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Colins Return
Report by WRJamie
Players: WRJamie, Colin McCaughey, Murray. Colin called a small ride to test himself out before taking a beginners ride out to Wedge the next week. Im not a regular rider and am keen on the Wedge ride so decided to take the opportunity for some low pressure practice. Prior to leaving home the wife asks if I know the guys I am riding with, to which I respond no, I met them on the internet. She looked at me and asked if she should be worried that I am meeting strange men in a remote location! Surely there was nothing to worry about? Pull into the pre-arranged parking location and notice the beautiful beast glinting in the sun, not Colin or Murray but a shiny Husaberg 570. Introductions done, a plan was made for some easy laps around the open area with Colin leading and me as sweep. After a couple of laps I came around a deep sandy corner to find Colin picking himself up of the ground, think he just stopped to give that sexy Swedish mistress a cuddle. Not a big get-off but happy to get it out of the way after a long layoff. Couple of laps later Murray has a lie down in the same corner. At a break Colin shows a big slice in his boot where he hit a piece of metal, reinforcing why we wear boots at all times whilst riding! We head off for a little run through some pines and come across some road bikes sitting at the side of the road. Thinking nothing of it we carry on down the road. On return half-hour later the RAC chopper is circling with a couple of police cars and an ambulance in attendance with the road bike guys. That guy deserves SOTD. We had quick break and decided to give Murray a tour around the area, I took the lead (thats a worry), Colin in sweep and we headed to some muddy tracks, we get to the first wet patch and some young guys have got their 4WD bogged in ankle deep mud. We cruise past, smug in our decision to be trail bike riders. Head along the fence line and get to a section of extremely boggy sand which most people who ride this area would know well. Murray was keen to give it a crack. I have practiced this section a few times in my desire to try and learn how to ride sand, get nasty, keep it pinned and straight. I get out the other side and hear silence with no bikes behind me. Fearing the worst I start walking back down the section, hearing bikes firing back up was a sweet sound. I think Murray was pretty pleased on getting through it. After a short break enjoying the smell of burning clutch plates we headed off to tracks behind the old quarry. Murray loved this section and was all smiles when we stopped at the top of the quarry for a break. Then the unthinkable happened, the sexy Swedish hussy would not fire, with no kick start and a Reckluse clutch that does not allow a push start, Colin was luckily left with a short down hill push to the main road. Murray and I left Colin for a little bonding time with the Hussy. Within 20 minutes Colin was recovered and back at the cars. Thanks for a great day out, especially to Colin for being prepared to take us beginners out. That gets ROTD in my opinion.  |
