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See the Photo's from the May 2000 trip
See the trip outline.
20th/21st May 2000.
The conscripts:
Saturday was an early start for some – the two lovebirds slept in.
Must remember to get Telstra to do the early morning calls. Richard decides
to get there early (7:50am), in order to meet Brendan’s commitment
of being there – "sipping coffee at 8:15". David turns
up at 8:10 and we wait – final push off is around 8:50am with Rob
being met on route at South Camden.
The fastest regroup of 30 seconds results in Rob setting the pace up
Razorback on the SPS. The joy of straight-lining the corners up Razorback
sets the scene for the day – with the unfortunate result of Rob/Richard/David
scurrying away at a rapid rate to Picton.
Here stuff-up-1 occurs – despite the route saying "via Picton
to Thirlmere" – Brendan and the dynamic duo turn-off for Wollongong
– mental note – compass’ next time.
At the turnoff for Thirlmere, Rob in a reverie continues straight with
David and Richard hauling on the brakes for the turnoff – Come on
Rob look and turnaround. Richard decides to chase Rob and David waits
for the Brendan/Tim/Claire show – who naturally don’t show as
they have taken another turnoff.
15KM’s later while not really going WFO, Richard catches Rob at
a turnoff.
Rob goes "whoops" about not looking behind and a check of the
Voicemail reveals a message from Brendan saying to meet at Peter’s
due to the stuff-up – no thought is given to David.
More mistakes result in a partial regroup at Peter’s house. Then
a game of lets find David at the turnoff. Which turn off was under question,
but with more communication via mobile we met at the turn to Kangaroo
Valley. The run through Old South Rd was not as much fun due to the confusion
– even though Brendan and Rob claim they got some air over the dip
on the bridge - impressed even while doing the speed limit. (There is
no proof of that, not guilty! –Bren)
The start of Kangaroo Valley and "F" for fun is wound on –
the ride up to the top of the escarpment is a hoot despite some traffic
– Tim gets baulked on an overtake – since Richard has committed
to the turn he blasts by. The down run to Nowra is a tad nervous due to
the road not seeing sun now for some months – dewy roads and hard
braking do not mix and all take it easy – even Rob on the all conquering
Duke.
A regroup for fuel discovers no Premium – so those on short tanks
top up on regular with the plan to top up at Ulladulla after lunch.
The run to Ulladulla is uneventful and some of the winter gear is dispensed
with to allow us to enjoy the mild autumn sun. Lunch at Ulladulla at the
over generous fish n’ chip shop doesn’t disappoint and the seagulls
are left with the half of our meal to ensure they don’t starve –
as if.
Richard gives a local estate agent a scare by sauntering in in full kit
to ask for a pointer for fuel – don’t want to buy the place
– just eat your kids.
Bikes are refuelled and it’s off – Rob/David/Richard start
the cracking pace – the others electing to tone it down for later
– no plod so let’s have some fun.
A quick regroup further on to make sure all is OK and we are on again
towards Batemans Bay and the Cooma turnoff.
Richard had to get out of the way at the turnoff up the Snowy Mountains
Hwy and Tim rockets past oblivious to where he was heading – David
down shifts twice and nearly has the ZX9 on its back wheel as he attempts
a quick pursuit. Within 5 minutes we are back again – riding flat
chat into the setting sun.
Brendan and Rob set the pace and before long we reach the start of Brown
Mountain. Based on the February run a more conservative approach is taken
– still a brisk result is obtained with a regroup at the top for
a visor change and thermals. The run into Cooma is a quick one and a refuel
on the outskirts is used to do a final fuelling for the day.
The run into Berridale is uneventful and the bikes are parked for the
night in the hotel manager’s garage at the back of the pub.
After changing from riding gear into casuals we discover the dining area
has been allocated to a wedding group and the locals are in town for a
band. The main bar – not bigger than the average lounge room is packed
and smoked filled as we attempt to order beers. We retreat to the back
room behind the toilets – of course! – to wait for the grill
to be fired up. Heating is on max and the liquid anaesthetic loosens everyone
as the days events are rencountered. All have had fun with no scares –
a good start for the trip. In total we were 1.5 hours later due to the
late departure and the muck around David copped from Richard.
