Mountain Bikes were the go for this trip, Sand, Scrub and Rocks lay ahead, So off we went, Mandy Roger and I on our 26 inch bikes with the others on the newer 29 inchers. (We had scoffed at the benefits of the 29 inch bikes.....)
Off we went, around the oval, up Giles street and out the Tip road past the landfill. Kept riding, passing the Dump and right at the white post beside the dead tree...(There’s heaps of white posts next to thousands of dead trees).....then take the left track at the V in the road....or was it the right? No one seemed sure so we gave em both a go......and chose one....(The one that looked easier)..... and off we went at a break neck speed of 14kms....yes, we were riding in Sand and no speed was to be had, in fact 10 mins into the ride I had come to a complete stop, well my bike did while I headed into some Spinifex arms spread out in front like superman...(rule 1 when riding wearing cleats...if you fall DONT put your hands out, you could break your wrist or arm)....luckily the sand was soft, and no one was close enough to see me come off...back on the bike and away I went, caught up to Roger and again we hit soft sand and my bike and I parted company....this time I landed in some bushes and was only a little embarrassed, as I was not alone this time...But back on I got and waited until the group passed and decided I'd ride at the back and go nice and slow with Mandy, in case she fell off and needed a hand.. :-)
So, there we were Mandy and I, the front group out of sight and BANG......Down I went again soft sand got me again, this time landing in some dead tree branches leaving some of my own “Bark” with the twigs and branches on the ground....and a rather large lump and bruise on my inside left knee.....
15 Mins later there was no sand to be seen...only an uphill climb covered in rocks...oh joy!
We rode the track up as far as we could before we all dismounted...by choice and walked to a cliff top and took in the views of the “Sedimentaries” a Lime stone (I think) rock range between Kata Tjuta and Yulara.
After a while of taking in the views and a couple of Happy Snaps, it was time to make the trek back to Yulara...I was the only one who had managed to come off and was determined not to do it again...
JB Last words of Wisdom before we started our trip back...”Don’t use your front Breaks on the rocks”...
JB lead the way, followed by Roger and then me...after we completed the rocky section we stopped and waited for the girls. One came around the bend, then another...Both laughing and saying “You should see Mandy, she had the biggest stack and the bike landed on top of her......But she’s alright”....Obviously Mandy didnt hear JB's words of wisdom, or she chose to ingnore......
Once we had all gathered our selves from stifled laughter, we hit the track again...all being very cautious.
Again Roger and I found ourselves travelling along out in front...until Roger hit some sand his bike didnt like and over the bars he went......without my cat like reflexes Roger would have had to explain to his Family why he had a bike inserted in his rear......I swerved and missed him....."Close call Roger!"......Then along came JB, flying through the air with the greatest of ease....performing his version of a "safety roll" as he departed his bike for no obvious reason.......... 6 riders started this trip, 4 of us had some spectacular falls and the two "Novice riders" managed to keep the bike beneath them at all times.....
A great ride was had, with all of us feeling a bit sore and requiring serious couch time for the remained of the day.....
As I said at the start..who needs a 29in mountain bike? WE DO, the two who didn't come off and had the least issues riding in sand were on 29inch bikes!
So far the Rock Riders have raised $2,940.00 to date and we'll keep riding and raising funds and lending our assistance to finding a cure for cancer!
