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MRS STAINO'S FIRST BLOG!  FRIDAY 6 NOVEMBER 2009

Hi Everyone, just wanted to let you know that we had heaps of rain last night and scattered showers today, so if you are thinking of riding this Sunday, conditions should be perfect and we still have lots of places available.  Also, I've just added a mid week tour onto our "Ride Calendar" - Wednesday 18 November - a Blackwood Valley Tour - so if you are keen, please let me know.

A short list of tour dates for 2010 are up on our "Ride Calendar" already, including dates for our Girls & Partners rides.  We are holding a 1 day tour as well as a 2 day tour in 2010.  If you have a date you would like to ride next year, let me know and we can lock the dates in the calendar early.

FOR SALE:  our KTM450 and one of our TTR250's will be up for sale shortly, so if you are in the market for a bike, give John a call on 0429 825 775 to find out more details.  Once sold, these bikes will be replaced with a newer KTM250excf and further down the track a KTM400.  Don't forget our Husaberg 390 is for hire on all tours as well.  Also John's Husaberg 570 is almost ready for a change over, so if you know of anyone wanting a second hand 570.....

Hopefully John will get around to writing up his Blog shortly, he has been busy with bike maintenance, volunteer fire fighting training and getting our block ready for the fire season.  Next week he will be busy scoping out some new trails for our new Walpole tour that we will hopefully have up and running in 2010, if we can get all the trails passed by DEC and the Water Corp.

Well I'm handing over the support car and kids tomorrow to John's dad and going riding on our RTRA Introduction Tour, I cant wait and yes, it is still raining :))

STAINO'S BLOG MONDAY 19 OCTOBER 2009

Staino’s belated blog. Yeh, I have missed a few due to school holidays, tours and bike maintenance keeping me busy as, which is just the way I like it.  During this 2 weeks, we have seen riding conditions go from perfect and moist, to dry and dusty. Amazing what a couple of weeks with no rain will do, and then last Saturday was just HOT, especially for October.

A few weeks ago we had the Mackie and Barnett brothers for their annual 3 day tour.  Was a great ride with only a few glitches.  Mick wiped out his radiator late on day 1, so a repair was made with Metal Putty that night to keep him going.  Next day he thought he’d swap over to Jimmy’s WRF 450 for a blast, only to wipe out the opposite side radiator on a tree.  This time the metal putty was a band aid, so we diverted Jimmy to the support car, with instructions for a radiator bypass.  To our amazement, the un-mechanically minded Jimmy had improvised a KTM spark plug spanner to join the 16mm hose to the 20mm hose and found a bung for the overflow hose.  All sorted there and we headed to Margaret River, through areas a foot under water in places, the rest just pretty much perfect.  Unfortunately the next day, Andrew put it down in a water logged area, (apparently his brother Matt’s fault for telling him to take it easy!) and suffered a shoulder injury, so in the support car for him at lunch on the final day.  For the rest of us, it was a blast home to base through fast flowing trails.  A great 3 day ride was had by all.

The next week I managed to spend some time with kids, taking them to the movies for the first time. They were buzzing, it was great!  Then into bike maintenance for a 1 day tour with 5 TTR’s out on Friday. Then a 2 day tour with only 4 riders that weekend. We had a great ride being a small group and these boys may have been older, but they could sure ride! We hit all the hills and single track I could and they revelled in it.  We were joined by Sander Taber from Bunbury KTM, and 2 others for the Sunday leg home. We had a great ride, and at a pretty fast pace, with conditions pretty much perfect still, but I could see the change coming if we didn’t get any rain soon!

So the week just gone has seen another heavy week of maintenance on the bikes, and also a 1 day tour in the middle for a group of 4.  Bob took out the same radiator as Jimmy on Spectator Hill, so when I ripped out the spark plug spanner to bypass the radiator, they were thinking, shite this guy is sure on top of his game!  I explained it was the second one in a week.

