REPORT - SUNNY CORNER 2005

It's 4.30pm on Monday afternoon, the Monday after the KTM Sunny Corner Trailbike Rally and I have just finished work for the day. It's raining and it's cold, bloody cold. Those who attended this year's Rally and who camped in the Forest on Saturday evening are probably saying, "So bloody what, you should be used to the cold and rain after the weekend" and they are probably right, however, combine today's weather with the fact that every muscle in my body is aching so much that I am having trouble wiping my own bot-bot, then you can start to comprehend my apprehension about washing the mud off what looks like two KTM Motorcycles.

In all my life I have never seen two bikes so totally covered with brown mud and I can tell you now, it isn't coming off easily. After three attempts at high pressure washing, I am finally starting to see some Orange paint. I'm just praying that there is some more of the original colour underneath that dirt!

Does it sound like I am complaining………NOT BLOODY LIKELY!

This years KTM Sunny Corner Trailbike Rally was once again a rip snorter. As I said at the presentation, it was the best marked, most well organised and highest quality Off Road Motorcycling Event I have ever had the honour of attending. The boys who marked the two loops did an excellent job. Even with the extreme weather, the tracks were well thought out and were of such a high calibre, that even the hardest enduro riders were tested. Not that you had to be an expert rider, as for every difficult section, there was an easier route and that made for pleasurable riding for all.

Once again, Saturday Evening was cold, very cold and just for something a little different; it rained and at times, sleeted. That is two years in a row that we have had the pleasure of an abundance of moisture the night before the event and in a drought stricken state such as NSW, it made a nice change.

As sure as shit, after the lighting of the large fire, down came the rain and out came the boys from the band 'Pygs of Men' who belted out tunes to the wee hours of the night - and I should add, a bloody good selection of tunes to boot! In fact, one of those songs is the title for this piece of writing…..'Seems like a touch, a touch to much!' As a teenager, I remember owning the AC/DC Album that featured this song and during this year's Rally, I couldn't help but ponder on the lyrics of that particular song….."I was so satisfied, deep down in side, like a hand in a Velvet Glove", and that my fellow weekend warriors, sums it all up in my books. To those of you who danced the night away in the mud - Champions the lot of you!

As per previous years, the Central Tablelands Motorcycle Club had put together a great weekend and we, as with all other Sponsors, were greeted warmly in the Sponsor's Pitting Area. A big thankyou must go to big Johnny Prior, the owner of Orange KTM for supplying all the new 2006 KTM's for us to perve at, to dribble on and for manning the KTM Stand in the cyclonic conditions and answering all our technical questions. I, for one, was impressed with all the new models on display such as the 50 Adventurer, 50 Pro Senior, 65cc, 250 SX, 300, 450 and 525EXC's. Unfortunately for all of us, the KTM Promo Girls had other commitments, however, they have made a promise to attend next year's event - Rain, hail, snow or mud!

As darkness fell upon us, the annual fireworks lit up the sky and were brilliant, right up to the point when a wayward bunger caused debris to hit the stage. Hopefully next year, a more suitable site for the fireworks could be found, a little further away from us mere mortals. I for one don't need an explosion to go off under my arse to be prompted to look up in the sky to view the pretty lights - a mere 'muffled Bang' would suffice. I promise the band, in ore, will stop playing and we will all still look upwards to view your brilliant effort.

What is it with me and swags? More frankly, sleeping bags. Last year I woke up a mess. This year was no different. I bought a bigger sleeping bag and bigger swag……..and I still managed to stuff it up! I ponder if I actually get in it head first. Maybe it is the ample and over abundant supply of Jack Daniel's that causes my dilemma…….nah, can't be that. Never mind, I suppose if I actually spent more in the swag than a few hours I should then start to worry. Whilst I'm on the topic of waking up, Ladies and Gent's of Wallerawang Public School, who cook our beautiful breakfast and lunch, I have a suggestion. By now you recognise my ugly dial and know how bad I look when I front up for brekky…..I will pay you double if you walk the 20 paces to the east and bring me a bacon and egg roll and coffee to my swag and wake me with a smile! Now that would be precious!!! It probably is also a dream but hey….there is no harm in trying. Just remember, I'm the one with my muddy feet sticking out where my head should be.

