| #366 | |||||||||
|
|
ANZAC Day ride.
Report by Col
When will the weather forecasters get it right? After some very light rain on Friday night and the hope of more Saturday morning, a small group gathered at the Lakes for an ANZAC day ride lead by Choko. The usual riders brief and we were on our way out for a 100 ks of fantastic trails and challenges almost without incident. Steve was looking good for the stack of the day award after parting with his bike and coming down with a reasonable off. Col Mac bought the Gasser along and found it tough going on the smoker particularly in the loose gravel and over shooting a couple of turns. On the last leg home he clipped a rock and came down hard landing on more rocks, giving the helmet a big knock, bruising a few ribs and taking some skin of his arms. He got up a little dazed (more than normal) and took a couple of minutes to recover and mount the bike for a an easy ride home on the tar. That will be the SOTD award big fellow. Choko did a great job up front and was helped out by Pounce on a couple of occasions learning a few new trails. You have to give it to these guys for throwing their hands up and leading because without this commitment we would not have the brilliant rides we have. That gives you an extra point Choko for the ROTD and a big pat on the back to Pounce who knows the area like the back of his hand. Chris came out for his first ride in a long time and looked good on the bike. He did comment though that he was feeling it after a long break. Mat came along and showed plenty of good manoeuvrers chasing hard whenever he had the chance. Jacko took it easy and rode back with Pete as sweep but showed it is a little easier on the DRZ compared with the old XT500. Steve had a couple of incidents and although a missed it was told he had his DRZ upside down on a hill challenge after being a little too exuberant with the throttle. Roley had a good ride and took his turn throughout the pack although like his two brothers, looked pretty stuffed after a late night and an early start. This area has far become my most favourite riding area. It really does offer a lot of variations in terrain, surfaces and trail sizes. It is challenging enough for newer riders without being impossible and tricky enough to keep even the best of them of their toes. Well done to everyone who gave it their best today and I am sure you will back out soon for another great Crusty ride.     Feeling a bit battered this morning, as my body does not crash quite so well these days!. After a top ride yesterday, thanks to the boys leading, its just sods law that i came down on a gentle quiet section, trying to just cruise and save fuel. I am pretty sure i was just drifting from right to left on the track and caught a rock in just the right angle to start a tank slapper going. It pitched me off pretty hard and i landed on a fairly big rock, trashing my shirt and my helmet.I had the damper turned right down and that maybe would have saved me if i had had it turned up a bit more. Col Mc.  |
