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The Lakes
Report by Col.
It is difficult during any part of the year to find a day with perfect riding conditions. Today was an exception. The ride was called early in the week however it wasn't until a few had started checking the long range forecast that hands actually started to go up for a basic ride out at the Lakes. Rain was predicted for Thursday with passing showers on Friday and a top of 22 for Saturday. 16 past and present riders turned up with a special cameo appearance from Hill Billy Wal, for a magic day of dust free trail riding with a coolish ambient temperature. Guys turning up late for a group ride really give me the shits so when we snuck into the meet area last we were greeted with a lot of name calling and tapping of watches. The baboons were off to a good start for the day getting stuck behind two large loads travelling the full distance of Green Mount at around 40 kph. We were all ready, the riders brief was complete and Col Mac had thrown up his hand to lead the ride. Helmets on, bikes were started, the boys were getting edgy, Wal's Yammy would not fire into life. There were a lot of button pushing, several long attempts at kicking her over and a few burst of leg power and pushing but the bike was as dead as a maggot. Wal was to miss the first half of the ride and he eventually caught up with us later after a simple plug change. Col led us down to the power lines and across the old single tracks to the back road the runs parallel with the main line. We then headed the regular way down to the stream. The trails were superb, damp with many puddles of various sizes. The stream was wide and flowing but no place for a enduro weapon. Col had a chat with a few of the group about what our plan of attack would be from this point. Lethal (Lee) new the area pretty well and after a little bit of persuasion rode upfront and took us on a good ride. Col Mac got us started but I have to award the ROTD to Lethal for leading the pack for the first time. We need more guys prepared to take on this task!!! Well done buddy. I found the recipient of the SOTD award running back to his bike to pick it up. He had come down in a rather large water rut (I missed the stack) and ended some meters from his bike. After picking the bike and himself up he took a couple of minutes to gather his thoughts before taking off again. Mackley was responsible for this fine feat and informed us all at the next regroup that he smacked in head pretty hard, broke his peak and was a little dazed. Well done Mackley for the SOTD award. There were a few decent sized mud holes to get through today. I chose the wrong path at one crossing and bogged the bike down to the axles. I hopped of laid it on its side and dragged it out just to be told be told by one of the others the rear tyre was flat. Carlo has been for a few rides, but never really initiated, so at one spot near a long puddle, Pounce casually rode around in front of him, locked on the front brake and gave him a brilliant "roost shower" to really welcome him. As we were probably only 15 k's from home I decided to ride on with the flat. The three baboons and Carlo headed off separately. Pounce gave me great directions how to get back on the shortest route. Of course if you turn me around once in the bush I 'm lost so it took several attempts to finally get back after meeting up again and again with the main group and receiving ongoing directions. After Lethal ran out of trails, Pounce took over for the short journey home. He led us through some winding trails back some of the way where a couple of guys decided to head back, so those that wanted to waste the rest of their fuel followed him down towards where Gorrie meets the powerlines then back along them to the Lakes. The guys following him had a huge water fight on the way home as the track was a mass of deep puddles and everyone was riding close to each other. There were a couple of 4WD on the track and one of them stopped in the middle of the road, opened both his doors and put his hand up for me to stop as he deflated his tyres! Wanker. I just rode around him and made him shut the door and move. We even picked up a new guy at the Road House who tagged along. He looked like he could throw a bike around and had ridden the Finke this year and was off to Carnarvon tomorrow for next week's Gascoyne Dash. Good luck with it Dave. I can't see too many days left in 2008 with conditions like we rode in today. Good weather, a great crew and some good laffs!!  THE WOG BOY  THE SMILING ASSASSINS  THE LADS  THE NEW GUY - Dave525 |
