Mount Wellington Overnight

For the week leading up to the ride the drought broke and we had rain, snow and gale force winds reported in the ranges. A few people cancelled (all good excuses of course) but on the day we still had 3 transalps, an XLV 750, a BMW and a nominal KTM. Saturday and the weather couldn't be better, 20 odd degrees and clear skies, so after the traditional fitting of knobbies (one a tree guard fetched from my garden at short notice!) we headed off down my dirt road. Immediately there was a mutiny when I tried to lead the boys up the single line track I use for practice, with Andy and Terry following but the rest whimping out and sticking to the gravel - you'd think they would have taken the opportunity to hone their skills! We had a leisurely cruise out to Valencia creek where we stopped to top up our tanks and make sure everyone was ready for the rocks. Stans track started the day, and I must admit it was in slightly worse condition than usual due to the dry year we've had, just a few rocks and fallen trees to set the mood for the day. It didn't take long to realise something was seriously wrong so we regrouped for the traditional repacking of gear on the XLV , followed shortly after by the repacking of gear on the BMW. OK, so I should have said pack it light and low….anyway we were back on track and finally reached Mt Angus track. Here there were a couple of guys on XR's who'd travelled a huge 10 KM for the day, they roughly had an idea of where they were so we chatted tracks whilst I waited for the group to catch up. Along Mt Angus I took up the job of tail end Charlie, riding up behind people imparting words of wisdom such as “get up on the pegs” and “stop using your brakes”, I even made up a few which were blindly obeyed, such as “try riding with just one hand” (I got that one from sadist.com). Anyway, speeds picked up and it wasn't long until we reached Valencia Crk Moroka road, which is a little more open and scenic. It would have been a cinch if it wasn't for the numerous trees down across the track. Here the team spirit kicked in as everyone heaved and pushed to get the big pigs over the bigger logs, even the KTM needing a hand. Eventually we reached the mother of all fallen trees and the only way around seemed literally up a near vertical embankment and through the undergrowth. Both ohlins equipped transalps made it without a problem but I doubted the BMW was going to be so lucky so we placed ourselves in strategic positions with the intention of dragging / pushing / swearing as needed. Jason had other ideas and powered up the bank, literally lofting the front wheel up and over, so I grabbed his bars and held the GS until help arrived. Glad I was wearing my helmet!

Many trees and K's later we reached the Mt Wellington turnoff but everyone was feeling a little second hand so we opted for plan B, camp nearby and ride out in the morning without our packs. We set up camp next to a waterhole complete with cascades and a grassy paddock, but this wasn't good enough for Andy, he had to wander around the corner and entice us with a huge grassy paddock ringed by a mountain stream. “Nah, if we camp there we'll be invaded by a horde of naked women on horseback” I joked, and predictably later that evening a group of horses actually turned up!

In the morning we left our luggage and blasted up Mt Wellington. After chasing Peter Holt for a while I was well and truly in the mood when Terry passed on his KTM 640, now we can't have a KTM leading the Hondas can we? Things might have gotten a little out of hand (thanks again for the bash plate Ian) but by the time we reached the top of Wellington the laughter was uncontrollable. We stopped for a while and huddled behind a few boulders before cruising on to Gable end and the walk out to the Sentinals. Now most people take the hint when a DNRE sign says “300 metres, 30 mins” but Peter scoffed and rushed off across the boulders. The rest of us struggled along, exhausted by the time we reached the lookout. We were rewarded with panoramic views across the ranges, back to the ocean and also down onto Lake Tarli Karn. On the walk back we got a little geographically challenged but eventually found the bikes and were treated to another blast back down to the camp site.

The cruise into Licola was easy enough, and after some long anticipated lunch Jason went North, Peter C took the bitumen back and the rest of us tackled Hickeys creek track. Again we came across a few startled trailriders, this time at Cheynes bridge were we blasted up the track to Black range. I'd noticed a few single line tracks beside the track so decided to take the risk and we were treated to a magical finale to our ride home.

Next ride will be Licola To Woods point overnight, probably late March, I'll send details when the Transalp gets back from New Zealand.