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Jindabyne Chomp & Chat - Sunday - Australia Day Weekend
Peter Arday XVZ1300TF
David Robinson FJR1300
Greg & Alex Prindoble M50
Leo Farrelly R1200GS
Judy Perry GT650
Jen Woods XVS650
Bruce Black CBR1100
Anbrew & Cath Campbell GL1800
Nick & Terese Hicks M109R
Neil Goldfinch CBR1100
Patricia Devlin Eliminator
Jan Wills GSX750
Butch Wills K1100LT
Chas & Jen Towie GTR1000
John Grunburg ST1300
Jim & Rosalie Lovell R1200R
John Burns Nomad1600
Gary McDonald R100S
Trevor McLeod FJR1300
Flip BMW
Hume Servo - Some twenty five of the brethren gathered under a grey sky to hear St Peter’s words.
Then off we went down the Monaro to Cooma. Some of us had a chat to the NSW Highway Patrol at Bredbo, but being the good citizens we are there was little concern. Finally to Cooma where we regrouped for a wee bite, and once refreshed the main group headed off via Dalgety to Jindabyne.
Jen W: “Leaving Cooma, we headed out to the Maffra Road for a pleasant ride through the tall eucalypts and then dry open fields, through Dalgety, over the bridge, and did as St Pedro directed “for forks sake take the right one”. Wended our way up and down the hills and turns, past The Station, the proposed venue for the LNCIAO (sob), and a fuel up in Jindabyne.”
Patricia & I made a more direct route via Berridale at a relaxed pace, and after a few roundabout maneuvers, had no sooner started refueling at the Jindabyne BP when the main group arrived.
Off then to the supermarket & takeaway for some, and straight to the BBQ for the rest, we settled in for a pleasant lunch and chat. Any cloud in the sky had fled and the sun had become quite sharp. Strzelecki’s statue seemed unconcerned, or rather more interested in pointing westward, although I’m sure Mt Koskiusko is further south.
Fed & watered, the group then set forth, not without a few minor issues of hot fuel tanks, overflowing fuel and a v twin which required a small prayer to the road gods. A quick cry of “Out Demons Out” and we were underway.
Jen W: “We had lunch at Strezlecki Park – BBQ for some of us, fish and chips for others (would have been more impressive if they’d caught them first…the fish I mean), swapped stories and lies and saddled and headed homewards.
The heat (as they say) was palpable (and I’ve always wanted to say it) as we turned off near Berridale to hurtle across those country roads – some of my favourite riding country is around there. And I must not have been concentrating when St Pedro gave us our detailed talk about the route, because I took a wrong turn – as did Leo. Realised the mistake a few minutes later, stopped to check the map to see if our road rejoined theirs, and jumped on the bikes again – but mine was still protesting the over filled tank. The incantation didn’t work and we were just getting ready to jump start (a trick I haven’t done before…) when it started again – much relief all around. Hurried back, dear David and Bruce were waiting patiently for us in the heat and we stopped in Cooma for the icecream break.”
The turnoff to Kalkite beckoned the main group, with a master plan to return to the highway via the Rocky Plains Road. John G, Patricia and I continued on to Cooma where ice creams and milk shakes revived us sufficiently to provide gracious waves from the curbside as the main group arrived. Jen W and Leo joined us to assist with waving as our arms were tired.
Evidently tradition required the icecreams to be purchased from Cooma Shell, hence our admittedly limited digs were bypassed.
The return home was steady, at least that was our story. The main group were perhaps a little more steady and we didn’t catch sight of them again. A few car drivers need to review their concept of space, and demonstrated poor overtaking technique, but in spite of this, and after a very warm but pleasant day, with very good company the final three stragglers arrived back in Hume.
Thanks again to Peter Arday for his organisation and patience, to the back markers & sweep, and to everyone else for their company and goodwill.
Gary Mac & Jen W
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