After having a few shorter rides out on the Attack of the Buns bikepacking route, both north and south of Nowra, I loaded up for a ride in Wandandian country, through Yalwal to Sassafras. It was a warm day, and I was soon to experience what grades in the order of 23% on loose sandy fire trails are like.

Some friends who occasionally cycle ask wanted to enjoy a ride on a trail, away from cars that was scenic and on the easier end of the spectrum. I recommended to 10B Fire trail in Dharawal National Park. A mostly flat and quite ride out and back as far as you like.

I have just acquired a Surly Pugsley Special Ops (a fat bike for those otherwise unfamiliar), after being interested in them for a few years. Being back in Oz, they are about as — perhaps even less — common as snow on the beach. It was for riding on the latter where my interest primary sat.

I had eagerly awaited for the shipping container with my Cannondale F400 to arrive, wanting to ride the trail from Corrimal to Bulli along the Illawarra Escarpment. I had packed it up with a few other items (Bob Ibex, camping gear and a few boxes of books) for the boat ride back from Canada. After getting a service and putting on some new dirt tires it was time to explore.