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A Midwest Cruise
HEADCUTTERS AND BOXTHORN
Merv called a Midwest ride for Saturday afternoon. Col had not had a chance to fix his bike so he was out. Tony was driving the trains so could not make it. That left Brownie and John- a new comer, to join in. We met at Drummonds and after quick introductions and a brief ride description we were into it on our way to a mate of Mervs who was to come for a ride as well. After a short stint of bitumen we found Mervs mate was not home and could not make it. So away we went, the three musketeers through a lot of back tracks and fire trails skirting around the back of town. It was a perfect day for riding with a bit of cloud cover to keep it cool although the dust was fairly heavy in places. We arrived at the base of the Southgate dunes where Merv told us we would skirt along the Eastern ridge to avoid any traffic. It was a great blast across some big open sand fields on top of the system where I knew Merv was enjoying opening the taps in prep for the Gas Dash next weekend. After crossing the river mouth we followed the coast tracks along for a few kays before pulling up for a breather. John was having trouble with the stock front tyre on his DRZ 400 in the sandy tracks and would later rue not turfing it sooner. A few more kms along we turned inland onto some great coastal tracks that were soft in places but quick in others. It was quite hilly and twisty through this section with some great little bermed switchbacks -Yea Ha! It was also that grey coastal soil which is like riding through a black cloud when Merv winds the WRF up out front (cheers Merv). John had gone down earlier but nobody had seen it so when Brownie clocked him losing the front end through a whooped out corner he called SOTD. We ended up at a coastal estate where we stopped for an hour for a break and a yarn. We decided to go back down some different trails to end up at the river instead of going back via the coast. A few kms in and the track got narrower and tighter as we went. This is where the scenery became more interesting In some places the track became completely overgrown with head cutter trees and you were doing your best road racer impression with head and elbows tucked in to avoid whiplash. To add to the fun the track was liberally sprinkled with large and nasty Boxthorn bushes waiting to impale all and sundry body parts coming within cooey. When we reached the river side track we were all glad to get back into some fun speeds again on some great hardpack trails. After crossing over Southgates again John left us to head home via the blacktop. Merv and Brownie took the back tracks again along with a great little goat track by the river for a bit which was great fun. Merv scored ROTD for leading through some great varied tracks and trails. Home by 4.30 to enjoy a refresher and watch the afternoon thunderstorm. Great ride boys. Good luck in the Dash Merv !  Greenough coast . Midwest ride  Greenough coast . Midwest ride |
