A good day for riding, cold enough to wear protective gear comfortably without getting cold. Six bikes turned up and we set off via the old highway, onto Appin Road then through Broughton Pass and across to Douglas Park. I avoided the poor road to Menangle but the people who complain about it weren’t there anyway.
From Douglas Park we went up to Menangle, past the uni farm and then left at the big roundabout to head towards Picton via the old razorback road, turned up Bakers Lodge Rd and then along the Mowbray Park road to Thirlmere where we followed the railway line to Hill Top. This road has been largely retarred and is now a comfortable ride. We saw three different highway patrol cars (we were a bit lucky with one of them – I assume he recognised us as law abiding citizens) which was a change from the last few Thursdays when we saw a lot of radar vans but few police.
Met up with Mark at Hill Top and had a look at his new goldwing – probably not a bike I would buy but an impressive beast on many levels. Had a longish chat at mornos before heading to Kangaroo Valley. Jim A went home from Hill Top and Craig B left soon after Moss Vale. The rest of us rode down the South Road to Mittagong, then onto Berrima via the Greenhills Road. Although there was a U turn needed it wasn’t because I was lost, it was because the road was lost.
After going to Moss Vale, we then continued to Sutton Forrest, Exeter and then down Nowra Road to Barrengary. A lot of road work and we got to ride on dirt for a few short distances. We actually copped at least five temporary traffic lights during the day. A bit of a pain in the bum but at least we get better roads.
A liesurely lunch at one of the KV cafes before parting company with Mark. We rode to Berry via Wattamulla Road and then a quick detour through Broughton Village. This section of the old highway is well worth a detour. After that we just rode back up the highway to Heathcote where we said our farewells. A good days ride that I throughly enjoyed. It feels like the Thursday rides are functioning smoothly again.
Jim Sutherland
