Another Capel 200 has been run and won.
Well it would have been won if they had bothered to keep time.
It's a non competitive trail ride about 2 and half hours south of Perth.

In excess of 350 riders were involved.
As usual, well run and fantastic trails.

First its off register and then off to the scrutineering tent to get the bike and helmet checked.



They were a bit concerned about my cut down levers but, as usual, they let me off just this one time.

Park the bike in parc ferme and then off to get suited up.
It was a cold morning as well so it was jacket and thermals.



I wasn't 100% happy with the number I was given.



A bad omen?
More on that later.

After a quick rider briefing we were set to go.
Bikes started leaving at 9.30 at a rate of 6 bikes a minute.
I set off just on 10am.

An early shot of Rob negotiating a bit of mud.



The recent rains made sure then was plenty of water to negotiate.



But not everyone got across without incident.



I look at this picture and wonder what I was doing in the rut.
But in it I was so its keep it pinned.
It was very slippery so if you stopped, well you were stuck.



Not this time though.



When the organisers have posted plenty of these signs, you know to keep your wits about you.



And plenty of logs had been placed, just to keep us honest.





Catching a break at the check point.



The tracks were a mix of fast sand, very tight single trails through the pines, with a few rocky hills to finish.
There were a number of special stages that were pretty tricky.
The one I did was so rocky and tight , it was first gear all the way.
I'm sure some of the good guys were quite quick but I didn't see anyone else try whilst I was on that section.
There was an event photographer stationed along this bit, no doubt to catch someone crashing.
She told me that less than 20% of riders were having a go.

Now for the earlier omen.
I had 1 big crash myself.
It wasn't at high speed but it was on a hill and the track was very rocky.
Cost me a bruised thigh and a broken radiator shroud.
But most annoying was the fact I was right on the tail of Rob when it happened.
My crash meant he raced away and I couldn't catch him after that.

Well back to camp, load up and set about exaggerating our achievements.





All in all its a top day out.

 

Nice looks like a blast,, thanks for sharing

 

Sweeeeet! Nice pics, good stuff! Lucky guy for living in the land down under!

 

nice! looks like fun. nothing wrong with #13. i was born on friday the 13th...lol see?

 

Great pictures. thanks

 

What month?

 

Great stuff Neil. Workin' again. Doh!
Never been to Capel. Think I'll have a look in next time I'm headin' down to Margs.

 

What Cold in Perth, how cold, it was 4degC here this morning.

 

Cold enough.
Whilst we were unloading the bikes, the car was showing 5degC.
And that is cold enough for me.

 

Great stuff Neil, thanks for sharing