A few years ago (it would be 3), we went to a farm ride south of us. All I remember from this ride is that we'd met up with some people we sort of knew, there was a steep-ass downhill where we'd met up with someone just at the top & he'd worked out he had no brakes (not a good idea) and that a couple of people had been airlifted out (broken back & something else, memory fails me). I was on my YZ80 & Henk banned me from going out on my own.
I'm suffering pretty bad insomnia at the moment (and when I sleep I'm having nightmares about all sorts of wierd things) and last night was no different. So after about 3 hours sleep, it was time to get up & get moving. We stopped off along the way for breakfast (CJ, remember the bacon & egg place - they don't take nearly so long these days) & some gas & kept on truckin'.
Finally we arrive at the ride, hmm, this is the one from 3 years ago (the club down there runs a series of 4-6 so we weren't sure where we were going). Oh yay, this is going to be fun, I so love downhills. After signing us on, I went & told Henk to go out without me & I'd wait for him to come back. I later spotted some friends, so told Henk to get his a into g & he could ride with them.
I stood around for a while, just looking & listening & then the guys parked next to us came in, so asked them about the downhills & trails in general. Ah well, I'm ready, I'm gone. After a very short period, I worked out I'd left my camelback at the car, but as it was one-way traffic with no going backwards on the trails, I had to live with it (which I thought was going to be no big deal).
This was a fun farmland ride, with no flat ground to be seen. First off you headed up & up & up (now, wouldn't you start thinking that sooner or later you're going to have to go back down - I didn't). The first downhill was through a paddock with rocks off to the side, which reminded me of stonehenge. Really cool. Because the grass was slippery, my back kept coming to greet the front, so off with the brakes, lock 'em up, off again, lock 'em etc etc.
I was having a huge time until I came to some tree roots. These were like nothing I've ever seen before in my life - a couple of hundred metres worth and fat. I spotted a line through them so went to change course, and promptly stuffed it up, blocking that line for those behind me - most were cool about it, a couple just went another way & gone. I took some photos on my 2nd loop, but will have to develop them (and finish the film I think). At this point I missed my camelback, as it would've been a good opportunity to have a drink.
As I continued on my journey, I kept looking at the scenery, it was awesome with views of the sea & harbour behind, just really neat, but don't get it wrong or you'll either never be found or if you're lucky, someone will see you go over. Eventually I came to the "let's head back" part which meant downhill. Some of it was about 45 degrees plus (I'm no good at maths, but think that'd be about right) with straights heading into nice switchbacks. Shortcuts were not an option. My fun level at this point was low.
Just to confuse me, I came to another uphill section where I went into a corner tight, got my back wheel caught on something, couldn't really touch the ground & dumped it. When I got back on the bike, all she wanted to do was head off down the bank behind me, I felt this wasn't such a good idea & started yelling at her to behave and listen to what I was telling her to do (i.e. stop & start). At this point I was parched, I really needed a drink and my brain was starting to fade out (who said that was impossible?). I looked at the bike trying to figure out where I could get fluids from and decided that petrol was not a viable proposition so looked back to see if anyone I knew was heading my way so I could stop him for a drink. Nope, don't know these guys. Ah well, best continue.
The uphills & downhills continued, with a few creek crossings thrown in for good measure (I'm sure it was to taunt me and had it not have been so close to the car, would've stopped to grab a drink, no matter how dirty the water was). Finally made it back & had a drink - I didn't care what it was, just so long as it was fluid - it was water though. Right, before I go any further, my camelback is being loaded & put by my stuff so I don't forget it again.
After sitting around for a bit (did I mention it was HOT with no breeze), I thought I should load up & go again. Henk came back in at this point, so we had a bit of a yarn and I started heading out but bumped into someone we knew.
Okay, now I'm ready. I kept stopping to take pix & people kept asking me if I was okay. Henk & mates came through at one point where I'd just stuffed up & was about to turn the bike around so I could go the line I wanted to. I watched them go up a hill (with no style nor grace) - Henk told me afterward he was sure he was going to stuff up with me watching. I was wishing I'd got the camera out.
I took some pix of the roots - usually with people going over them, putting them off lol), some views and I can't remember what. Some will be developed & hopefully I'll be able to share some of my day. I didn't take any of the switch back hills, as I didn't want to lose my concentration by stopping & starting.
I was very disappointed with the first loop & started wondering why I was bothering to ride, so the 2nd loop was necessary to get my confidence back up a bit. Oh, on the LAST creek crossing, I was thinking, "wahoo, another creek, I really like these", lost my concentration for long enough to dump it on the slippery uphill past it. Teach me to lose concentration for a minute lol.
I was glad I'd gone out on my ride day after xmas & been practising tight corners, I felt more confident I could do it (even if I stuffed up a couple, but those I watched others do the same lol). All in all, I had a fun day & I'm glad I'm putting some of my ghosts to rest over time. Now if only I could cure the insomnia, it's driving me nuts (and causing a bad sleep pattern).
