Crookwell 26 March 2017

In the best tradition of excellent days, this day dawned bright and sunny (not that I saw the dawn, so this initial description is hearsay or indeed totally made up – but it was definitely bright and sunny later on when I got up and looked out the window). 

I hadn’t been able to put boots on for more than four weeks after a high speed collision between my toes and our clumsy lounge but I decided that today was the day. I had managed to wear shoes for the first time only a few days earlier, when I had to go to a work function at Parliament House and didn’t want to go in my thongs because the steel bottle openers in the soles would have set off the security alarms. The shoes weren’t comfortable but they were bearable.
I would love to report that in light of my obvious disability the bride would have jumped out of bed and cooked me a hearty breakfast to help me through a painful and trying day, but sadly this was not to be. Instead, I made her a cup of tea and served it to her in bed, limping and hobbling my way backwards and forwards between the kitchen and the bedroom.

Ignoring a background of rolling eyes, I eventually managed to drag my boots on over my swollen, discoloured toes and, emulating Elvis, left the room and, indeed, the house.

I arrived at Nicholls not knowing whether we would have a ride leader or not. A mere 18 hours earlier, Chas had been too sick to come to afternoon tea at our place and there was every chance he was still knock, knock, knocking on heaven’s door. But there he was, risen from his deathbed and trying to appear as sharp as a Swiss army knife. It was such a convincing look that nobody offered to take his place at the front of the pack. Besides, we were all firmly of the view that if he wanted to be sick that was his business and we shouldn’t interfere in what could turn out to be a tale of heroism, even id it meant taking a lead from Captain Oates who left the tent and “may be some time”.

Fuelled by copious amounts of paracetamol and pseudoephedrine, Chas ran through Plans A to about Q before deciding that in fact Plan N would probably be the most practical. This entailed us riding via Bungendore, Tarago, Windellama and Bungonia to Trapper’s Bakery at the Big Merino for smoko. Then we would proceed via Taralga and Laggan for lunch at Crookwell.

The sun warmed us as we rode and by the time we got to Tarago I had to stop to change my gloves to a more summery variety. I signalled everyone else to keep going but a minute later who should turn up but Andrew, who had been noticeably absent at Nicholls. The late Mr Campbell and I took off after the pack but when we got to Windellama, feeling a pressing need for caffeine, we turned left and headed straight to Goulburn and Trapper’s Bakery. The rest of the mob, who had travelled a more circuitous route via Bungonia, arrived shortly afterwards.

Like the walrus and the carpenter, we spoke of many things as we sipped our coffee and ate our pies and sausage rolls. Garry wistfully reminisced about the good old days when everything was cut and dried, rides always followed a properly organised Plan A, and corner markers knew their proper place in the universe. Chas, meanwhile, was busily discarding the last remaining shreds of Plan N and had devised a new Plan R. Concerned that it was getting rather late in the morning, he decided to take us directly to Crookwell instead of via the much longer route through Taralga and Laggan.

 As we rose from our tables and donned our jackets, we watched as the mysterious Trevor X dashed across the parking lot, jumped on his bike and hightailed it out of there. Perhaps he was shocked that we were no longer going to Taralga, perhaps we were riding too slow for him, perhaps too fast, perhaps we were too old, perhaps he just didn’t like riding in a big group, or perhaps he just didn’t like us. We might never know.

The rest of us, apart from Kipper who took Mick to a prior engagement, continued on, arriving in Crookwell just on lunchtime. Our first choice, the Crown Theatre Café, was full of ageing sports car enthusiasts so we walked a couple of hundred metres down the road and dined at the bustling Paul’s Café, although a few went across the road to find somewhere quieter.

We rode home via Grabben Gullen and Gunning, where most of the crew stopped for afternoon tea. I kept on going and got home just in time to give the bike a quick wipe down and dash inside to watch the Melbourne F1 GP. 
It had been another great day, joyous in its unpredictability and exciting in its drug-assisted, knife-edge execution. However, I hear that Chas is now fully recovered so, sadly, we might never see the likes of this again.

Ian Paterson

The riders were:

• Chas Towie                     ST1300
• Garry McCurley               VFR1200
• Mike & Sharon Kelly         Thunderbird 1600
• Mick & Kipper Beltrame    Victory XC
• Ian Paterson                   GL1800
• Neil McRitchie                 GTR1400
• Craig Fraser                    GL1800
• Peter Arday                     ST1300 
• Kris Jirasek                     GSXR1300
• Clive King                       R1100R
• Les & Julie Robinson        Trophy SE
• Trevor X                         R9T
• Andrew Campbell            FJR1300

Ride to Junee Sunday 12 March 2017

With the start of a beautiful day we set off from the Caltex Gold Creek Village. Destination - Junee. 

Peter Arday took on responsibility of Ride Leader and led us all off towards Harden where we stopped at the Terracotta Café for coffee, cake and a chin wag. I have to say the cake was exceptional and recommend it to
any who may pass through that way.

