Three guys from Aus invited me on a off road ride that was frankly beyond the limits of the bike ( tires ) I had and my rusty skill set.
They were patient - waited up as I tiptoed a bit in places they were having fun at speed.
They were all a bit younger tho not a lot and had the correct tires and bikes for the terrain.
I did okay tho and only one muddy hill they had to pick the KLR off me twice - the most experienced rider who was quite a wild man - ex fisherman - very well muscled looked at my 80/20 tires and figured he could have not go up that stretch either with those skins.
That's him on the right. Worked in the motorcycle industry for Honda as well as commercial fisherman..
I was doing 100kph on the pavement and he's saving his knobbies by doing it on the shoulder !!!!
Made me feel a bit better - haven't dumped a bike in decades tho also had not done any mud hills either. Was much fun and learned I could take a fall.
So limped out on a broken clutch - we went got that fixed - I took off home and they did some more tougher riding - glad I didn't go as the youngest guy said it took them an hour to get all three bikes up one particularly nasty hill. The youngest one was a cop and said he just about coughed up a lung getting them all up.
So it was a good experience, went out and got barkbusters and at least a knobby on the front and that helped my own further trips. They were very good hearted and not sure I ever could have gotten out from under that KLR without their help let alone get it straightened out and pointed up hill - at least I made it out.
So
Few weeks later I'm coming down the Gillies on one of my longer loops and a familiar fire plug standing beside some low slung monster bike waves me down.
Our muscular fisherman is 15 km from home on a nasty bit of highway, no gas AND no wallet and getting late.
He said a dozen cars and utes had gone by and not one stopped ( perhaps can't blame- Stu IS a bit of a rough looking character.
He was very glad to see a friendly KLR rider come along.
I went down the Gillies for 20 km bought a little 2 LTR can that fit my top case perfectly and got him going.
Nice turn about - and I got a slap on the back that just about knocked me over.
"Knew ya were a standup guy.....when you toughed out that ride".
Nice to be able to return his help.
•••••
I always try and check with stranded riders - certainly l'd want the same.
Also in Australia a girl on something very large for her size was stranded out of gas but hubby was on the way. she said. I have a feeling from her comment he did not tell her it was on reserve
