: 2003 Anzac Day Epic

By: g | No Comments » |

Anzac Day Epic?

It certainly was…

Around 22 punters gathered at Old Boboyan Road for the amended scoot. The original repeat of the 2001 Epic out of the question, with significant chunks of Namagi National Park still closed post-fires.

The drive from Tharwa south proved the ferocity of the flames – in many other places there’s regeneration from the January bushfires taking place solidly among the natives. But here where the fire really did its thing, many of the trees seem well past the point of no return. Hillsides left bare of vegetation, trees trashed – moonscapes. Deeper in Namagi-south there’s less devistation – light damage or even more recent hazard reduction.

A bunch of yokels wer up for the Epic. Me (Jim), Mikey C, Steve H, the brothers Bontjer, Dave S, McD, fastAdam, Pete Hansen, Andrew and his Adventure-race mates, Paul and a couple of his buddies. Michael from Wagga, and Sydney-siders – Juzzy (on the bike for the job – an XTR shod Epic…smoooooth), Gerard & Fiona, sMarti & Hugh.

Pete and Deathmarch set off from Canberra to ride out – both underestimated the ~60km somewhat, ending up in the back of cars for the last bit. Waiting for the full compliment of crew, we were standing in a cloud. It was moist – but not really wet – so, armed with a positive forecast, off we rode.

Trouble started early, Hugh’s shocks wouldn’t stay up – and Gerard looked a bit Procol Harum (a whiter shade of pale) at the top of the first hill.

The crew chuffed steadily along the moist firetrail, trending downwards towards Boboyan Valley. Sitting about fourth, I was surprised to see a couple of HUGE birds lifting off beside Pete (up front, where he stayed most of the day). Turns out we’d snuck up on a couple of eagles lunching on a rather dazed and confused rabbit beside the track. We rode on – leavng nature to take its course.

Into the beautiful Boboyan Valley and east along a recently graded (and rain softened) firetrail. Before the Mt Clear campground, both G&F and H&sM had turned back – bummer after that long drive from Sydney…

By the time the fast crew had overshot the campground turn-off (traditional) we’d been spinning through the moist air for some 90 minutes. Everyone was pretty thoroughly soaked – technical fabric fully tested. We talked about a dash down to the hut for lunch under-cover – but Mikey insisted on putting the dick back into benevolent-dictatorship (easy on the benevolent) – so we followed the afore mentioned Dick up the Long Flat firetrail towards Mt Clear.

This was a day for poorly named features.as one finds at the switchbacks. Mt Clear certainly wouldn’t be – and Long Flat Firetrail – isn’t.

A radio transmitter, a few big tents and row after row of plastic containers – someone seriously camping/researching something. What? Dunno, but about 10km later we passed a crew of around 20 walkers huddled in a valley hoping the weather wasn’t going to worsen. We got mixed looks, from confusion (who are these idiots in lycra shorts!!) to envy (If I had one of those bikes, I could be back at camp in 10 minutes).

Beyond the switchbacks the climbing wasn’t too bad at all. But as we climbed higher the temperature dropped – and the “cloud” got heavier. Long Flat firetrail is actually named after Long Flat Valley – even this was not what it seemed. Flat, but the ever so attractive grass on the trail sucked wheel ever so irritatingly – felt like a double flat for a couple of Km.

Eventually, after the odd intersection inspection where we joined the Mt Clear firetrail at the southernmost tip of the ACT (bar about 50m), and head-scratch without getting the map too wet, we climbed the second major contour collection. Mt C firetrail had seen some serious ‘dozer action round fire time, so it was soft – but not too soft. Up to the gate and a brief excursion into NSW. There was only one steep rocky section that saw us all traction-challenged, more wetness than steepness.

