The Magnificent Seven ride to Grenfell!
We arrived at our meeting point after a very cool night. Sunday morning was sunny and still, promising a pleasant journey to Grenfell.
I was pleased to see that a healthy number of people had turned up for the ride – promptly dubbed the ‘magnificent seven’. Kevin arrived on his new BMW R1250RS, a replacement for that unforgettably loud Indian Scout. Interestingly there was only one Japanese bike in the group – how things have changed in the market in recent years!
The familiar transport stages along the Barton Highway and Lachlan Valley Way were uneventful. We passed one highway patrol car travelling in the opposite direction – the officer evidently feeling in a generous mood towards motorcyclists.
After morning coffee sitting in the Winter sunshine at the ‘Superb’ Café in Boorowa, we ventured forth on the more complicated part of the route. I’m not sure who designed this route but it was an ‘interesting’ and enjoyable one for the ride leader to navigate.
I maintained a modest pace as we threaded the narrow strip of bitumen through Murringo Gap, briefly onto the Olympic Highway, then Westwards through Bendick Murrell into the beautiful farmland of the Wirrimah hills.
This involved negotiating numerous 90 degree turns on narrow back roads. It was quite fun really, especially since I was navigating from memory.
We stopped for a photo opportunity outside Iandra Castle. This grandiose pile, a wealthy landowner’s folly, took 30 years to complete (between 1880 and 1910). Unfortunately, we missed an open day tour of the castle which had been held the previous day. I had enquired about getting the Ulysses group inside for a quick look – without success.
The pretty pastoral scenery continued as we followed more back roads towards the metropolis of Grenfell. As many would know, Grenfell is one of those little NSW towns that appears frozen in time. The streetscape seems quite unchanged since mid-last century.
Our lunch venue had been nominated as the Albion Hotel – a picturesque country pub with an attractive Aussie hotel façade. Inside…..not so much. Expecting a typical country pub lunch menu, we gathered to order at the small bar. The laconic barman announced that the Sunday lunch was roast pork and veg. We interpreted this to mean that roast pork was the Sunday special and asked what else was on the menu. No! We were advised, a little brusquely, that we could order whatever we liked as long as it was roast pork and veg.
So, six of the magnificent seven ordered the roast pork. One of our company, Warren Richer, rebelled against this draconian regime, walked to the café next door and procured a toasted sandwich.
It was not the worst roast pork meal I’ve ever had and, as always, I enjoyed the entertaining conversation of Ulysses members. The return journey via Young, Galong and Bowning was straightforward and uneventful from all accounts.
The trip to Grenfell was relaxed and pleasant overall, with a group of experienced riders who were all great company. I can recommend future rides through this part of the country, though perhaps with a different lunch venue.
John
RIDERS:
- Steven Bardwell Moto Guzzi California 1400
- Andrew Campbell BMW R1250 RS
- Scott England BMW R1250 RT
- John Grace Triumph Tiger 1200
- Warren Richer Triumph Thruxton 1200R
- Kevin Sherman BMW R1250 RS
- Chas Towie Honda ST1300
