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The Lakes - Beginners ride.
Lakes Beginner's Ride 14/6/08
The Crusties called a second beginner's ride given the previous response and the continued interest with new riders. 14 riders turned up on a perfect sunny day with firm, damp trails. ColMc was lead rider and chief instructor and did a top job leading the pack over a variety of terrain with some challenges. Roley rode the usual Sweep position. ColMc held class for newbie Gavin and Brian 250 at the start while Choko lead the rest of us out to the Powerline and back as a warm up and to practice the Cornerman (er Cornerperson) System (we had a female rider with us, Leah!). Once the main group got back to the start we re-grouped, with the academic instruction over for Gavin & Brian, the pack took off at a reasonable pace heading for the creek via the Powerline and the usual goat-trails. There was some excitement at one rocky incline when Andrea's Italian mate, Carlo (with an accent!) entertained the group with an unintentional dramatic wheelie over the top. This ended in a stack and Andrea having to knock the right foot peg back into place with a large rock. Tom then discovered he had a flat rear tyre, much to his disgust, given he had just fitted new heavy duty tubes! We quickly discovered the cause - with all that torque on the back wheel of a KLX 250 you must have a rim lock! The stacks did not end there for Carlo who then re-aligned his gear lever on the goat-trail while trying to ride like a crazy Italian madman. Andrea then had to panel beat that back into shape after we tried a few spares ones that did not fit before he was mobile again. On the way back ColMc gave instruction on corning on a sandy berm and later some sandy whoppies. Each time we stopped for these lessons a few riders took on the tips and had a practice run with good results. The trip slowed a little when we got caught behind a convey of four-wheel drives for a few kilometers before we peeled off and headed back to the Roadhouse. A few Ks out Leah earned the SOTD for a little off, with a bit of skin off on her arm and side. But she showed true grit by mounting up straight away and heading home. In fact she rode better than some of the boys today (Carlo!) standing up on the pegs and on the gas most of the day. Steve continues to lift his pace (on the pegs on the gas) and Brain250 is improving with each ride. Gavin who is the newest to dirt bikes was a willing learner and did a great job showing his style through the sand whoppies for the group. MarkG (Leah's man), KTMSteve450, Bruce, Olan & Tom rode well all day. Carlo what can I say! - don't ride through deep muddy puddles on full throttle, you don't know how deep they are! Only 60 Ks ridden but a great day out. Thanks ColMc you well deserve ROTD and well supported by Choko (giving back to the Crusties for the support you have had) and Andrea (well a bit tame after last week's Last Man Standing West Coast Safari Tour eh!).  RIDERS BRIEF - CLASS IN IN.  REGROUP  TOM'S FLAT  BRIAN FOLLOWING COL'S INSTRUCTION ON A SANDY BERM  GAVIN FOLLOWING COL'S EXAMPLE ON THE WHOOPIES. |
