Out to Somerset dam and back.

[D O G]

Went for a fairly 'spur of the moment' ride today - just a couple of hundred k's - click here for the map of the ride.

I had planned on taking in Mt Mee & Dayboro, but time became a factor so I skipped them - will save it for another day!

Up Mount Nebo I stopped to take some pics at one of the switchbacks - captured these boys on their Saturday ride out...

https://lh6.ggpht.com/DamofoD.O.G/SOc7WgVsC4I/AAAAAAAAAQ8/5nbpfaEzXPs/s800/P1020105.JPG

https://lh4.ggpht.com/DamofoD.O.G/SOc7X4E9RoI/AAAAAAAAARE/g-ls5XOj-bQ/s800/P1020109.JPG

Had a good ride up there - swift, smooth progress, starting to learn the road now, it is great fun!

Just after Nebo village, there are some steep hairpins - stopped to take a couple of pics. Was a bit wary that 1st gear wouldn't hold it from rolling down the hill, but all was cool.

https://lh5.ggpht.com/DamofoD.O.G/SOc7ZpwT7pI/AAAAAAAAARM/-8iF9fC9R-o/s800/P1020111.JPG

https://lh4.ggpht.com/DamofoD.O.G/SOc7ao-eK4I/AAAAAAAAARU/Trm9zASRxnI/s800/P1020112.JPG

Good impression of gradient on this one. Shame I'm a total pussy when it comes to descending quickly.

https://lh4.ggpht.com/DamofoD.O.G/SOc7bgruTXI/AAAAAAAAARc/pWlbQHj1Qt0/s800/P1020113.JPG

Stopped off in the valley after Mount Glorious, which has an utterly crazy descent. Shitloads of back brake and balancing the throttle through the downhill hairpins was called for to stop it running wide. Did I mention I was a pussy when descending. This was the view in the valley...

https://lh4.ggpht.com/DamofoD.O.G/SOc7cQzvd5I/AAAAAAAAARk/7FE51Q-GNlE/s800/P1020115.JPG

Some crazy erosion of the earth due to some heavy recent rains made a decent backdrop for the bike...

https://lh6.ggpht.com/DamofoD.O.G/SOc7d6NbMgI/AAAAAAAAARs/0nW6p99I7tg/s800/P1020118.JPG

Just round the corner from here was a farm with its own dirtbike track, and three lads bezzing about on their dirtbikes. It was definitely private - no signs up or anything. Not a bad back garden...

https://lh3.ggpht.com/DamofoD.O.G/SOc7fB2bnhI/AAAAAAAAAR0/-TBAPU_dlEU/s800/P1020119.JPG

Check out the supercross ramp in the background!
https://lh4.ggpht.com/DamofoD.O.G/SOc7gE10ZJI/AAAAAAAAAR8/tIkJXwFkOvo/s800/P1020122.JPG


Then made it to Somerset dam...

https://lh6.ggpht.com/DamofoD.O.G/SOc7heOhVWI/AAAAAAAAASI/xQJOyiYfj9M/s800/P1020124.JPG

Part of the lake itself...

https://lh6.ggpht.com/DamofoD.O.G/SOc7iZI5jvI/AAAAAAAAASQ/ogC7xM0_AAc/s800/P1020125.JPG

https://lh4.ggpht.com/DamofoD.O.G/SOc7j12ZatI/AAAAAAAAASY/qaW455ipytw/s800/P1020126.JPG

Well after that set of twisys, combined with the heat and sun I was in dire need of refreshment. Cue the thickest 'thick' shake ever - more a solid lump of ice cream, and some poncy water...

https://lh6.ggpht.com/DamofoD.O.G/SOc7khq82sI/AAAAAAAAASg/lBjc1rWIYW4/s800/P1020127.JPG

Well I really needed to get back by then, so just bombed back to Brisbane. Apart from a required stop to record this crazy house...

https://lh4.ggpht.com/DamofoD.O.G/SOc7lq56tVI/AAAAAAAAASo/0us0F0C8J7g/s800/P1020129.JPG

Crazy Australians.

Fun afternoon tho!

[Whosthedaddy]

Its a funny feeling of going fast downhill, nowhere as fast of the straight but feels so much faster and less controllable?

Hows the FZR treating you?

[D O G]

Yeah, downhill just always feels as if I'm going to run wide. It's getting a bit 'mental' if you see what I mean. It's never been bad on the trackday's I've been on, just on the road I shit it!

FZR is decent enough for the job at the moment, a bit too stiff and sportsbike position is not great for the distances, and the bumpy roads at times. Ended up on a stretch of single carraigeway tarmac today with dirt at the sides, which was not in great nick! Would have taken a picture but had to get home!

[Frost]

Downhill increases acceloration and braking distances, so your right to feel nervous about going quickly!

There is nothing better than riding up twisty mountain roads as you can be generous with the throttle and brake later than you would normally dare

[Andy C]

Looks like a nice ride!! At first though the you were from US then relised you were talking km and saw brisbane on the map

Anyways, weather in UK is horrid at the moment, start of the cold season, jelous that your in spring!!
____________________
99 RS125 --> 02 SV650s --> 03 Speed Four --> 92 RXS100 --> 93 CB400sf --> 01 CB600f Hornet

[rainer]

I've never been to Somerset (UK) and I was thinking how bloody nice it looked!

Then I saw the road signs and realised it wasn't England

[Xenocide]

[cannondale-rider]

in thought it was somerset because i live near bath lol wudnt mind the weather what is in the pictures though