Melbourne cup weekend and Mick and I take our trusty Rotax engined CCM and ATK bikes on the annual Harley Club Melbourne to Bright trail ride. As last year we join in halfway at Merrijig and returned there the next day. This year we were accompanied by Pete (XR350) and Gad with the Starship Enterprise (BMW GS1150). A few remarks about it’s trailworthyness (most from me !!) were laughed off by the ex trials and enduro rider, willing to take it on for the experience. We left Merrijig about 15 strong in the rain.The first creek crossing saw the beemer falter but it started again & we were on our way. The rain was well and truly set in and we rode all day over slippery rocks and that even slipperier red stuff. Gad cheated at the only opportunity & took the bitumen whilst the ATK threw me off a few times. Possum got the only puncture which was quickly dealt with. A few other minor falls and we made it to the Buckland River soaked and tired. We all cheated and missed the last 20Km of trails & took the bitumen into Bright.

On arrival at our motel a showered and refreshed Gad greeted us with the news that the wallopers were staying in our motel too. Apparently the colony”s finest were there, 45 strong with 4WD’s and XR650’s, to hunt down trail riders. Their task seemed similar to Germany in the 30’s or perhaps the East Germans during the Cold War. They were to ensure all riders had appropriate identity documents and proof of fiscal collusion with the colony”s roads authority. Out of date, unpaid or inappropriate documents could result in a fine or worse.. We were to hear later that evening, that they had already made inroads into the Club, asking one member to explain his standing on the pegs position on the motorcycle. Although standing is common on trail bikes he was lucky to not receive a ticket, perhaps fortunate his papers were in order. We were distraught until it was explained to us that apparently the poorer motorcyclists, unable to afford (or perhaps understand) the correct paperwork, have been statistically proven to be more likely to die. It seems that fining them and generally harassing them (and us) is going to save lives in the future. All for this life saving stuff, we decided to concoct a plan to help the Jacks save lives. We decided not to travel as a group but to move individually therefore not wasting their time having to look at multiple documentation. Noticing when they left the motel was handy too, as it meant we knew they busy looking for unfortunate neer-do-wells and hopefully save them from a nasty end. So we were able to leave town and not waste any of their valuable recourses on us.
We met up at first light at the Buckland River, first checking that it was safe before dismounting to study maps and plan the day. It was decided to retrace the day before’s steps, with Gad taking an alternate bitumen route meeting again near Lake Buffalo. From there we were to take easier dirt roads that would be more comfortable on the big Beemer. We had a fantastic time, taking the Rose River Road, turning up Basin Track before descending down Sandy Flat Track to the far King River. The adventure had began, the steepness of Sandy Track a clue to the water we were to meet. A normally quite rational Pete went in, guns a blazing. Bike and rider tumbled & rolled, amazingly coming up for air together at mid river, too slow with the camera I watched as he pushed it out the other side, drowned.
Some 4WD driving campers came out to spectate and volunteered a Snatchem Strap. The CCM was lashed up and the strap taken across the river. Two pulling the strap and two on the bike and through she went staying butter side up all the way. Now for the Gallowcraft. The same method got the Bimmer about a quarter of the way before it lay down for a swim. Up she came to be even harder to roll than we imagined. Near breaking point, a rock was discovered twixt front brake lever and handguard. Even after removing it she wouldn’t roll. Our 4WD friends were yelling from the bank “it’s in gear” & so it was. Neutral found, the Teutonic monster rose from the river like some mythical beast, in need of some drying.
The ATK was simple after this & rolled straight through, after untaping the exhaust, it fired straight up on the other side.
Half an hour later Honda and BMW were dried enough to run and as we were preparing to move on, a 4WD with an empty trailer came through the river !!!!!!!!!!!!!
Wet but happy we progressed with the BM holding us up a bit more trying to get the water from it’s fuel tank. Eventually we disassembled the injectors and out came the water--at serious pressure.
The Buckland Spur Track would nearly get us back to Merrijig and although pretty steep, seemed navigable, Gad getting up pretty easily. Then a fallen tree with no way round. We lifted the ATK over and I went for a recky. I got past a further three but could see another two fallen trees blocking the track. I reported the findings and the retreat call was sounded. A long way to retreat
We took the King River Road to Cheshunt, the bitumen to Tolmie and got to Merrijig with no fuel left and minutes of daylight. To the Mansfield pub for a toast to the Far King River.