Turned up at the Nicholls Ampol Garage just after 1000 to find Scott refuelling and shortly after Kevin arrived. Not long after Dave arrived, then it was two Triumphs namely George on his Tiger 800 and Mick on his TR6. By the time we grouped up and finished chatting we had six riders ready to hit the road by 1030 with the exception of Mick doing some minor adjustments to the 72 TR6 and checking the rear tyre for suspected slow leaks. The weather forecast was for a warm day but with BOM Warnings of high winds building up from Victoria, the Riverina up to and across the Southern Ranges just to make life interesting.
Once on the move we negotiated the road works along the Barton Hwy, a painful 60kph then 80kph stretch for about 10 kms before we were allowed to build up to the limit, a leisurely 100kph. Traffic at this time was light. At Murrumbateman however, things got a little busier with more traffic joining and a big bunch of riders joining from Sutton way.
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| The Long Track Pantry |
By the time we hit the outer Yass area the traffic started to clear a little. We persisted along the Hume highway south towards Jugiong. On arrival in Jugiong we were joined by Steven and his little touch of Italian flair, his elegant Moto Guzzi California. Being a little late that morning he had headed straight past Nicholls towards Jugiong thinking we had already departed the scene. In Jugiong, the Long Track Pantry was humming with local as well as interstate travellers, even the NSW highway patrol frequent it. After a coffee and chat outside in the sun about various topics including previous rides, live stock on country roads and of course phone reception out in the country we decided it was time to move on.
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| Chilled out at the Long Track Pantry |
The Jugiong road up to Harden was as usual simply superb with its sweepers however the wind was building up the higher and closer we got to Harden/Murrumburrah. Once in Harden some of us peeled off to refuel in Murrumburrah (and some air for Mick’s rear tyre) after which we headed on up into Harden to join the rest of the gang at Jacksons Bakery. The Bakery is another rider friendly cafe which provides great fresh food and plenty of seating out doors in their garden.
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| Jackson Bakery and the outside garden area |
After lunch, and because of the high winds we decided to stay off the great country lanes around here and just stick to the main roads for home. The concern being in the high winds obstructions on the country lanes. On departing Harden, Scott decided to head directly home down Burley Griffin Way. So the return ride for the remaining six was along Cunningar road towards outer Boorowa. This was exceptional with the added challenge of a fairly strong head wind. At the Boorowa turn off we spilled a right on to Lachlan Valley Way in order to head towards the Yass township for a last coffee stop at the Kaffeine 2582 cafe.
Overall, it was a great ride around the region even though it was windy and it was a familiar favourite route for many of us. Let’s face it, we all just wanted to get out on our bikes on any sweepers we could find in the country. That was definitely achieved by all and Mick’s TR6 blew us all away for a 1972 Triumph Bonneville. When Mick originally turned up on his one of many bikes, I must admit the thought had crossed my mind if it would self destruct on the ride. However in the end I was left feeling very impressed with its performance
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| At the Kaffeine Cafe in Yass. |
Again it is very hard to beat a mid week ride where tourist traffic is light even during the Christmas holidays.
Warren
Overall Distance finally traveled: 310 kms
Ulysses Riders:
- Kevin Sherman BMW 1250RS
- Dave Mossman BMW 1250RS
- Scott England BMW 1250RT
- Mick Kent Triumph TR6RV
- George Attard Triumph Tiger 800
- Steven Bardwell Moto Guzzi California
- Warren Richer BMW F900 XR
