Wednesday Ride Report - 29 April 2009

A social ride somewhere local +
A longer ride via Boorowa

Roll Call:
Jim Alexander BMW K75 (1985)
John Broad - Kawasaki W650 (2001)
Lorraine Lister - BMW K75 (1986)
Graham Knox - BMW F800ST (2009)
Denis Murphy - Honda CB1300 (2005)
Stan Perry - Yamaha FJ1200 (1989)
Floyd Primmer - BMW R80RT (1983)
Ernie Seary - BMW 1150RT (2001)
Len Skipper - Triumph Bonneville T100 (2007)

Apologies: None

Rally point: 10.00am from the Shell Fuel Station at EPIC

After the weekends diabolical conditions, although the rain was most welcome however, the wind was too wild for me to even consider to getting my wet weather gear out. After checking the club's website their was a few brave soles who should be awarded a medal for going out on the Loaded Dog pub run. Steve Keough had the best spot in the back-up vehicle, he must have known?

Jim Alexander joined us for the first time and this week was another first for the group. We had been taking about a bit longer ride then usual over the last couple of weeks before the weather gets too cold. And, those of us who chickened-out on Sunday's ride were in need of a bit more riding therapy.

The group split into two, one going to Bungendore and the other taking a longer ride. John, Stan and Ernie had to get back to town early in the afternoon and decided a shorter ride was more appropriate. We all headed off on the Barton Highway, the Bungendore group turned off at Nanima Road. The rest of us continued onto Yass then to Boorowa where we stopped for morning tea at the Bakers shop.

After a welcome cup of coffee pie, sausage roll and cake etc., we set off again for Rugby on the newly sealed roads. We stopped at couple of old country churches and wondered around grounds and grave yard. At Rugby we took the opportunity to take a group photograph before making our way to Crookwell for lunch. We stopped again on the outskirts of town for fuel after covering 195km.

We made our way to the local Pub in the High Street where we met Alan Lawrence who is the Shire Engineer, responsible for roads. He was very pro motorcyclists and mentioned the Shire was keen to encourage visitors to the district. The Shire has an ongoing road improvement programme and to seal the main dirt roads in the district.

The sun came out a couple of times during the ride but, was mostly overcast and cold. We were all kitted-up in our winter riding gear so no problems were incurred. The hot food served in pub was again just what was needed, good value and lots of it. Lorraine and I choose the Chicken and noodle soup with bread roll. Denis and Jim rated their Hamburger as five stars, Graham couldn't finish his cheese on toast. Not a word was muttered from Floyd while he consumed his pasta meal. That's not true really, however, he did rate it as excellent and good value for money.

Our ride home was non stop via Gunning and Gundaroo, the new bridge works just outside Gunning is progressing well with half of the road span beams now laid and awaiting delivery of the remaining beams onsite. The group travelled around 325km and home by about 4.15pm.

Len Skipper
30 April 2009