Jakobi
Super Moderator
Expected around 25 starters, some of which were completely unknown (and all of which failed to show up). We started with 12 riders all of which were weapons. Big km loop set out, and graded at 4. In hindsight it may have been 4.5-5. Lonetree who previously lived in Vic thinks the trails are pretty alright and even some of the southerner guns (Owen where are you!) would find the route challenging.
So we were off into it, in the rain! Wet tracks everywhere! Slippery routes, slippery pine forests/needles, slipperly logs.. Even more logs courtesy of Cyclone Ita the other week. The tracks were at a whole level above their typical fun/challenge factor. Quite a bit of dirt sampling took place throughout the day and a couple of mechanical issues too. A few pull outs early in the day through injury or other reasons and the group kept shrinking.
Getting through hells gate and I had left the lead duties to the guns and ended up helping out with sweeping with Sach. Pushed forward and passed Chris who was stuck on his 300EXC mid hill. An interesting line around him and then waited at the top for 10mins. Not much action from Chris and wondering if he needed a hand I rode back. Chris had his breath back but n Sweep Sach. Back tracked a km through some bs singles and found Sach had stashed his bike and was ready to start walking. We were in the middle of nowhere and hearts were broken. In the end his bike had ran onto reserve and the revs ran away, bike wouldn't start, and also had some damage with the cable so the slide wasn't shutting. Bit of tinkering and we got the TE300 running and on our way again, but well behind the group. Made the refuel point and all others had moved into the nastier section for the day. We weren't in any position to play catch up through there so headed to the pub. Got there and Chris was broken (tired and bike dropping compression). We waited around from around 2:30-4pm until the others dropped in.. ALL ROOTED.. and another bike down with a blown front sprocket and chain.
All had a few drinks and some toasties and then we had to race the sun home (still 80km away). Got in just on dark! Massive day for all!
I don't think there were many pics/videos due to the constant ride ride ride nature of the ride ride ride. Chris stopped to catch his breath after hanging up out of one of the rainforest creeks and snapped a few pics.
So we were off into it, in the rain! Wet tracks everywhere! Slippery routes, slippery pine forests/needles, slipperly logs.. Even more logs courtesy of Cyclone Ita the other week. The tracks were at a whole level above their typical fun/challenge factor. Quite a bit of dirt sampling took place throughout the day and a couple of mechanical issues too. A few pull outs early in the day through injury or other reasons and the group kept shrinking.
Getting through hells gate and I had left the lead duties to the guns and ended up helping out with sweeping with Sach. Pushed forward and passed Chris who was stuck on his 300EXC mid hill. An interesting line around him and then waited at the top for 10mins. Not much action from Chris and wondering if he needed a hand I rode back. Chris had his breath back but n Sweep Sach. Back tracked a km through some bs singles and found Sach had stashed his bike and was ready to start walking. We were in the middle of nowhere and hearts were broken. In the end his bike had ran onto reserve and the revs ran away, bike wouldn't start, and also had some damage with the cable so the slide wasn't shutting. Bit of tinkering and we got the TE300 running and on our way again, but well behind the group. Made the refuel point and all others had moved into the nastier section for the day. We weren't in any position to play catch up through there so headed to the pub. Got there and Chris was broken (tired and bike dropping compression). We waited around from around 2:30-4pm until the others dropped in.. ALL ROOTED.. and another bike down with a blown front sprocket and chain.
All had a few drinks and some toasties and then we had to race the sun home (still 80km away). Got in just on dark! Massive day for all!
I don't think there were many pics/videos due to the constant ride ride ride nature of the ride ride ride. Chris stopped to catch his breath after hanging up out of one of the rainforest creeks and snapped a few pics.