We then headed down Burley Griffin Way to Wallendbeen, then turning onto the Olympic Highway and riding towards Junee. Fresh road kill was plentiful and the aroma was simply divine. 

Arriving at Junee, after a very hot ride we discovered that the temperature was 35.3 C. We fuelled up the bikes rehydrated with some cold water and headed off for lunch.

Quite a pretty place Junee, the big trees providing a great spot to park the bikes

around the corner from The Railway Cafe where we enjoyed a meal of sandwiches, squid and Bacon and Egg rolls all washed down with milks shakes of varying flavours. Apart from Mr Arday who enjoyed his 4th or was it 5th cup-otea for the day. He was heard to mutter several times, “Gee that tea was good, very very good!”

We enjoyed some tall stories about everything from bikes to bungy-jumping. After a delightful lunch we walked back to the bikes, geared up for the trip home and decided to skip a stopover at Jugiong due to the heat.

We rode via the Gundagai Rd then on to Nangus Rd following the beautiful and scenic Murrumbidgee River into Gundagai, then onto the Hume Highway and home.

Everyone enjoyed the day, all helped along by Peter’s wonderful leading skills and dry wit.

Jeff Heiler

Riders:

• Peter Arday ST13 
• Trevor McLeod FJR1300
• Craig Fraser Honda 
• Sandy Fisk Triumph Speedmaster
• Michael Winters Triumph 
• Maritta Heiler Kawasaki 900
• Jeff Heiler Triumph Rocket 3

Ride for 11 March cancelled - New Ride details!!!

 Please note that the previously advertised weekend ride to Mt Hotham has been cancelled due to a conflicting event organised for cyclists by Cycling Victoria.


Ride Coordinator Dave Formica has sent through the following change  of ride detail -  the blog calendar entries and Facebook will be updated shortly.

Date: 12th March 2017
Destination: Junee
Leave: Nichols 9.00am
Lunch: tba
Leader: tba
Approx kms: 444

It should be possible to catch part of Junees weekend celebration!

Canowindra Ride (5 March 2017)

From a gully in the middle of the highway appears a vehicle of the constabulary and as it hits the concrete road surface the blue and red lights come on. I'm ahead of myself so let's start at the beginning.

I arrived at the Caltex service station in Nicholls at 8:30. Surprise, I'm the first to arrive. I thought, ok I have time and will wait, they have either left earlier or it's a later start. Either were possible as the Ulysses site didn't have a depart time. Bikes start arriving so there's a ride on. Ian send word that he will not be able to lead the ride as he was injured. Apparently Ian had a fight with an inanimate piece of furniture resulting in a broken toe. Who knows what injuries Ian would have sustained if the furniture fought back. Get well soon Ian. In light of this new information and the unfortunate timing of Trevor arriving to fuel up the group unanimously voted Trevor as the new ride leader. He was advised of this outcome when he walks over to the group. Well done and thank you Trevor for taking on the role, be it reluctantly. Seven bikes and eight people ready to enjoy a days riding. What could go wrong? Read on. I take up the Tail end Charlie role.

Quick weather report, partly cloudy 28 degrees with a chance of storms in the afternoon. 

So we head out with our newly elected ride leader but as we reach Hall one of our group turns around and heads home. Bike problems I think. We continue out through Murrumbateman heading down the highway to our turn off to Binalong. Before we pass Yass on the highway I gently apply my brakes as the police car enters the highway. I'm not sure how many of you do this, most I would assume, but the first thing through my head was, speeding and quickly check the speedometer. Then wondered if they were waiting for me to pass them so they could flag me down but no, they accelerate down the road. Were they going after Trevor at the front and would we all get to have our registration and licence checked after being pulled over. None of these, a car travelling faster than us and texting. The latter detail I found out at our morning tea stop in Boorowa.

A brief stop at the Superb Bakery in Boorowa where we discussed the previous events and progressed to the joys and challenges of bringing up adult children. No solution there so don't ask us.

Leaving Boorowa we exchanged waves with some children playing in their front yard. We headed along Rugby and Frogmore Roads making our way to Cowra. Frogmore, a small town of 50 people, copper was mined in the late 1800's and requires your speed to be reduced to 60km/h as you pass through the area. The significance of this fact will be revealed later. 

Traveling along these country roads and looking across the countryside at the hills eroded down by the weather to reveal granite boulders and covered in straw coloured grass and small clumps of eucalyptus trees. What a beautiful country to live in and a great day to be riding under blue sky's punctuated by white fluffy clouds. Through Darbys Falls which appears to be home to a public observatory to Cowra and a small population of 150 souls.
 
