gco0307
02-05-2007, 06:14 AM
Ok not sure whether this is the right forum but being an Australian based ride I figure I would post it here even if I was the only Weestrom (well actually, the only Strom)
All up 4 of us (Graham, John, Ted and myself) met up at the Fitzroy Falls visitor centre for a bit of a chinwag before deciding to head off on a day that would see me learning how to pick up the WeeStrom thus avoiding camera embarrassment.
So it was out and into the National Park, initially on Redhill Firetrail which traverses the western side of Fitzroy Falls itself and therefore offers some stunning views in amongst the trees if you want to look. This trail has a few tight corners and minor bumps etc which make it a good learning spot as there is nothing to gnarly to discourage the absolute newbie (ie. me) and for me at least is a lot of fun.
Anyhow, it was starting to get stinking hot so a little way in we decided to have a stop and discuss what would happen if someone was to lose the front on this 90 degree downhill right hander.
http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m21/gazza_0307/Meryla%20Trails%20ride%2020070203/2007_02030001.jpg
So after a few drinks and a bit of breeze we had recovered sufficiently to continue on were we came across a few more sections and eventually the first testing descent of the day at which Ted showed us how easy it could be while I tried to look good but failed miserably.
Anyhow after a few more trails with their varying surfaces we headed to Wombat Hill lookout. To get there you need to go over a series of 'car stopper' type humps in the road (ie. to stop the average sedan getting through) and it was here where I learnt how to fly a BMW. Basically, Ted liked the hill and felt at home so first I hear the Staintune, then see him, then air under his tyres and finally and quickly I eat his dust, and those TKC's were throwing it up in abundance. We arrived at the lookout to enjoy the sensational views (I forgot to get pics but Graham may have) and try to cool off some more when Ted announced that he wanted to explore further, looks like he had fun.
http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m21/gazza_0307/Meryla%20Trails%20ride%2020070203/2007_02030002.jpg
http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m21/gazza_0307/Meryla%20Trails%20ride%2020070203/2007_02030003.jpg
http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m21/gazza_0307/Meryla%20Trails%20ride%2020070203/2007_02030004.jpg
After a while we decided to head back to a little spot I posted about last week which meant getting up a slight little incline out of the lookout. Unfortunately I was chosen to lead, something I failed miserably at as after making it to the top in one pic I promptly ran to far left into soft sand and was confronted by a rock big enough to abseil off (thats my Story ) and decided to lay the bike down (although some would say that a bike cannot be laid down when it had stopped). Here my experience came to hand (ie. need to avoid photographic embarrassment) and after avoiding being run over enduro fashion picked the bike up and tried to get our of everyone's way.
Well no harm done and experience gained we continued on the way to a nice little shaded sport where we enjoyed some lunch in the shade. At this point John decided that his legs needed some airing and promptly bought out the shorts.
http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m21/gazza_0307/Meryla%20Trails%20ride%2020070203/2007_02030005.jpg
From here is was down what I considered a steep hill only to be asked where that steep hill was and onwards to a really nice little lookout spot for a quick check before returning the same way.
http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m21/gazza_0307/Meryla%20Trails%20ride%2020070203/2007_02030007.jpg
http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m21/gazza_0307/Meryla%20Trails%20ride%2020070203/2007_02030008.jpg
http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m21/gazza_0307/Meryla%20Trails%20ride%2020070203/2007_02030009.jpg
At the bottom of the aforementioned not so steep hill Ted and myself than decided to explore down a side track which I had been mentioning as a place he may enjoy after seeing him throw the big boxer about elsewhere. Going down the little slope proved no problem nor really did coming back up the slope but there was a slight moment at the top that upset the BM so much she decided to lay down.
http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m21/gazza_0307/Meryla%20Trails%20ride%2020070203/2007_02030010.jpg
http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m21/gazza_0307/Meryla%20Trails%20ride%2020070203/2007_02030011.jpg
http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m21/gazza_0307/Meryla%20Trails%20ride%2020070203/2007_02030012.jpg
Sshhh, BM sleeping.
http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m21/gazza_0307/Meryla%20Trails%20ride%2020070203/2007_02030013.jpg
BM back up we, proceeded back to the other guys where a quick refresher was consumed before discussion turned to the location of the nearest pub and a decision was made to head to Moss Vale.
So we head out of the park along Meryla Road and arrive at Moss Vale but not before John and myself found a nice little line of oil online which gave us both something to talk about.
Anyhow, at Moss Vale the fluids were replenished, and then double stocked just to make sure before we all departed and headed home. The three other guys hoping to avoid what looked to be thunderstorms and me down Macquarie Pass.
All up I had a blast and learnt a heap of stuff which is one of the things that make doing these small rides with good company so damn enjoyable. The company was excellent and I hope to do it again as there were a few trails we missed and others I need to explore further.
