A team of six keen riders and Matthias, Leen’s dog, assembled at Caltex Weston at around 1020 for a 1030/40 departure. We were all warned that it would be a cold night and true to form for Canberra it did not disappoint - it was still freezing. Matthias was rugged up and in Leen’s top box ready for the days adventure. The weather forecast was for between -4 to 14 degrees and at Weston it was still trying to reach 4 degrees with large patches of fog around the Canberra region. There was still hope as it was expected to get sunny with a warmer (if you can call it that) 14 later in the day.
Riders were briefed on the route which cut out Mountain Creek road due to the fact that we were warned the night before at the Ulysses meeting that the Yass Council still had not packed down the thick loose gravel on the new roadworks along Wee Jasper road just out of Yass.
We set off travelling back through misty Canberra to Mulligans Flat Road, chucked a left on Sutton Road and headed towards Murrumbateman. It was on this stretch that the fog started to lift and the sun attempted to set the scene for the rest of the day. Don’t get me wrong our fingers were still freezing till we got a lot further down our route for the day. Once at Murrumbateman the traffic was light and we joined Barton Hwy heading towards Yass Vally road turn off. This road was chosen as it’s a nice little break in the country and off the boring Hwy. We headed for the Hume Hwy connection then a right to as far down as the Jerrawa turn off.
We travelled through the small hamlet of Jerrawa and out down a great country lane (more than a road) still with faded 100kph speed signs to Dalton. This road had some beautiful bends and twists but closer to Dalton it was patchy though some sections had recently been upgraded. Here we stopped for a quick photo shoot outside the Dalton hotel (now permanently closed) next to the iron art work, a drove and his horses. While here we also decided based on Leen’s advice that in Gunning we would try the Merino Cafe instead of the Hotel or the Old Gunning Cafe this time as it apparently has a better selection of glutton free products on the Menu. From Dalton to Gunning the road was in excellent condition which made for an enjoyable ride.
The Merino Cafe proved to be excellent as well while we sunned ourselves at the tables outside. The warmth from the sun’s rays was very therapeutic after the chill of the ride.
It was here during conversation about the benefits or otherwise of heated grips in general that Dave found out that his RS like Kevin’s also had them fitted. Once he put on his reading glasses he found the switch much to the enjoyment of the team. Meanwhile Matthias enjoyed collecting all the food titbits we gave him under the tables despite Leen’s annoyance because he wasn’t keen to eat his own food.
After lunch we all said our farewells and most of us headed down Gundarro road to Sutton or Home. Dieter decided to continue his adventure a little more north and head home a different route. Kevin and I dropped into Sutton Bakery to continue our discussions over another coffee and tea before parting and finally heading home.
Overall, it turned out to be a great and clear day once the sun came through for us, which is nothing better for a rider in the country on a winters day.
Warren
Distance traveled: 192 kms
Riders:
Noel Bentley BMW800GSA
Dieter Walter Ducati MultiStrata 950
Kevin Sherman BMW R1250RS
Dave Mossman BMW R1250RS
Warren Richer Triumph Thruxton R1200
Leen Parsons & Matthias Suzuki Bandit 1250
