Grenfell (cancelled) Ride and Decide (Young)
Shelbie McDonald was the only participant to turn up to the canceled ride on time – 08:50 for 09:00 departure. I was eleven minutes late and had I been twelve, I would have missed her riding away. We decided to do the planned ride anyway, or at least grab a coffee at Boorowa and work out what to do next.
There was a little light drizzle along the Lachlan Valley Way with the road being in comparatively good condition. Only a couple of reduce speed signs that could be safely ignored.
Coffee and a snack at the Supreme Bakery where we were treated to poetry from a local gent. I didn’t catch most of the words but apparently Shakespeare was born in Boorowa, although the ditty sounded more like Chaucer. The sun was definitely not over the yard arm at this time on a Sunday morning.
We decided that since Grenfell was still wet and the minor roads presented a mental challenge anyway, we would head for Young. As we were about to leave, Kerry and Janet Mulgrue pulled up. They were on the 09:20 for 09:30 ride and had also decided on bypassing Grenfell for Young. Skipping a coffee and fortunately also missing out on a reading from the Bard of Boorowa we headed for Young with a chance of Murringo markets along the way.
Murringo (without markets) to Young saw the first significant road damage so far with a short gravel section just out of town. The rest of the section had the occasional small pothole and washed-out verge but mostly very good for the area.
Lunch at Wilders Bakery Cafe in Young.
My bike (FJR) leaked coolant on arrival at Young. I suspected it was due to a blown fan fuse or faulty motor or relay but it stopped and was not a problem for the ride home. I had topped it up a week earlier but it knew best - back to minimum and happy. Further research showed purging excess coolant is common.
From Young we took Back Creek Road which in places was a little worse for wear and tear. Nothing else of note to report on the way to coffee, banana cake and fruit juice at the ‘Cafe on Queen’ at Binalong. Shelbie left early due to commitments and after refreshments the rest of us departed for Canberra. Illalong Road is still closed despite not be indicated as such on the NSW roads site. Traffic was good apart from the occasional car we couldn’t persuade to pass.
A very pleasant day in all respects –company, conversation, food, traffic and weather. Arriving finally in Canberra we parted at Kuringa Drive.
- Shelbie McDonald Kawasaki Z650
- Janet Mulgrue Kymko AK550
- Kerry Mulgrue CFMoto CF650MT
- Bob Mullett Yamaha FJR1300P
