The day started with a large group considering only a few emails were sent around. Over 20 riders all geared and ready to go.
Conditions were prime after having some afternoon rainfall the 3 days leading up and with hot humid, overcast conditions the day was set to be a scorcher. I think it took everyone out one by one as the group tapered down to around 5 or 6 riders by the end of the day. I hope everyone had a great time and that the 3 blokes who went on to the pub to wait for everyone isn't dirty that we all never arrived. Whoever you were big 'sorry'. We'd run so late we wouldn't make it in time for lunch (kitchen closes at 2pm) and most opted against the extra 40kms of bitument just to get fuel and a beer. I'll make it up to you all on the next ride. Beers on me.
The day was more than eventful with several drownings. A few slight water injestions. Apparently much ruff and tumble back in the pack, electrical issues. Hard starting hondas, ktms with busted starters, slippy clutches, and a sheered gear selector shaft with not even enough meat on it to change it back to a decent gear. Thanks to the riders who helped out in recovering bikes out of the single track.
Morning session included some open flowy trail that had some slippy sections. Then down the railway singles was just prime. A flat tyre set us back way ages there. Of all people to get the flat it was one of the last 3 bikes. At least it gave us time to dewater the flooded ones on the other side of the creek several kms away. Then into some freshly marked single thats just starting to run in nicely over towards the mid way. After that the groups split with some parting for sevenhills, others heading home damaged, a couple to the pub (as above sorry again), and a few ready to smash on in even more technical single. This took a while to get through and also had mechanicals and flooding, as well as few challenging hills to hold us up a bit. Once out everyone was out of water and time was approaching 2pm. We all decided to scoot home the easy way, until I pulled up at the start of more trail. A few nods of the head and we were into it again. Smashed out a heap more. Thought we lost a few people due to misscommunication, which was sorted easily enough, and then made it back to the start for a beer! What an epic day!
Hope to see some vids surface. I know there were several gopros rolling. Mine fogged up pretty badly at one point. I think I only took 50mins footage of the whole day, but leading its all pretty uneventful. Hopefully others will have some mid pack carnage. I already found this one courtesy of Wes.
Cheers to all! Hope you all enjoyed!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aNLj6MYJKD8