Bowning - 20 Jan 2010

Riders
Len Skipper - 2007Triumph Bonnie T100
Phil Dawes - 2002 Yamaha FJR 1300
Graham Knox - 2009 BMW F800ST
Lorraine Litster - Triumph Sprint 950
Denis Murphy - Triumph Sprint ST 1050
Stan Perry - 1990 Yamaha FJ1200
Ernie Seary - 2001 BMW R1150RT

Seven stalwart southsiders shaped up to sup at the slab sided Bowning cafe today. It was a delightful ride to Bowning for lunch atthat now familiar rustic iron bark cafe, served by lovely ladies dressed in period attire of black frock, white frills and milk-maid caps. A charming atmosphere it was, suited to having thoughts of renewing one's wedding vows or to re-bond with one's grown up daughter. Amongst the other distinguished mature clientele, the bike-attired group might havefelt a bit out of sync but as always was made very welcome and provided with the friendly service and suitable lunch options.

While the ride started from the usual EPIC servo site, now being redeveloped, it was necessary to ride up the road a little to the next servo to fuel up and survey for a possible alternative assembly site. As this showed little potential being short of space and shade, the thought of a southside assembly site remained on the agenda should relocation be required.

The route selected for the ride was via Gunning, Dalton, Hume Highway, Yass Vally Way through Yass and on to Bowning. There was a minor wake-up on the sharp left hander after the railway crossing out of Gunning on a full width patch of fine loose road surfacing with the leaders dealing with some minor front wheel side slipout before proceeding on. Other than the need for a couple of push starts on one of the bikes with a lazy battery, there were no reported chariot misbehaviours.

The return ride was via that Barton Speedway and GDE to the south and some strong side gusts made for added interest. One highlight was the first ride on the new stretch of wide road between Murrumbateman and Hall. Road works on the Glenlock Interchange on the GDE continued to cause a bottleneck, though manageable at the off-peak time we passed by.

While the day warmed towards its predicted 31 degrees as the ride progressed, it could hardly have been a better one for being out on ones bike, clear, comfortable and quiet - a pearler. And Mike Carmody's lapel flower might well have been .........

Denis Murphy