Sunday 18th December. Weather turned up ideal riding conditions, although still a little cool for December. Arrived at Caltex Hume just on 0900 to find a small group of riders chomping at the bit to get in the last club ride for 2016 – Not Andrew Campbell as leader (he’s been in India for some Royal Enfield riding) but Alan & Lyn to lead the ride.
A quick ride brief – Nimmitabel as first stop via Polo Flat, then Bombala via the Monaro, and then Pambula via Mount Darragh Road. Beware! the road is reportedly a bit chopped up (yes it was!) Do we all know the way? Nods all round, so off we went.
Couldn’t believe it was cooler (6 degrees in December!) in Nimmitabel than Cooma. But once clear of that and down into Bombala the great weather was with us for the entire day.
The road from Cathcart down through Wyndham was a little tricky, with some patches of gravel from ‘pothole roadworks’ never/poorly swept requiring care (apparently this is a common occurrence on this road!) – I had one of those ‘moments’ where I had to stand up the bike just coming through an apex to avoid the gravel patchwork.
From Wyndham the road widened and improved, and temperature now about 25 degrees down into Pambula. Turned north onto the Princes Hwy, refuelled and then hit the Pambula ‘pub for lunch.
After a leisurely meal and chat, a quick discussion on the route home, and it was back on the road again. Steve advised that he’ll be heading home via an alternative route (probably checking out his block at Dalmeny), and we speared off at Wolumla (taking the Candelo-Wolumla Road), which brought us back onto the Snowy Mountains Highway just east of Bemboka, and up Brown Mountain.
A quick stop at the rest area just outside Nimmitabel again to wish each other farewell and pleasant and safe Christmas, and homeward bound we went. Another great day out; Merry Christmas & a Happy New Year to you all, and look forward to catching up for some more rides in 2017. Stay safe!
Chris Dietzel
List of riders:
Alan & Lyn Munday (Yamaha FJR1300)
Chris Dietzel (Kawasaki GTR1400)
Neil Goldfinch (Suzuki GSX1300R ‘busa)
Sandy Fisk (Triumph Speedmaster)
Gary Thomas (Suzuki DL650)
Steve Alford (MotoGuzzi V7)
Ulysses Club, Canberra Branch Website
