Ride: Saturday 14/4/2007 - Yengo Track and Surrounds

[gco0307]

Date: Saturday 14 April

Time: Looking at leaving Wollongong around 07:30 (if others coming a meet point can be arranged) and can meet elsewhere for northerners (Whitey, you interested?).

Estimated return: NFI - this will be an all day ride but time of return will depend on many conditions, say 17:00 in Wollongong.

Destination: The Putty, via the dirt.

Route: Direction to be decided but will basically include Wiseman's Ferry => St Albans => Buckety => Mount Simpson Track => Yengo Track => Putty Road => Home or pub (depending on weather)

This route will involve dirt, lots and lots of dirt (as a guide from Wiseman's Ferry to the Putty will see no more than 10 kms of sealed surface).

The route may be varied to include the 'Old Northern Road' if I can obtain information that it will be suitable.

Now, the warning. I have never done these roads so have no real idea about them (some would say I simply have no idea ;D) but all reports indicate that they are suitable for V-stroms and similar bikes.

There will be plenty of stops along the way to admire the locations and refill refreshments although we may be isolated at some stages so please ensure that if you attend you are able to carry water some how.

Respond if interested.


Inner:
Garry





Garry

[oodeano]

I did almost that exact route last weekend (from Bucketty to Broke on bitumen might be the difference) and I can vouch for all the roads in that area. When you're route firms up, let me know somewhere in Sydney to meet up (I live in Surry Hills - if you go via the ED you will pass my place) and I am in for the ride for sure!

Dean

[gco0307]

I did almost that exact route last weekend (from Bucketty to Broke on bitumen might be the difference) and I can vouch for all the roads in that area. When you're route firms up, let me know somewhere in Sydney to meet up (I live in Surry Hills - if you go via the ED you will pass my place) and I am in for the ride for sure!

Dean


The definite route will be an anti clockwise run leaving McGraths Hill McDonalds at 0930 (other meet points can be arranged) heading for Wisemans Ferry => St Albans => Buckety => Mt Simpson Track => Yengo Track and return via the Putty to Windsor.

The intent to have a look at the old Great Northern Road appears doomed as reports indicate that it is closed to vehicular traffic so we will just do the dirt from St Albans to George Downs Drive. Overall once we leave Wisemans Ferry there will leikely be around 15 - 20 kms of sealed road with teh rest dirt before we see the tar at the Putty Road.

If you (or anyone else who attends) know of some other routes to avoid the tar please let us know and we will follow them for the fun.

At this stage there will be on DR650 and my Weestrom plus it will be posted in another forum nearer the date and we may pickup one or two from there as well.

Hoping to see you there.



Garry

[oodeano]

McGraths Hill Mackers is fine with me - I guess the ferry at Wisemans is a backup - cant see anyone getting across without the ferry? As far as other dirt goes - if you take a right at Bucketty instead of a left to get to Mt Simpson and Yengo (I think the Yengo comes out at Wollombi?) - go about 5 k's and you can (I think . .) turn left at 'The letter A' - through Crumps retreat and come out at 'Quorrobolong' on Sandy Creek Road - on the attached map. The only bit I'm not sure about is the turnoff - I got to the letter A from the other side. Obviously - do what you want to do - I'm just along for the ride. I do have some maps of the area and a GPS so 'Go Anywhere' is good for me.

Looking forward to it

Dean

http://i123.photobucket.com/albums/o303/oodeano/Map.jpg

http://i123.photobucket.com/albums/o303/oodeano/LetterA.jpg

[gco0307]

Will see you at Maccas then Dean.

As for the route, I am comfortable in trying whatever so on the day we will run it by everyone and see but I have no problems doing the larger loop.



Garry

[gco0307]

One of the guys coming along did a quick recon run last wekend and has advised that the Howes Valley end of the Yengo is heavily rutted (refer pics below).

After leaving the Yango Track the riding becomes more demanding...

http://www.ozblackbird.net/albums/album137/yango13.jpg

http://www.ozblackbird.net/albums/album137/yango14.jpg



This looked a lot steeper from the top...

http://www.ozblackbird.net/albums/album137/yango15.jpg


The Howes Trail finally done, I exit through two unlocked gates to arrive at the Putty Rd approx 10kms north of the Halfway Roadhouse.

The end of the trail. Putty Road only metres in front of this gate...

http://www.ozblackbird.net/albums/album137/yango16.jpg



So we will likely change direction and head from McGraths Hill and do the western end first but lets see on teh day.



Garry

[gco0307]

The report with pics of course, can be found here http://www.stromtrooper.com/forums/showthread.php?t=11078




Garry