Camp Cook off by another route

[jono]

Perth - Mt Trio via the lesser known roads
The Camp Cook off is on later this month (23rd Sep). There is a black top option available on the club forum but I'm looking for something a bit different. There is some research to go but at this point I'm thinking...
Karagullen
- York/Williams Rd to Pingelly
- then mixed roads to Wickepin
- Toolibin
- Dumbleyung
- Gnowangerup
- Mt Trio

Some club members and friends are catching up at lake Dumbleyung near the site of the old Black Duck Rally, this route can call by on the way down or back.
It's a half day on the black top to the Stirlings but likely to be a full day via the back roads and taking in the sights. Easy pace no rush, If you are interested in coming along let me know. If you have any ideas or knowledge of this route feel free to share.
I aim to get to Mt Trio by Saturday late afternoon. Monday is a Public Holiday so there is time to look around if wanted or take an interesting route back.

[DR63]

Morning Jono, will follow you down, just let me know when and where you would like to leave from.

[paulknight]

Great Jono
I am up for the scenic route and happy to fit in so i will keep an eye out for start point / time.

[BillB]

I'Il come along for this ride to on the proviso that my GSA is back on the road by then. Took it in to AC for a compulsory pre safari safety check and bugger me the drive shaft universal and dif bearings are showing signs of wear and need replacement because the could let go if left as they are.This is the second BMW bike shaft that has gone on me in the last couple of months. My K1200LT has only just got back on the road. The guys at AC reckon it may have been caused by water entering the shaft.

[jono]

I spent this morning scouting the first part of the ride to Mt Trio. I have divided the trip into three sections, many thanks to Jeff D for advice on the routes for section 2 and 3.
This is a great route but it will take a long time. Those wanting to come this way should meet me at the Dome just up from Catalano's on Saturday morning at 7:30 so we can be on the road by 8.

As each section completes we can assess time and if necessary there is a quicker route available. This also applies for those who may want a break from the unsealed roads.

So far not including myself we have :
DR63
PaulK
BillB ?
BrianB ?

[paulknight]

Weather forecast not looking good. Hope they are wrong otherwise we could all have a wet and muddy arse.
Hindsight would have seen the "camp cookoff" up in the northern regions.
Here's hope'in.

[jono]

NEWS FLASH - VENUE CHANGED DUE TO WEATHER

The forecast for the Stirlings is looking very wet and its been decided to change to a northern location so we are off to GABYON STATION

Gabyon Station, commonly referred to as Gabyon, is a pastoral lease that operates as a sheep station in Western Australia.
Address: Gabyon Tardie Road, 1 Geraldton-Mt Magnet Rd, Yalgoo WA 6635
Phone: (08) 9963 7993

The forecast there is Dry!! camping is available and you can opt to book a room in the shearers quarters, If you want to call ahead. You can also book breakfast the next day and dinner too if you want to stay an extra night.
There is a great camping area, toilets and hots showers and plenty of firewood.
The ride is just over 500KM going via the Midlands Route and Mingenew and Mullewa. The turnoff to Gabyon is clearly marked and this last stretch is approximately 14km on council graded gravel road which is normally in good condition and manageable on road bikes
More instructions will be emailed to participants who have registered.

[BillB]

Same time last year, club ride to Gabyon Station......







This should be a great ride up and a dry and suitable cook-off venue. Sort out your culinary creations to impress the judges

[Bolton]

I'm in. I'll keep an eye open for departure point and time. BB

[jono]

Departure point Bindoon Bakery. Meet there at 8am for an 8:30 departure
There will be both black top and dirt options
It's circa 470km from the so will be a fairly direct run up the Midlands road to Three Springs where the routes split. Black top continue through Mingenew to Mullewa then turn right to Yalgoo look out for the sign post on the left to Gabyon after 80-82km around Wararga
Dirt riders head to Morowa then take the Morowa Yalgoo Road which will turn into a dirt road. Then turn left on the Barnong Warangal Road coming out onto the Mullewa Yangon road near the Gabyon turn off. This dirt shortcut is an easy GS road and will shave 70km over the Black top route.

Top up your fuel at Mullewa for black top and at Morowa for dirt riders. As no other fuel options than Gabyon or Yalgoo after this.

[DR63]

I have a theory (based on some flimsy research), that the weather could be marginally better further east, for this reason I am thinking of going to Wubin, head towards Paynes Find and take the Yalgoo Ninghan Road to Yalgoo, can discuss further at Bindoon in the AM.

[spacey1]

Back home safely around one this arvo
Bike and gear all clean now and ready to go again...