The first loop, including all difficult sections, came to a total of 76 kilometres exactly. I know this to be fact because I recently took possession of my new 2006 KTM 525exc after trading in a 2005 KTM 450EXC. This Rally was the new girl's first ride. After I pulled my first wheel stand that morning I had to stop and pull my nylons out of my rectum. From that time on I was too scared to attempt my second wheelstand so from there on I tried to keep the front wheel firmly on the ground and in the mud. From all the smiles on faces after completing that first loop I realised I wasn't the only one experiencing that 'Velvet Glove' experience.

Due to the track conditions, the second loop was cut short so that everybody would be back in time for the draw of the 2006 KTM 450 exc. Not that was a factor, for as far as I could see - as soon as the riders finished the first loop they were desperately gulping down their free lunch and kitting up for the second loop so not to miss the cut off time. The second loop was approximately 48 kilometres in length and was not as technical as the first, however, there were at least two sections of this loop which I couldn't complete. Trust me here; I gave it my best shot. Not once but four times; it wasn't for the lack of trying but 500 metres into a difficult loop, there was a second option titled 'Extreme'. I believe this wording could have been more appropriately named 'Im-bloody-possible'. To Paul McLachlan, Mark Taylor, Mick Grant and Jacob Young (Sunny Corner Trail Tours), the blokes who marked out this section and thought it would be a good joke to include this section……thanks, thanks for bloody nothing. All you have effectively done is destroyed my riding confidence for life. Since attempting this hill I have upped my dosage of Valium from 5mg to 15mg three times a day to assist me with the flashbacks! Honestly though, well done guys for a well thought out ride which was very well signposted. Did I mention the mud?

Now getting to the facts and figures of the day. A big hand must go to the Central Tablelands Motorcycle Club Committee. To Kelly McLachlan, thankyou for all your effort and as put by you, you are 'simply bloody amazing'. To Kelly Straney, don't be so hard on Waddy for nominating you on the PA in front of 652 Riders, as now being single and available - from where I was standing it was very funny. (PS - you turned a very nice shade of pink considering the cool weather).

To Big Duncan (an KTM ADB Seven Deadly Sinner from years past) presently representing Careflight Services, on behalf of KTM thankyou for the genuine words of recognition and appreciation. I'm sure the Board of KTM Directors appreciates your sincere gratitude. On a personal note, it was great to see you riding with the rest of us!

In total, we raised approximately $4,500 for Careflight and we all should be very proud of this fact as they do a marvellous job supporting our passion when as individuals we find ourselves in times of need.

In rider entries and merchandise, the Club raised approximately $35,000, which I am sure the majority will go to fixing the tracks and trails that we roosted the hell out of. Whilst on that topic it would be amiss of me not to thank the State Forest of NSW, particularly the Sunny Corner Region for availing the land for this event. Without your commitment Events like this would not be possible and we are all deeply appreciative of your support.

Lastly, the Wallerawang Public School Committee raised about $7000 in funds that will assist the local children with their educational needs. Well done to all the Sponsors and Weekend Warriors that participated and supported this type of fundraising event.

Well done to Andrew Abela of Horsley Park for entering the raffle and winning the 2006 KTM 50 Adventurer. To put it into your own words, "This little thing is bloody brilliant. I haven't got a women or kids, but hey, now I have reason to work on that!'.

The biggest Congratulations to John Delaney of Beacon Hill, who is now the proud owner of a brand spanking new 2006 KTM 450EXC. John, for a man who is not normally lost for words, I thank you for your pure and genuine, publicly displayed excitement at winning this gob smacking motorcycle. You can now wipe away those tears of pleasure, retire your 2004 KTM 450 and roost with the best of them! To KTM Sportmotorcycles Australia and all the other Sponsors and Supporters, both big and small - your input, advice and support is immeasurable. Without your assistance fundraising would not be possible and the local community, as a whole, would suffer as a result. Wear your affiliation proudly as we are all humbled by your effort and support.

For the rest of us, we were all winners. A great weekend spent spinning yarns and bench racing with our best mates and those memories, my friends, are the types of weekends that legends are made of…..mud and all!

2006 KTM Sunny Corner Trailbike Rally……….bring on that 'Velvet Glove' experience!

Mick Wharton
KTM Trail Tours - Australia
www.ktmtours.com.au