• Home
• News
• Upcoming Rides & Events
• Ride & Event Reports
• Meet The Gang
• Where to Ride ?
• How to Contact Us
• Links
• Voting / Online poll
• Help and Info

What a night!

Sydney put on another fantastic night for Mardi Gras 2009. With some last minute but welcome additions to our group we met at our first meeting point to make roll-call and decorate our bikes. After receiving a call from Mardi Gras shortly before 5pm to say they were ready for us, we made our way to Driver Avenue for a brief stop to store our helmets, bags and to make those last minute but all important wardrobe changes.

Riding the very short distance to our marshalling area, we lined up behind 250+ Dykes on Bikes and proceeded to wait patiently for our run of the Oxford Street strip. We waited with baited breath for the local constabulary for licence and alcohol tests, alas, maybe next year. The atmosphere was very relaxed and we enjoyed a selection of food and drinks to pass the time.

Almost like a scene out of the Lion King, we heard in the distance the roar of the engines from the lead riders of Dykes on Bikes and with this the anticipation started to build. Unfortunately for us our enthusiasm was soon dimmed as a false start was declared. We didn’t have to wait too much longer as we saw in the distance the first of the Dykes taking off down Flinders street. From what started out as a slow start, we quickly made our way to Flinders Street and then single file headed down the parade route to the screams of the welcoming crowds. A slow but non-stop run down Flinders and onto Oxford Street followed where we came to rest in front of the Amex building on Liverpool st. This is where the rev-off occurred between a select few Dykes and of course the Boys. It was the medieval battle of good vs. evil. Without taking sides, I am confident the clear winners were the Boys with the applause metre tripping between Luke (TUSH) and Jon (MY-Z10).

After waiting a short time, batch by batch the Dykes started to take off back down Oxford Street. This gave us enough room to complete our u-turn and re-group ready for the return assault back down the parade route.

Making short stops along the way and to the revs of our trusty steeds, the crowd cheered and jeered – they were in fine form tonight!

Keegan made an instance impression with the large screen in Taylor Sq sporting an ear to ear grin and enjoying what appeared to be the time of his life. I am sure this was a Kodak or should I say Foxtel moment...

The crowd didn’t let up as we turned into Flinders Street and they kept us going all the way to the end of the parade route and back to our marshalling area.

After stripping our bikes of most of our decorations we said our goodbyes and made our way into the night.

A huge thank you to Warren and Gus for getting behind the wheel of our support vehicle. Luckily our only use for the support vehicle was for the storage of our equipment.

A VERY big thank you to Antoun, C/- Bakerman Patisserie at 65 Erskineville Road, Erskineville for all the food and nibbles. Ensure you drop by for their scrambled egg breakfast, a personal favourite of mine and to sample their homemade pies, pastries and specialty foods (yes, this is a plug!)

Ajay has made a video of the night which can be viewed at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aMpY74zyn0w

I sincerely hope everyone enjoyed their parade run for 2009 and I look forward to seeing everyone on the roads in the coming year.

Be sure to register early next year for Mardi Gras 2010!

Ride Safe!
Brad (R1)