Leaving Friday for Hyden-McDermid Rock 2013 + PIX

[bill9117]

Nev and myself are starters on Friday for the trip to McDermid Rock . We will be leaving at about 10am Friday and will make our way to Hyden checking out anything of interest on the way eg Wave rock. Our intention is to stay the night in Hyden itself and in the morning maybe do a short trip out to some of the features around Hyden and return to town to meet up with Cookie and others for the ride to McDermid Rock .
Anyone else interested in leaving Friday contact Bill 0411222893

[Digger]

Bill,
If you are looking at filling in some time while you wait then go and check out Mulka's Cave about 20km out of town. Aboriginal art and a bit of a story behind who Mulka was (he was not a very nice person!!!!). Also the Vultee Vengeance crash site about 60km out of town.
Regards

[bill9117]

Thanks Steve will be onto these sites

[bill9117]

All arrived at the rock after various means of getting there.We ( Nev, Bill and Cookie Brian and Brian(Bolton) and Cookies girls in Cookies support vehicle arrived at the camp site at about 3pm and set up camp.
Steve Jamie Robbo and Paddy arived about an hour later after doing a exploratory expedition of the back roads and tracks getting to the destination. I'm sure thats another story.
Bill and Nev left Fri and stayed at Hyden for Fri night. We were going to dump our gear and keep riding after we got to Hyden checking out things around the area, but a comfy hotel and a bottle of red killed that plan. We did some minor exploration the next morning before we were to meet up with Cookies bunch . We all left Hyden on the Hyden Noresman road at 12.15. Brian with the beard forgot to put his sidestand down at the petrol station when he tried to get off the very heavy GS which subsequently fell over. The ride down the 190 km of dirt was fairly uneventfull apart from Cookie not finding the Breakaways where we were supposed to be making a stop and taking in the scenery.Nev decided he needed the need for speed and disappeared into the distance leaving Cookies convoy in a cloud of dust and was waiting patiently having already set up camp by the time the convoy arrived.
The dirt road was in very good condition and we kept up speeds of 90-100 km/hr. Cookie blamed me on my DR 650 for slowing down the troops on their GS"s and Cookie leading the convoy on his RT ( he reckons he was only travelling at that speed so I could keep up ).
I dispute this, I was only following the leader and found on the return trip when I decided to go back down the road not in the group ( to avoid the dust and the critics regarding my DR), I found my DR would travel quite nicely at 110 on the dirt.
Steve and his hard core dirt mates took off 5mins before and Cookie and the rest took off 20 mins later. Steve indicated that he didn't want slow riders in his group and Nev felt that it was a bit of a slap in the face so after the hard core dirt boys left decided to chase them down and pass them down the track. He tells me he has captured this event on his Go pro camera which I am sure we will all get to see.
During my lone return down the dirt road I had to pass a 4WD towing a caravan that when I came up behind them was travelling at about 70-80 K's I decided to punch my way thru the dust cloud so I could pass them. Picking a section of road that I could see ahead I made my passing move. As soon as I got along side this turkey; he was already driving in the middle of the road; he decided he wasn't going to let me get past and accelerated to 120km/Hr so I had to out accelerate him on the soft gravel at the side of the road and get past him , which I managed after a few wobbles and hopefully some gravel on the idiots car. That was a bit stressful.
A great W/E, nice weather (apart from the wind chill factor riding the DR) great location and great company around the campfire

[bill9117]

Some happy snaps of the trip at the following link. ps Neville is putting together a epic movie production when he eventually gets around to it so lets wait and see




https://picasaweb.google.com/bill9117/M ... -d6WvObIPQ#

[Cookie]

Hello Bill

Link does not seem to work? please resubmit.

[bill9117]

Have noticed that, I have tried to redo it try the following:

https://picasaweb.google.com/bill9117/M ... -d6WvObIPQ#

[Cookie]

Good job Bill
The new link works well, great photos

[spacey1]

Guess this means I'm starting the long journey to catch-up on updates

So way back in April 2013, a respectable gathering of Beemers, and miscellaneous others, targeted McDermid Rock, 200 kms east of Hyden on the Hyden-Norseman Road for an weekend overnight camp.



On the Friday, I escorted Bill on his new DR-650 Suzi, loaded to the hilt with an adventurer's load of gear down to Hyden for an overnight stay. Just quietly, no tents were involved.
To say, we slipped along at a rapid pace would be an furphy But I would like to report that my fuel consumption was exceptional.

The slabbin' section from Perth to Hyden was exhausting, mostly due to the not-so-rapid pace set by the fully-laden 650 single vibrating down the tar. Luckily a decent feed, beer and a wine or 2 set the scene for a sound night's sleep.

Morning, however, eventually found us checking out the sights of Hyden and surrounds.
Digger's advice was to have a look at Mulka's Cave and the Vultee Vengeance crash site. Google those terms for yourself to find out more...

As the rest of our group was not due to arrive from Perth until close to midday, we had time to scoot out to Mulka's Cave. Absolutely worth the trip.

Wave Rock was not on the agenda as McDermid Rock is marketed as a mini-Wave Rock.

Mulka's Cave was however on our list. Here is a place of Aboriginal legends. Numerous Aboriginal hand paintings and scary bedtime stories for children.


The Legend at Mulka's Cave, Hyden, Western Australia... not Cap'n Bill, by the way...


