Conongrail / Part 2 / Trip

Dazza's piece

We started with Saturday morning finishing off some mechanical fixes on the bikes (I did say 'we', which meant 2 of us, as the 3rd wasn't going due to softness of willpower and lack of dedication to the cause).

Tent's piece

Conondale was drawing closer and closer and the KDX was still not quite ready. After a couple of months of research to find the right bearings for the swing arm I still couldn't find a supplier locally. I did however have the swing arm powder coated ready for assembly! WOW. The weekend of racing was almost upon us and I knew the KDX was still too far off from completion to make it on the day. (I have enclosed a pic to show the progress). So it was decided, as I would only be able to participate in the Sunday event due to other commitments, and the fact that the KDX was not going, that I would have to sit this event out and pursue another race at a later date.

Dazza's piece

"Don't worry, I'll fly the flag, mate!"
I had worked on my bike late into the night, getting things just right. Which they weren't and I had to work on the mighty PE in the morning. Typical - I can try to be as organised as possible, but in the end I always seem to be running behind!

But I knew the old girl was going to run great. Hooter showed up and gave his usual 12% effort; he likes the idea of a bike that you don't ever have to touch at all. Hence steering him clear from his first 2 stroke bike and going down the 4 stroke path - better for everyone. He is lucky that his trusty XT250H is so forgiving of his lack of maintenance.

Hooter was there leaning against the hills hoist, expecting to do less then his 12%. Wrong. So I gave directions: adjust that chain..., do the air..., lube that chain... so on and so on. Whilst pushing on with the final adjustments Hooter went on a mission get Maccas for brekky; some sustenance before the trip.

Once finished all the stuff that is boring compared to riding, we loaded the Hilux up - move this, tie this, cover that. My rellies had shown up by now (our support crew and fans all in one). Mum was there and my sister, with my stepfather offering to add to Hooter's 12% and help tie down the rest of the load - truck drivers are always handy on the ropes. Now we were done, let's roll!

My wonderful wife travelled with me and the others went in the trusty Camry of my parents to get there and as it turned out also to test the new wider tyres and suspension! Which to say didn't really pass on that.

Nothing real eventful along the way other than the bitumen going under the car and out the back as we proceeded to get closer to our destination. Hitting the doorsteps of Maleny gave us a quick chance to stop for supplies and get our bearings as we had to drop off all the Non-campers at the cabin we had organised. This was putting us to close to using artificial light other than the natural light of the sun.

So, we dropped off the rellies and headed for Greenpark down the other side of Maleny.

By this time it was dark and as we rolled into the camp site we picked an area just near two large trees, perfect for when there is a hurricane. So we unload, roll tent out and accessories, move, adjust, have another look, re-adjust and move some other things, adjust tent some more, try to put it up in 1 go, fail, start again, move, adjust and then adjust some more. Finally, we got the damn thing up! Hooter had bought his "Point it in the dark, should something pass, FIRE!" light, handy for setting up the marcano tent. Ok, done - we headed back up to the cabin for some teasies and bit of chat, before the Hoot Hoot wanted some bed bed.

Back to camp for a deserved rest before the start of the big event tomorrow. Little did we know that scrutineering would be a testing time for Team Gumby!