I must admit to being paranoid in subsequent days following the weather forecasts at every opportunity to see if our luck would hold for the Sunday ride to Grenfell. Fortunately it did and we had similar temps, being able to ride in a vented jacket in comfort.
I arrived at the departure point some 25 minutes prior to the departure time to see 6 riders had already arrived with another 8 arriving shortly after. Maybe it was the thought this may well be the last warm/dry day till we get to the other side of winter.
Following a brief description of the ride we headed for the Terracotta at Murrumburrah for morning tea as the roadworks on the Boorowa Road can best described as diabolical. Our safety is certainly not their concern.
Pete and Brian thoughtless to a fault headed off ahead of us as wood ducks but failed miserably as the highway patrol was sitting off the road in wait for those who chose to abuse common sense on the Barton Highway.
We arrived at the Terracotta to see them relaxing in the sun. We had to wait longer than usual as our group proved a little large for the barista and it took some time for all to get their caffeine hit. Again they did not let us down with great coffee and tasty morsels.
After this we took my favourite route which starts with the Currawong Road opposite the Terracotta and provides a great series of open sweepers and country vistas. All navigated this and the run through Young and onto the Henry Lawson Way. Although being a highway this final stage has enough character to keep the brain engaged.
We arrived on schedule at the Albion Hotel in Grenfell with those needing fuel getting it before having lunch. I think we may have found the hotel short staffed as it was possibly the longest I have waited for food in the 15 or so years I have been going to the hotel for a Sunday lunch. While the wait was longer than intended, the food I had hit the spot and I heard no complaints regarding the quality of the meals provided.
With a Canberra ETA of 4pm in mind we headed off as per our schedule.
We took the route down Henry Lawson Way for about 20 kms then turned onto the Tywong Hall Road to Iandra castle, which is a spectacular site in the country side. We then continued down Iandra Road into Young where we refuelled, before heading off down the Moppity Road.
Just when I thought Mother Nature had forgiven my past transgressions I was confronted with a kangaroo hopping down the centre line in the same
direction as us on the Moppity Road, albeit at a much slower pace. I could do nothing to encourage him to go bush …. On went the hazard lights to warn those behind me as we continued to slow the pace and follow skippy for about 1 km before he decided I was not going away and he headed into the bush.
We then continued on through Galong and to Canberra. We hit Canberra a few minutes after 4pm with blue skies and warmth, which will unfortunately fade from our memories as winter hits and our clothing gets thicker and fingers numb as we enjoy our rides. Traffic was very light all day and even the Barton was flowing at the legal limit in both directions.
Thanks to everyone who came as we all contribute to its success and I thoroughly enjoyed the day.
Cheers
Trevor
Attendees
- Peter Arday ST1300
- Brian Aigus ST1100
- Robert McNeilly VFR800
- Gary Thomas R1200R
- Neil Goldfinch GSXR1300 (Hayabusa how I miss it)
- Ian Paterson GL1800
- Mick Beltrane Victory XC (without Kipper)
- David Formica ZX14R
- Mark Morby Bonneville
- Trevor McLeod FJR1300
- Chas Towie ST1300
- Jill Fleming BMW700GS
- Les and Julie Robinson
- Derek Tetheradge Spyder
- Daryl C Palin GL 1800
