The weekend started early with three houseguests, Paul Tallents ute with with XR400, Ben Warden and Julie McCall (car with trailer and Dominator). They arrived soon after dark but I had to leave them to make themselves at home because I’d had an abscessed tooth removed and all I wanted to do was curl up and sleep.

Saturday morning and seven more bikes appeared at the front of the house — for what was advertised as predominantly easy dirt roads. I apologize to one rider. It may not have seemed that way.

I was worried leading up to the day that the troops might be bored because it would be too easy. Instead I felt I may be facing a lynching for the opposite reason. Because of recent rise of the lake water level, heavy fog on Mt Torbreck, fallen trees and pretty constant drizzle, the day’s planned events did alter slightly. We missed out on the Big River bridge crossing, Snobs Creek water falls, Rubicon Power Station and scenic views of snow capped Hotham, Buller and Buffalo.

The first part of our ride was a big circuit: Jerusalem Creek Road, Barnewell Plains Road, Snobs Creek Rd and back to Eildon for morning tea. After coffee, a chat and warming by the fire/furnace Eric Makin, TTR250, his mate Dwayne WR250, and Michael Barnes, Degree 250, departed for home. That left Ben who would stay with Julie, who’d been doing homework, Eddy on my KDX200, Paul, XR400, Tom Saville and Andi Sirninger, on a stunning pair of DR2400’s, and myself DR250 to ride back to Jew’s Creek, across Jerusalem Creek Bridge, which, until recently, had been underwater for 50 years. Eddy had previously crossed it in his Range Rover and obviously heaps of tourists before us.

Tom lead the five of us along an interesting track, then back to another uncovered bridge that didn’t look quite as sturdy as the first. This track petered out to single file. As it was getting late we returned via Wilson Track and Taylors Creek Track onto Jerusalem Creek Road and home. We pressure washed the bikes and fully clothed Tom and Andi. I don’t think I’ve seen that before. Thanks for the turnout. Good to see you all again.