Adventure probably describes this one aptly. This was no walk in the park, made rather challenging by a number of factors that I either failed to properly influence or was totally unable to influence.
We started with a fair old group size, however the tour was advertised as an advanced tour and riders were grilled to ensure they were not beginners and in fact more like seasoned veterans.
I spent a fair bit of time on this alone and the upshot was probably the most overall skilled group of riders in a group this size I had ever ridden with. Awesome.
Other factors worked against us though.
A few bikes turned up under prepared. One orange thing had wobbly wheel bearings before it had struck a blow. Luckily our scrutineering caught him out and I happened to have a set of KTM bearings in my back of tricks. Leigh fitted them in no time flat, but it was the start of the rot.
Due to bike maintenance we were perhaps 3/4 hour behind the shotgun from the start. It was raining a little, but we welcomed it’s dust slaying and attacked hill one with zeal.
Hill one was about 3.7 minutes into day one and within thirty seconds looked like a war zone.
I failed to make it on the first go and had to retreat to have another dip as Wayno rode past me.
Some others made it up first go but most flailed and required at least one good push from the conquerers brave enough to walk part way back down to help their brethren.
A fair old time later we all made it up, but we were falling behind. In retrospect, we should have gone ’round that hill and avoided the carnage.
Mt Jack was in great nick and we had a ball, but the weather guru had other ideas and part way over the hill I stopped when sweeping to fit my raincoat. Unfortunately, the rest delayed their moves and just about all of them got wet before they managed to fit their coats. Just in time for a transport section froze their arses to the bone.
We tried to warm up on the Eskdale Spur, which was an awesome track. We were succeeding until Rene managed to grab a little too much front brake and smash his collarbone and ribs into terra firma. The rest of us had made it to Mt Emu, which was in a veritable white out when sweep Brett came with the news.
First up we lit a fire on Emu whilst I contacted the Ambos and formulated a plan. Plenty of petrol helped to light the fire which at least made us feel better.
I decided to regroup with the busted Rene and we ensured he was warm (space blanket and bracken) and our second generation fire was better than the first model.
Wayno graciously offered to stay with the victim and follow the ambulance out before riding home.
Not perfect, but it allowed the rest of us to continue on and try to salvage what was left of a drenched Saturday.
A very minor issue with navigation saw us miss the back up four wheel drive and forge into Lightning Creek sharing fuel to make it without having to push. Except for a couple, who had to push just a little.
‘Lunch’ was about 3 p.m and we were fully incapable of tackling the ace tracks I’d had planned for the arvo, which was already nearly over. No choice but to transport down the Omeo Highway into Omeo.
Cold, wet, hungry, tired, thirsty, grumpy, minus the odd chain link on the way, we crawled into Omeo with some assistance from the back up four wheel drive lights. Great.
Even worse was that the pub was somewhat dysfunctional initially and slow to allocate rooms and confused over the pre ordained arrangement to securely store the bikes in the garage over the road.
We overcame each obstacle however and in short order were hot - showered and preparing for a meal.
The meals were sensational and were the start of a major improvement in our weekend. I had recommended the Reef and Beef to all comers. At about $34 it made me poor, but everyone else happy as it was big and really tender with real seafood on top. The chicken parmies were real chicken and nearly as good.
Matt however had injured his wrist on the very first hill and in a sign of toughness had not told anyone, riding with the injury. At the pub however, it was found to be swollen and in need of ice and bandaging. That was it for his riding, with Don being his partner in the 4WD after that.
Despite their promises of a big night, an average of about 2.3 alcoholic drinks per man (a select few of us excepted) saw them all in their bunks early.
Sunday morning breakfast was really good and filling. I strolled out to help Don and others fill the bikes, to find a collection of bikes requiring even more routine maintenance. One (no names, but one of those orange shitboxes) needed both front and rear brake pads. Luckily I had some spare or his discs would now be scrap metal.
An hour later than planned we finally headed off.
The rain had gone and conditions were now just about perfect. Some of the tracks we hit were technical undulating numbers and we had a hoot. Despite one minor flat, we made some progress.
We stopped for a minutes silence to respect our ANZAC legends then blasted down past Cletus’ house where the riding was wicked. Big smiles were the go for nearly all the rest of the trip home.
This time home, Mt Emu had visibility and the guys got to take in the sensational vista it offers.
The minor early delay and big K’s saw us sneak home just before dark. Most of the guys were fully rooted and happy to finish up, but I hear a whisper that some tied one on at Myrtleford and busted out some advice for the unnamed rider short of bearings and brakes!
I was truthfully a little worried that some of the riders had struggled to enjoy some of the weekend, what with the shite weather and multiple hold ups, however some feedback I got reminded me that I am not the weather god and can’t be spot on every tour.
This was a great learning lesson for the Blast to the Beach coming up next and we are all looking forward to what is surely going to be a memorable epic, no matter what the weather man does.
Thanks to Paul Ginnivan for taking most of the photos on this trip, at times whilst I was otherwise engaged with injured riders, torrential downpours and minor catastrophes. Good job Paul.
Thanks to everyone else, including the customers and support crew for holding their chins up in adverse conditions. If we can make it when things are this bad, we can make it anytime. Well done.
Just about finished now, maybe a few more photos in due course. It’s beer o’clock, gotta go.