Michelle - who'll never forget her camelback again
I'm suffering pretty bad insomnia at the moment (and when I sleep I'm having nightmares about all sorts of wierd things) and last night was no different. So after about 3 hours sleep, it was time to get up & get moving. We stopped off along the way for breakfast (CJ, remember the bacon & egg place - they don't take nearly so long these days) & some gas & kept on truckin'.
Finally we arrive at the ride, hmm, this is the one from 3 years ago (the club down there runs a series of 4-6 so we weren't sure where we were going). Oh yay, this is going to be fun, I so love downhills. After signing us on, I went & told Henk to go out without me & I'd wait for him to come back. I later spotted some friends, so told Henk to get his a into g & he could ride with them.
I stood around for a while, just looking & listening & then the guys parked next to us came in, so asked them about the downhills & trails in general. Ah well, I'm ready, I'm gone. After a very short period, I worked out I'd left my camelback at the car, but as it was one-way traffic with no going backwards on the trails, I had to live with it (which I thought was going to be no big deal).
This was a fun farmland ride, with no flat ground to be seen. First off you headed up & up & up (now, wouldn't you start thinking that sooner or later you're going to have to go back down - I didn't). The first downhill was through a paddock with rocks off to the side, which reminded me of stonehenge. Really cool. Because the grass was slippery, my back kept coming to greet the front, so off with the brakes, lock 'em up, off again, lock 'em etc etc.
I was having a huge time until I came to some tree roots. These were like nothing I've ever seen before in my life - a couple of hundred metres worth and fat. I spotted a line through them so went to change course, and promptly stuffed it up, blocking that line for those behind me - most were cool about it, a couple just went another way & gone. I took some photos on my 2nd loop, but will have to develop them (and finish the film I think). At this point I missed my camelback, as it would've been a good opportunity to have a drink.
As I continued on my journey, I kept looking at the scenery, it was awesome with views of the sea & harbour behind, just really neat, but don't get it wrong or you'll either never be found or if you're lucky, someone will see you go over. Eventually I came to the "let's head back" part which meant downhill. Some of it was about 45 degrees plus (I'm no good at maths, but think that'd be about right) with straights heading into nice switchbacks. Shortcuts were not an option. My fun level at this point was low.
Just to confuse me, I came to another uphill section where I went into a corner tight, got my back wheel caught on something, couldn't really touch the ground & dumped it. When I got back on the bike, all she wanted to do was head off down the bank behind me, I felt this wasn't such a good idea & started yelling at her to behave and listen to what I was telling her to do (i.e. stop & start). At this point I was parched, I really needed a drink and my brain was starting to fade out (who said that was impossible?). I looked at the bike trying to figure out where I could get fluids from and decided that petrol was not a viable proposition so looked back to see if anyone I knew was heading my way so I could stop him for a drink. Nope, don't know these guys. Ah well, best continue.
The uphills & downhills continued, with a few creek crossings thrown in for good measure (I'm sure it was to taunt me and had it not have been so close to the car, would've stopped to grab a drink, no matter how dirty the water was). Finally made it back & had a drink - I didn't care what it was, just so long as it was fluid - it was water though. Right, before I go any further, my camelback is being loaded & put by my stuff so I don't forget it again.
After sitting around for a bit (did I mention it was HOT with no breeze), I thought I should load up & go again. Henk came back in at this point, so we had a bit of a yarn and I started heading out but bumped into someone we knew.
Okay, now I'm ready. I kept stopping to take pix & people kept asking me if I was okay. Henk & mates came through at one point where I'd just stuffed up & was about to turn the bike around so I could go the line I wanted to. I watched them go up a hill (with no style nor grace) - Henk told me afterward he was sure he was going to stuff up with me watching. I was wishing I'd got the camera out.
I took some pix of the roots - usually with people going over them, putting them off lol), some views and I can't remember what. Some will be developed & hopefully I'll be able to share some of my day. I didn't take any of the switch back hills, as I didn't want to lose my concentration by stopping & starting.
I was very disappointed with the first loop & started wondering why I was bothering to ride, so the 2nd loop was necessary to get my confidence back up a bit. Oh, on the LAST creek crossing, I was thinking, "wahoo, another creek, I really like these", lost my concentration for long enough to dump it on the slippery uphill past it. Teach me to lose concentration for a minute lol.
I was glad I'd gone out on my ride day after xmas & been practising tight corners, I felt more confident I could do it (even if I stuffed up a couple, but those I watched others do the same lol). All in all, I had a fun day & I'm glad I'm putting some of my ghosts to rest over time. Now if only I could cure the insomnia, it's driving me nuts (and causing a bad sleep pattern).
Michelle - who'll never forget her camelback again
