Crusty Quinns

  A Ride Report - that wot happened...
The RTRA took my baby away!
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      #487  
 
Kalgoorlie
Date 24/Apr/11
8 Riders CRFRichard, FueltankerAllen, Hux, Jacko, Jeff 400, Pounce, Tommy, Wrex
Rider of the day CRFRichard
Stack of the day Pounce
Day one Tommys Version

It was decided that we would all leave together from the servo on Great Eastern Hwy and while we were there we bumped into Mario who I last seen on the 5 hour Reliability Tour after a short chat it was time to head of to Kal. Pounces parting words were dont blow a fuse.

On leaving the servo FT Allens GPS said 515 klm to next turn so theres not much to be said about the trip up except that we did see a very large shiny and heavy tourer knocked over in a car park and it took two blokes to lift it up again and they werent happy.

When we arrived at CrfRichards workshop he and his wife were there to welcome us and show us some of the best hospitality you could ask for. The BBQ was fired up nibbles and a few beers all came out and we settled in for a good night of bench racing!

The next morning came early as we were all very keen to hit the trails Hux Richards mate arrived on a 400 KTM so Jeff 400 had a new best buddy. Richard was to lead and Hux would do sweep so off we went out of town and straight into single trails through the bush with the odd washout waiting around some corners to catch you out all good fun and we had only started.

The next obstacle we came across was a hill with a few riders at the top with there cameras out. Now I dont know about you but whenever I see people waiting with cameras at the ready I get nervous and think this must be harder than it looks so I slowed up picked my line and went for it. As it turned out it was just time for a regroup and they just keen to get a few photos early in the day panic for nothing, a few more hills to play up and down on. On we go over some rail tracks and into flat country again and more single trails through scrub bushes at one point I could see Richard up front and was trying to catch him round a corner I go the track went left and right round a tree stump which track will I take then I looked at the tree stump and we all know what happens when you look at something you guessed it and now the track is straight.
Possible SOTD for me but the day is early and anything could happen to save me that honour.

The Day is warming up and we are now heading out into open flat salt pans where we can go as hard and fast as you like as there nothing to get in your way a few drag races, a bit of sliding the back end and the usual suspects trying to save rubber on the front wheel.

Time to head for a meeting with the support cars at the Kunanulling Hotel so Richard and Hux decide to take us over a hilly area where they have marked out more trails. When we get to the start of these tracks there has been a local enduro round through here and the track we were heading for has disappeared and we get turned around and play about in and out of a dried up river bed up and over hills all good fun then the boys find the track they were looking for and we are on our way to the PUB I can almost taste the ale.

We arrive at the Pub hot dusty thirsty and ready to rehydrate well you can imagine the look on my face when I see the old ABANDONED hotel - some how I think everyone else knew and the joke was on me. Not to worry the girls are there with fuel, water and snacks to keep us going until we got to Coolgardie.

Rested and refreshed we all get ready for more fun but what is this Pounce cant get the DRZ started. The question was asked what happened ? The answer was it was ok until I pushed a rag in behind the headlight so off comes the headlight and the problem is found the wires have come off the bulb and BLOWN A FUSE. FT Allen comes to the rescue with a spare fuse and we are all on our way again.

This time Richard and Hux have no problem finding the tracks over the hills and we are into it up steep twisty rocky outcrops now this is fun. We all are having a good time but at one of the regroups we here one of the bikes boiling so its off the hills and onto the main roads to cool down. We are spread out riding along when out of a side road comes a road train at speed and he is not in the mood to slow down for a bunch of dirt bike riders even if they are on fully licensed and road legal bikes but who is going to argue with a road train. A regroup and we all agree to head off road again and have some safe fun riding over hills and through bush with no defined tracks until we reach Coolgardie.

After a bite to eat, refill the hydro packs and more fuel in the bikes its getting a bit late in the day so we head off for the shorter way home. We are treated to more of the same type of tracks on the return trip to Kal up hills down hills single tracks through scrub bush its hard to put it all into words when you are having so much fun.

There were no more dramas on the return trip and I didnt see anyone have any offs but I am sure there were a few as it was a long day and we were all getting a bit tired and some were starting to get cramps not surprising as we had covered over 200klm on a hot day.

When we arrived back at the workshop Richards missus had been out and got a load of steaks and food for in for us all and put on another BBQ and set about spoiling us again. We had a great day out in the bush and another good night at the workshop.

