Trail Bike Adventure Magazine

2010 Central West Trailbike Rally

Friday, 09 July 2010 12:19

Central West Trailbike Rally 2010
by Eric Smith

The Long Weekend in June was a prefect time for the Central West Trailbike Rally, held at a private bike park near Wellington NSW. The rally was the brainchild of the park’s owners, Michael and Jo Blatch. For a first run event, this one was an absolute pearler – with very few complaints and a bit of opportunity for improvement.

The format was simple: One afternoon loop for Saturday of about 35km, a morning loop for Sunday and then the first loop from Saturday opened again for Sunday afternoon. Fees were quite cheap with the chance to win a $500 open order at a bike shop of your choice – nice! Any profits went to a local school to help fund a school excursion.

The terrain was a challenge for most riders, a surprise for many and a shock for some! The tracks wind between, over than through hills, rocks and valleys, with occasional spectacular lookout points. If riders took the time to stop, amazing views over the Wellington Valley were laid out before them, offering a perfect excuse to dig a red frog out of the pack and share a breather with a couple of mates!

Most of the ride was on single trail in excellent condition that winds through rough native box and pine forest – some of which was so new the bobcat tracks were still there! Other sections were on fire-trails that ranged from easy and smooth to steep and challenging. Some of the single trail traversed rocky outcrops, steep ascents and descents and all of it was almost dust-free.

There is also a well-maintained and watered motocross track and a mini bike track for the kids to putt around on for those who don’t enjoy the trails. The mini bike track proved very popular, being close to camp and within view of watching parents at all times! The motocross track was given a flogging by most riders with some spectacular riding displays on show at times.

I had volunteered as a sweep rider, something I had not done before. I hoped I was familiar enough with the bike park that I could get anyone out of trouble if necessary, and I have enough skills to know how to fix a bike if possible, but also enough nous to know when something isn’t worth trying to fix! There were 4 sweep riders including myself and we were kept busy without any major dramas for the weekend.

I set out on Saturday about an hour after the loop opened. Within half a kilometer a rider came down in front of me and broke a clutch lever! I left him in the hands of a couple of other sweeps and pushed on. The riders were generally pretty good, and everyone seemed to be having a good time.

I made it almost through the first hard section before I came up on some riders. They were moving pretty well so I latched on to their group and enjoyed the ride. These blokes were from Canowindra and were setting a good pace. They were riding a range of bikes from a DT200, an old XR200 through to a late model CRF450. I followed them right through the loop and back to camp with no problems. I caught up with another sweep, Stu, and we headed back out to assist any stragglers.

As we approached a climb out of a hard section we found the other two sweeps. They were still on their first lap and had spent two hours pushing bikes up a section of hill! We joined forces and moved along. After a little while we came across a group of riders with several young blokes being herded by a few more experienced riders. We checked to see that they were ok. Turns out they were just about shagged, so I volunteered to lead them by a short-cut back to the camp. Stu and the other sweeps kept on going and I led my gaggle of bikes back to camp, arriving at dusk to find the loop closed but in need of a final sweep.

As I was gearing up, Stu returned, leading another couple of stragglers in, so we hit the trails again for the final sweep of the day, joined by Stu’s mate Lachlan. We soon came across a pair of lovely ladies who had not quite managed to make it up a fairly steep hill and gladly assisted them to the top before directing them back to camp by the shortest possible route.

We rode on, as darkness started swallowing the tracks. The valleys became quite dark and we pushed as hard as we could to get through before dark. It was pretty hairy riding these trails in the gathering dusk, but could only have been worse for Lachlan, who had smashed a headlight earlier in the day! As we reached the half-way point, or thereabouts, we came across our fellow sweeps again. They were still on their first loop, and one of the bikes had stopped! Lack of spark was a problem which was resolved by re-connecting the spark plug lead which had somehow been pulled from the plug cap.

Lachlan makes easy work of a hillclimb with the sun setting over the Wellington Valley in the background

Stu, Lachlan and I left them to get the tank back on and get home by the shortest route and rode into the darkness. Before long it was obvious that Lachlan had to be directed back camp, so we put him on the fire trail and pointed him towards home.

Somehow, Stu and I rode the remaining 8km in the pitch blackness, a ride made interesting by the unseen overhanging branches and the destabilising feeling of standing on the bike in the dark! The pace slowed and we struggled here and there, but made it back as the last glow of the sunset faded in the west.

Camping was free and included showers and BBQ facilities, laid out in amongst some lovely open box forest, typical of central west NSW. Most riders opted to camp for the night, but I live more or less locally, so I headed to my warm and comfortable bed for the night!

Sunday morning brought with it a massive frost, which fortunately didn’t seem to be a problem for the campers. Loop 2 opened at 9am with a flurry of riders. By this stage, most riders had worked out their capabilities and knew what to expect on the trails.

Stu and I spent some time watering the mini-bike track before I headed out on the loop about an hour after the first riders had left. There were no problems, and it was a while before I came across a group of four riders as they were going down a steep and rocky down hill known as The Drop. They were riding fairly well, although I did have to give some advice and a bit of leg-power to get a couple of them up a hill! Fitness was their shortfall though, as well as lack of drinking water. They opted to head back to camp at about half distance and I pushed on.

Despite the number of riders, I didn’t encounter anyone else for most of the ride back. It was a nice enjoyable ride in perfect temperatures and brought me back in time for a bite to eat at the catering tables.

The local school had fronted up to cater the event and provided great food for a good price, as well as frosty cold drinks. I tell you what, the steak sandwich and soft drink really hit the spot! Mick was still out sweeping the morning loop and changing bunting for the afternoon loop, so I had a decent break before the prize draw.

The lucky winner of the $500 at a bike shop of his choice was Brett from Parkes. One disadvantage of being a sweep is being ineligible to ender the prize draw! Congratulations to Brett, what a fantastic prize!

The afternoon loop was opened and about 25 hard-core riders hit the trails once more. The sweeps spent some time watering tracks and supervising the mini bike track before we closed the loop and headed out for the final sweep.

This sweep ride was almost a doddle and we took our time, stopping here and there to shoot the breeze, have a laugh and brainstorm next years’ event.

The day was done, the inaugural Central West Trailbike Rally was over. All the comments we received were positive and some good suggestions were given to assist the smooth running of future events. It was a fantastic ride and well worth the time and effort taken to get it happening.

Just wait till you see what we have in store for you next year!

Eric Smiths Central West Trailbike Rally story goes in the draw to win an Epic Video camera and a set of Dirt Freak Gear thermals! We welcome all trail/adventure related stories, you can check out the deal 'here' Send em in!