Adelong - Ride Report, Sunday 8th May.

It was a crisp -3 degrees as we gathered at the start of the ride, even Kipper the dog had his coat on! But the sun was out and it looked like to weather would hold to bring us a nice day. As it was “Mothers Day” there may have been a few absentee regulars who had a better offer like; breakfast in bed or actually being the organiser of breakfast in bed. But it was a good turn out with ten riders participating in the ride and one Pillion Canine. Oh - I nearly forgot to mention, plus one A3 laminated colour photo of mother.

Those who rolled up for the ride included:
Ian Paterson GL 1800  Ride Leader
Michael Winters Triumph ST
Nick HicksK 1300 GT
Mick Beltrame + Kipper R 1150 GSA
Linda BlakeCBR 1000 F
Denis WignellFJR 1300
Peter ArdayXVZ 1300 TF
Trevor McLeodFJR 1300
Andrew Campbell GTR 1400
Dianne RobersonDeauville 700V

The ride took as out along the Barton Highway turning right through Bowning and onto Harden were we had a morning tea break. A very sunny veranda was chosen at one of the local cafes and by the time we were ready to depart everyone had raised their Vitamin D and caffeine levels, and were ready to hit the road again.

From Harden we travelled across “goat track” country, in the general direction of Gundagai. Thank-God the tour leader knew where he was going because I’m sure the GPS was lost. This section of the trip provided everyone with various bits of excitement, with all its twists and turns and risers not to mention the inevitable road works with the dodgy edges and patch jobs. The patches gave us an extra thrill as the back wheel did a little dance (you know the feeling) on what was thought to be an oily substance used under the gravel- lovely. But, at least the road did provide a narrow strip of tar down the middle - what more can you ask for really.

Further down the road we came across some riders of the peddling kind who looked to be on a more serious mission. There would have been about 100 riders all up with lead vehicle and support vehicles – “Tour Down Under Style” of riding.

Eventually we made it back to Gundagai and back out onto the freeway for a short ride to the turnoff to Adelong, the designated lunch stop. After the previous section of road it was a smooth run through undulating countryside, with its occasional high ridges providing panoramic views and the odd strong gust of wind that gave you that sideways push, just to keep you on your toes.

Lunch stop was at the Adelong Pub; however, in hindsight I should have chosen a warm cafe, as sitting at the tables on the pub veranda was rather chilly, most of us reached for our jackets and some warm headwear. The weather had definitely closed in, to the point that we thought we may even get a bit wet by the time we arrived home.

With Lunch over we headed across to Tumut and on to Gundagai for a fuel and coffee stop, and to say our goodbyes. The tour leader was thanked for another good run in the country and everyone headed for home.

Till next time. Remember stay to the road rules and keep your wheels upright.