BUSHRANGERS MARCH 2016 RIDE:

Greetings!!

This month ride location was not able to be conducted in the planned location due to it being Easter Sunday, so we have had to change it to the lovely Attunga State Forest.  I have ridden this are quite a bit and it is a lovely shady spot to ride when the weather is a little on the warm side.  The details are as follows:

·         Sunday the 27^th March. Start Time 9am – as per warm weather conditions start time.  (Next month it will be 10am). Please be sure you arrive in plenty of time to complete any paperwork if you have membership to renew or if you are a visiting rider.  There will be an unmounted pre ride talk at the sign area at 8.45am.  Please be ready and signed on by then.    : )

·         This ride consists of mostly shaded bush tracks.  It is fairly soft underfoot for most of the way, however there are few rocky sections.  Whilst shoes or boots are recommended it would likely be o.k for hardy footed barefoot horses.   

·         The ride is mostly flat however there is a moderate to steepish?  (is that a word?) incline early on in the ride (should settle the fresh ones!) and we ride down this area on the way back.  There are some washed out areas on the incline and decline.  Due to this fact we have the ride a 3 – 3 ½  out  of 5 for degree of difficulty. 

·         We follow the bush tracks along and there is a spot for a bit of a stretch for those so inclined, or may choose to stay with the walkers if you wish.  (This is subject to the approval of the Trail Boss on the day).

·         We will be riding to a spot where there used to be a dam for the horses to drink from.  However due to the filthy weather! The dam has dried up.  We will be having morning tea in this area.  There are plenty of trees to tie up and for ‘personal stops’.  Please bring a drink, some morning tea, and a halters or hobbles to secure your horse for morning tea.

·         When Helen and I did the ride on Tuesday 8/3, we were going to make it a longer track, however the shorter track took us about three hours, return.  To include the entire track would make for a much longer ride, in excess of five hours, so we have erred on the side of caution and decided to do just the shorter leg.  These less arduous rides are proving to be more popular than the longer rides.  As the weather cools and the horses get fitter we will be looking at doing some slightly longer rides and see how popular they are.  Feedback on this issue is most welcome, after all it is your club!

·         Upon return to the floats there will be a BBQ lunch supplied, for the cost of your ride fee ($5.00), for those that wish to partake.  There will be snags, bread, onion, sauce and cordial! If you want a veggie patty please let me know in advance.  There may or may not be a little present from the Easter Bunny as well!!!  For the purposes of catering I will need an RSVP from those staying for lunch by Wed the 23^rd of March.

·         The floats will be parked along the dirt road that runs parallel to the forest. If you want to tie your horses closer to the lunch area, there are plenty of trees to do so.  The traffic along this road is light. 

·         As there is no water along this ride I recommend that you bring water for the horses to drink after the ride. 

·         Any visiting riders please rsvp to me as well so can know how many visitors are coming.  We need to know this in advance please.  Ta.

·         The expected time of arrival back to the floats is approx. 12.30- 1pm for lunch.  Of course this is dependent on the number of riders etc. 

·         If you have any questions please don’t hesitate to email me, Meg, respond on FB, or you can sms me on 0428 192 187. 

Directions:

From Tamworth travel out along the road towards Attunga.  Prior to the village you will see Inlet Road on your right.  Keep your eyes peeled, it comes up quickly. Turn down Inlet road.  (This road is dirt and was horribly dusty so if you have a tarp, etc, it would be prudent to close it now).  Follow for approx. 5kms.  You will come to a t-intersection where you will turn right.  Follow the road up a slight rise and you will see the entrance to the State Forest on your left.  You will need to park along the road in this area.  The road is very long so just keep driving up until you have a space.  It is wide enough for most floats to turn around easily too.