Information sign about Mulka's Cave, Hyden, Western Australia


Entrance to Mulka's Cave, Hyden, Western Australia


Inside Mulka's Cave, Hyden, Western Australia


Inside Mulka's Cave, Hyden, Western Australia


Inside Mulka's Cave, Hyden, Western Australia


Aboriginal hand paintings inside Mulka's Cave, Hyden, Western Australia


Looking out of Mulka's Cave, Hyden, Western Australia


Low woodland around Mulka's Cave, Hyden, Western Australia

The Crew from Perth arrived in Hyden circa midday. Of note, b/5 decided that his GS was able to stand up without a side stand and discovered otherwise. So, after bodies and bikes were re-fuelled, our group set off for McDermid Rock on the impeccably polished Hyden-Norseman Road. The first 50km is high-grade bitumen through hilly farming country, offering scenic views over the land. After that, across a cattle grid, the dirt road starts. It's in superb condition to boot...

As the group was now together, my duties escorting the heavy DR were diminished, so as I'm fond of saying, " I got on with it".
First stopping on the side of the track to raise the electronic suspension to the 'Enduro' high setting and the damping control set to 'Soft'. Traction control is disabled for the dirt.

There are not a lot of tight turns on this road, just straight, wide, mostly cleared sides with the occasional sweepers (dirt). Lots of crests that have the possibility of throwing fast-moving traffic at you from the opposite direction. Could be road trains, 4WDs, cars or other motorcycles. Throw caution to the wind... at your peril

The weather was fine and sunny with no chance of rain. I mention this as the road can be problematic if it does rain. There is a section around the mine sites that is made of what looks like white clay... you'll know it if you see it If it rains , this white clay rapidly deteriorates to, as close as we're going to get in Western Australia, an outdoor ice skating rink. Ask Tom for an experiential account

This type of dirt road is where the BMW GSA excels. Awesome suspension to soak up the big bumps, big power to lope along at your own rate, carry a big load easily across rough terrain, big fuel range to get there and back without carrying extra fuel, bloody good brakes to rub off your aforementioned 'own rate of knots' as required

It is also the time when you feel glad you splashed that cash on that beautiful steering damper. When the track surface suddenly tosses up surprises, like sand, loose pea gravel, slippery dust holes, you get the drift, you too will wish that a fancy-arsed steering damper is holding the BMW GSA head in check.

So ":P I got on with it".

I'd never been to the Breakaways prior to this time, so I was on the look-out for the sign and turn-off. Turns out some one had nicked the sign. Consequently the only sign I noticed was the McDermid Rock sign. What there already? Where did those 200 km go?

Note, if you get to Lake Johnston, you've gone too far. Lake Johnston can be seen from atop McDermid Rock.


The Road Sign: McDermid Rock turn-off from the Hyden-Norseman Road, Western Australia


McDermid Rock turn-off from the Hyden-Norseman Road, Western Australia


Looking west: McDermid Rock turn-off from the Hyden-Norseman Road, Western Australia


Looking east: McDermid Rock turn-off from the Hyden-Norseman Road, Western Australia

Arriving early, I had the pick of camp spots for my tent. The camping area is quite respectable as these remote campsites go. The low woodland scrub in this region does not provide large amounts of shade, but sufficient. After setting up my tent, and discovering no motorcycle traffic sounds within cooee, a nana nap was called for

Some time later, my snooze was interrupted by the sound of flat twins and others...
Getting closer to dusk, the campfire was prepared for it's cooking tasks.



In the meantime, a climb to the top of McDermid Rock was called for.


The Wave


The Wave


Flora on McDermid Rock


Damming McDermid Rock


Flora on McDermid Rock


Flora on McDermid Rock


The Crew climbing to the top of McDermid Rock


The Crew at the top of McDermid Rock


You made it to the top of McDermid Rock, Western Australia


Views from the top of McDermid Rock


Views to Lake Johnston from the top of McDermid Rock


Views to Lake Johnston from the top of McDermid Rock


Views from the top of McDermid Rock


The campsite from the top of McDermid Rock


Sunset over the Woodlands from the top of McDermid Rock


Views to the north over Bank Rock from the top of McDermid Rock


Sunset over the Woodlands from the top of McDermid Rock


Sunset over the Woodlands from the top of McDermid Rock


The moon from the top of McDermid Rock

After a worrisome night praying rain didn't eventuate, and it didn't, an early start was initiated.
I had the goPro camera on my left pannier to capture other members in the group whilst overtaking. I discovered, much to my chagrin, that dust gathers on the lens very quickly
Note to self: Pack a basting brush or similar to occasionally dust off the lens.

So stopping by a salt lake, maybe 20 km out of Hyden, I took the opportunity to soak up more of our beautiful country.









And so, the long boring slab back to Perth...

nev... out...

[Cookie]

Hello Nev

Great ride report, only thing that didn't crack a mention was the mighty RT gliding along the route:) Were (The Cookes) were only discussing this trip as we came through Hyden over the last weekend, ahhh the memories.

Regards
Cookie:)

[Bozo]

Nev

Great report...surely you have one of those blower camel hair brushes that anyone with a zoom lens had in the 80's.

Bozo

[Ahrens]

Hello Nev

Great ride report, only thing that didn't crack a mention was the mighty RT gliding along the route:) Were (The Cookes) were only discussing this trip as we came through Hyden over the last weekend, ahhh the memories.

Regards
Cookie:)

Those pics are amazing. That view from the top of McDermid Rock is incredible. I would love to go there!

[spacey1]

It's as easy as jumping on yer bike and going for a ride

But you're right, the pix are amazing They are mine after all

[BillB]

Memories , the BMWMCCWA club members have had some incredible rides to some incredable places over the years.
WA has some brilliant destinations to ride to...