gco0307
03-03-2007, 05:26 AM
Well the holidays are nearing an end and as usual I find myself getting bored and needing to get out and do stuff, I mean just how much lazing on a beach or riding the bike can someone take.
So Friday morning I wake up (always a good start to the day) and look outside to see a blue sky and so the decision is made for me, I must ride, but where?
A quick check of available maps and a decision is made to head towards Canyonleigh and make a decision from there, but first a quick stop for more details maps is required at Fitzroy Falls NPWS offices. Maps duly purchased it is onwards to Canyonleigh Road west of the Hume (excuse me while I yawn) Highway until I find the road I am looking for which heads to the right and back towards the day's destination.
Foxgrove Road, Canyonleigh end.
http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m21/gazza_0307/Belanglo%20Forest%20-%202-3-2007/2007_03020001.jpg
Ok, so I turn onto Foxgrove Road which is quite a nice piece of road, wide and open for the first kay or so and then it narrows a bit, but I was really looking for Black Bobs Creek Firetrail which I found quite easily in the end. Not long after starting on the Firetrail I go through an unsignposted gate and continue on down into the gully but not before having 2 Wallaby's hop off into the scrub but I still got a photo of this fellow just after.
Kangaroo on Firetrailhttp://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m21/gazza_0307/Belanglo%20Forest%20-%202-3-2007/2007_03020003.jpg
Ok, so photo taken it is off to the valley floor which is like a whole new world, lush farm country.
It was then I see the sign 'Wildlife Refuge, Drive Carefully' but not thinking much of it I continued until I reached a junction in the track. To the right was where I was intending to go but I wanted to explore a little further along this track first so I decided to continue on, but not for long. After about another 300 metres I am casually cruising enjoying the surroundings when I hear 'OY'.
The junction, decision time.
http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m21/gazza_0307/Belanglo%20Forest%20-%202-3-2007/2007_03020004.jpg
So I stop and a farmer comes over and asks me if I knew I was on private property and which way I had come. So we have a chat all very amicable with me explaining what I am doing and where I intend to go etc, and that I was just out relaxing. So given I was on private property I asked if the track up the hill lead out and he agreed that it was the best way but advised me to 'be careful because your mates on enduro bikes have been chopping it up a bit lately'. Not wanting to argue I said that I am sure that it was likely enduro and 4wd but he was adamant so I thanked him and backtracked.
At the bottom the hill was this little ford that damn near claimed me. All was going well when the front hit some piled mud (which can be seen in the photo) and went sideways but somehow all stayed the right side up and we continued up the hill which in itself was a very nice little ride with sensational views. Anyhow, at the top is another gate so I stop and notice the 'private property' signs that I did not see at the other entry point so I hope I didn't disturb them to much.
Damn ford.
http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m21/gazza_0307/Belanglo%20Forest%20-%202-3-2007/2007_03020005.jpg
So a check of the maps revealed that I was near Rockleigh Road and a bit more exploring was due. So I head west and end up finding a quarry and then a little sidetrack firetrail that will require further exploration. On the maps this little FT is known as Longacre FT and appears to go through but due to being along as well as the surface I decided to return another day with company and maybe have a go at it, hopefully the Weestrom will get out alive.
Longacre FT
http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m21/gazza_0307/Belanglo%20Forest%20-%202-3-2007/2007_03020007.jpg
http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m21/gazza_0307/Belanglo%20Forest%20-%202-3-2007/2007_03020008.jpg
http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m21/gazza_0307/Belanglo%20Forest%20-%202-3-2007/2007_03020009.jpg
Anyhow, time is getting on so it is back out Rockleigh Road past where I joined it until I see Rockleigh FT and a decision is made to take it and see where it goes. Well basically, this was the start of heaps of fun in this little forest and there is heaps more exploring to be done (stay tuned for ride dates) but safe to say that this is very newbie friendly with some areas that the more experienced rider could have fun as well as some little firetrails off to the side just screaming to be looked at.
