| #253 | |||||||||
|
|
The Pines.
Report by Col.
Most official rides these days takes the group a least 100 kms from home in search of decent riding areas. I needed to be home early today so I called a ride for the Pines. Nottoo far to drive and I could take off early if others decided they wanted to play a bit longer than I did. Last time I was out there I actually said it would be the "last time". The Pines can be hot, with thick black dust and boggy sand up to your knees if the weather has been warm and dry. As it is June and it has pissed down all week, there was not a puff of dust and the tracks were nice and firm (most of the way). We did two loops today. The first loop was a pearler, lead by Howard who picked up the ROTD award for a top job well done. He kept the group moving fast and on the gas most of the way. H lead us around some open fire trails as well as some tighter single track stuff. The sand had turned to loam in many places and Haydn said it was just like a MX track to ride on. There were no big offs today however Brett came down after misjudging a log crossing and Roley thought it was good enough for the prestigious award of SOTD. Good onya son. The ride looped around and we ended up down through the many small sand quarries and then back to the bigger limestone quarry. Most of us had a go or two at the hill climb with one noticeable larger frame gentlemen getting stuck at the top of one climb. He was heard saying something about %&^#@*. Roley took his favourite position as sweep and the rest of us took turns chasing H and marking the corners. Lindsay showed some good pace and style although I was following him on one section when the rear end nearly passed the front end and he wasn't going all that slow either. Tiger turned it on a couple of times and then just as quickly backed off on the gas. Now we know what happens when you do that in sand don't we Tiger?? That's right, you fall off!!!!!!! Brett kept Roley company most of the ride while Haydn and Rocco took their turn up front and had a ball doing it. The second loop was a bit on the short side after an off and hard to start bike slowed things down and then Col Mc's front wheel decided to chew another bearing (recently replaced) (#$%^& KTM crap) and we needed to head back to the cars before it gave up altogether. After I pulled up at the cars and slipped off my helmet, Rocco arrived and rode straight at the rear of his ute. Just before hitting it, he popped the front wheel and dropped it on the tail gate. Within a moment he had one hand on the swing arm and before you could say "give me a hand to load my bike" the big 400 was up on the ute, stand down and ready to receive the tie downs. Now big Col, I like to see you do that!!!! I had a great ride out there today but it was mostly because of the trails that H picked and the group that I rode with. Not in a huge hurry to go back out there but it sure did restore my faith in the ability to have a half decent ride out there. If you are keen, better be quick as they are cutting down the pines quick. I don't know what will be left out there in the near future or what it will be turned into, so don't procrastinate. Thanks fellows.  IT LOOKS LIKE THIS PIC WAS TAKEN BY GRANT.  REST TIME  THAT WOULDN'T BE COL MC STUCK WOULD IT.  HE DID MAKE IT  SOME PEOPLE JUST MAKE IT LOOK EASY.  COME ON UP FELLOWS - THERE IS A GREAT VIEW. |