Friday we had the 3rd annual Leighton Contractors ride using all our hire bikes on Friday. We had a group of 12 and with conditions drying out we searched for flowing trails with minimal dust. Only a couple crashes, with Tony on the 390 Berg finding the greasy side of the greasy stuff, and putting the first scratches on her. The boys had plenty of laughs and challenges, and are looking forward to next years ride already. Jeremy dished out some awards and me and Gav washed 10 bikes ready for the next day!

Saturday saw the second annual Trail and Enduro Junior Helpers ride, organised by Winton Lawton for the army of helpers who assist in signing and running the Junior Enduro Series over the past year. There were 15 riders, including Willie Thomson, Jeremy Connor, Paul Kearns, Ian Kibble and Larry Hill to name a few. The weather forecast went from 26 and sunny to 31 and Hot, so dust was my main concern, especially knowing that these boys don’t exactly putt along!  We were underway when I could tell we had an issue, so I stopped at a shady spot by the creek for a regroup, only to hear that we had a breakdown and Gav had gone back to change a sprocket.  A short time later and we were underway, hitting single trails, hill climbs and even the odd muddy bog hole, but the open trails and gravel roads were dusty. We had a great lunch at our favourite picnic spot, and then hit some serious hills to challenge all but a few. We had another Radiator repair to do to John Reihlanders Husky, with the metal putty doing the job this time. The repair took place at Spectator Hill, so everyone was entertained while the repairs were carried out.  Go Leo were the chants we could hear load and clear, usually followed by loads of laughter! Some flowing trails and then we crossed the Blackwood River, where everyone cooled down and refreshed a little. From here, we cruised open trails to base, and settled into a few beers, a fantastic BBQ dinner, and a few more beers around the camp fire.

STAINO'S BLOG TUESDAY 28 SEPT 2009

Well, what a week!  School holidays started off with my kids getting into their holidays a day early, as we had a tour over Friday and Saturday. The crew who booked it were obviously not into footy and we thought that it wouldn’t be a big ride! Well, we had 7 hire bikes out and 21 riders, our second biggest tour for the year!

So we had a good size crew and a great bunch at that! Throw in some perfect riding weather and you’re in for some ripper fun. Not to mention the new 390 Husaberg out on hire that was ridden by almost all on tour. Hard to imagine why Paul got of it to ride the TTR230 though! So we rode to Tathra for lunch and did a few repairs before making our way to Margaret River Resort for the first nights accommodation. Todd had to ride a TTR 250 for the afternoon after his bike began rattling a big-end noise. He was towed 30kms to the mid-way refuel, where our trusty No 5 became the fastest TTR in the southwest for a day. The boys were loving the trails, although the grease caught out a few unexpectedly. There was also a lot of water around and the creeks made for some great antics and near misses.

The following day, it was another great day for riding and the crew were eager to get into it. A couple of the lads were feeling the pinch and took some short road options as the rest hit the trails. Meandering our way through to lunch, where we enjoyed a bush setting lunch amid a great location. All fed and it was off for the last section, the fast flowing sandy pines enroute to base. I went around one bad bog hole, nearly going over the bars in another bog hole in the process, only to see Trev do exactly that as his bike stopped dead and sent him for a superman, landing awkwardly in the bog! Cons creek was the last tester, with most making a successful crossing. The others just adding to the memories for another great ride.

Sweep Gav and his son Jade stayed the night so we could take the kids riding the following day, while Georgina took off for a ride with some friends at Nannup. Then Monday, we went for a ride for something different, with the kids to meet friends in a secret plantation.

