Original destination for this Wednesday ride was the Schmokin Motorbike Cafe in Berrima, but this was cancelled due to wet weather overhanging NSW anywhere north of Canberra. To emphasize this a very dark mass of cloud activity was overhanging the immediate area north of our departure point namely the BP garage in Watson. Still five of us had gathered to decide on a ride out West for the day instead where the weather was somewhat better, at the very least no heavy rain.
It was eventually decided to ride to Uriarra Crossing and Mountain Creek road to head towards Yass, then on to Long Track Pantry for coffee, a favourite stop in Jugiong. After a chat we would then head for Jackson Bakery in Harden for lunch. Roughly a 320km + ride for the day.
Once mounted, we made our way back across Canberra suburbs towards the Uriarra Crossing and on to Mountain Creek road. These roads and the area are a gem to ride through with sweeping farm lands across the Yass Valley well away from traffic and the hum drum of suburbia. On Wee Jasper road things got a little more interesting as just after crossing Lake Burrinjuck over the historic Taemas Bridge we had signage to slow us down to 40 as we wound our way up the escapement.
Here we found speed restrictions in force due to what initially looked like a major car accident scene but on closer inspection while riding through it looked more like a large paramedic rescue exercise with a car on its side but tethered on the very edge of the escapement with groups of people positioned around the scene and even some dressed mannequins on the side of the road. This was a major topic of discussion once in Jugiong as we tried to figure out just what we witnessed.
Much later however, once home I found out from my wife initially and then the Canberra Times online that ‘Home and Away’ where staging an accident scene that week along Wee Jasper Road for the new series of the show. The web page also mentioned locals were up in arms about it noting it was their only access route into and out of Yass. The things you see on Ulysses rides, we could have been stars in the next series of ‘Home and Away!
The Long Track Pantry
The only rain (really slight drizzle) we hit on the ride was in Yass proper which persisted until we got to the Hume highway and heading south to Jugiong. We joined the Hume and fell into line behind a spotless BMW highway patrol car which seemed to be happy to escort us at a distance all the way down to and on into Jugiong town. They also stopped for morning tea at the Long Track Pantry but thankfully later declined to follow us on up to Harden. The Pantry was humming as usual, never short of patrons even in the week.
The
Jugiong road up to Harden was as usual simply superb with its sweepers. Once in
Harden we refuelled then headed on up to Jackson Bakery. As forecast the
north-westerly wind were starting to build. The Bakery is another biker
friendly cafe which provides good and hearty street food and plenty of seating
out doors in their garden. As we were getting ready in the wind to mount for
home we had the good fortune to briefly exchange greetings with some riders
just arriving from Wagga. They were heading on up through NSW to Queensland.
They had decided to travel inland away from the Low pressure belt overhanging
the Sydney basin and the East Coast. We wished them luck and departed.
The Jackson Bakery and the outside garden area.
The return ride was uneventful except for the gusts of wind on our Port (left) bow as we made our way home along Burley Griffin Way, the Hume and Barton Highways into Canberra.
Overall, we managed to turn what could have been a very wet and uncomfortable ride to Berrima, into a great regional ride even though it was a familiar favourite route. We also had plenty of opportunity to discuss just what we saw on the road as well as sought out the troubles of the world and more importantly our next bikes. Again it is very hard to beat a mid week ride where tourist traffic is light.
Warren
The Weather: Top 21 degrees, overcast scattered showers.
Overall Distance finally traveled: 325 kms
Ulysses Riders:
- Kevin Sherman Indian Scout
- Dave Mossman BMW 1250RS
- Chris Dietzel Kawasaki GTR 1400
- Hartmut Kehm BMW R1250GS
- Warren Richer Triumph Thruxton R1200
