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Head North
So Col wanted to get some more Lano miles in sooner rather than later so hes put out the call to his mate Eddie to give Lano another crack. With only 52 Saturdays available in the year Im always keen. (Now if the year starts on a Saturday in a non-leap year, you end up with 53 Saturdays. Or if either of the first two days lands on a Saturday during a leap year, then you can also get 53 Saturdays..these would be good years).
Keen as I was, I was however curious about this bloke Eddie.I check out his profile and some reports; no one ever has anything nice to say about this bloke. Well see I suppose Turns out he's a bit quiet on the day, some may say aloof. Im not one to judge so Ill give him the benefit of the doubt. Anyways back to the riding, we saddle up and crack it open, heading north. A beautiful mild sunny day was in store for us and the big blow from the week before, well what can I say.had deposited a beautiful 30mm layer of powder over the usual fast/fun Lano hard pack. We drift around super fast, on-camber left and right sweepers like a couple of seasoned snow boarders. I believe the Berg and Kato tap into some uncanny European instinct and start roosting snow around said berms on their own accord. Couple of surprise rocks..but lean backgas on...and the shock does its work nicely. Through the sentry posts and its time to chuck a rightyand head inlandahh I remember from the begineers ride a few months ago.lovely single trail..tracking over dense scrubby dunes. Col pulls up and reminds me.this stretch is hot for skips. And guess what, not 100 m on hes fending off with the left (good) leg while Im too busy lauging and nearly plough into mum and 3 kids, darting around in the middle of the track (much like those wildebeest being surprised croc attacked). Hang ondont these animals have ears? If the ranger can detect an akropovic at 10kays surely these buggers can. Much hilarity and we carry on..the inland track does not dissapointfastbig drop offsweightlessBranson should do his Galatic pilot training on bikes out here. Would certainly be cheaper and more fun. Mustnt have had much traffic of late.track quite full of tall weed looking green things. Cols clearing the way at full gasgreenery flying up over the topdo Husaberg make slashers? A couple rip the bars sharply but this adds to the thrills. I havent done the Cataby ride so Im keen and so is Col. 15 or 20kms pure sandgropper heaven ensuesnot too soft.no nasty whoops to speak of just fast 4/5th gear free flowing (floating)and with the sand shiftswe are pioneers in uncharted sandy nivana. Im lovin it. Nice banksia bush through this section. BangIm snapped out of super focus and we come out on a gravel road. Bit of a transport and were at Cataby for refuel for man and machine. Col shows his age and starts rattling on about some band called the Who to which I reply What? confusion reigns.this could go on for a while. A few blokes in hi viz pull up in a work ute for smokoand we get this looklucky bastards. Have a chat, turns out one bloke rides alkimos a bit.and its back to work for him and more of the same for us. We head north on the Brand Hywzone out a bit and then think.how long have we been motoringhell, Cols taking us to Gerogee I wonder if theres good riding around Dongra. The little red light on the back of the Berg comes on and the human GPS picks up the track that takes us west. Another cruisy gravel transport and then prob one of the finest trails weve been on all day. Col is smashing this bit..no sign of him apart from his tracks that pick wide fast lines and the unmistakable big back brake skids into the tighter ones. We regroup for a much deserved breather. We cant believe it the roos are out again. Kids, you wont see this in a zoothis ones jumping up and down like its at the rodeo. I reckon Cols got one of those sub-sonic anti roo things on the berg, but its working in reverse. We regroup for a chat the last time and blast back to Lano. Its warmed up a bit and Col (like a true englishman in London at 20 degrees) wastes no time and strips off to his undies, perched up on the back of his ute. The super mario ranger trundles by and shows his sense of humourhe wants to book Col for being the hariest man in the world. I lose it and Cols not too impressed. Thanks ColMemorable ride. (hes fast but your mates a wanker). Jeff. |
