Crusty Quinns

#533

On Any Sanday

Date	08/Oct/11
11 Riders	Ash, Choko, CRFAndrew, CRFMIchael, FueltankerAllen, KLXPete, kpphotos, mick450, wr phil, WRLindsay, XRCass
Rider of the day	XRCass
Stack of the day	Not awarded

A bunch of enthusiastic riders gathered at the OVT. Notice more riders than at the mud ride.
Some faces that havent been seen for some time. Mick450 and CRF Michael had commitments later that day and being the reliable husbands they are were just doing a short ride.
(120 kms of short ride)
KPphotos takes sweep duties and off we go.
To introduce the group to the sand we had our first stack in the deep sand. (3m from the cars, in the carpark)
Recovery was quick but the camera is quicker.
I took the groups through some tracks to challenge the XR and WRLindsay. Both came through with flying colours.
(Id have to let the air out of the big XRs tyre later in the day just to make the rest of us look better.)
CRFMichael and Mick450 have a disagreement about whos line is the best and two different stories explain the hault in progress.
The corner man system working fine, when we ran out of men after about eight corners. One of the Hondas is refusing to start on the button, much to the amusement of XRCass.
I was sending kangaroos, emus and snakes spearing left and right discovering the benefits of leading.
A couple of massive hillclimbs successfully completed by all and it was time for the first splash and dash at the servo. Choko decided that running 1psi in the front tube was making his tyre hot so he did the two minute tyre change, just for practice. The Super Sweep comes to the rescue with the biggest bag of tools I have seen. The old RAC Escort vans carried less tools.
Ash is smiling about how well the two banger works in the sand and his speed suggests that either he is a good rider or he must have a great bike.
The sand in the next section is damp and firm much to the liking of Michael whos grin can be seen through his helmet, so much better than gravel or clay.
We arrived at another hill climb and I signal to CRF Andrew to sit at the bottom. He turned to see the crew about to dig holes in his pristine line and speed up the mountain after me, I would have done the same.
WRPhil had his race face on and aimed at the top, looping the bike in a dramatic fashion for the camera. This would have put a dent in my enthusiasm but Phil is made of tougher stuff and spears up the hill again and again. As can be seen in one photo his friends do everything to assist him. (from the comfort of there bike seats.)
The sweep decides that part of his duty is clearing the track and attacks some trees. Trees one, sweep zero.
The biggest hill had the tag of, Only Hooters has mad the top. This was enough for most of the crew but CRFAndrew decided that I cant really hurt myself, had a run at the top, parting ways with the CRF part way up.
I assumed this would be enough to put off other contenders but XRCass was ready to prove that MR Honda new what he was doing back at the start of the Millennium and aimed the Big Baja winning bike at the top. The XR had a good attempt but Hooters still has the title for this hill. Anyone who would ride an XR up this sort of slope has my respect or sympathy. Nice effort boys.
We head for a well used hillclimb further North and I decide to get in early and have a go at one of the less used tracks. I have learnt in the past that tracks are less used for good reason. The 3m drop off at the top could be the reason for the lack of activity on this line. Oops.
After a bit of fun we explore further North finding a suspicious looking 4x4 with the seats in the non upright position leading to much speculation.
With fuel supply running low and with Mick450s guidance I head for the beer and Pizza shop.
The skilled riders covered the ground quickly, some like it was a bitumen road. Others a little too quickly narrowly dodging Marri trees. Others passing the lead rider on his back wheel doing a 7km wheelstand, or was that a 10km wheelstand.
Pete decided that he would have to put the front wheel on the ground and his bike didnt like it, later grinding to a halt.
A quicker splash and dash and the CRF refused to start again and to the amusement of the group Pete lends Michael a hand pushing him down the road for about a kilometre.
About the same time as I got sick of being shown up by the XR and let his tyre down while he wasnt watching.
We found Pete on the side of the road were he had waited for 3 minutes until the recovery team arrived with Gaye at the wheel. She wins POTD award for recovery and Pizza delivery. Nice work Gaye.
Eventually we arrive back at the cars for pizza and beer.
I was impressed that the guys made sure that the rules were obeyed:
1. Take the photo first then help.
2. If a cornerman is on the outside of a corner, fill him in.
3. The ride is only an excuse to have a go at each other and have pizza and beer.
4. If someone cant do a hillclimb, dont show them the way around. Encourage them to crash again and again.
5. When someone mentions the ride report, look at the ground and avoid eye contact, you can even use racial pressure to get someone to write it.
Thanks for the fun.
FT Al