I knew at the start of this week I would be leading the ride but on what bike I was not sure. I am in the process of updating my bike and didn’t know if the dealer would have my new ride ready in time. If not, he assured me he would provide me with a bike. As it turned out I was on a Tiger 900 loaner on Saturday morning as I made my way to Heathcote.
A couple of minutes out I knew someone was trying to ring me as my watch was buzzing but with no intercom, I was unable to answer. I pulled into the garage and the gathered crowd started clapping and as I dismounted, I was advised there were concerns I would not make it, hence the phone call. Like a pack of brooding hens, the stories and theories as to my tardy arrival ranged from, fallen off his bike, no bike, bike wouldn’t start too just forgotten. Mind you I arrived ten minutes BEFORE departure time so I don’t know what all the fuss was about.
So right on time the magnificent seven headed off.
- Gorilla – Tiger 900
- Smoko – Yamaha FJR
- TT – Yamaha FJR
- Keith Ryan – BMW GS
- Col – BMW 800
- Brett – Triumph Bonneville
- Ron Alexander – Can Am
Down OPH to Appin Road, Broughton Pass and onto Douglas Park Road. From Douglas Park we head west on Menagle Road to join Picton Road and then Prince Street across the old bridge exiting on the roundabout to follow Thirlmere Way all the way into Tahmoor.
From here we took a left on Rockford Road flowing inot Arina Road and back onto Remembrance Drive for our ride through the Y towns and then into Balaclava for our brunch stop. Having never been to Samuel Gee’s before this was a test but first impressions were good. On the door painted on old fence palings was the menu and there would have to be at least 20 types of pies in addition to Cornish Pasties, Sausage Rolls and other pastries and cakes. Having placed our orders, we set up tables out the front and enjoyed our break. Must have passed muster because TT gave the café a 10/10 rating.
During these breaks you gain a wealth of information from our members, some fact and dare I say some fiction. Smoko said he was watching a man park his car and as he was walking to the café he was trying to lock his car by pressing the button on the remote, but the further away he walked it wouldn’t work so he did a U-turn and headed pack to the until he got within range for the remote to work. Smoko informed us all he had to do was hold the remote against his head and it would have locked his car…it is true he assured us, but I think there was some skepticism from the rest of us!
After our break and a pit stop at the garage (no toilets on site) we headed off to Range Road but unfortunately it was only open to local residents. So, it was back into Mittagong and then Bowral (not terrific on a Saturday morning at noon) where we turned onto Kangaloon Road. From here we turned onto Tourist Road to head down Mac Pass and into Dapto to join the highway and back home.
We had great weather, roads were good, traffic was reasonable, great group and a very decent pie for brunch. All the ingredients for a great day out and about on two wheels,
Catch you on a ride soon.
Cheers
Gorilla.
