that we at least got out to ride some off road this year . Confusingly , there are several off-road sections within the liaison stages ( which are typically on road ), which has thrown up several surprises , like this present one . We are only sixty-five kilometres from the Bivi , and technically , very close to home ( for the night at least ). However , this year , I can ’ t say there have been any easy stretches .
As the track becomes steeper and narrower , the gravel becomes deeper . Around one corner we suddenly find a very steep and wide stretch of hill , with large loose rocks on either side . There is no clear path up it , only a mess of rocks , thrown about by the riders in front of us . The rocks vary in size from cricket balls to footballs , and the angle of the hill makes it very tricky to simply hang about to plan a line up , let alone ride . This kind of hill requires a good long run up with some serious speed , but we have neither . Walter is out front and quickly gets into trouble and lays down his bike . Hoop and I stop to consider our own possible paths . I struggle to simply find a spot to park my bike to go and help Walter lift his KTM 1290 . Despite being surrounded by trees , this one stretch is open to the bright sun , and just standing here has you sweating , let alone while trying to maneuverer a 200 + kilogram whale of a bike . Upright once again , Walter takes another look and simply decides it ’ s too difficult , and that he will go around on the tarmac . Like that , he ’ s off , leaving just Hoop and I to consider it .
This should be a sign to me … but I ’ m not that bright .
NEWS MAGAZINE
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TRAVERSE 157