Did you die in the bush?

No or at least not yet.

Went out to Fernvale for a sample ride of the XT just on a dirt road nothing hectic. Went ok, Mr followed in the car cos sooky lah-lah (me) doesn’t wanna fall off and die in a ditch alone. You must always have company when dying in a ditch I reckon.

Was a short squirt, we came home Pine Mtn Rd and found another dirt road to explore. I was quite happy with my performance as a first proper ride more than around the block couple times. I bought chest armour to protect the milk pillows if I do come off

The next day I went out with my riding mate Michael, told him I don’t want anything to dangerous I’m new to dirt please be kind.

Not sure if he heard me lol. We filled up at Flagstone and he gave me a pep talk. Tyres are hard you might slide around a bit, nope I’m ok just leave them as is for now until I figure out what I’m doing and prefer.

Now, this first bit if you can get past that the rest of the ride is easy. Could be just me but I did feel my stomach do a lil flip-flop right then. Fucking knew it LOL.

We toddle up the road, Michael is on a DRZ400 so he’s got more power than me to play with. I have about walking pace on tap haha. We get to the so-called first part. I take one look at the tracks, uneven terrain and what appear to be puddles 🤦🏻‍♀️🤦🏻‍♀️🤦🏻‍♀️ big breath, follow Michael, maintain momentum and take it easy. Upside: I won’t die in the ditch alone 😂😂😂😂

So off we go, not even sure how long this testing ground is could have been 100m, 200m, 500m … looking on the map and Google Earth later does not help me fuck all figure out where we went.

20m in I learned a new motorcycling mantra. IMMA KILL HIM, IMMA KILL HIM!!We both nearly fell off at one crunchy part, I see Michael getting the rock around and thought well fuck taking that line I will make my own. Mistake. Also nearly clapped off save for the tiny bit of traction that saved me last second from going arse up.

Get to the end of The Gauntlet, Mickey stops before we continue on the bitumen once again. He looks in mirror and gives me a thumbs up check-in. I think for a second and instead of giving him the finger, I offer a quick nod as by rights I didn’t fall off and apart from a small coronary issue I’m fine.

I don’t think I’ve been so happy to see black road in front of me. We are soon turning off again onto the dirt, keeping up a reasonable pace. I overshot the next corner, not sure if Michael didn’t indicate or my brakes are just shit or I wasn’t paying attention. I come to a stop and consider spinning the bike or just wait. Soon enough he is next to me saying he turned and I missed it 😄😄😄

No drama there is next road we can turn up 👍🏼 lesssshgo. That road takes up a winding hill at times steep but generally not too catastrophic and well within my abilities. We braap on for a bit and come to a locked gate it’s someone’s private property and they are gracious enough to let you use the road, don’t be a dick and stay on the road.

We carry on, there are some right cock heads coming the other way who hog the not very wide road and don’t bother slowing down so you get a mouth full of dust and near run off the path. Cheers.

We make it to the next gate, there is a large grassy area to stop for a break and a drink. I think things are going okay, Michael does have to wait for me sometimes because I’m slow and new and can’t go around corners full pro style one leg out etc. The view is nice. You can continue up higher but I think for Day 1 a coffee is in order at Providence.

Going down is a scarier than up given I don’t think the front brakes are much chop. New pads and master cylinder are on their way to me as I type so hopefully that fixes things. Two thumbs up for using gears and rear brake.

Before I got a dirt bike, I asked Michael what the appeal of dirt is because I didn’t get it and he is an advocate for dirt riding. Like what? He said it’s going somewhere no one else can. Standing on the grassy outlook I do see. It’s a lovely day and this isn’t even the top or anywhere special. Would I have taken the car off road to get here? No. Was it fun on a dirt bike? Fuck yes. I gained new skills on 2 wheels, just a different set of wheels.

I thoroughly enjoyed myself I was proud of myself too. I’m a big chicken all the time, very cautious and worry about all the what-ifs. I probably did very average, just felt like I did good 😌 I don’t often give myself credit for things I do. Making an exception here.

Of course I went home bleating to Spence get a dirt bike, get a dirt bike (I have become Michael at this point hahahaha) because I think he’d enjoy it too. Secondly to spare Michael having to always go to the *boring* routes for me while I’m learning and having to wait up for me to catch up. I can do some training at my own pace. When I feel more confident and capable I can go with Michael as often as he wants and my work schedule allows.

Mickey said our next ride would be jumps and hills. I am nowhere fucking near ready for that 🤣🤣🤣 Jesus Christ lol. I’d like to get there don’t get me wrong. My learning curve is always slow and painful, I know I don’t want to fall off and will do anything to prevent that happening. There will be more Nat and Michael or whoever dirt rides in my future I can guarantee that.

Extremely grateful to be well looked after on my first proper off road ride. I am safe with Michael even if I do fall off he’s got me 🙃 forget to take a selfie of us doh next time for sure.

Heaps of YouTube videos later Spence now has an off road bike the always classy Yamaha XTZ660 Tenere. Whole new world for him too, I bet he picks it up really fast and I’m left holding my skirt (again) 😁😁😁 can’t wait though