The Leisky Crew - Hills n Thrills

October 7-8.

On the weekend of Oct 7/8 we had the pleasure of the "Mark Leisk crew", but only due to the organisational trials and tribulations from Patrick Hailand!! So all the regulars were along, being of course Mark Leisk, motorcross veteran and legend Kevin Russell (still riding at 62), Ferret, Leon, Pugsley (Jason Plumley) and 3 of his mates from a month earlier, along with Leon, Paul, Andrew, Mick, Big Al (now half AL) and all the rest of the mob, including ring-in Dan Perkins, we were in for a treat. 16 riders were ready and raring to go at 8am, but with no sign off Leisky. In a stroke of luck (or was that badluck) he rocked up at 8:15 with Kev, with his usual casual attitude and tales a written off car Friday arvo heading home from work, and we had a full crew to embark on the journey. Pre-start blurb, and we were off!

The pace was good, and we were in no time into the hills n thrills, and the boys were grinning. No helmets were coming off at the breaks, so I knew they were keen, and with the next sections hazards pointed out, we were off in no time. Tyre pressures were lowered by a few to help the traction , and Pugsley was providing some great entertainment by showing us scientific evidence that gravity, steep hills, short legs and a high seat height result in man and machine departing ways by man rolling down hill, machine usually perched on side, but sometimes following! Leisky decided he would blame his new 250EXC-f clutch fluid loss on his brother Jeff, when we all know he can't ride for S*%T and crashed, causing the fittings to come loose! Who PD'd that bike Mark? Even with no clutch, he still rode like S*%T!

We hit the mountain trail in reverse to our normal direction, and before long we were gathered at Big Bertha for a crack before lunch. With no hesitation, Leon blasted up past the halfway point and so did Patrick, only to never re-appear, swallowed up by the bike eating ruts, then myself, Paul (Husaberg 450), and a few others challenged ourselves and machine to the limit. Some good attempts were made, but no conquerers! Dan Perkins reminded me that Scott, (my brother) was still the only rider to make it, when that brotherly rivalry kicked in, and I was off again, getting higher than I ever have, and oh so close, but still 15-20m from the summit! Ah, there's always next time!

After lunch and a re-fuel from spiderman, we hit the road to the river crossing, and crossed with ease, being another foot lower than 2 weeks earlier, and blasted the river flats to Huff n Puff hills. Here, "Tiny" had his camera, and thought he knew it from the ride a month earlier, and asked if he could go ahead to film, except he took off the wrong way, and missed all the action. The first and second stage was relatively easy, and even Pugsley did it with ease! When "Tiny" rocked up, I took him around to the 3rd stage hill to film, then came back for the group. Some classic footage was recorded, with Pugsley looking really good, until he headed for a tree, narrowly missed it, then flipped her out right in front of us, rolled down the hill and over the bank headfirst. It was hilarious from where we saw it! Ferret had a few moments too, but before long, everyone was up the hill, heading to the 4th stage. Poor old Pugsley did it again, and by now he was looking tired. We rested him, and got him through some flowing trails. Then a tree had fallen across our main track, on an up-hill, so I held the group and looked for an easier path, knowing it would be difficult for some. We made a new track through the recently logged area, and it was hard work with all the debris, but we managed to get through, excpet Pugs, he was almost there, when he rode back all the way down to get some momentum. With everyone's eyes on him he hit it hard, and flew up in style, over shitty logs and branches, looking like a true champion, until, the stopping part. With all the bikes congregated, he had nowhere to lose his speed, and bailed out, diving off his bike and rolling down a few metres to the tune of laughter from his mates. Ah, that's what mates are for!! Some great flowing firetrails and hills, and we were ready for some muddy action, when a rider failed to appear. On backtracking, there was Mick Blackford with a cracked engine case. Out with the tow rope, and we were heading for home, with Husky in tow! It was beer o'clock anyhow!

We had some beers, ate a few cows, and then watched the DVD's we had of previous rides on the Big Screen. Freddy Kruger appeared when Mark gave Kevin Russel his KTM bowler hat, and from then on, it was laughter and more laughter as we reminisced on the days events.

Sunday morning, and the bacon and eggs went down as fast as Skaife at bathurst, and the keen riders were doing aircleaners and chains etc. Pugsley was there, and looking at his bike (seat height to cater for Luc Longley), I thought it was time to offer some help. I backed his pre-load off and lowered his seat height to the point that now his feet could touch the ground, and he was so appreciative, but hey, that's what we're here for I said. Before long, we were re-fuelled out of our fuel trailer and raring to go.

We made our way though the many trails on offer, and I decided (due to the low river height) to go to a summer river crossing, as it should be a bit technical! I waited for all the riders to regroup before I went across, so that could see the path to take, or not to take, the latter being the case!! As I got across the rocky section, I was looking at a 2ft high bank to ride straight up, which should have been OK, except for the 10" log lying a foot from the wall in a hole another foot deep. I basically knew I was gone, but stabbed the throttle on the 550 and got the front wheel up, only to have the rear end flick out and drop the bike on it's side, taking me down with it! Was it cold, YES, was it funny-YES, and was I wet-YES. So, with barrels of laughter echoeing down the river valley, I wrenched the now dislodged log out and tossed it downstream so no-one else met my fate, and then pulled the Berg from the river floor, washed some mud off her, and proceeded to wrestle the bike out. With water dripping out of everywhere, I knew she was drowned big time! Following me was half AL, riding someone's (Ferrets?) KTM, and, as he has done before, followed my line, ending up in the hole, and on his back looking up through water to the sky! I didn't have time to laugh with everyone else, as I was stripping the tank etc off the Berg, but it was funny hearing the cheers again. So, following me and half AL was a bit daunting for all, but with a new line pointed out, everyone, including Pugsley got through reasonably dry.

Before long, we had the Berg fired up, and we were at it again. I was looking for every bit of sun to try and warm up, the wind chill factor rather extreme. I hit some single trails through the pines to get the heart rate up, and then a nice and very rutty hill climb. At the top regroup, we were amazed to see Pugsley had blasted up another hill like an expert, and so was he! We then hit our favourite trail, the flowing firebreak taking us all the way to within 20kms of Bridgetown. Everyone was in heaven, as the soil was loamy, the nice flowing corners with "railme" berms, the culvert jumps, valleys and winding corners for 20kms were what it's all about. I pointed out to the group that our responsible riding, like regrouping past farmhouses has opened up the eyes of one farmer, as he has asked us to ride his fenceline to keep it cleared of vegetation. He cleared the logs for us, and now, we have another trail instead of riding a small road section. That's what it's all about!

After great burgers at the 1896 cafe, we headed North and hit the rollercoaster a few times, before cruising the river flats, and open pine trails through to Greenbushes along another great firetrail.

Along here, I again had Big Brett (aka SARGE) on the ex-army XR4 (camoflouge) hot on my hammer, and he must have taken every 2nd or 3rd corner the whole weekend. For a Big Guy, and on the Xr, he certainly had some ability and pace, and always had a grin from ear to ear. He was having the ride of his life, along with the rest of us! All safe and sound back at the Hotel, it didn't take long to load the bikes, and all be on our way home.