And to a pic of the Strom in action taken by one of the other guys (this pic was returning up the trail from where the BMW had a rest).
http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m21/gazza_0307/Meryla%20Trails%20ride%2020070203/fitzroy2.jpg
Garry
All up 4 of us (Graham, John, Ted and myself) met up at the Fitzroy Falls visitor centre for a bit of a chinwag before deciding to head off on a day that would see me learning how to pick up the WeeStrom thus avoiding camera embarrassment.
So it was out and into the National Park, initially on Redhill Firetrail which traverses the western side of Fitzroy Falls itself and therefore offers some stunning views in amongst the trees if you want to look. This trail has a few tight corners and minor bumps etc which make it a good learning spot as there is nothing to gnarly to discourage the absolute newbie (ie. me) and for me at least is a lot of fun.
Anyhow, it was starting to get stinking hot so a little way in we decided to have a stop and discuss what would happen if someone was to lose the front on this 90 degree downhill right hander.
http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m21/gazza_0307/Meryla%20Trails%20ride%2020070203/2007_02030001.jpg
So after a few drinks and a bit of breeze we had recovered sufficiently to continue on were we came across a few more sections and eventually the first testing descent of the day at which Ted showed us how easy it could be while I tried to look good but failed miserably.
Anyhow after a few more trails with their varying surfaces we headed to Wombat Hill lookout. To get there you need to go over a series of 'car stopper' type humps in the road (ie. to stop the average sedan getting through) and it was here where I learnt how to fly a BMW. Basically, Ted liked the hill and felt at home so first I hear the Staintune, then see him, then air under his tyres and finally and quickly I eat his dust, and those TKC's were throwing it up in abundance. We arrived at the lookout to enjoy the sensational views (I forgot to get pics but Graham may have) and try to cool off some more when Ted announced that he wanted to explore further, looks like he had fun.
http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m21/gazza_0307/Meryla%20Trails%20ride%2020070203/2007_02030002.jpg
http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m21/gazza_0307/Meryla%20Trails%20ride%2020070203/2007_02030003.jpg
http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m21/gazza_0307/Meryla%20Trails%20ride%2020070203/2007_02030004.jpg
After a while we decided to head back to a little spot I posted about last week which meant getting up a slight little incline out of the lookout. Unfortunately I was chosen to lead, something I failed miserably at as after making it to the top in one pic I promptly ran to far left into soft sand and was confronted by a rock big enough to abseil off (thats my Story ) and decided to lay the bike down (although some would say that a bike cannot be laid down when it had stopped). Here my experience came to hand (ie. need to avoid photographic embarrassment) and after avoiding being run over enduro fashion picked the bike up and tried to get our of everyone's way.
Well no harm done and experience gained we continued on the way to a nice little shaded sport where we enjoyed some lunch in the shade. At this point John decided that his legs needed some airing and promptly bought out the shorts.
http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m21/gazza_0307/Meryla%20Trails%20ride%2020070203/2007_02030005.jpg
From here is was down what I considered a steep hill only to be asked where that steep hill was and onwards to a really nice little lookout spot for a quick check before returning the same way.
http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m21/gazza_0307/Meryla%20Trails%20ride%2020070203/2007_02030007.jpg
http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m21/gazza_0307/Meryla%20Trails%20ride%2020070203/2007_02030008.jpg
http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m21/gazza_0307/Meryla%20Trails%20ride%2020070203/2007_02030009.jpg
At the bottom of the aforementioned not so steep hill Ted and myself than decided to explore down a side track which I had been mentioning as a place he may enjoy after seeing him throw the big boxer about elsewhere. Going down the little slope proved no problem nor really did coming back up the slope but there was a slight moment at the top that upset the BM so much she decided to lay down.
http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m21/gazza_0307/Meryla%20Trails%20ride%2020070203/2007_02030010.jpg
http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m21/gazza_0307/Meryla%20Trails%20ride%2020070203/2007_02030011.jpg
http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m21/gazza_0307/Meryla%20Trails%20ride%2020070203/2007_02030012.jpg
Sshhh, BM sleeping.
http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m21/gazza_0307/Meryla%20Trails%20ride%2020070203/2007_02030013.jpg
BM back up we, proceeded back to the other guys where a quick refresher was consumed before discussion turned to the location of the nearest pub and a decision was made to head to Moss Vale.
So we head out of the park along Meryla Road and arrive at Moss Vale but not before John and myself found a nice little line of oil online which gave us both something to talk about.
Anyhow, at Moss Vale the fluids were replenished, and then double stocked just to make sure before we all departed and headed home. The three other guys hoping to avoid what looked to be thunderstorms and me down Macquarie Pass.
All up I had a blast and learnt a heap of stuff which is one of the things that make doing these small rides with good company so damn enjoyable. The company was excellent and I hope to do it again as there were a few trails we missed and others I need to explore further.
And to a pic of the Strom in action taken by one of the other guys (this pic was returning up the trail from where the BMW had a rest).
http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m21/gazza_0307/Meryla%20Trails%20ride%2020070203/fitzroy2.jpg
Garry