Wednesday Ride Report – 9 September 2009

A social ride to Bowning via Yass bypass

Roll Call:
Jim Alexander – BMW K75 (1985)
Phil Dawes – Yamaha FJR1300 (2004)
Lorraine Litster – Triumph T150 (1974)
Graham Knox – BWM F800ST (2009)
Floyd Primmer – BMW R80RT (1983)
Len Skipper – Triumph Bonneville T100 (2007)

Apologies: John Broad, Denis Murphy, Ernie Seary & Stan Perry

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

We have had heavy rain and showers over the last couple of days which has been good for the dams and gardens. The forecast for today was clearing conditions. However, early this morning it was clear and sunny and looked like a chance of an ideal biking day. By the time we had all arrived at the rallying point the clouds had rolled in. Our journey both outward and return was with overcast sky and a chance of showers, the temperature didn’t go much above the 7c.

We headed for the Federal Highway turning off at the Sutton junction travelling through the village and left onto Murrumbateman Road. Turning right just before the Murrumbateman village after covering 50km from rallying point. We continued on the Barton Highway bypassing Yass to Bowning.

Lorraine had suggested we try a new café venue at Bowning, just ten minutes from Yass, arriving at ‘Rollonin’ café we had covered 85km. The café is a newly built facility, based on a slab hut design (see photographs). The interior is themed with newspaper lined walls from the early 1900’s – 1950’s all reproduction, makes for interesting reading. All drinks, refreshment and meals are reasonably priced, for example, fish and chips with salad at $10.00

The owners, staff are friendly and welcome all visitors including old bikers like us. There is a pleasant outside seating area for warmer days. Today, the heating was nice and warm just what was needed after a chilly ride. We sat at their long table which is ideal for groups. A pleasant time was had chatting and enjoying the hot food and drinks. We discussed the club’s planned Northern NSW trip on 28 September – 2 October, two of the group and Lorraine who is organising the trip are going and look forward to warmer riding days and different byways.

We left after a couple of hours, making our way home through Yass for fuel and direct onto the Barton Highway. On today’s ride we had covered approx 147km back to EPIC.

Len Skipper
9 September 2009