister
Date, 2.6.07
Where, North Bannister Who, Fiona, Colin McCaughey, Troy New bloke who hasn't got a profile yet but this was his 2nd CQ ride, Brett New bloke, Matt new bloke. ROTD, Fiona SOTD, New bloke Troy With the conditions still perfect for hills riding, another North Bannister ride was called by Colin. Only 4 regulars turned up, but we had Brett come along for the first time and also Matt from Race Ready Performance graced us with his presence. As we had no volunteer leader, or anyone with a really good knowledge of the area, it was always going to a be a "suck it and see" affair and maybe that helped make it a rather disjointed effort. The sun certainly made life difficult in the trees and caused Brett to go straight on and end up straddling a log. It was a decent one and would have made you think about it had you come straight at it. Not knowing it was there helped and his front wheel popped right over. Troy made his first play for SOTD by getting jiggy with the blackboys, without damage or injury. Brett did a fantastic huge log limbo and nearly took his head off. Everyone else pushed under it or went round, but he rode clean under it for a round of applause. We found the usual loop we use on the way back and followed that back to the cars, for a drink and refuel. The 2nd loop was longer and started with all players doing some laps round the sandy track. It must have been well used recently, as the corners are far more whooped out and rutted than they were a month ago. It was nice watching Matt cane it round, as he clearly knows what hes doing on a bike. But in fairness all the players made a decent attempt at it, considering it was pretty bumpy and rough. It was also here that Troy went for broke on the SOTD and managed two "stackettes" in quick succession on the same corner, including one out of control wheelie thing on the big 525 KTM and just for the fact they were right in front of all of us, he can have SOTD. We then headed off into the bush, not really knowing where we were going and there was a bit of doubling back and gravel roads involved, but also some decent trails and hill climbs. One in particular had a cheeky log crossing right at the top and caused a few wobbles in the pack. Brett struggled a bit with the big DRZ and the many stalls and restarts started to take its toll on him and we decided to head back. The GPS was welded to no affect whatoever(lol) and with some good old fashioned nose following, looking where the sun was etc etc, we headed back. Fiona got in her claim for SOTD, as she went down on a loose rutty section, again without damage to jockey or steed. Col McC also had a decent dismount, on what he initially claimed was too much front brake on pea gravel, but the evidence from the shape of the Gassers right foot-peg, would suggest something hidden in the short grass, was twatted hard and took him down. With just a cup full of fuel left, Col McC lead to sweep and we headed back to the cars. The gasser was running on fumes when we got back, which was a shame, as the trail back was tip top. All in all not a bad effort considering we had no idea were we were going. A quick mention for Fiona and the little CRF230. All the blokes are well impressed with her efforts and not just for a lady. She is going well on the little Honda and got up and over all the obstacles thrown at her today, in some cases better than the blokes. Well done and ROTD for her. |
