The route was out via Barton and Hume Highways to Jugiong for a coffee at The Long Track Pantry, then up Jugiong Road to Murrumburrah for Lunch at the Barnes Store Emporium Cafe.
Sunday turned out to be a great day with a top temperature of 28 for Canberra and 34 for our destination. The ride was brought forward an hour the week before in order to cater to a coffee stop at the Long Track Pantry in Jugiong. All up 19 riders (including Jenny there to guide us on our way) turned out, 13 for 0930 departure and 5 at the original departure time. A big thank you to Jenny who volunteered to hang around to welcome and guided those 5 riders towards Murrumburrah via Burley Griffen Way in order to meet up with the rest of us at roughly the same time.
So 13 rides hit the road at 0935 following the early morning parade and briefing. The ride down the Barton and Hume highways was an uneventful 110 Kms to Jugiong. So the coffee stop at the Pantry turned out to be a welcome break for all. Jugiong is a popular stop for highway travellers and the regional locals familiar with the boutique Hotel and the Pantry.
At this stop Jenny texted me to let me know of the extra 5 riders. As the original booking for lunch was approx 8, l forwarded on to the Murumburra cafe a revised number of 18. You could hear some excitement on the other end of the phone. Not sure what about?
After about 30 minutes at the Pantry with a good coffee and chin wagging it was decided to give the sweepers up Jugiong road a go. Surprisingly there was no Mining Trucks barrelling down the road at a 100plus. Obviously they were not working on the weekend. However about half way along, life suddenly turned horrible for a selected few. Just as we were enjoying the dips and bends of this great country road a blowfly infested semi-trailer fll of sheep swung slowly on to Jugiong road on a bend splitting our team up for the remainder of the journey. Those poor suckers stuck behind the sheep truck to Harden needed a hose down, CPR and oxygen on arrival at the Cafe before they could eat.
On arrival at the Cafe we were met by the tail end 5 who came straight up via Burley Griffin Way. After some friendly banter on the topic we finally got stuck into lunch. The Barnes Store were ecstatic that 18 Ulysses Rides arrived to dine in their cafe and later on leaving they stated they would be only to happy to cater for us again anytime in the future.
Once outside and before we split up for the return we got a snap shot outside the cafe. After this the team slip into those wishing to head back via Burley Griffen Way and those wishing to go via more country back roads such as Cunningar and Kalangan roads into Galong then home. Kerry and Janet decided to ride on further to get a couple kilos of cherries before returning home. It was the remaining team of seven who returned via the beautiful back roads to the quiet little town of Galong. We were ultra quiet going through so as not to wake anybody.
Once finally back on the Hume near Yass three of the seven including myself decided we needed another coffee break in Yass before we finally parted ways for home. Overall it proved a great day for a bike ride in the country, just next time we need to ensure we avoid any sheep trucks.
Riders
- Warren Richer Triumph Thruxton R 1200
- Hartmut Vehm BMW R1250 GS
- Kerry Mulgrue Honda ST 1300
- Janet Mulgrue AN650
- Steven Bardwell Moto Guzzi California
- Chas Towie Honda ST1300
- Anthony Hanson BMW R1200 RT
- David Burfoot Boulevard L50
- Peter Ongley Ducati Monster 659
- Kevin Sherman Indian Scout 1200
- Derek Titheradge Spyder
- Andrew Campbell BMW R1250 RS
- Ken Dalbroi BMW R1200 RS
- John Grace Triumph Tiger 1200
- Robert McNeilly VFR800
- Mike & Sharon Kelly Triumph 1600
- Neil McRitchie GTR 1400
- Jenny Carlin Guardian Angel for ride of the day
