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Lano - how far can you go on a tank?
Report by TigeR
Almost summer in WA, but the winter returned this week dumping a decent amount of rain, as they say "every climate change has a silver lining". So this weekend Crusties took advantage and headed bush in all directions: down south for the RTRA West Coast Safari ride, east for the not yet officially sanctioned Italian reunion ride and up North to Lano for the "How far can you get on a tank challenge?" It's been a while since I've done a Lano ride, in fact ol' Lano is a bit neglected with the rides pushing out more east and to the south-west. Just the drive up reminds you just how different the terrain is up here. I could go all Tim Winton here, but just read Dirt Music to get the lyrical descriptions of the landscape. The car-park was already pretty busy when we arrived at the Lano off-road area, some of the Metal Mulisha wannabees looked like they were carrying on the party from the night before. We had a mixed bunch of old and new here today. Col Mc served up the ride menu with various light snacks to Wedge and back, or for something more substantial the longer rides to Cervantes with a refuel and back. The group was tending towards the Cervantes banquet but new guy Tales said he'd bail at Wedge because he didn't want such a long ride. Col Mc outlined the ethics of the CQ which was to stick together; so a Wedge and back with a side order of the inland tracks was ordered for the group and we were off. First reminder that it's Lano - the blinding white sand on the way out. We had the usual regroups, before turning into the inland tracks. How good are they? The ground was dry on top but plenty firm underneath with lots of traction. This is why the Lano run is so good in the right conditions. We all speedwayed our way down these tracks, with smiles all round at each regroup. Then onto the twin-track 4WD tracks, these have certainly had a lot more traffic in recent times as they are starting to get whooped out which keeps the concentration levels up. We crossed over the new road a couple of times before winding our way into Wedge and the obligatory shots on the beach. Then it got better as we had to go back and do it all again. Col lead us out on a run out the time trial track and back. It was on. This is where I got to understand why people ride 400cc+ bikes. Col Mc & Grunta roared off into the distance. I attempted to give chase with my little 250 screaming (please can I have a 6th gear Mr Yamaha?). Then I heard a rumble from behind glanced back to see Todd in the armchair comfort of the big 625 as he gave the girl her legs and disappeared off over the horizon. I ran into reserve on the way back from the time trial. This was the start of who can get home on a tank. Rothy and Todd took up sweep and we all nursed our bikes home. Tales picked up stack of the day taking a tumble on one of the sandy inclines on the 4WD track. Those with steering dampers were certainly getting their money's worth on these tracks. Steve525 back out of semi-retirement failed the challenge having to dump 2 litres of extra fuel in, and do a couple of lay downs to get the old girl home. The rest made it with fumes to spare. All back in one piece at the car-park, we quickly loaded up and headed for the real reason we go to Lano; the visit to the bakery for pies and creamy buns. And now for the coveted ROTD award, there were many contenders but there can only be one winner. Col Mc was a shoe in for providing a perfect mix of trails, expertly led with no boggy sand to be contended with. Unfortunately he made the fatal decision of buying the last apple and cream turnover at the bakery, and then boasting about how nice it was. You got the cream mate but miss the award. Oh the power of the report writer. Rothy was grinning like the Col Mc that got the cream at each stop. He was really enjoying punting the lone DRZ in the group. Rothy was also backup fuel tanker for the people trying to make it home on the remaining fumes in the tank. Not only that but he also joined the RTRA after visiting the booth at the recent motorcycle show; would normally be enough to make ROTD but not this time. Grunta, the king of bling rode well all day and pushed Col Mc particulary in the fast sections; with both chuckling at each regroup. His 2010 Kini KTM 450 is a serious safety hazard though which removes him from contention. Riding behind him the reflections from the orange anodised bling is mesmerizing - I was semi-hypnotised a couple of times and narrowly missed going bush. Maybe we should change your CQ name to P. Diddy? :) Gavin has improved in leaps and bounds since I last saw him ride out in the hills. He's enjoying that 450, a ROTD can't be far away but not today. In any ride, the oft overlooked role is the sweep. The sweep is content to run at the back making sure everbody makes it home, also giving reassurance to newer riders that they won't be left behind. I can remember many an occasion when I was an ultra-newbie with the CQs with Roley or Peter sweeping and wondering to themselves "Is it possible to ride a dirtbike any slower?". At the Lano ride I hadn't been out on a ride for quite a while so happily took up the role of sweep. So on that basis, and in a first for CQ I nominate and award myself ROTD! Not quite, half way through the ride Tommy offered and insisted that he took over the sweep role. That was a magnanimous offer on a fast ride with near perfect conditions. I gladly accepted and really enjoyed having a blast in the pack, onya Tommy - ROTD for you! Thanks to Col Mc for leading.  Cols good idea ride  Cols good idea ride  Cols good idea ride |