The band was crap – visions of the scene in "Blues Brothers"
with the chicken wire would not have been inappropriate. We managed to
drown out the music with more beers and red wine – Peter sensibly
steered away from the red based on our two previous outings ruining his
Sunday mornings.
We agree to retire at about 10:30PM – the early morning and the
concentration of the day have left us all beat – the wine just relaxed
us – honest.
Sunday morning and we have slept in till 7:45am. We all shower and assemble
in the dining area for brekkie to be met by the bar staff who have been
up all night. Brendan’s cheery "Good morning" was met with
– "it’s only morning if you have been to bed". Seems
as though the locals made an evening of it and kept drinking through the
night – various beverages were still being served in the main bar.
Brekkie is completed and bags packed on to the bikes. Rob kindly backs
his bike onto the laneway before firing the Termi’s frightening one
and all. Bikes are gently warmed up before we rug up and push off in what
must be 5C as there is still a light frost on the ground.
Leaving Berridale is a quiet affair as we make the run to Adaminaby –
the scenery is spectacular – all sensible folk are in bed –
except for the odd local in a 4WD. A few damp patches cause us to use
caution as ice can still be about. Clare manages to avoid making road
kill of a fox that thought he could play chicken with her front tyre.
The run into Adaminaby sees us refuel before the most fun part of the
trip – the run to Tumut. Tim decides he and Claire need something
warmer and he departs to buy balaclavas. Tim does an impressive impersonation
of the masked man.
The run to Tumut begins with a run through some great twisities before
WFO is found and we are bounding along at limit of our steeds in this
altitude – Rob’s Duke with the fancy FI compensating admirably.
Brendan decides a regroup is in order so that he can get some flowing
video footage of all riders. Rob gets to do a few passes and has a hoot.
Coming to the end of the hilltops, Brendan out in front with David and
Rob in close pursuit decides to slow for the crest of a hill. Glancing
in the review of the CBR all that is seen is the head light of David and
a glimpse of Rob equally as close to David. A bigger gap is decided for
after that close call. The run down from the plateau is a tricky affair
with engine braking being used in preference to the front brake. Another
re-group at a lake and some photo’s and we are off again for Tumut
proper.
We all are mesmerised by the still clear air and the scenery of the place
is magical – there is no wind and the reflections off the lakes are
perfect mirrors of the surrounding landscape.
A stop and refuel at Tumut and a few laughs over the fox who was guarding
some road kill and we are off to Gundagai. We resist the temptation to
take the back route to Yass via Wee Jasper based on Rob’s recommendation
that the road is crap. We sadly put up with 140Km of freeway – hummph.
Refuel and Macca’s for lunch – yeck – and we are off to
take a side track via Gunning – note for next time, lunch at Gunning,
some nice olde worlde places.
The road to Goulburn has seen better days but like kids let loose with
their toys we are soon at it despite the cooler day.
A regroup before for some more highway and a refuel at Marulan before
going cross-country to Moss Vale. Tim and Claire depart at Marulan as
time is of the essence for them and they choose the freeway home.
A welcome leg stretch and coffee at Peter’s house and it’s
5PM with sun fast disappearing. The run through Old South Rd is complete
and a regroup and run to Picton occurs – Razorback is treacherous
in the dark.
At Picton, Richard goes point using the hi-beam of the CBR as the lead
we cruise finally into Narellen and make our goodbyes – somewhat
hurriedly due to the late hour – a gentle ale would have been more
fitting but maybe next time.
All round another winning ride.
Awards:
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Brendan still seems to have the fastest 600 - I am sure he’s
bored it out to 1000CC and has not let on about the fact.
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Rob who carries more corner speed than Sir Isaac Newton allows.
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David who thinks breaking for corners is for nonce’s.
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Claire who despite lacking a voice made up for it on the 650CC single
- squeaky Brembo’s and all.
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Tim - who was that masked man at Adaminaby - with the ever fuel efficient
VTR - NOT!
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Peter with the Staintune noisemaker who caught out the in-line fours
with the amazing TRX engine breaking.
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Richard for organising and trying to keep everyone running on time.
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That great person in the sky for giving us great roads to ride on
with matching weather - who ever he/she/it is.
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All of us for a sense of humor despite the cold and for not having
any major incidents despite David’s ZX9 wanting to introduce
the rear with the front.
By Richard Speedy.
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