I want to get wet and dirty.

Urban, you should change your name since your website leads to a site closed as you have matured:

urbanadventure.org

Ceej1973 said :

I would suggest you limit your adventures to your profile name. People like you give real 4wd’ers a bad name, not to mention, ruining the tracks, and increasing risk of accidents. As for Picadilly Circus area, it was a fool like you that totalled the front of my car 20 years ago, coming screaming around a snow slush bend, while I sensibly waited on the edge of the track for him to pass, when in actual fact he too looked like he had no experience in handling a vehicle in extreme conditions. Then there is the matter of jumping a vehicle, and one wonders why insurance premiums keep going up. Personally, I would get onto the internet and do some real research, and look for Jamboree or Motorama events around the region.

Hello again. Hear is some more info you might find handy if you really want to break your car. http://www.motorkhana.com/faq.htm . Go to the calander tab, and you will find all the events you need in NSW for 2010. Enjoy.

When 4wd’ing there are two things you generally aim to do…

Not damage the environment.
Not damage your vehicle.

It’s more about getting to places you wouldn’t get to in a 2wd safely.

I may be preaching to the choir, but water and crossings can cause a lot of damage, even with a snorkel. Splishing water around the engine bay is not a good thing, nor is charging into cold water with hot running gear.

When attempting a water crossing or any other obstacle, stop, get out, go for a walk and have a look, then take a planned approach that limits your impact.

Recovery gear, knowing how to use it safely and a second vehicle are always a good idea. http://www.maxtrax.com.au is a good starting point. Driver training (act 4wd or southern tablelands 4wd) are good starting points.

By all means 4WDing is fun. The mountains are beautiful, I love them! I’m also not anti-4WD, how could I be? I’ve owned one for years. BUT …(and you knew there was going to be a but) …. coming across injured and dead 4WDers and motorcyclist on the side of the track is not fun. Trying to help the ambulance/police/rescue people to the rescue because the road has been so badly cut up by 4WDers isn’t fun. I’m just asking you – and the wider audience – to think before you act.

UrbanAdventure – given bullet holes, one immediately thinks of a gun.
The size of the ruts along Tharwa Road, between Banks and Lanyon could only be caused by a 4WD.
I am not anti-4WD, I own one after all. I am anti-idiot.

andym said :

Anyone else noticed the latest “fun” thing to do in your 4WD (I assume, having not caught anyone in the act).

LOL.
Let me rephrase that:
I’ll blame something on 4WDs but.
I have no evidence.
I’ve never seen it happen.

On the other hand, I helped push (by hand) a bogged hatchback on to the road and out of the grass at Lanyon Homestead. I’ve also see 2wd hotted up utes doing donuts at Angle Crossing and even on the grass median on Adelaide Ave.

Anyone else noticed the latest “fun” thing to do in your 4WD (I assume, having not caught anyone in the act) is to rip up the grass verges next to the roads. Noticed it around Point Hut Crossing, Lanyon Homestead gates and out along Brindebella Road.

No no, you have it all wrong. It’s not an “Urban Assault Vehicle”. It’s an Urban Combat Vehicle. It’s designed to go to war well after the inital assault. 😉

I should point out that I have requested information on how to legally do some offroading. Most people might draw the conclusion that this means I am law abiding, and intend to remain law abiding. They would be right too. I can assure you that I have no intention of using my Urban Combat Vehicle to create new tracks, cause injury or death to wildlife (though some kangaroos seem quite intent on jumping in front of the UCV even when you realy slow to a crawl and beep at them to let them know that yes the big thing appraching them really is something they should be aware of and perhaps avoid), nor have I ever endangered any other road users and have never been fined or lost any demerit points ever, I don’t carry any weapons, and have no intention of ever carrying any (guns are really a bad invention – guns and beer are an extreemly bad combination), I take my rubbish with me (and as I don’t drink, there’s no beer bottles in my UCV). Likewise, I don’t go randomly tresspassing in my UCV, and have no intentntion of doing so. Not really keen on submerging the UCV more than wheel deep either.

Yes, you do come across a little like a nagging pain in the ass, but you are well intended, and I agree whole heartedly with your advice. There are some nobs out there. Some of those nobs drive 4 wheel drives. Of course some drive 2 wheel drives, and some even walk and don’t drive.

I just want to take the UCV into some mild fun to show off its potential to some friends overseas. I should point out that this is the 4th 4 wheel drive I have owned, but as the other 3 were Ladas well that hardly counts. Though they admittedly were actually built for the (Russian) military. Lada, looks like a tank, built like a tank, goes…. like a tank.

As for jumping, it’s fun! I’m not talking about getting all 4 wheels metres off the ground at supersonic speeds here. I’m talking about going over slightly oversized speed humps which you occasionally get on dirt roads which will happily get at least the front wheels off of the ground at a mild 40 km/h and all 4 wheels a few inches off at 60 km/h. I also have never had to claim on my insurance and have a 75% no claim bonus.

Come on folks, live a little. If I wanted boring, I’d have brought a bus. …. Oh hang on, it is a bus. Well it’s an Urban Combat Bus! (with 4 wheel drive).

Buzz2600 said :

Having lived on properties in the Brindabellas for a number of years, I would hasten to suggest you DON’T use your newly acquired “Urban Assault Vehicle” (thanks shanefos) to:

1. destroy trails and roads,
2. try creating your own roads through the bush,
3. cause injury and death to wildlife,
4. endanger the lives of other road users, including walkers and horse riders in the pursuit of your dream of being a weekend off-road warrior,

While I’m on a roll, please also don’t:
5. carry weapons in the vehicle while driving, including guns, crossbows, spears, knives etc….
6. go onto private property without the express permission of the owner,
7. throw all your rubbish out into the bush, especially smashed beer bottles…
8. or generally be yet another half wit who arrives on a nearby property owners doorstep at all hours of the day and night seeking help with their bogged/submerged/destroyed vehicle after going “off-road” without a clue on how to actually drive a 4WD.

I could go on and on … you wouldn’t believe some of the things we’ve come across over the years, the mind boggles …

By all means, enjoy a drive through the mountains at a pleasant, safe speed and find a few hills that you can test out the 4WD but please don’t be yet another weekend wanker.

As for locations, I’d suggest you go crazy in the Pierce’s Creek area. Then go find Gentle Annie down into Flea Creek off Brindabella Road if you want a creek to cross and hill to climb. If you want to go further afield, Bondo State Forest up to KNP can be fun. Buy yourself a decent topographical 1:250 000 scale map but DON’T depend 100% on it, there are a couple of inconsistencies in the Brindabella map (unless its been updated & corrected).

Sorry if I sound like a nagging pain in the a*se. Have fun! **officially off my soap box now**

I would suggest you limit your adventures to your profile name. People like you give real 4wd’ers a bad name, not to mention, ruining the tracks, and increasing risk of accidents. As for Picadilly Circus area, it was a fool like you that totalled the front of my car 20 years ago, coming screaming around a snow slush bend, while I sensibly waited on the edge of the track for him to pass, when in actual fact he too looked like he had no experience in handling a vehicle in extreme conditions. Then there is the matter of jumping a vehicle, and one wonders why insurance premiums keep going up. Personally, I would get onto the internet and do some real research, and look for Jamboree or Motorama events around the region.

Holden Caulfield said :

Another vote for the Brindies.

Right near Piccadilly Circus there is a cleared area that makes a nice makeshift skidpad, especially if it has just rained. Although, it’s a few years since I’ve been there now, so not sure if it is still there.

I think that one’s been closed off now…….If its the one with all the logs in it.