Over a frustrating altitude-robbing screamer – then back up to a couple of false summits, before the final contour ladder towards the 1600m summit. It’s cold now. We paused for a break (and a little more than a Kit-kat) and given the time, 1.30pm, we decided that 30 more minutes would be the point of no return. Deadline. Then bugger it, there’s not gonna be a view, let’s turn back now – quorum quickly polled and decision ratified by Dick.

In anticipation of descending the cold wet trails we’d been climbing, in between mouthfuls of lunch everyone pulled on as much gear as they had left. The debate? Does the dry stuff go over the wet? And do I even try to clean my legs before pulling on the tights.

About the same time, the rain settled in. Proper rain. There’s no pretending this is just a cloudy day anymore!, Pete returned from his point possi, to tell us that the summit was less than a km away – but our bikes were already pointing the other direction.

Andrew and his adventure-racing mates bailed mid way through the feed session, they wanted to get home in time for a paddle and a run!!… And Paul +1 decided to continue with our original plan and take the big plunge down a contour waterfall to Horse Gully Hut, to meet their mate that had peeled off that way previously.

The remainder of the posse shot off down the hill – back the way we came. We were battling fading brakes (even some of the disc-o boys) and tyre crap straight in the eyeball. I had major issues with both!! Some tyres clearly make better rotating soil redistribution devices than others – and my Hot S was up there with the best!! With my sunnies long banished to a pocket – descending wa a fine balance of levers-on-the-bars brakeing, squint-o-vision and Weeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee.

Bottom of the mountain and we’re up for the slog back to the campground and beyond. Here’s where the fatigue beast started rearing it’s head. Unusually, Deathmarch was looking more like death warmed over – he’d been battling a phlegm lurgi for six weeks – and more than one person enjoyed a view forward without that Bontjer’s butt for a change! Some of the less well padded also started to show evidence of the chill as well, with the crew spreading out over more terrain.

It wasn’t till the switchbacks that Michael did what he does best on every ride – crashed with panache. I was gingerly rounding the first bend in my brakeless, vision impaired manner when Michael appeared inside me, straight-lined it and endoed into a tree. Back up like it happens to him every ride (’cause it does!), bars straightened, we’re off again – only to see Michael do *exactly* the same thing at the next switchback – not 100m later

It was Very funny!! The reputation remains unblemished!

Back down to Mt Clear Campground, the temperature’s up and the rain’s stopped (phew). Debate as to the quickest way home. We could have gone straight down Boboyan Rd – quicker by the map but with a 300m ascent of Shannahan’s Mountain – or back down OBR, the way we came – easier but longer. Bugger climbing, we’ll take the longer option (past a cycle tourer with about 100kg of panniers – wheel spinning like no body’s business….wizzzwizzzwizzz, klunk-splot in the mud!

Down and back along Boboyan Valley then back down OBR – the best descending of the day, if not for the tyres spitting chunks and those alleged brakes!! The hammer was down (at least mine was) trying to maintain touch with the front few and draining the tank on the last dozen kilometers or so back to the cars was a worthy feat. That last climb beyond the burnt out pine forest was invisible on the way up – oubh!!

Cars with heaters were waiting and we were glad to see them. Not too much time was wasted packing with finesse – everything was gonna get muddy regardless. Cleaning up was probably more epic than the ride!!

The next day and there’s confirmation that Paul and his crew hadn’t done a Mallory. They made it back about an hour after us. Not a flat (save Richard’s pre-ride on the road) and the only mechanical, beside an early leaky air chamber, was dodgy shifting and the amazing disappearing brake pads – but chuck a lot of water at dirt, and you get that.

All in all another worthy ride in the annuls of Anzac day. The rain added another spin on the script – and the Mt Clear summit remains unconquered for all but a few of the hardest of the hard. Bring on a fine day – and we’ll knock the bugger over!!!

STATS:
Distance 70.5km
Riding time (me) 4.30
Bout 6 hours total trip time
Start elevation, ’bout 950m
Elevation reached, around 1590m
(Mt Clear is about 1602m!)

 

Tags:Canberra


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