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The Crusty Quinns Crusade
Unfortunately due to work commitments Micks West Coast Safaris ride was out and so was the Capel enduro. So what was a man to do, Yep call a ride and see if anyones interested.
Knowing most would be at Capel I didnt like my chances of anyone riding but as the calls came in spirits lifted and a plan was hatched. Seeing as how there would be 2 or 3 of us meeting at my place was easy. When I told the missus 6 were coming she asked where they were to all park. No worries theyll fit I replied just trying to keep face. H, Hayden, GasGas Mark and Jacko all rolled up. Jacko bought a mate that had ridden with CQ before but is relegated to the hall of fame board, he is Husq Mike yep still on a Husky but a newer 510. Like a shot out of the blue this familiar accent was heard over my phone. Was it American, Canadian, Alaskan? Must be none other than, Beau. After a lengthy fight with health and home renovation issues he fired up the WR400 for another CQ ride. We all managed to fit at my place Husq Mike in the vacant block across the road. Beau had a nice new Leatt brace, Jacko called sweep, H started with the excuses of riding slow with a pathetic I broke my finger at WCTS Well shiver me timbers I must break my finger too because he was still twice as quick as me. We all kitted up for a quick road stage into the tracks. Woops, soft sand, bermed corners, Hill climbs just for starters. GasGas mark tried to beat his 3 week old world record flip at the top of a 30m dune only to hold onto it and lay it down. Beau found some water in his air box that cut power at the most inappropriate time, you know 5m from the top of the 30m dune. After clearing it up no more issues for Beau. Jacko had a couple of attempts and finally sailed right on up. After seeing a few roos out Yanchep way a refuel and feed was on the cards. 15min later away we went. After reaching some of Mick450s favorite fire trails a fast time was had by all. I followed the trail a little further than normal and hit some real boggy stuff till hitting the limestone access roads. After the fast stuff I felt some slow and technical mini pine routes were the go, unfortunately Haydens bike thought different and had a hissy fit. Hayden had a free steam facial after boiling the KTM. As usual nothing fazes the big fella and we were of with pleads of some faster free flowing air. So be it thats what they got. We popped out at The Grove for a refuel and a breather. We came across two 4x4s on the main track with no issues. After they let us through I was in the zone, I love this twisty track with bermed corners with varying tightness. Mate I was riding like a man possessed, I dont think in the course of all history had a DRZ ever been pushed so hard and so fast, surely no one could ride quicker. I was one with the bike and the bike was one with me, It all seamed like slow motion you know when you see thing before they happen and react just as quick, it was surreal, surreal alright H passed me like I was standing still. Oh well. Headed back along the coast through the firm 4x4 tracks and tried to stay away from the soft stuff. Stopped for a few photos and came out at Two Rocks, regrouped and took the bitumen for a few ks. This really is where the road registered bike we all ride really helps in getting from A to B to C and back to A again. We headed bush again but I found us a little to close to the beach and things got soft. When you have just done 100kms soft stuff really drains it out of you. Jacko the sweep reported back that he spent a bit of time picking up other peoples bike out of the soft sand. After we hit the hard stuff I was called back to GasGas Mark feeling left out and wanting a Steam facial as well. Yep the GasGas had spilt its guts. After a few calls from the crowd, something about the previous owners poor maintenance schedule and for Mark to take it back under warranty (Just jokes Col Mac). It was discovered that the plastic elbow on the coolant reservoir bottle that links it to the radiator had broken which depressurized the exhaust. 4 cable ties later away we go with me promising no more slow stuff to look after Marks bike. After 8 or 9 minutes your trip leader took a left instead of a right and we all found ourselves in the middle of a sea of cap rock limestone. Not the stuff you see on the way to Cervantes no, individual rocks all about 20cms high all attached to one another I didnt think it was going to end until I saw Bitumen. Looking at everyone faces I wasnt sure if I should A) - do a runner (cause Im sure I could find that Zone thing again) B) - apologize (on hands and knees) C) - fake a Cerebral Aneurysm (But no one would look after my bike) D) - Take the bitumen all the way home so the mob wouldnt bash me. I took D. After getting changed the Crownies appeared for a well earned drink. Thanks to all who came and put up with my hit and miss corner marking. This was only the second time leading a ride and thoroughly enjoyed it. TYou dont have to be the fastest rider to lead just have a rough idea on where you are going. Thanks guys for showing up, sharing the laughs, Jacko for sweeping and to all for not lynching me after the cap rock limestone. Photos are up. Wrex signing out.  Beau & Jacko doing the Hill  Da Boys!  Fuel, food and water.  How's the serenity?  Beau and HuskyMike taking a breather  Hayden eating H's sand roost |
