A fine morning with some showers predicted for later in the day. It looked like a good morning for a coffee ride. Upon my arrival at Ampol, there were five other riders eagerly awaiting my arrival (not). I arrived at 8:55, and as I was the last to arrive, Col suggested that I should be the ride leader. I hadn’t led a ride this year, so after a quick briefing on my proposed route, the six of us departed.
The group consisted of Bullfrog, Gorilla, Bruce, Tunnel, Col, and myself. I led the group into the RNP at Waterfall, and we had a nice run down to the intersection with Lady Wakehurst Drive. However, I didn’t notice the small “road closed” sign opposite Waterfall PS as I was too busy checking for kids, cars, and keeping to the 40 kph limit. Lady Wakehurst Drive was closed to Stanwell Tops, so a “u-turn” was required, and we then had a nice run back up McKell Ave.
We rejoined our planned route at Helensburgh via the OPH, then Princess Highway, Picton Rd, Mt Kembla, and Five Islands Road back onto the Freeway southbound. We took the Minnamurra exit, taking Swamp Rd, which had a lot of traffic, then a nice run up and over Saddleback in the reverse direction to what we normally do and into Jamberoo. There was ample parking right outside the coffee shop, which should have its new air-conditioned room for weary motorcyclists open by winter. Council red tape caused the delay. After coffee and the usual banter, we rode north to Albion Park and then onto the freeway for home.
We lost Tunnel and Bullfrog at Wollongong, and the four of us stopped for goodbyes at Heathcote. No rain and nice temperatures made for a great ride. Thanks to all riders and Gorilla the TEC.
Cheers,
Red
