In true Madcat fashion, the call went out for attendees of the Marysville Loop de Loop, and before long, around twenty-odd (and yes, most of them are odd) riders signed up for the weekend. GPX files were created, the plan was in place, and it was looking like a solid crew of 25 riders ready to roll.
Then came the weather forecast… rain.
Suddenly, the excuses started flowing faster than a leaky fuel tap. People began backpedaling and making up reasons not to attend. Classic.
Friday Night – Camp Setup & Beer Testing
I headed up early on Friday to secure our camp spots and, more importantly, to make sure the beers were chilled and taste-tested before the rest of the crew arrived.
We had a mix of setups this time—some went for “comfort camping,” while the true-blood adventure riders rocked up fully loaded, ready to rough it. Then there were the “Trailer Queens,” who brought everything but the kitchen sink. One particularly refined gentleman—let’s just say his name sounds like Nicky Gee—rolled in with a luxury motorhome complete with a shower, toilet, and heating. Five-star glamping at its finest.
By nightfall, thirteen of us were gathered around the fire, talking up the big rides planned for Saturday and collectively drooling over the Tenere 700—easily the coolest bikes there.
Saturday – The Loops Begin
A few stragglers arrived in the morning, and soon the crew was ready to roll. We kicked things off with the Level 2, 40 km loop so everyone could warm up and get their eye in.
The Loop de Loop concept is simple: multiple 40 km loops in Levels 2, 3, and 4. The idea is to start easy and step up as your confidence grows over the weekend.
Groups were set, and we planned to regroup at the bakery at 1 p.m. for lunch and possible group swaps. Leadership was as follows:
- Level 2 Leader: “Virgin Leader” Marky Mark
- Level 3 Leader: Yours truly (the author)
- Level 4 Leader: “I don’t have a GPS” Maz-erati
The day’s riding was wet and slippery in sections—fun for some, nerve-wracking for others—but all in all, eventful and muddy in the best way possible.
Highlights (and Low Lights)
- Wayne (ride leader) within 15 of starting the ride, we made 3 U-turns.
- Jonathan A and Andrew M both managed to crash in exactly the same spot at different times—on the lightest bikes in the field. Impressive consistency, lads.
- Dean W decided to take a nap off the side of the track, only to realize his mates had ridden straight past him.
- Bruce P turned his pristine, unscratched 800 km-old Norden into a dirty—very scratched—beast.
- Graham and Brad claimed to hate the Level 4 loop, but deep down, we know they secretly loved every minute.
- Gail M and the kids, suffering from serious FOMO, drove up for lunch just to check on her bike and see what they were missing.
By the afternoon, everyone from the Level 2 group had stepped up to Level 3 and absolutely smashed it like legends.
The ride ended with a visit to Keppel Lookout
Saturday Night – Campfire Tales
Dave M drove up Saturday arvo just for a beer and a campfire session. He quickly earned “Uber Eats/Drinks Taxi” status by running us into town for extra supplies—an MVP move.
The night ended with sixteen blokes sitting around the fire, laughing too loud, drinking too much, and sharing the kind of stories that remind you why these weekends are pure gold.
Wrap-Up
All in all, it was another awesome Madcat Adventure weekend—mud, mates, and miles of laughs. Can’t wait for the next one.
Text: Wayne Rose
Photos: Jonathan Alvarez , Graham White