The crack was great the company great and we had more to come the next day what more could you ask for.

Day two - FT Allen

Day Two started a little slower than day one but the enthusiasm was still there. Pounce was seen riding around with thongs instead on boots and some other riders worried about his careless attitude towards his own safety. Karma!

Richard led the group eastward along some excellent single trail. Those who hate whoops were happy and the dirt was dry but still gripped enough to hold a fast line through corners. Once each rider gained confidence in the traction, the slide marks left on corners was evidence of riders having some fun.

We followed a prehistoric railway line and two DRZs played motocross jumps. One succeeded one fell short.

The warmup was over and Richard had expertly guided us to part of a Two Day track. This involved more head sized rocks covered by rolling fist sized rocks to catch out the unweary and those who hate rocks like myself. To add to the insult my Made proudly in China replica KTM tool bag sprayed my tools from one end of the hill to the other. I found most of them but left a Leatherman multitool which some lucky prospector will find. A quick regroup and across some lakes to the lunch and refuel stop.



Generally things were looking good. The tracks were awesome and everyone was enjoying the ride. The view of lunch, some extra fuel and some much needed H2O ,catered by Leonie and friends, was a welcome site to some but others in the zone did laps.

Pounces last stand.

For those watching, it looked like slow motion action of Pounce at full warp speed heading towards the only outcrop of rocks on the pancake flat lake.

Rumour has it that he was looking at the speedo, looked up to see the rocks, locked the brakes, slid the bike sideways and hit with his arms extended at speed, bouncing the bike and rider back a metre from the collision.

Body verses rock. Rock one, Body zero. An excellent excuse to get out of a hill climb, but not worth the pain.

An obvious decision was made to load Pounce and his steed into the Hilux for a quick.very quick trip to Kal hospital.

The hill was yet to come. Richard had been speaking about Freds Fear all morning. We could see the hillclimb from a kilometre away and I was never going to have a go at this hill. I assumed everyone felt the same. We rode towards the base of the climb and super human Tommy gunned the WR and up he went., gutsy effort. He made it way up, came to a haul then gingerly turned and came down in one piece. Rex was the next to aim at the top. We were told, Dont turn right. Rex got half way up the hill and his bike turned 90deg left and made a new track. Jeff took up the challenge and attacked the hill with speed. The best effort of the day, near the top he flipped the 400 but survived to tell the tale.

The next part of the ride covered outstanding tracks, lakes and rocksstupid rocks.

The lakes were large and looked deceptively dry. Richard tried one crossing and failed. A second crossing was successful.

The evening was rounded off with wood fired pizza and bears. Amazing day. Day three to come.


Kalgoorlie Ride


Kalgoorlie Ride


Kalgoorlie Ride


Kalgoorlie Ride


2 up Kalgoorlie Ride


Kalgoorlie Ride


Kal ride.


Hux on the Kal ride.


Jeff on the Kal ride.


Jacko on the Kal ride.


Pounce (BTA) on the Kal ride.


Tommy on the Kal ride.


Richard on the Kal ride.


First left turn in 515 Km. GPS to Kal ride.


Warning. Pounce in a thong!


Kalgoorlie ride


Kalgoorlie ride


Kalgoorlie ride


Kalgoorlie ride


Kalgoorlie ride


Kalgoorlie ride


Kalgoorlie ride


Kalgoorlie ride


Kalgoorlie ride


Kalgoorlie ride


Kalgoorlie ride


Kalgoorlie ride


Kalgoorlie ride


Kalgoorlie ride


Kalgoorlie ride


Kalgoorlie ride


Kalgoorlie ride


Kalgoorlie ride


Kalgoorlie ride


Kalgoorlie ride


Kalgoorlie ride


Kalgoorlie ride


Kalgoorlie ride


Kalgoorlie ride


Pounces broken wrist


Richard's swingarm after the last hillclimb.


Kal photo by Jacko


Kal photo by Jacko


Kal photo by Jacko


Kal photo by Jacko


Kal photo by Jacko


Kal photo by Jacko


Kal photo by Jacko


Post op - pre plastic


The Kal Crew.


What Rock?


More detail added for realism


GPS screen grab of actual recorded data




Crusty Quinns® - born in WA in 2000 - V1.3.0-17/Apr/13