Andrew and Catherine Campbell – GL1800
Gary McCurley and Nat Te Bay – VFR1200
Michael and Tracey Winters – Trophy
Allan Grimes – VN1700
Mike Kelly – BMW R1200RT
Mark Walker – Honda NT700V
Mick and Kipper Beltrame –Victory XC
Ian and Sally Paterson – GL1800
Kevin Lomax –XVS 650
Trevor McLeod – FJR1300
Genelle Mills – Triumph Bonneville
Morris Nash – Triumph Sprint
Johnny come lately (aka P. Arday) – HondaST1300
As the No.1, best wife of the ride leader it fell to me to write the ride report. I had a sneaky suspicion that this may happen so tried to pay attention to the important things. The problem is, because I am not in control of the vehicle, I really don’t care how we get there, just that we do.
Today's ride was to the Long Track Pantry in Jugiong. There is not a lot else in Jugiong but it is always well worth the ride, as the food is pretty good and there are plenty of goodies to bring home in the top box or panniers.
But, I have skipped ahead to the end...
Twelve bikes assembled at Nichols servo (5 with pillions, including Kipper the dog). Lots of catching up and pre ride chatting meant we were a little late getting away. This turned out to be a good thing for Morris, a Ulysses member from WA who had not long landed in Canberra, and had trouble working out which direction Nichols was in. The route was discussed- a boring zip down the highway or a little deviation through the countryside avoiding all messy roadworks, slightly longer ,but way more fun. It was a no-brainer really.
So here goes my recollection…head down the Barton, onto the Hume and right at Burley Griffin Way through Binalong. Having never been to Galong before, I was thrilled when we took a right at Bouyeo Rd. Don't ask why I was so keen to go to Galong (I have recollections of hearing about a calming monastery), but let's say it's a pretty sad place these days. Anyhoo, eventually we did a squiggly turn onto Kalangan Rd before turning left on the Boorowa Harden Rd, following it all the way into the many churches town of Harden. Looks like they had a good turnout for Sunday Services, judging by the number of cars in the dirt carparks. We rode through fantastic countryside with field after field of stubble left over from the wheat harvest. The good thing about some of these country roads is that they are so sensibly named. And so we turned into Jugiong Rd to head into, you guessed it, Jugiong.
Alongside the road, were huge grain silos and also humungous carparks covered by massive blue tarps. I was reliably told by Ian that they held excess wheat stores until they could be trained out. He could have told me anything, but I tend to believe him this time.
Our fearless ride leader breathed a sigh of relief as we pulled up to the LTP with all 12 bikes (5 pillions including Kipper the dog) intact. I have long observed Mr T McLeod’s arrival upon destination. He is like a flash; quick off the bike and with his order in before most people have removed their helmets. Today's ride was no exception. However it backfired when about 6 other people ordered the same thing and claimed their food first leaving poor Trevor lucky-last to get his ham and cheese toastie.
Lo and behold, who should be there to meet us there but Mr P Arday who claims to have slept in? He did secure us a table in the semi shade and was in fine form, the latest being that he is apparently able to speak dolphin. The best behaved award of the day goes to, Kipper, who was happy to have a snooze, a scratch on the head and drink of water before hoping back into the Kippermobile.
More chomping and chatting occurred and the good people slowly made their own way home as per the earlier instructions of the ride leader. Having purchased some deliciousness, it was safely stored in the mother ship for the cruise controlled trip down the highway. Thanks to everyone for another fantastic ride.
Catherine Campbell
