A team of seven keen riders assembled at Caltex Nicholls at around 0845 for a 0900 departure. The night before the ride it decided to pour down across the region as a result of a cool change passing through Victoria and the Alps even leaving a dusting of snow across the Snowy Mountains. Naturally the next morning many areas of Canberra were still damp and a cool 7- 8 degrees at the muster point. Despite this the sun shone through with the promise of slightly warmer weather and a great day ahead.
The ride kicked off with us tearing down the Barton Hwy with little hold up due the road works started on the Barton Hwy extension after Hall. There was only a few 60 signs posted in sections rather than what was the practice the last few weeks of having a blanketed 60kph 6-7 km stretch. Excellent! Also, traffic was light throughout the whole days ride (mid week rides I just love them).
Anyway once through Murrumbateman and on the dual carriageway we joined the Hume and headed for Burley Griffin Way and made our way towards the town of Binalong. It was along this section that we came across a very friendly semitrailer carrying cattle, or was it sheep, who waved us pass once on a straight stretch - wish there were more drivers like him.
Once in Binalong we crept quietly through the sleepy town for a right on Hughstonia road, a great little farmers road which took us all the way through the farm district to Boorowa and fuel stop one (top up) for the Triumph. Morning coffee and a chat was enjoyed at the Boorowa Bakery outside in the sun for warmth. It was here that unfortunately Ian M, a new member from the Sunshine Coast, had to excuse himself due to planned activities back at home. What a gentleman - though poor judgement this time, as he was missing the truly best leg(s) of the ride namely Boorowa - Rugby - Crookwell - Gunning loop. Oh well, maybe next time Ian.
At Gunning we enjoyed a break and lunch chatting about just how cool the last section was, then the subject of Kevin’s new and beautiful R1250RS came up. Andrew and Mike came up with a brilliant idea of using the sophisticated technology built into the R1250RS suspension and modes to get Kev’s bike just that little bit lower to provide him with more comfort. This got us all interested, so we decided to get involved as well and before we new it, all six of us were mulling around both Kev’s then Dave’s RS’s while Mike and Andrew provided guidance on setting and adjusting the complex looking TIFF display and menu. We now know BMWs don’t breakdown, owners just get totally lost or immersed in their colourful TFT display, software updates and reboots. Me, I have enough problems with my iPhone and Laptop let alone having such technology integrated into my bike, though I might just give it a go one day.
After this quick training session we were all a little dizzy and weary and decided it was time to head for Canberra and call it a day. Overall it was a very enjoyable ride across superb countryside with I say again very minimal traffic.
Warren
The Weather: 14 degrees on the bike 8, another brilliant Autumn day in the Lachlan Valley Region
Distance traveled: 345 kms
Riders:
- Darren Beauchamp HD Dyna Superglide
- Kevin Sherman BMW R1250RS
- Dave Mossman BMW R1250RS
- Andrew Campbell BMW R1250RS
- Ian Mansfield BMW R1150RT
- Mike Beltrane BMW R1250GS
- Warren Richer Triumph Thruxton R1200