There was plenty of mud
http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m21/gazza_0307/Belanglo%20Forest%20-%202-3-2007/2007_03020010.jpg
And all roads were of this (or near enough to it) quality.
http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m21/gazza_0307/Belanglo%20Forest%20-%202-3-2007/2007_03020013.jpg
After further avoiding 2 eastern grey kangaroos I hit Rockleigh Road again and decide to get a pick to let everyone know where I had been (no Ivan Milat jokes).
http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m21/gazza_0307/Belanglo%20Forest%20-%202-3-2007/2007_03020014.jpg
So from there it was a short strop back to the Hume and an even shorter ride to the Sutton Forest turn off where I headed to the tavern for a nice refreshing drink.
Then home via Meryla NP where the difference the recent rains have made to the track conditions was obvious. Last time I rode this track it was reasonably smooth, this time was different.
Gunrock Creek FT
http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m21/gazza_0307/Belanglo%20Forest%20-%202-3-2007/2007_03020016.jpg
The Strom made it.[/i]
http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m21/gazza_0307/Belanglo%20Forest%20-%202-3-2007/2007_03020018.jpg
Others weren't so fortunate.
http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m21/gazza_0307/Belanglo%20Forest%20-%202-3-2007/2007_03020019.jpg
Not just was the track rutted in places there were heaps of puddles which made it more interesting and heaps of fun but it sure was good seeing all that water laying around, or in some cases pouring through pipes to fall off a cliff.
http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m21/gazza_0307/Belanglo%20Forest%20-%202-3-2007/2007_03020023.jpg
Well all to soon Meryla was over but I still wanted dirt so a quick trip through Belmore Falls road was in order, but man is that road in deteriorating condition due to the rain (which adds fun). But the bonus was that the causeway had the most water flowing over it I can recall (around 4 inches) and the falls are absolutely pumping.
[i]Belmore Falls Road (west of the falls).
http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m21/gazza_0307/Belanglo%20Forest%20-%202-3-2007/2007_03020024.jpg
But all thinks need to end and so I headed home totally relaxed with a huge grin and plenty of mud to wash off.
Sorry to bore you all but as a newbie to this dirt stuff I just wonder why I took so long.
Garry
So Friday morning I wake up (always a good start to the day) and look outside to see a blue sky and so the decision is made for me, I must ride, but where?
A quick check of available maps and a decision is made to head towards Canyonleigh and make a decision from there, but first a quick stop for more details maps is required at Fitzroy Falls NPWS offices. Maps duly purchased it is onwards to Canyonleigh Road west of the Hume (excuse me while I yawn) Highway until I find the road I am looking for which heads to the right and back towards the day's destination.
Foxgrove Road, Canyonleigh end.
http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m21/gazza_0307/Belanglo%20Forest%20-%202-3-2007/2007_03020001.jpg
Ok, so I turn onto Foxgrove Road which is quite a nice piece of road, wide and open for the first kay or so and then it narrows a bit, but I was really looking for Black Bobs Creek Firetrail which I found quite easily in the end. Not long after starting on the Firetrail I go through an unsignposted gate and continue on down into the gully but not before having 2 Wallaby's hop off into the scrub but I still got a photo of this fellow just after.
Kangaroo on Firetrailhttp://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m21/gazza_0307/Belanglo%20Forest%20-%202-3-2007/2007_03020003.jpg
Ok, so photo taken it is off to the valley floor which is like a whole new world, lush farm country.
It was then I see the sign 'Wildlife Refuge, Drive Carefully' but not thinking much of it I continued until I reached a junction in the track. To the right was where I was intending to go but I wanted to explore a little further along this track first so I decided to continue on, but not for long. After about another 300 metres I am casually cruising enjoying the surroundings when I hear 'OY'.
The junction, decision time.
http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m21/gazza_0307/Belanglo%20Forest%20-%202-3-2007/2007_03020004.jpg
So I stop and a farmer comes over and asks me if I knew I was on private property and which way I had come. So we have a chat all very amicable with me explaining what I am doing and where I intend to go etc, and that I was just out relaxing. So given I was on private property I asked if the track up the hill lead out and he agreed that it was the best way but advised me to 'be careful because your mates on enduro bikes have been chopping it up a bit lately'. Not wanting to argue I said that I am sure that it was likely enduro and 4wd but he was adamant so I thanked him and backtracked.
