As seems to be the case of recent Easter trips it had to rain but from Sydney it was fine however as we went on it became more threatening, it seemed we were able to be in front of the rain or behind it for all of the ride south except for a shower just as we arrived in Jindabyne

On Good Friday morning the first meeting point was the Mobile Service center at Pheasants Nest on the Hume Highway, just out of Sydney.  Mark and I arrived at the first meeting place on 9.15am. A bit late. I was not sure if all were going to be there. Thierry and Luke were going to meet Johan at Wollongong, Brad was meeting the ACT crowd early on and making separate ways. A few had said they would meet us at Pheasants Nest. At the meeting point I got a message from Steve he had taken the wrong turn but he was soon with us. I figured Noel was late and would meet us latter.

At the appointed time of 9.30 with 14 bikes we set off for Goulburn. We set James at the front and me at the back to tread our way through the traffic to Goulburn. The traffic was not that bad a bit more than normal but we made excellent time arriving around 10.35 at the service station. After fuel we stopped for some food and coffee taking over a large table in the road house. There was no sign of the other Macquarie pass group and I  left phone messages. I found out that Noel was not leaving Sydney till after 12 noon.

Our group set off for Queanbeyan via Targo and Bungendore. It was a line of bikes, that snaked its way around the back of Goulburn and we virtually stayed as one line all the way to Queanbeyan a police car meet us just on the exit to Targo and we “sedately” motored our way along the country road. The road was very wet but no rain it seems we avoided the rain this trip so far. The Queanbeyan stop we pulled into the service station for quick refuel. The word from the coast group was they were late and go on without them so it was off to Cooma and lunch

From Queanbeyan the ride to Cooma was a little cooler, still overcast but no rain which made riding pleasant. The ride was uneventful and the traffic light allowing us to make exceptional time. We arrived at Cooma at 2.10pm and our regular cafe for lunch. Lunch was fairly quick for a big. After lunch it was a quick ride south straight down the road so to speak to Jindabyne.

It was a nice ride south with virtually no traffic again the group was mostly all together for the first turnoff at Jindabyne around 3.40pm and the short ride to our accommodation at Sonnblick Lodge, with rain falling for the last ride over the dam wall. Bev and Ken our hosts came out to greet us as. They welcomed us back to Jindabyne and Sonnblick. It was a family reunion Bev and Ken were keen to make us feel at home. After unpacking and settling into our pleasant accommodation we all congregated down stairs for a pre dinner drink and talk about the ride down. The coast group arrived about 4pm. We settled in for the night with dinner being served at 7pm and Noel and Justin arrived at 7.30pm. It was very relaxing for all and much talk. Saturday start time was set at departure from the petrol station at 9.30pm.

Saturday – as always our full cooked breakfast was awaiting us at 8am. As the group slowly walked in at varying times to the dining room Bev and Ken our hosts made sure we were well looked after with toast, cereals and a full hot breakfast of eggs, bacon and cooked tomatoes. Bev had made our lunches again this year so we did not have to worry about lunch issues with such a big group- Thierry and Phil carried all the lunches for us. After Breakfast we got ready for the days ride, at the petrol station our 20 bikes (James and Stephen out to take photos) set off for Adaminaby, stopping at the Berridale turn off to make sure we were all together.  . The ride to Adaminaby was uneventful except for the red police car that wanted to pull us all over I stead he stopped Steve and gave him a warning After 45 minutes taking in the sights of the Adaminaby Easter Show, we thought it was time to move on. (The groups view was the coffee has not improved). The planed ride for the day was along the Snowy Mountains Highway to Kiandra, regroup and then onto the Tumut  for lunch. A brisk ride over the mount tops and down into Tumut was fun. Lunch was in the park and talks of the ride over the mountains. The group split into three for the ride back. One straight back the others various ways around through Batlow the longest was to Khancoban Dead horse gap and Jindabyne.

It was a grand ride out along the Snowy Mountains highway and the rain came only on the last of the way home virtually no traffic.  A great ride up through the forests taking in the great scent of the eucalyptus over the top of the mountain and down to Tumut. The lunch Bev had prepared for us and carried by Thierry and Phil was much appreciated.

Even though some of us have done it for a number of years the road is still one of the best rides.

That night dinner was booked for us by Bev at the pub so we went early for some drinks for an 8pm dinner. The food was average pub food but most of us were still on a high from another great ride in the snowies. There were lots of different conversations some planning for Sunday others talking about the day’s events and other topics of conversation.

Sunday was the typical rest day or ride day depending on what took your fancy. James, Luke, Thierry (Air France) with Johan as pillion with a large group set off for the coast. A few others stayed in Jindabyne (Mark, Rowan, Brad, Jon, Stephen, Phil, Bruno and Marty) while Neil and Phil had to set off for home.

As normal our Sunday night BBQ was great and we thanked our hosts for their great hospitality. It was decided that if Bev and Ken still own the place next year its back to Jindabyne (only two would like another place) Others can write about there Sunday experience the Monday ride home

Thanks for all the messages saying you had a great time and got home safely. It was another great Easter weekend.

See you next Easter, Rowan