Another fantastic ride up to Gabyon Station...
Weather was cool and moist, not monsoon moist, and not enough to mess up the ride.
Bindoon Bakery for a breakfast pie and coffee, well not me, I loaded up with porridge and fruit before leaving home

Excellent change of venue (Stirling Ranges to Gabyon Station due to forecast bad weather in our south) decision at the last minute by our Prez and Co. Meet up at Bindoon for 8.30am departure, then group ride to Three Springs where the group split up, dirt riders to Morawa, road troupe via Mullewa.

The roadhouse in Morawa turned out to be a great stop. It was after 12 noon. Plenty of good fuel for both bike and men. Even the coffee was pretty respectable according to the Prez.
The new owners (well for 2 years then) do a stirling job serving up plenty of smiles and enthusiasm. Open 7 days a week. Check opening times on Sundays and Public Holidays. They deserve to be supported. They sell the newspapers so they are probably obliged to be open in the mornings. The local folk I was chatting to reckoned the owners are the best thing that has happened to Morawa in recent years.

Heading north out of Morawa, there was a little less dirt than anticipated due to remarkable work by local councils paving our fun roads. Even so, young Ben, still on his 'L's, did an amazing job containing his little Yamaha TT 250 on those ball bearing windrows between the wheel tracks. I can attest to that as I was closely supervising. Jono can attest to that due to the mutterances over the Bluetooth comms link he had with Ben...

The dirt riders arrived first at Gabyon Station around mid-afternoon, explained by the 'dry and easy' dirt road leg which cut about 70 km off the journey.

[spacey1]

The Camp Cook Off... another resounding success.

Auto Classic BMW Motorrad of Victoria Park have again been proud supporters of our BMW Motorcycle Club of Western Australia (BMWMCCWA) Camp Cook Off with extraordinary prizes.

I, for one, thank Jonas and his Auto Classic BMW Motorrad team, as I picked up 1st prize Still trying to decide which one to choose...

Many thanks to our Committee for another monster effort planning this great club event
Cookie for his usual brilliant organising (and sharing a room). Jono for his superb and flexible trip planning. Hope I haven't missed anyone
Ed can thank our club's technical officer for spotting oil leaking from his GS LC final drive... Certainly a disaster averted And our Prez for actually getting his hands oily fixing the problem

And a big thank you to our extraordinary Judges JP, Kim, and Phil. JP who kept reminding us that he sets the rules and because he drove nearly 600 km for judging, he expects to be able take the p... out of any or all participants as he chooses Onya JP

My entry this year took on an OctoberFest theme. BMW is 'Cherman' after all. It is Octoberfest time in the Fatherland. End of September not October as many think!

Smoked and spicey Debretziner red sausages; Bavarian Weiss Wurst with sweet German mustard; on a base of Roesti; and topped with white asparagus spears. Accompanied by the essential Paulaner Wiess Bier, in just the right German beer glass, filled appropriately to the line with the perfect amount of head. Wearing my Black Forest hat and favourite OctoberFest braces, I presented the goodies to the judges on my small camping table. Adding two fingers of my favourite coffee liqueur to my four Berliner Schnaaps glasses, I called 'Zum Wohl' then 'Prost' and toasted with the judges for their fine work

My cooking tools included a JetBoil; a separate gas burner with fry pan; a small camping table. All cooking was performed on my small camping table placed on the ground, all the while sitting in my Helinox chair, a real camping scenaro, everything was carried to Gabyon on my BMW motorcycle.

I'll leave it to the other recipients to add their detail

Again, a 'Very Big Thank You' to Auto Classic; our BMWMCCWA committee; and my fellow motorcycle riders for sharing the ride

[DR63]

Thanks to all involved in the running of the Camp Cook off, particularly Kim, Phil and JP for taking on the judges duties, all feedback will be used positively for future events.
Well done to the winners.
Thanks to GPS Ed for getting us home.

[spacey1]

The ride home was a reverse of the trip north. Left early around 7.15 am.
I managed to re-trace our steps without once getting lost
The dirt road was only a fraction wetter than yesterday. Only observed a couple of small kangaroos hopping off. There had been decent rain overnight, lucky to miss it

No significant wildflower sightings, just a little section north of Morawa. Even the canola is still green with only a hint of gold.

Stopped at the Morawa Roadhouse in the sunshine for breakfast featuring another energy-packed hamburger and salad. Washed it down with a coffee, on the Prez's recommendation. It was good. I had a bit of a headache coming on, so I drained the coffee and filled the cup with a couple of soluble aspirins and good ol' 'apfel schorle'. It did the trick. Plugged in the music and had a relaxing ride home.

I always miss the turn-off in Moora to get to Bindoon and instead turned off the Great Northern to New Norcia. Stopped for fuel in New Norcia. Stopped for a breathalyzer test and a conversation with a couple of very polite policemen just doing their job

Very little rain all the way home. Only started to get a bit more serious after New Norcia, still not heavy by any stretch.
Observation: Bugs and dirt are easy to wash off in the rain Just sayin'