At the bottom the hill was this little ford that damn near claimed me. All was going well when the front hit some piled mud (which can be seen in the photo) and went sideways but somehow all stayed the right side up and we continued up the hill which in itself was a very nice little ride with sensational views. Anyhow, at the top is another gate so I stop and notice the 'private property' signs that I did not see at the other entry point so I hope I didn't disturb them to much.
Damn ford.
http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m21/gazza_0307/Belanglo%20Forest%20-%202-3-2007/2007_03020005.jpg
So a check of the maps revealed that I was near Rockleigh Road and a bit more exploring was due. So I head west and end up finding a quarry and then a little sidetrack firetrail that will require further exploration. On the maps this little FT is known as Longacre FT and appears to go through but due to being along as well as the surface I decided to return another day with company and maybe have a go at it, hopefully the Weestrom will get out alive.
Longacre FT
http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m21/gazza_0307/Belanglo%20Forest%20-%202-3-2007/2007_03020007.jpg
http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m21/gazza_0307/Belanglo%20Forest%20-%202-3-2007/2007_03020008.jpg
http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m21/gazza_0307/Belanglo%20Forest%20-%202-3-2007/2007_03020009.jpg
Anyhow, time is getting on so it is back out Rockleigh Road past where I joined it until I see Rockleigh FT and a decision is made to take it and see where it goes. Well basically, this was the start of heaps of fun in this little forest and there is heaps more exploring to be done (stay tuned for ride dates) but safe to say that this is very newbie friendly with some areas that the more experienced rider could have fun as well as some little firetrails off to the side just screaming to be looked at.
There was plenty of mud
http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m21/gazza_0307/Belanglo%20Forest%20-%202-3-2007/2007_03020010.jpg
And all roads were of this (or near enough to it) quality.
http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m21/gazza_0307/Belanglo%20Forest%20-%202-3-2007/2007_03020013.jpg
After further avoiding 2 eastern grey kangaroos I hit Rockleigh Road again and decide to get a pick to let everyone know where I had been (no Ivan Milat jokes).
http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m21/gazza_0307/Belanglo%20Forest%20-%202-3-2007/2007_03020014.jpg
So from there it was a short strop back to the Hume and an even shorter ride to the Sutton Forest turn off where I headed to the tavern for a nice refreshing drink.
Then home via Meryla NP where the difference the recent rains have made to the track conditions was obvious. Last time I rode this track it was reasonably smooth, this time was different.
Gunrock Creek FT
http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m21/gazza_0307/Belanglo%20Forest%20-%202-3-2007/2007_03020016.jpg
The Strom made it.[/i]
http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m21/gazza_0307/Belanglo%20Forest%20-%202-3-2007/2007_03020018.jpg
Others weren't so fortunate.
http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m21/gazza_0307/Belanglo%20Forest%20-%202-3-2007/2007_03020019.jpg
Not just was the track rutted in places there were heaps of puddles which made it more interesting and heaps of fun but it sure was good seeing all that water laying around, or in some cases pouring through pipes to fall off a cliff.
http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m21/gazza_0307/Belanglo%20Forest%20-%202-3-2007/2007_03020023.jpg
Well all to soon Meryla was over but I still wanted dirt so a quick trip through Belmore Falls road was in order, but man is that road in deteriorating condition due to the rain (which adds fun). But the bonus was that the causeway had the most water flowing over it I can recall (around 4 inches) and the falls are absolutely pumping.
[i]Belmore Falls Road (west of the falls).
http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m21/gazza_0307/Belanglo%20Forest%20-%202-3-2007/2007_03020024.jpg
But all thinks need to end and so I headed home totally relaxed with a huge grin and plenty of mud to wash off.
Sorry to bore you all but as a newbie to this dirt stuff I just wonder why I took so long.
Garry