STAINO'S BLOG MONDAY 21 SEPT 2009

Yeeeooowww!  Well, we just had the crew from Mandurah City Yamaha/KTM down for a 3 day custom tour of the Southwest, going to Nannup and Manjimup overnight. Conditions were, well, perfect actually. It was raining cats and dogs all week, then sunshine Friday morning as we headed off for our journey. We had a sprinkle later that day as we came in through the Nannup pines after a whopping 200 km day of trail bliss. Antics included the proud wearers of the 'Serena' award (fairy wings, named after her outburst at the US Open), roosting, showering your mates with puddle passing etc, but nothing could match the untimely and gastly effort of Tom the yank removing a piece of bathroom cupboard handle from a wound in his skull at the pub that night!  He sustained a few stiches from a fall in the shower, and had recently had the stiches removed.  However, the wound wasn't looking too flash and when I had a look in there, I swear I could see metal!  Tom didn't beleive me, but in the end, I was right and out came the missing cupboard handle. We got him to the Nannup nursing post to get it cleaned up and amazingly it felt better each day from then on.  It was about the size of a 1/3 of a 50 cent coin! The ride went pretty smooth, no flat tyres and one carby issue which turned out to be a faulty spark plug lead.  We racked up 220 kms day 2, going from Nannup to Pemberton for lunch, then through to Manjiump through the Karri country.  Day 3 we headed back home through the Blackwood Valley utilising some fantastic single trail in the pines and open flowing trails to be back at base for a late lunch.  The rain started as we were close to home and the area near home had been inundated with very heavy showers as we were riding in rivers for the last 30kms.  At base, it absolutely bucketed down as we reflected on a great ride and great timing with the weather. Many thanks To Jeff and Darrin from Mandurah City Yamaha/KTM for their continued support and organising a great crew to ride with.  Can't wait for the Woodside ride in October!

To all those riders out there looking for a challenge, we have a 2 day Advanced Ride going out on 10 & 11 October, so give us a call or email if you're keen to book a place.  Cost is $430 all inclusive.

Riders:  David McDowell, Dieter Kempa, Eduardo Robaino, Tom Young, Darrin Gaske (Mandurah City Yamaha/KTM), Brad Graczyk, Andrew Ellis, Gary Denton, Jeff Payne (Mandurah City Yamaha/KTM), Bernard Halders, Gavin Rusell, John Staines, Shaun Jeffries & Kris Hamilton & Indi the dog!  David MacPherson is absent from the photo.

Eduardo handing over the 'Serena Award' to Jeffro!

STAINO'S BLOG MONDAY 14 SEPT 2009

Hey all, hope you’re all well.

We are currently having our website updated and will be adding a new section called 'Staino's Blog'.  We thought we’d get it up and running from now on to keep the site live and you all informed of what we’re up to.

Well last week saw us get our new HUSABERG FE 390 and what a great little bike. Stepping from my 570 to the 390, it feels like a 200 2-stroke. The beautiful smooth power and exceptional handling makes it a real easy bike to ride. We took it to Capel for the Ironstone Trail Bike Rally, where it was on display in the Bunbury KTM stand and had it available for test rides around the special test. It got some use, racking up 30kms and no-one laid it down thankfully. So she still looks brand spanking new. It goes out for hire next week, so that’ll change! We will be updating it every 6 months in a new deal with KTM Australia and Bunbury KTM.

Georgina and I both rode at Capel, thanks to Scotty Parker looking after Mia and Noah for the morning. Scotty unfortunately broke his leg recently and was very jealous when his wife Fiona and Georgina were testing the 390 at our place the day before the rally. He has an 09 model KTM530 in as new condition with 2000 kms on it for sale as a result too, $10,500 ono if your in the market. So the ride at Capel was great and I didn’t have to place a cornerman (I did try it with a couple of our regular customers when I passed them as a laugh) or worry about anyone other than myself for a change. I rode the first leg solo, then the second leg with our regular sweep Darren Smith. We had a blast, until I had my one and only crash getting cross rutted and going down in the slippery mud. Then I got stuck well and truly in a bog hole. Which line do you take! Thanks to IARC for a very professionally run event and to all the helpers and riders who attended.