We make our way into Cowra and Murphy's Law finally strikes. Tail end Charlie can be be a very relaxing when on a ride with the club but you are reliant on your corner markers to keep the group together. I unfortunately found myself behind a Cowra local who was not quick enough to make a left turn in the main street and I had to wait while the rest of our group rode on. Little did I know that the group had stopped for fuel but for me there was no sign of them. As I proceeded down the main street I took the right turn to Canowindra as it was clearly sign posted. I asked myself where was the corner marker but assumed as the road was clearly marked they had carried on. Not so. After travelling a few kilometres out of town I decided there was a problem and returned to find the group parked waiting for me. One of our group started searching for their lost comrade, AKA me. Unfortunately they did not follow on to Canowindra and lunch with us but I am grateful to them for taking the time to make the search.
 
Lunch in Canowindra at Taste Canowindra was nice be it taking a while to be prepared. We left about quarter past two back to Cowra and then back along the Lachlan Valley Way to Boorowa. The skies began to darken but remained rain free so still great riding weather. 

Along the Way we passed through a few small town one of which had a population of just 40 people and here is the significance of Frogmore. At just 40 people the speed limit through this small town was only reduced to 80 km/h. As I passed through the the town my mind enquires is the magic population number 50 or more to slow traffic to 60km/h and if so it's interesting that speed limits are modelled around population and not road conditions or safety consideration. I'm sure that's not the case but isn't it nice to clears ones head and just let silly thought come and go in you mind. I think that is what riding does for you. Allows you to be in the moment.

As we approach Yass a spattering of rain began hitting my visor and helmet. Curse you weather man for being sort of right. Thankfully the heavy rain held off and I, and I assume my other travellers, arrived home safe, dry and sound.
Special thanks to Trevor for the lead and the group for a fun and entertaining day.

Ride often ride safe.

The riders were:

• Trevor McLeod FJR 1300
• David Dawson 1200GS
• Jim Bass C50 Boulevard
• Garry McCurley VFR 1200
• Natalie TeBay VFR 1200 (pillion)
• Kris Jirasek GSXR 1300
• Les Robinson Triumph Trophy
• Andrew Campbell FJR 1300

 

Yadboro Flats Reconnoitre 23-24 February 2017

In preparation for the overnight camping trip in April, Leo Farrelly, Kim Nichols and I decided to do a reconnaissance ride to Yadboro Flat, about thirty kilometres west of Milton, in the Yadboro State Forest. 

We met at Bungendore on the Thursday morning and headed off to Braidwood for the obligatory coffee and bun at the bakery before topping up our fuel. From Braidwood it is about forty kilometres down the Kings Highway to the locality of Currowan and the start of the dirt. Actually, the dirt started before the top of the Clyde where a considerable amount of road work is underway.

We stopped at the start of the Western Distributor Road and deflated our
tyres some in preparation for the challenge. It was a lovely day but it was
definitely heating up. The road is exceptionally well maintained being a logging road but pretty much just a single lane so we were very wary of any vehicles
coming the other way, sticking as far left as possible on right hand bends and crests. 

We took our time and enjoyed some spectacular views. Navigation was also very easy as the roads are well sign posted and we were soon down at the Long Gully Picnic Area for lunch where a Lace Monitor decided to join us.

From our lunch spot it was a short ride to the Yadboro Camping Area and we arrived at approximately 2 pm. It is quite a large area on both sides of the road with oodles of sites all with fire places. However, a solid fuel fire ban was in place so a campfire that evening was out. There are also two well maintained drop toilets. 

We soon set up our camp and, as it was very hot, wandered down to the Clyde River where we spent the greater part of the afternoon paddling, chatting, reading and Kim even went for a swim in a lovely spot just upstream from the bridge. We were also suitably entertained by wrens, kookaburras, parrots, currawongs and magpies. Eventually, we ambled back to camp and prepared and ate our respective dinners before retiring to our billion star accommodations.

Friday morning was warm and dry but overcast. We soon breakfasted, packed up and set off again. We wanted to take a look at the Blue Gum Flat Camp Ground but we were at the Pigeon House Carpark before I realised I had missed the turn. It was decided that it could wait until next time so we rode up to the Pigeon House Carpark where some signage informed us that it was about a three hour return walk to the summit.

It was a lovely ride along the dirt until we reached the bitumen outside of Milton where we soon reinflated our tyres and fuelled up. We headed north and decided to take the Twelve Mile Road, dirt again, through to the Nerriga. Along the way we stopped to take the short walk to view Granite Falls then headed for the George Boyd Lookout where we discovered the road was closed due to bridge work so after taking in the view we headed back to the Princes Highway and north to the Turpentine Road. From there we headed for Nerriga and along the way had a short stop at Tianjara Falls. The Nerriga Hotel served up a great lunch. 

Suitably replenished, we rode back to Bungendore via Oallen Ford and Tarago where we went our separate ways.

If the ride in April goes as adventurous but uneventful as this ride was it will be magnificent.

Peter Thomas

The Reccy Riders were:
Kim Nichols Suzuki V Strom 1000
Leo Farrelly BMW R1200GS
Peter Thomas BMW F800GS