Trail Report: December 1st 2002

Custard, the bike haulin' ute, is loaded already so we head off down Marmion. Theres a guy unloading a CR when we get there and we later catch up with him at the time trials. I needed a quick check of my latest engine changes just incase I had to duck home to get the anvil so I warmed up the YZ, nipped up the track and back with everything OK. Just in time for Andy to arrive with the new widow maker CR500. The new bike looks mint, sounds mint, and goes mint. Lovely. Andy promises to behave himself today, and ease into the task of taming the mighty 2 stroke.

A few players to meet, there's Colin on a '94 XR250 and his mate Peter on a '94 DR250. "Yeah, we're just looking for some fun. We tried out the go-kart racing scene, but there is only so many times you can go 'round a circuit..." Dano, another Quinns resident joins in on his KTM with Tim426. All met on the internet. Ah, the internet. What a place.

Made the call at about 14:15 to leave the end of the limestone and get going. No Phil or Richard yet. I led the group out and didnt quite have the kickstarted retracted properly, and smashed myself on the shins 5 or 6 times. Out thru the paddocks, and come across some cows first up. Better slow down for that lot. Head on out to the time trials.

Mik shows the 'first timer' CQ riders a lap of the racetrack (its Mik's track after all), then settles in for some timed action. I like the look of Mik running sweeper for me, and slot in behind.

He's fast alright, and has no real weakspots around the layout. A pleasure to ride behind too, because there isnt a massive shower of dust, and the rear suspension is working heaps better these days. 2 and 1/2 laps into it, and we get a 4WD thru the esse's to finish off with. Mik states he was thinking of pulling a '4th lap', such is the rivalry of the stopwatch between him and JAW.

Off to the Alkimos. I went to my own private refuel area and when that was finished, JAW had already said "Too many 4x4's here, lets head for Yanchep."

Corner marking was good on the inland run to Yanchep. Everybody riding very well and a good pace is kept. When I do my first corner mark, it looks like a dead set 'dust storm' coming along the horizon. For those on their first trip with the group up to Yanchep, the traditional drag race is held on the limestone just past Pipidinny when we come out of the bush. With many of the players not knowing what it was all about, they lined up properly but missed the start. This is the usual gauge of how fast a new model bike is compared to the rest. Now you know :)

A bit of a windy greeting for us at the water towers. Bloody windy in fact. Digging in the rear wheels was a tad difficult on the harder surface (hey Dano), but all managed eventually. Good to see a few bags of glucose came out of the back packs. Tim shows off the weld work to the crack he put in the radiator last time out with us. A bit of banter amongst the crusty gents, and a few yarns and ciggys and we were away as soon as the horse ladies (you know what I mean) moved on.

Coastal route with a part of Wolfies Agility Test run back to Alkimos follows. The pack is still fairly well held together, corner marking and the leader stopping at forks for a headcount ensures everyone is accounted for. The system is working well

Back at the Alkimos you can see the look of glee on Mik's face with the 4x4s gone leaving the Alkimos Dune Jump free for the picking. He loves it and gives it everything the little two fiddy's got. No footers and all. Colin decides a bit of wheelie practice is in order while all this is going on.

Howard is pulling some good air off the dune jump also. In fact between that, getting the best time on the time trial and all day riding silky and smooth, he picks up Rider of the Day.

There is some handy 'no footer' action going on, and a few 4*4 onlookers gathered, and Dano must know a few of them. The 'expression session' is bought to an end, and we head for the trails.

Although Phil had stacked it hard, he wasn't with the gang at the time and Tim426 had already nominated JAW as Stack of the Day. Just desserts too, JAW had poked fun and taken a picture of an earlier dismount by Tim426 only to come off harder himself. While following the dust cloud down the Eglington Hill Run and being pursued by Richard The Overtaker, JAW attempts to hold a line and succumbs to the very object fixation he talks about. Crash! Some grazing and bruising, but mostly to his pride as Tim426 saw every moment of it ;)