We recently ran the 2010 KTM press ride, where we were joined by ADB, Dirt Action, TBAM, Trailrider, Trailzone, Cycle torque, Dirt Trader and Moto Online, along with Jeff Leisk, Rob Twyerould and Greg Chambers from KTM Australia for a 2 day trail feast on the 2010 KTM EXC models. All bikes were supplied by KTM, and the journo’s swapped about to get a feel for all the models, from the 250, 400, 450 and 530 four strokes, to the 125, 200, 250 and 300 two stroke models. We had Adam Reimann as the photographer and had the boys cutting laps on our track at the base to get some action pics, before heading into the Blackwood Valley and beyond for a trail ride to remember. I had my plan all sorted, then Leisky asked if we were going to Bertha. That is the last place I thought he’d want his 12 new bikes heading, but his comment was clear “that’s what were here for Staino”. So off to Bertha we went via the best selection of trails. Conditions were perfect, recent rain, overcast and warm for August. At Bertha, Ben Foster, Darren Smart and Sam Mac were first to follow Jeff, while Adam clicked away relentlessly. No-one made half way until Adam put the camera down, edging over the crest with a bit of leg power. I could see a good line and decided to have a crack, getting past Adam in the process by a few metres. Adam restarted and got a metre or so beyond me before we called it and headed to Tathra for lunch.

After lunch we headed to some good hills at Nannup before hitting the Karri Forest to Karri Valley Resort. We also ducked out to a sand dune to give the boys a taste of WA’s coastline. They loved it and watching Ben Foster ripping the top of some dunes was a memorable experience. He can ride! We got to the resort under headlights following the support car, totaling 235kms for the day and enjoyed a late dinner and some drinks before calling it a day.

The next day we trail rode through some amazing trails amid the massive Karri’s as we made our way to Manjimup and the Cosy Creek circuit for a few quick laps, thanks to good friend Willy Thomson. Ben Foster and Darren Smart were reveling, along with sweep Gav Russel who took my 570 for a blast. We then headed for home through the Blackwood Valley along flowing trails in perfect riding conditions, enjoying a bush lunch and a few quite beers on arrival back at base. Everyone of the guy’s thoroughly enjoyed the ride, the bikes, and especially the trails. Check out their comments on our KTM banner when you’re down next.

BIKE SET UP AND COACHING DAYS

Bike set up and coaching days are now available.  Numbers will be limited.  See our Ride Calendar for dates.

TEST RIDE THE NEW HUSABERG 570FE

We now have a Husaberg 570FE available to test ride on all tours. 

GIRLS AND PARTNERS RIDE!

We've had lots of interest this year from lady riders who want to get out on some of the awesome South West riding trails but aren't keen on mixing it with a bunch of testosterone-fuelled blokes on one of our normal rides.

OK - we hear you!  So we've created a special Girls and Partners ride on May 2 & 3 (it's up to you whether you bring your partners or leave them home minding the kids!).

Covering much the same trails as our regular Blackwood Valley tour we have crafted a ride that will suit anyone who can competently ride easy trails (it's not designed for absolute beginners).  There will be optional easy / harder sections so it will be entrirely up to you if you want to tackle the more challenging bits.

This is going to be a great weekend but numbers are strictly limited so please book early.

2009 RIDE CALENDAR NOW AVAILABLE

We've just released the ride calendar for 2009.  Suggest you contact us ASAP to register interest in your preferred date, especially if you intend to hire a bike, as there is already strong demand for next year.

NEW OPTIONS FOR BIKE HIRE

Two new hire options are now available - a KTM450EXC and a TTR 230.  These two additions to our hire fleet allow us to cater for an even greater range of riders.  Please book early to secure these bikes as they are very popular.

VICTIMS OF CRIME.

Yes, we have been robbed of our most valuable single asset. Our purpose built Landcruiser support vehicle, was set alight and gutted by fire at the conclusion of a 4 day Camping out tour.

The vehicle was left unattended for a minimal time, during which a juvenile has opened up the back, and lit the contents, which completely engulfed the vehicle. The photo shows the sight that Garry and the “Boys from Manchester” returned to find. They lost all their luggage including passports etc.

We have lost not only our support vehicle, but all our camping out gear including esky’s, cooking gear, chairs, tools, riding gear, first aid box, tents, etc, etc.. The youth was unable to be charged, and insurance didn’t cover it due to a technical glitch! SPEWING!

So, for the foreseeable future, camping out and Holland track tours are unavailable!