BMWMCCWA

Steve and Jane have offered to host the BMWMCCWA Camp Cook-Off 2024 at their property in the Porongurups.

Detail and registration of BMWMCCWA club website.

Keep an eye out for ride options to the event.

What to see at the Porongurup National Park: https://exploreparks.dbca.wa.gov.au/par ... ional-park

There is access to the National Park walk trials, over the road from our place.
A steep walk from Waddys Hut up to the tourist walk where you can head west to Devils Slide or east to Nancy's Peak (& continue on the tourist loop).

There are also many firebreaks which provide flatter walking options.

Looking forward to everyone coming down for the Camp Cook Off.

Feel free to hit us up if you have any queries.

Only a few weeks to go, jump onto events page of BMWMCCWA website and register, I will post details of a road ride in a week or so.

I have posted a couple of photos of the location on the clubs Facebook Group.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/1048766025157226

I will lead a black top ride, down Albany Highway, meet at Dome Kelmscott 2810 Albany Highway, corner of Gilwell st, at 9.30am for a 9.45am departure on Saturday 21st September, late lunch in Mt Barker before heading out to 38 Mira Flores, Porongurup. Arriving early afternoon, to set up camp and prepare your delicious meal.

Apologies for the boring route, been a busy few weeks, see you there.

Gents I've mapped out a blacktop ride down through the middle - turning off at Bannister, through Quindanning, Dinninup, Boyup Brook for lunch then on through Frankland River. 490 k's
I'll be at Dome as planned for an 0930 departure.

Saturday 21st September 2024 saw several groups of riders enjoying very pleasant conditions for the run down to The Porongurups.

A group met up at Atlas Fuel Jarrahdale for a JW dirt ride to Williams. I joined them there on the Wing, then made my own way across to Williams.

At Williams, JeffD lead the dirty group on a wild ride down to The Porongurups.




Jono, there one minute...


SteveN and I headed east on the pavement to Katanning, Gnowangerup and Chester Pass Road for my favourite outlook of the Stirling Ranges, then onto the very picturesque Porongurup Road.




SteveN expressed a desire to find a winery for beverage and cooking. We found the Castle Rock Winery. It sure covered all bases. Sensational scenery to boot...


Cookie and Peta braved the long weekend traffic on the dreaded Albany Highway.

Steve & Jane L provided a fantastic venue, nestled in bushland on the south side of the Porongurups, with stunning views and creature comforts.

Camps were set ready for the 2024 Cook-Off.










10 Riders participated in the event, producing a wide range of meals, some were very elaborate, others plain and practical, wooing the judges and making for tough decision to pick a winner.

Rules are read... And they off. JW getting a head start.


The serious cooking begins...

The Prez with Camp-Oven in the coals...


JW planning a hypnosis...


Kobus preps for a winner...


First timer SteveN trying his luck...


The Judges start their impossible task... into the night...

Max wooing the Judges.


SteveN playing it low key.


JD trying to remember what he has forgotten and attempting to convince the Judges his ingredients are within the rules...


Matt explaining to the Judges the health benefits of beans...


Spacey has his eye on the prize with simplicity and presentation...


Kobus reckons he's got it in the bag...


The Judges trying to refuse a bribe or two... Max hasn't even entered officially.


Steve & Jane L supported by Peta had a great time sampling and judging the wonderful array of meals and would have given prizes to all participants if they could.

Everyone had a great time and there was plenty of banter around the campfire.

Judges doing the scores... and keeping lubricated...


And the winners...

Kobus triumphed with his amazing Home-made bread, Roast Lamb, with Cheese and Honey, and Apple crumble with cream for dessert. Collecting a $200 voucher from Auto Classic


SteveN came a close second with his Home-made bread, Beef Stew with vegetables, cooked on a Trangia and accompanied by a local wine. Collecting a $100 voucher from Auto Classic


Cookie rounded out third spot with his Camp-Oven Roast Lamb, baked vegetables with fresh herbs from the garden over the coals. Collecting a Tyre puncture repair kit from Motorrad Garage


JW for his delicious Chilli Boerwors, collected a Tyre pressure gauge donated by Motorrad Garage.


Spacey collected the Nannup Tiger Beer Stein for his practical rendition of canned peppered steak, vegetables, mashed potato with parmesan cheese plus additional spices. Bundaberg Rum Ball Liquor to lubricate our Judges...

Sunday morning...

It was quite a chilly night (5 degC). Therefore I got the chance to test my $99 Aldi down sleeping bag. With a silk liner inside it was quite comfortable.

There was no morning condensation, meaning our tents and gear were all very dry. Luxury compared to the icy, wet nights on the 90 Mile Straight and Border Run a few short weeks ago.

The dirt bike group packed camp and headed northward under the control of Jeff D as several riders had commitments later in the day.

Cookie, Peta, Spacey & SteveN headed off to hike up into the Porongurups, reaching Morgans view, to take in the views and appreciate the lovely weather, before heading into Albany for the afternoon.

The walk track along the road with a view of where we're walking to...




Wanborough Walk from the southern boundary. The trail itself varied with steep, slippery, rocky, steep rocky steps. The initial target was to be Nancy Peak.


As we started the upward climb and legs started to be tested (mostly mine), we reached another decision point in the climb. Was it to be Devil's Slide?




Gladly, my compassionate hiking companions took pity on me and we decided on Morgans View. It was clear of the bush with magnificent views over the lush southern landscape.


View to the Stirling Ranges to the north.




The Crew at Morgans View






Very happy not to be over on Devils Slide...


The trail is very steep... The descent...




Wildflowers aplenty...


Now my ankles have never been the same after the fractures back at Ninghan Station. I keep telling myself that I need to walk more. On return to our hosts, I quickly discovered that "I need to walk more...". Major cramps in my legs while trying to enter and exit the car on the trip to and around Albany. Nothing time and nourishment wouldn't fix. I wasn't relishing a night of cramps in a tent in a sleeping bag. Thankfully by evening, I could walk without cramps.

There was rain predicted over night. The shed was empty. I asked around to see if any of my companions would like to move their gear into the shed. They were happy were they were.

So I moved my tent and the Wing into the shed. All would be dry in the morning.

That photo... Glamping at its finest...

Monday morning Cookie, Peta, Spacey & SteveN packed camp and headed for home via Great Southern Highway to avoid the bulk of the traffic and enjoyed a relatively quiet run home.

Porongurup Road


Katanning for breakfast


Wagin South side...




I did get a chance to test my Fuel Range Indicator between Westdale and Karragullen. The Indicator said that I had 22 km in the tank. The GPS said it was 12 km to fuel at Karragullen.
Phew, the instrument was accurate enough. I filled my 21 litre tank with 19.5 litres of fuel. Still more safety reserve hidden in there.

Thank you to Steve and Jane Laws for providing the great venue and undertaking the judging, greatly appreciated.

Many thanks again to Jeff and Sandra for giving up a day in their manic life to plot a dirt ride and trip notes for the dirt ride south and return.

Thanks to all you wonderful photo contributors for sharing your great pix.

We had a wonderful time exploring the area, weather was amazing, congratulations to all for participating and making the event a success.

Thank you to our sponsors Auto Classic and Motorrad Garage for donation of the major prizes.

Cookie and Spacey