It started as a gathering of old mates while I was recently in Sydney saying my good-byes before heading OS. It ended up being a full-blown mini race in the back of Wonka’s yard. Big boys riding little toys. More laughs, cheers, abuse, fun and take-outs than thought possible in one day. There was myself, Goba, Bushwacker – who got the ball rolling, Wonka – who supplied his backyard, Goodtimes – who like always brought his big smile and an esky full of beers, D-Train – who turned up with his race-face on, a little twisted but there all the same, the Jones bro’s Bud & Ed – never one’s to miss out on any action, also sporting an esky full of cold beer, Shagga – the youngest of the crew with his mini and a kicker to make things a little crazier, Brownie – an all-round top bloke and one of the fastest mini riders in Oz, well a lot faster than most of us, and last but not least Pig and Goat – Bushwhackers’ dog and Wonka’s Goat, who fell in love at first site, but that’s another story. Read on for a rundown with pics on how the day unfolded…

Capt: Wonka and Brownie gettin into it while the track was fresh and beggin to be riden.

I love computers and technology, and sometimes I really hate it. Like last night I was around at a mates house, Jake, who helps me out with my website when it gets way over my head. We had to update the Zoom gallery because too many bugs had crept in and uploading anything was a real pain in the arse. All was going OK until Jake turn to me and said, “Shit Goba. Think all you pics on the server have been deleted while updating Zoom.” Yeah right mate, I said. But he wasn’t joking hey, which means all of my photos I’ve been uploading gradually over the past 12 months have to be uploaded all over again. Frustrating hey.

For those who haven’t experienced riding a motorcycle through the remote terrain our amazing country offers – for days on end – you’re definitely missing out on something very special. I’ve not long returned from an 8-day 4500km adventure ride that started in my home town of Uki, Northern NSW, then meet up with 50 other adventure riders for the start of the annual Wild Boar Imperative, which started at Bollon, 8-hours west of Brisbane, and followed a mix of fast flowing dirt, sand, rocky 4wd tracks through 50 or so private properties all the way to Camerons Corner (where the QLD, NSW and South Oz borders meet) and back again.

I’ve just had my first ride since dislocating my shoulder on the Kimberley ride and it felt good to be back on the bike. I could have ridden earlier, but with a dislocation it’s always best to strengthen the muscles around the shoulder to reduce the chances of it popping out again. I borrowed a Husky TE450 from Paul Feeney at Nerang – thanks guys – and spent the weekend at Mark Eland’s 400-acre property – Gympie way – that backs on to some of the best Forestry trails I’ve ever ridden. There’s so many hills that go up and up its crazy. Some really put you to the test as Morison Media’s I.T. guru Jake Vanderrol and buddy Dougie found out as they attempted a massive hill called Gentle Annie – which is far from being gentle at all. I’ll put together an article about the weekends riding for TBAM’s On Any Sunday section that should appear in the next issue or so. Thanks to Mark for having us at his awesome farm set-up that he brought especially for trail riding crew/friends to come and enjoy.