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Daring Darins Explorer
Lead: Darin
Sweep: Roley, TigeR Riders: Tommy (Legend!), WR Ross, Fueltanker Allen, Steve, Russell KTM, WR Phil SOTD: Roley ROTD: Darin or Tommy? Darin's explore. Darin' Darin is starting create some competition in the tourism business ... Pounce IS Mr. Contiki, with Mick450 more on the Wicked Vans side of the business, but there's a new player in the market. Darin called a quiet ride for a Metro to Bannister pre-tour tour .. expecting one or two takers but ending up with ten "I'm in"s, with nine on the day. We rendez-vous'ed at Metro Rd, for the drive to take off point. As we were chatting a bunch of sweetly restored EH Holdens passed by. Even I got a tinge of nostalgia - even though I wasn't in Oz when they were released - but I do have fond memories of the similar era Massey Ferguson 135. At 9am we scooted off to the take-off point. Roley donned the sweep jacket. Darin gave the usual pre-amble on the corner-man system and we were soon on the trails. It was perfect winter conditions, if a touch dry - there was some dust later in the day, but as the masses headed to the polling booths - we headed East young man. The group of nine was moving along nicely, enjoying the trails. Steve was vying for Choko's "Hunt for Red(now Yellow) October" award, picking the wettest patch in WA to submerge the yellow submarine.  Darins Explore Tommy was on hand to extricate the Yellow Massey Ferguson 135 and we were soon on the way again. The cornerman system was working well, it's pretty flawless .. except when the sweep takes a tumble ... who sweeps for the sweep? ... in his own words... "I was in the "Zone" minding my own business as the Sweep, may be a little too confident with my Dyno Time improved suspension, when I came down on a corner hyperflexing the right knee & busted the clutch lever! Luckily the Sweep (me) was on hand - righted the bike and replaced the lever before Darin & TigeR found me. Steve and I then rode home via Metro Ride. Still beats mowing the lawn but may need a medical check! Bugger!" SOTD for the Rolmeister. Good to see the CQ ethos come into play, big ups to Steve who took Roley back to the car for the trek home for some TLC from the missus. Hope you heal quickly Roley. In Steve's own words ... "Yes, Saturday's ride was eventful and enjoyable as always. Once I got the DRZ safely parked in the muddy rut, I dismounted in time to see Roley and Tommy racing to get their cameras out. Their comments seemed to imply that they were extemely happy to witness me bogged up to the axle. Later on we found out that Roley had damaged himself attempting to earn SOTD. I voted to leave him waiting on the side of the track until we returned from the roadhouse, but the others thought it best that I wet-nurse him back to the cars while they keep riding. I'm sure they were full of concern for Roley's wellbeing as they powered off. Thanks to Darin for calling and leading the ride, Roley for sweeping, and Tommy for getting my bike out of the rut. I hope Roley's injury isn't serious, although he's got his wife convinved that the pain extends up to his groin. LOL" I donned the sweep jacket, unhappy with the colour clash ... but I'd deal with my sponsors later. WR Phil was out for his first taste of pea-gravel, and he was learning fast. Riding along smoothly with the occasional front wheel slide to keep him in check. He was looking like ROTD material I thought, Tommy must have sensed it and lined him up for a lesson later on in the day for trying to steal his Legendary thunder. Not so quick young pup. Fueltanker Allen was his usual deceptively quick self, he's so smooth - he looks slow - until you try to stay with him. We both rode behind Phil for a while and witnessed a nice overrun on one corner - and then he became entangled in an amorous tree on the way out. I'm sure that tree was alive and trying to molest him. Eventually he extricated himself and rode off. Darin lead us on some magic tracks through to North Bannister, with very little backtracking - and a brief stint of a few kms to the Roadhouse - for an excellent burger before trekking back the quick way to decide between a rock and a hard place (Gillard vs Rudd) .. I'm sorry I bothered - there was no "None of the above" on the voting cards. On the way back, Tommy got stuck behind Phil after being placed on a corner. Tommy was ducking and weaving looking for a passing opportunity. Phil made a sudden manouevre to miss a puddle and was subsequently almost used for traction by Tommy. They both hit the deck, with Phil coming off worse for wear - with some nice bruises and a gash on the knee. Don't mess with a legend on his graduation day! On reflection, we need to add the passing etiquette to the pre-ride talk for the newer CQers - "with the corner man system quicker riders will end up at the back after being dropped on a corner. Slower guys need to be check periodically if there is a rider coming through, particularly in tight sections and indicate with a boot on which side you would like them to pass - or gradually slow down (no sudden movements) and pull off to the side or run the risk of being used for traction." WR Ross was enjoying the ride mid-pack - and showing a pace of rides equal the Tommy for getting legend status. Russell KTM is matching my pace off all time slowest to get to a legend status! But today was the day Tommy almost made the fastest legend in CQ history. After some post-ride beers & chat - Tommy was spied picking up others peoples rubbish from the car-parking area. A lesson for all - trash it, lose it. Onya Tommy - you almost made ROTD - but that has to go to Darin for leading a great day. Steve was also a contender for ROTD for cutting his ride short to escort Rockin' Roley home. Ride while you can.  Darins Explore  Darins Explore  Darins Explore  Darins Explore  TigeR...fastest sweep in the West. |
