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Our annual Northcliffe ride was here again. A couple of lads did a recon to the river crossing a week earlier after all our summer rain and confirmed it's too deep, so change of route through the bush.
Friday morning all the adventure riders gathered at North Dandalup. Nine sidecars and six solo riders with Kylie on a DR650 the first lady rider to join us.
Head to Dwellingup and head bush through to Collie. Found some
interesting tracks and bog holes plus one gravel hill that sidecars had
trouble with traction on, requiring energetic pushing to keep them
moving. Nothing a cold beer couldn’t fix for smoko.
Track
not in map book so we keep going till we find a larger road that gets us
to Collie for a late lunch then have to move on as need to be at
Sunnyside near Bridgetown before dark.
A quick blast through new bitumen road at back of Wellington Dam, past Gnomesville, then Grimwade – Greenbushes road to Bridgetown and arrive at 5.30 to be greeted by four more sidecars.
Set up camp in the old hall and find Paul’s sidecar mount broken, bugger. Lucky Nick from Bridgetown was out to see us, so back to his shed in the dark to do welding repair with Noah’s welder.
Dodgy repair completed back to camp and dinner, then a few ales before crashing. Sure enough they all arise at 6 am, even though departure time is 8.30.
Nick arrives to lead us on what turns out to be one of the most interesting and fun rides through the bush to Northcliffe.
It took 200km and six hours of it criss-crossing the highway three times. Fire breaks - rail access tracks - forestry roads - logging roads and abandoned tracks.
The further south we ride the wetter ground was, so some great drifting to be had on sidecar.
Norm broke his shocky mount so we headed down the tar, then Paul got a
stick through his oil cooler. Into Warren National Park and come across
an old timber trestle bridge in good nick. Pass the local ranger who
couldn’t believe his eyes as we slide past him.
With 1km to go and bogged in nasty greasy slop. Out with the strap and
many hands pull sidecars through. Kylie nearly hi-sides the 650, but
pulls up neatly. Drain her carbie as got some water in and continue to
pub, to be greeted by another forty or so old boys who rode from all
over the State to catch up with mates. Too many beers and lies later
it’s time to head home Sunday morning. Note: should have gone to bed
earlier than 2.30am, Kylie.
Up Deeside Coast Road and cut through to Boyup Brook on some great
tracks and come across the old fire lookout. After 5 flat tyres we leave
Paul and mates to it and arrive home at 4pm.
Can’t wait till next year and do it again. Growing old can’t be helped,
but growing up is optional!