So, some old (oooops I should say familiar) faces and some new. Welcome to the new riders.

 

Rowan made a brief appearance at the Newtown hotel to tell us that our leader James was sick. Thierry was democratically appointed by Rowan to lead the ride. We started at 9AM in clear traffic. It must be the effect of the financial crisis. Headed to Mc Grath Hill via the Harbour Bridge, Lane Cove tunnel, M2, Old Windsor road. After a regroup and refuel for some, we hit the putty road with a clear run to the Halfway house.  Surprisingly, there were only a few bikes there. Too cold for the straight ones?????

 

After some refreshment and I must say little eye candy, we said our goodbyes to Johan who decided not to make it the long way back home. Antoun decided to test ride Peter's K1200 and they swapped. We were back on the road to Singleton. Right turn at Milbrodale to Broke and then Wollombi. We stopped at the usual cafe on the right hand side, on the hill on Wollombi road (I think it's called Shea's cafe). Fortunately we could get the outside tables at the bottom and made a big group. It took a while to get the food, but everyone seemed happy and chatted away while waiting. We headed back at 2.30pm and decided after some arm twisting to go to Pies in the sky for farewell.

 

The day had gone too well to be without drama. Just after Laguna, I found a group of 4 bikes stopped on the side. Peter's K1200 decided that it needed a new tyre and Antoun had to stop because of a slow air leak. Peter decided that he would not be stopped by machinery. He rode the K again and headed for the next petrol station. There, the air pump was not working and he decided to keep going to the next, which was closed. We ended up at the regroup point in Calga where everyone else was waiting. There, Johannes christened his special air pump which worked for...1second before its fuse blew. That's what you get for buying after market tools!!!! Richard was the savoir with his air bottle kit and the tyre was pumped again in seconds. All was good and the ride to Pies in the sky via Mount White (the cafe is still closed there) was uneventful. The pies were good and also the eye candy with Peter, Antoun and Richard being very discreet with one of the cute bikers there.

 

We all said goodbye there, and Peter confirmed he arrived home safely and already had a new tyre fitted.

 

Thank you to everyone for a great day.

See you on the next ride

Thierry