Crusty Quinns

#439

X's Metro 19 minus 1

Date	19/Jun/10
18 Riders	carlo, Choko, Deets, FueltankerAllen, Gareth, Hooters, Jacko, KLXPete, Poiter, Pounce, Roley, Steve, TigeR, Tommy, Tui, WR Ross, WRRob, XRGlenn
Rider of the day	Not awarded
Stack of the day	Steve

Riders: X Deets, Garith, Tui, Tommy, Carlo, WR Ross, KLX Pete, Jacko, Fueltanker Allen, Hooters, WR Rob, Steve, Roley, XRGlen, Tiger, Poiter, Choko, Pounce (cameo appearance!)

SOTD: Steve
Darin called a ride for Metro Road to North Bannister and back. A total of 19 turned up to enjoy the perfect conditions, which was a good turnout. First to arrive at the Metro parking spot was Pounce, eager to greet us all. He was soon booted up and doing warmup laps around the parking area on his DRZ while Crusties were arriving. Unfortunately he strained some back muscles in the process and was soon flat on his back in his trailer, sharing some tender moments with Deets. After weighing up his options, Pounce decided not to risk doing the ride, so really only made a cameo appearance and had to pack up and leave. So then there was 18.

It was good to see some old Crusties who hadn't ridden for quite a while - Deets, Poiter, XRGlen and Garath, with Garath introducing his friend Tui for his first Crusty ride on his 570 Husaberg. During the riders meeting, Darin suggested we take a leaf out of the WCTS book and adopt the buddy system when we have a large pack, to assist with the head count at regroups. He then led the pack out, with WR Ross taking sweep. Darin was able to avoid some of those dreaded early whoopies, after which the trails were good with no dust. There was a huge puddle over the track at one spot, presenting the riders with the option to either power through or take the long way around. I took the soft option and went around it.

The first drama on the trail was the pack being split at an open area, with a small group not noticing the corner man and following some other fresh bike tracks. It wasn't long before they realised they were going the wrong way, and rejoined the pack with Hooters assistance. After about 65km's, we reached North Bannister for lunch, refuel and a good rest.

On the return leg, Darin tried some different tracks which were an excellent mix of trails, and included some challenging rocky hill climbs and gnarly descents. Along the way I saw some great monos by KLXPete, Choko and Fueltanker Allen. Nearing home, we approached that huge puddle again, and this time I powered through it - almost. I had just 10 feet or so to go when my front wheel "washed out" and down I went with a big splash, much to the delight of some spectating Crusties. That drenching earned me the Stack of the Day award.

We all got back safely to the parking area, although I later found out that Deets had hurt one of his knees, which would have made for a difficult ride. A big thanks and Ride of the Day award went to Darin for calling the ride and doing a great job leading us all. Thanks also to WR Ross for sweeping. Special mention to XRGlen who showed us how to do it on an XR250 (which did require a little running repair to the sump plug at our first regroup).

After the ride, some of the group including Hooters, WR Rob, Darin, Carlo, WR Ross, XRGlen and KLXPete, dropped in at the Rock In Tavern for a few beers to finish off yet another great Crusty day.