Weekend Ride Review:
This past weekend delivered an absolute ripper of a ride, thanks to Wayne Ross for organising what turned out to be an unforgettable adventure from Lilydale to Woods Point and back. With a crew full of characters, bikes of all shapes and sizes, and a mix of terrain that tested skills and stamina alike, it was one for the books.
We kicked off at 9am in Lilydale, with Dean leading the charge (cheers, Dean!). Riders ranged across ages and experience levels, giving the ride a great vibe right from the get-go. After a smooth transit to Warburton, we picked up our sweep rider Trevor (a massive thanks for sweeping!) and grabbed a quick coffee before heading out at 10am via Acheron Way, looping behind Marysville.
The ride up to Stockman’s Reward Campground was already shaping up nicely, but not without a cheeky detour courtesy of Rosie’s “extra track.”
Slippery as an eel and featuring a hill that pretty much humbled everyone, it quickly became a highlight—and a challenge. Shoutout to Trevor, who made it furthest up and earned the well-deserved title of King of the Hill.
After a few offs (no need to name names… Dean, Mitch, Colin), we limped into the campground with our egos slightly bruised and our bellies ready for lunch.
The afternoon saw us heading toward Big River, hitting some flowing tracks that gave us all a second wind—until Colin decided to use his leg as a kickstand. Unfortunately, the bike didn’t appreciate the improvisation, and his knee copped it.
Then came the rocks, and eventually, the infamous downhill of Moonlight Spur Track—a relentless, winding descent that seemed to go on forever. Spectacular riding, but not without drama: the mighty KTM790 had a mechanical tantrum, shedding two bolts from its rear subframe. Luckily, Trevor came to the rescue with some spare bolts from his KTM690 (seriously, this guy is a legend), and after 45 minutes, the beast was back on track.
With daylight fading and bodies feeling it, we skipped the final section and beelined for the Woods Point Pub.
A shower, a hearty feed, and a few well-earned beers saw us just make it to 9pm before calling it a night—sore, tired, but grinning ear to ear.
Sunday morning greeted us with a frosty slap in the face—literally. Bikes were reluctant to start, and so were some of the riders.
After breakfast, the group split: Damian and Brad headed home early due to bike issues and commitments, while Ed and Russell chose alternate routes. The core crew—Dean, Mitch, Christian, and Trevor—pressed on, tackling the tracks back toward Warburton. Colin stayed behind nursing his knee (and maybe enjoying the peace and quiet).
All up, it was a brilliant weekend. The weather was surprisingly kind, with just enough rain to keep the dust down and the tracks ridable—though still challenging in parts. Thinking light on your toes was a must in more than one section!
Massive thanks to:
- Wayne Ross for organising the route (though that “Level 3” rating might need a review!)
- Dean for leading from the front
- Trevor for sweeping, wrenching, and being an all-round legend
- And the Woods Point Pub for putting up with our muddy boots and tired faces.
Here’s to the next one—bring it on!
Story: Bradley Menzies
Photos: Christian Wichmann, Damian McGrath