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Sunday 3 July 2011 – Club ride to Ulladulla
I thought it was going to rain and almost chickened out, but the thought of riding down the Clyde to Ulladulla spurred me on. As usual, I arrived at the start point (BP Watson) at bang on 9.30, to fuel up. I know what you are thinking.... We’re supposed to be ready to leave at the appointed time, but the battery was still on charge till the last minute (left the damned hot-grips on overnight ....).
Never mind, I got to Watson and found 7 other riders ready to go, and just caught the end of Andrew Campbell’s ride brief. Off we go. Taking the Macs Reef Road route via Bungendore, a rather casual ride to Braidwood followed as the first leg; as we rode the weather was looking better, and a mandatory stop at the Bakery for coffee and pies. We’re all happy except for Mick Beltrames’ best mate Kipper. Being a dog, he’s a bit annoyed to be tied up outside, not inside and munching on the (almost) famous Braidwood pies. It’s got me wondering, ‘does the dog really enjoy the riding, stuck in the dog box on the back of the GS?’ At 11:00 or thereabouts, when we’re all saddled up again and ready to go, my thoughts were somewhat answered. Not at all does Kipper seem to mind. He has no complaints about being put back in the box; in fact it almost seems he wants to jump in...
The ride down the hill was great, hardly any traffic allowed us to enjoy the road’s twists without moronic car drivers making our lives difficult (I avoid this road on long weekends, car or otherwise!...). It was quick enough for my relative riding inexperience to feel a little stressed at the bottom (but Oh, what a ‘good stress’ feeling it was), and we made Ulladulla Fishermans’ Wharf at about 12:00. 
A very pleasant lunch was had (seafood of course!), but then I remembered (and it made me regret bringing the phone....) my 18 year-old daughter rang the previous evening saying “Dad, I took the car to the coast; we’re camping on the beach at Ulladulla.” Just after lunch, the phone rings: “Where are you?, we’re at Maccas, the car is kind of making a chugging feeling and it’s got no power. Can we come and see you?” Now, ‘we’ means 3 carloads of ratbag teenagers. I bid my farewell to the remaining riders as they take off, like me, probably not wishing to be roadside mechanics for cars that perhaps shouldn’t do the Clyde....
The return leg for the remaining riders was pleasant, with just a couple of motorcycle police waiting with their radar guns tuned... A good thing that the riders were attuned to the usual indications of a police presence.....
Me? I head to Maccas to meet up with the much younger folk, and realise that not only are they ill prepared for camping (what teenager is prepared for anything?), they’ve all got the dreaded cough... Seems that camping was such a bad idea they all slept in the cars! Fortunately, when I announce that I want to be home by dark, my youngster decides she doesn’t like the idea of camping beside the road on the way up the Clyde, and decides to ditch the rest and tag along with me. I follow. Here is a test of my stress levels. I’ve never seen her drive the Clyde on her own. She’s only had the license 2 months, with other kids in the car (a parent’s worst nightmare perhaps?) A big surprise: the car survives, her driving habits appear to be fine, and after another stop at Braidwood bakery for coffee, we make home at about 5:30. Round trip from Watson to home was just on 400km.
Riders:
Andrew Campbell Kawasaki GTR1400 (Ride leader)
George Attard Triumph Speedmaster
Garry McCurley Honda VFR1200
Neil GoldfinchHonda CBR1100XX
Mick Beltrame and Kipper BMW R1150 GSA
Linda BlakeHonda CBR1000F
Chris DietzelYamaha FJR1300
Mick and Kyla HarveyYamaha FJR1300
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