Point Sturt, Milang Sth Aus

[masterbrewer]

After the recent heatwaves, a glorious mild clear blue sky with nice dust clearing cross winds befriended us and our freshly cleaned, gleeming bikes, following the dusty conditions of last weeks ride.
("Over the Dusty Hill" ride)

I know! ... I know! ..... I know! ..... I was out in front with the map & didn't endure the dust.

But I have you mind, a car did pull out in front of me for a kilometer or two at some point over the 350kms ride & I could feel you guys laughing in satisfaction behind my back



Climbing out of the forest of Adelaide & into the hills for our rendezvous at Belair



The small group of intrepid adventurers gathered & prepared for a "short 50km ride" to the Strathalbyn bakery ..... or so they thought



That distance was easily doubled in the search for back lanes & dirt tracks, unfortunately joined by small sections of blacktop before refreshments were served



After refueling the body ........... on to Milang another "short 20kms" away, ................ but not as I know it

With good summer rains & tall regrowth & especially riding through the recent fire damaged countryside near Finniss, I was conscious of starting further fires by riding my usual often hidden by grass "special tracks" so we kept it mainly to open, easy "put a smile on ya face" ones.

A false sense of comfort grew as we enjoyed the fantastic fast undulating, twisting, smooth back roads, can I say it again, under clear blue sky in mild conditions

However it didn't take long to shatter those dreams, along a particular 5km 4x4 track with one special small but gnarly, (for the big bikes ) sand hill. (unfortunately the photo doesn't do it justice)


....... and the new paint job was soon put to the test .................... luckily without damage



Regrouping to compare beating hearts



On to Lake Alexandrina



From Point Sturt our hunger grew for a thirst quenching "meal" as we could see Milang across the Lake.



Surprisingly the pub was absolutely chockers & we were lucky to get a meal let alone a table to eat it on.

As mentioned before regarding the bushfire threat, our usual tall grassed, testing tracks were off limits & so we kept it safe.
































Having recently bit the dust, well! ...... the rock impregnated cement-like dirt track with granite bolders hidden in the grass, on this corner not so long ago going the other way, I was determined to show it who's boss & spend some quality get to know ya time there before the troups arrived.





















Before a the important debrief refresher at Echunga.



Our legendary "Single Track Dominator" adventurer, CharlieW has been working on his new invention for riding through contrasting shadowed tracks ............................ you just have to alternate winking to keep constant brightness




Great day guys & it was good to meet new comers Serg (DR650) & Mark (Tenere) as well as Jeff who lives in Strath, rode to Belair to ride back to Strath .... commitment


cya again soon.


Cheers