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Lano to Cervantes
Col Mc decided it was time for a run to Cervantes as we hadn't done one for a while.
The call was made and again the crowd wasn't dissapointed with 11 regulars and 4 new guys turning up. Col Mc took lead (YAY, no dust) with Tige putting his hand up to take sweep position. After the formalities and pre-ride meeting we took off on a overcast morning which was threatening to rain but did nowt for the dust. All was going well with a couple of regroups at the firing range gates as per usual. The next regroup was unscheduled as Choko got a flat so half the group stopped with him to sort it out and I rode on to let the leaders know what was happening. They were stopped just before the dunes into Wedge. After what seemed like half an hour I went back to check on the progress and they were just finishing the second tube change on Chokos back tyre. Everyone showed up where the leaders were and it was decided to ride through Wedge and head straight up the beach. What a piece of shit state the beach was in. It was the worst anyone had seen it. Tide was right up, seaweed everywhere with some sneaky/tricky washouts that snuck up on you when you weren't expecting them.Regroup at the end and then onto Cervantes. That track hasn't changed, still the sandy, whoopy, rocky, windy trail everyone loves. After a slow lunch and refuel at Cervantes (totally remodeled with slower service) it was back onto the trails. Next regroup was somewhere on the beach, I really think Col got lost, and some play in the dunes trying to get back onto the main track. The only time anyone seperated from their bike all day was in this area. There were a couple of laydowns in the boggy sand, me included, and the best bit was that everyone was standing around watching everyone else have a laugh. We got back to the beach, (just as rough going the other way) then headed back to Wedge for a rest at the Nurses hut. As we were leaving, the road had been watered down and I got to soak Fiona with the only puddle in West Aus. Poor thing was daydreaming, I saw an opportunity and SPLASH, got her with the lot. Sorry mate. The ride back to Lano was uneventful. I let the TigeR of the leash and gave him a break from sweeping for a bit. He took off in a cloud of dust and didn't see him again until he'ld had his fill and waited for us to catch up. Everyone arrived back at the cars in one pice which is always a good thing. The blokes who hadn't been on that ride before were impressed and the ones who had were happy. There was no SOTD as said before, just a couple of places where the gravity and sand worked against us. ROTD from me will go to Col Mc for calling, leading and keeping us all together even though his plans for the arvo were ruined as we got back later than expected. No photos from this ride but I had the helmet cam running the whole way. Some good footage but a lot of sky too as it was pointing a bit too high. After I get it edited and loaded to youtube, I'll put some links in here to the video. Part 1. Lancelin to the dunes before Wedge Part 2. Dunes before Wedge, along the beach then inland to Cervantes |
