I went down for both days of the muster. The trail ride lead by Shane Kraft on the Saturday was great fun. There were 10 of us on the ride, 9 on XT/TT500's and one modern XR650 Honda. The route was from Bethany across the Barrosa Valley to Eudunda, then out onto the flats and following the stock route towards Morgan, before turning to Blanchetown for a lunch break. From Blanchtown we headed down the river road towards Swan Reach then turned off and head up to Cambrai for a refreshment stop at the local hotel. From there it was be back into the valley via Pine Hut road and back to Bethany. All up the total distance was about 250km. The ride was on a mixture of graded dirt roads and two wheeled tracks, with the option of riding the bike tracks that parallel these roads. Non of the route will have any meaning to those who haven’t been to this area of SA before, but it was a great mixture of roads and terrain which was well suited to the bikes. So well done Shane. The high temperature of 35C may have discouraged a few from comming out, and I will addmit it was a bit draining when you are trying to hustle a 500 Yamaha through the mallee scrub. I was also quite dusty, but this wasn't a hugh problem as all the riders kept a bit of distance.
A few pictures;.
The group on the ridgeline just before Eudunda
There is no fine site than a well ridden TT500 blasting through the mallee.
What are we going to do now? A bit of a problem when one of the bikes lost it's timing cap, and therefore all of it's engine oil. Solution, one ride goes to his home in Swan Reach for oil and to get a timing cap from another of his bikes. Shane stays with the rider, and the rest of head on to Cambrai pub to wait for them.
A perfect way to spend a Sunday, 53 XT/TT500 to look over, and some great people to talk too.
CJ
