The Wild Geese

The Mac And Dave Dirt Run
A quick call from Mac Wilson on Friday evening suggested a ride to test out his new Metzeler Tourances in the dirt - (as you'd know I hate riding, especially dirt - I really only went because I'm such a nice guy). We decided on Sunday (well, I decided on Sunday since my rellies were here on the Sat and were leaving Sun so I thought I'd be able to sneak away almost unseen) as the best day to head bush.

Mac met me at home and we darted across to the Kandanga road through the nice piece of windy bitumen (Pie Ck road), turning in to Schacht's Creek Forestry where we hit the dirt. We ran through the bush to the Country Music Muster site and then through some other tracks to come out on the upper Kandanga road following a similar start to the ride to last weekends run see; Conondale For Lunch (mainly because Mt Buggary has been "fixed up" and isn't very exciting at present).

We ran up the Upper Kandanga road on the fast dirt turning left (well I did - Mac was ahead and missed the turn and so I had a break till he realised I was not there) onto the road that climbs to the top of the range. Rob Turton had put a TKC and a Metzeler Karoo (both 1/2 worn - ones that I'd had on previously) on for me during the week and the knobbies definitely make the run a bit easier. Mac headed off on the Tourances up the steep track and on discussing the performance when we got to the top he was most impressed how such a "roadish" looking tyre goes on the dirt.

Turning right we ran along the main dirt road looking for the turn to Mt Stanley - well I was looking for the turn and Mac was going like a cut cat and so even when I found turns that were possibilities I couldn't make him stop - every time I'd get close he'd feel his oats again and shower me with rocks until he slowed for a calf and I caught the bugger. While discussing where we were - a ute with a couple in it and a blue dog in the back pulled up to see that we were ok. We had a bit of a chat and Mac moved his hand towards the dog while looking at the woman "oh he's all right she said - no problems" and then the dog promptly bit Mac on the hand luckily not breaking the skin. I must admit I laughed a lot (with him of course - not at him). The poor woman was most surprised "Ooh he's never done that before" she said - personally I thought that the dog would have been more discerning and bitten me as the younger and more succulent person - no accounting for taste. By now we were closer to Goomeri than where we were originally planning on going so we decided to head into town and get some lunch which we did at The Grape and the Olive cafe. Over lunch we formulated our plan for the ride home to get a bit of tar and a bit of dirt.

Headed out of Goomeri and then on the Kinbombi falls road (went to the falls but it requires a lot more water in it to fall anywhere, although I'd think in a good flood it'd be pretty impressive) along the windy tar with Mac pushing me hard on the knobbies. Turned onto the A-Flat road, past Barambah and then through the Forestry heading for Widgee. Met a Landcruiser and caravan on the range and then I was out in front playing 'I go hard and fast on the dirt' when I was confronted with an XR playing 'I go hard and fast on the dirt' as well, missing each other (due of course to my consummate skill - well possibly his as well) I poked somewhat more slowly around the next corner to see what was coming and had no trouble then avoiding his mates on a KTM and some other flash that wasn't orange. Mac managed to avoid them as well and we headed back to my place in Gympie for a couple of well deserved beers before Mac headed home very pleased with the tyres and having had another good day.

Bikes at the "The Grape and Olive " - Mac checking that map - Bikes at Falls - Kinbombi Falls

Dave aka Grey Goose

Category Rides ~ Category Dirt Rides