Before I start, I must comment on the Crusty Demons show I went to last night.
Freakin' awesome.

No hand backflip train and double backflip on a mini bike. More talent in one finger than most of us.

Catch some here.

It's quite late right now so not a lot of story. Sorry. I can comment on my skills improving every time I'm out . I can now drift corners at will from 10kmh up until I loose my nerve. About 75kmh. Manic laughing follows every example. I also managed to ride a downed tree trunk that was across the trail without issue (about 2 foot high,) rode it both directions with just a blip of the clutch to get the front well up.

Here is a trail map of the ride I ripped from Google Earth.



The photos aren't up to the usual standard as the dusk light in the valley was hard on the little Canon.

The pipeline carries water from Perth to the goldfields about 600 km away.


This pipe is part of the Helana river catchment. I think it's almost 100 years old.


The bush around the river valley is pretty rugged, but beautiful.


The hardpack "marbles" make drifting corners too easy. Just watch out for the bigger rocks on the trail. There are some huge boulders in parts of the valley. Great for bouldering with sooo many first ascent and new line opportunities.


Came across this small farm in the bush. Very private. Had a nice dam.


The dam was for the orange grove. The late winter sun is awesome. 16oC today. . How many Kangeroos can you see on the hillside? I had too check my speed on the way back. They're everywhere this time of the day. They make a mess of you if you hit one.


Time to test the "traceback" function on the GPS. It was getting late anyway. Some fresh clearing of the trail!


More of the Helena River Valley. Still so dry you can pretty much cross where you like. Waiting for the big rains!


The pipeline switches sides at times. Looks pretty alien in this environment at times.


There are some huge rock slabs exposed while the river is dry. Note the telegraph pole. A relic from the days they put the pipeline in.


The final few km's. It''s still light, just. The temp' is starting to drop though. 30 More km's and I'll be home and dry.


Passed this mine supply depot on the way home. This one has been put out to pasture.


New blood ready to be shipped out. These things are freakin' huge.


Glad to share.

 

Nice pics WestOz, looks like you are in a nice place to live and ride. Winter is just starting not ending for you guys, btw.

 

Great pics, Woz. That pipeline is very cool, I'm always amazed at what people can accomplish when they decide to do it. 600 kms! Can you ride the whole length like that, I bet that would be fun! Or does it cross lakes, swamps, rivers, canyons? I'm sure it goes through some pretty rugged areas.

 

Very Nice ride report. Thanks for sharing it.

 

Awesome! Beautiful country. I would love to ride someplace like that. No kangaroos here, just bear...

 

So, was that a kangaroo farm or were they grazing wild?

 

They graze wild, pretty much wherever they like. It's estimated there are 60 million of them in Australia. That's 3 for every one of us. Plenty of Emu, Camel and Water Buffalo too.

 

I'll take 60 million kangaroos over 60 million bears any day. Could you imagine that. LOL

 

Good stuff WestOz.
We ride out that way from time to time.

Pretty much Yeh.
There is a dirt service road/track all the way to Kalgoorlie.
Its a pretty boring ride once you get past the hills where WestOz was riding.
Very very very flat and straight.

 

Erm, yeah, I see what you mean. I'd still do it, though, just to say I did.