A bit of a report.....
My son Rick picked me up at 8am saturday morning for our 400klm trip to Cookardinia 2012, we were underway about 8.45am. We took the "scenic" route via Bonnie Doon, where we scoffed two egg and bacon sangers at the Bonnie Doon Motor Inn...(where I stayed on my adventure last xmas on my DR650) Fed and eager, we headed north past Lake Nillahcootie to Benallla for fuel, then on up the boring Hume freeway to the Olympic Way turn-off just past Albury. Nice day too, few fluffy clouds with plenty of blue sky. Being Mexicans we ignored all of the posted directions and turned off at Henty and left into Bahrs Rd, then left again into Jerraluen Rd. The glint of sunlight off a pack of vehicles across the paddock, at the tree line off the hill was the campsite. Grouse spot, it was 1.30pm. My sons pics I've posted show what bl__dy great views we had...the scenery was pretty awesome too....
We had a short meet and greet session with familiar faces and set about unpacking and setting up camp. Rick took possession of his ride, a neat TT250J kindly lent by Rookie#1. We signed our licences, got our showbags and set about having a couple of layout laps to (help) mark in the loop. Rick's never ridden a 4t this century so I took the TC125 for a blast....
Great loop, awesome in fact (except*) had a bit of everything with woops being the predominant feature along with some neat bermed tracks winding up and down through the woods. The grassy paddocks kept you on your mettle this year, woops abounded and the single track along the rolling hills were a definate gamble off the 10" wide trail....stumps, holes and rocks were hidden everywhere....did I mention rocks..
*...flying along after just passing Rick along the back fence, I was going way too fast for both mine and the bikes 19" front wheels ability to cope with football sized loose rocks. Instant 10' left broadside quickly followed by the opposite...coming to sliding stop on my right side almost facing back where Rick was stopped...kinda laughin', almost concerned but mostly surprised I stood straight up and clutched the bike. Still running I killed the engine when I looked at my scuffed jeans across my right knee....and that I couldn't feel my left foot. Rick picked up two big rocks and tossed them way off track and we carried on....back to camp...after Rick found a very slippery corner that caught us all initially....it was a great loop!
After returning we had a bit more of a meet and greet as many more were arriving...it was at this stage I realised my right knee was fine, but my left foot was very painfull....taking my boot off was even more painfull as it swelled straight away...doh! Not broken, but somehow I gotta fair whack on the top off my foot.
Fuelled up the IT250J and put her on spot #4 in parc ferme and set about drinking eating meeting and greeting some more....but as soon as the sundown drew a slow close to the day, the fresh air was cooling quickly...a clear night was robbing any heat from a great day. The banter flowed around the campfire as well as other things that flow...beer and bullsh!t come to mind.....but Rick and I crashed soon after dark, drifting off to the laughter and "bbq and beer songs" at a reasonable level of comfort....not a mozzie in sight!
Breaky van was a hit in the morning and soon guys and girls were getting riding gear and last minute things organised, even more bikes were still arriving. My foot was really sore but my old Rossi's helped...I think.
It was a cold start and the dew was heavy, I knew heading off at number 4 (which ended up being #3) was going to be tricky on the grassy bits. First thing that became evident was I had trouble changing up gears...unless I sat down...this was not a really good option for a lot of the loop. I am happy to say that my suspension done a superb job. I also didn't drop it at all...except for a stack with a tree...which kept me wedged under branches till Rick (close by taking pictures....) helped free me, I did one more lap, my 8th and called it quits. I had beaten last years tally (my goal) and I was pretty dammed hot and well, tired.....and thirsty....Beer O'clock actually.
Did a bit of pre packing and then we had the presentations, some really great prizes too, given to very worthy winners.
It was hoot this year, very well presented and very well organised. Was good to see the facilities and medics, a real professional approach to the event, yet very relaxed. Nothing was a hassle from our point of view...except the foot
Big thanks for all those involved, Brooksie, Jock, Murray, Adam (just for taking the magnificent WR500 out for some laps if anything) Holbrook guys and all the sponsors...wow, some pretty impressive sponsors (all diligently captured in digi and displayed on here)
Think we left about 5pm after a bit of a tidy up...Morven was our destination...a pub!
Couldn't find it at first, Morven was easy to get to...but the stupid gps didn't list it....shock, we had to rely on guile and country sign posts. Rick has inherited my earlier life's eyesight it seems and soon we were at the "Round Hill Hotel"...in Morven....
Great pub...cool patron who went out of her way for us...there were some local guys who pulled up after a day on their WR450...F's
anyway, the banter was funny and the IT certainly got some interest. Even the older punters were interested in "vinduro"...it was cool to be there....from a city slickers point of view.
We sat down after quite a few beers to a massive T-bone...(complete with a couple of our sausages and onions)...and three sink sized bowls of salads...$15
We had about 1/8th acre a flat grass to camp on and soon after the resident one eyed black dog "Diesel" sniffed our gear and bounded away (seemingly the "all-clear") we settled to the sounds of cows, territorial koalas, cows distant traffic and cows. Cold night with a near frost....must have done my foot some good, didn't hurt half as much. Coffee'd up me headed south...back to mexico and normaldom. But with a great "showbag" from Cookardinia 2012...and fist full of fervent memories!
Big thanks to all involved, both for making it happen and for being there...I mean "Ya' had to be there", know what I mean?
Cheers from my son Rick....
...and cheers from me,
Chris.
