The Wild Geese

Geese Go Bush
April 2006

A good few turned up at the Caff for the first ride in April, mostly dualsporters for the trail ride I had organised to baptise the new KTM, although a few more turned up for the Flight Of The Bumble Goose. Nine dirt riders set off, being Steve, Mac, Sean, Ric, Josef, Rodney, Murray, Bill and Ron. This was Bill's first ride with the Geese, and his first dirt ride on his new BMW 650 Dakar.

By the first bit of dirt (on the back roads to Doonan Bridge), we were already down to seven - we had lost Josef and Rodney at the first turnoff.

Following directions from the trusty GPS we were on a trail that none of us knew, and it had a few muddy patches to catch the unwary, i.e. Bill and Ric. Bill got off lightly, getting bump-steered into the muddy bank by a submerged stone, but Ric fared a bit worse when his bike toppled off the dry bank into the mud. We soon had him righted but he decided to head for home as his back was already playing up before he took the tumble. Then there were six.

After snaking our way through the new housing estate at Doonan Bridge we carried on along gravel and then tar to come out near Verrierdale on the Noosa-Eumundi road, headed up Grays Road and onto Sunrise, then took a bit more gravel past Mount Cooroy. Then it was standard Geese territory for a while, out the back of Cooroy to Gizmo corner, along Skyring Creek Road, and left towards Imbil. The GPS soon had us on a detour again though and we found some more back roads to take us to Imbil.

Josef and Rodney were waiting for us there, but we lost Mac who had to head back home, so now we were seven again! No rest for the wicked, we headed straight out of Imbil towards Borumba Dam, turning off to follow the trails over Mount Buggery to come out on the main Jimna road near Yabba Falls. Then a spirited ride along the gravel 'highway' past Jimna, before turning down the track towards Kenilworth for a while - without Sean, who had to head for home. The faithful six pressed on.

Bill going and coming, Steve baptising the KTM

A Goose in the bush is worth... quite a lot
(judging by the value of those bikes)

Following the trusty GPS (being read by the less than trusty Steve), we turned off for the Conondale Range just about where Sunday Creek Road became closed to traffic. We ceased to follow the GPS track at some point (I blame inaccurate GPS maps, others may blame me), and when we rejoined it we ended up following the GPS in reverse direction, so we eventually came out... near Jimna! Bill had collected Ron while we were consulting the GPS near a junction; he tried to get me too but bodged it and just bounced off my rear tyre :) No harm done, and we soon had Bill and Ron rubber side down again.

Josef, Rodney and Murray decided at this point that they had had enough fun for one day and turned South to take the tar to Kilcoy and home. Now there were... three. Bill, Ron and I decided to head back past Jimna on the 'highway' and then to turn downhill to follow the trail to Kandanga. This we did, but with a short break when Ron went missing on the easy stuff. Inexplicably his front wheel slid out on an easy gravel corner and he took a dive. Bill and I went back for him but he was already back in the saddle, only a little the worse for wear.

We eventually arrived in Kandanga without further incident and settled in at the pub for a beer or three. Then it was home via Kenilworth.

And then there were three
(and not a boxer among them)

A longish day but great fun, and the KTM survived its baptism without incident. Thanks to all for a great day.

~ Steve

Category Rides ~ Category Dirt Rides