Schwarz Baron
Registered user
Ride out report Virginia
Here it is guys, the report on a very successful ride out. We started of this morning meeting at McDs at Sprucfield Lisburn, a better than expected turn out, 8 in all and we were met by Barry Craig at Banbridge on the A1 making 9, where we skipped of the main routes, deciding to travel thro' Scarva and on to the main Portadown to Newry Road. A road that would have got everybody up to speed, for the rest of the journey for it is full of lovely fast sweepers and nice tight switch backs, a sign of better things to come. From Newry we headed of into south Armagh, parralleling the border all the way into Newtownhamilton, where we had a quick stop for those who wished to partake in a suck on a cancer stick. The chat so far was of " what a great road that was", " never been on that before, I'll certainly be back". You get the general idea. The other half of the chat surrounded Barry's, modified 1100GS. With its "S" wheels and laser can with chip, what a lovely note from it.... We gathered ourselves and headed south towards Castleblaney, crossing the border at Altnamacken, by which stage the roads still in good enough nick, had really started to tighten up, and any momentry lapse in concentration would certainly end in disaster. This little road the R182 was a test for everyone skills, but a joy to ride on. Arriving at Castleblaney it was there unfortunately we were 2 bikes short. and after 10 minutes the worry clouds started to gather. To cut a slightly long story short, big Dave on the Varadaro, binned it in a tight right hander. losing the bike in a bit of a ditch. However we were soon on hand to lift the bike out and get big Dave and the Honda on the road again. Hats off to you Dave for carrying on, lucky just to have a bit of a bruised leg, and minimal damage to the Vara, crash bars saving the day, we all agreed. Reaching Castleblaney for the second time for most, a quick coffee was in order to steady the nerves. Again to our surprise Dave decided to carry on, good lad we all thought. From Blaney it was onto the R181 to Bailieborough, and our agreed lunch stop and rendezvous, Virginia. Turning up only 20 minutes late at the big Church in the town centre, when no one was there to meet us, thoughts turned to here we go again. However all was not lost, arriving at the Hotel on the Dublin road on the edge of Lough Ramor, we were greeted by the Drogheda boys, and as many of them as there were of us too. Tremendous! Lunch was greeted heartily, and an hour or so was spent on the hotel terrace overlooking the lough, making new aquaintences. Again Barry's 1100 receiving a lot of attention. A quick change of plan and direction after lunch and it was of to Ardee via Kells, with the Drogheda boys joining in. At Ardee a break was taken and we said our goodbyes and thank-yous. At this point I would like to thank everyone who turned in, you know who you are, you made it a great day out, and hope to see you all at the next meet. For those who didn't make it here are a few pics.......
Cheers!
Gathering at McD's
Here it is guys, the report on a very successful ride out. We started of this morning meeting at McDs at Sprucfield Lisburn, a better than expected turn out, 8 in all and we were met by Barry Craig at Banbridge on the A1 making 9, where we skipped of the main routes, deciding to travel thro' Scarva and on to the main Portadown to Newry Road. A road that would have got everybody up to speed, for the rest of the journey for it is full of lovely fast sweepers and nice tight switch backs, a sign of better things to come. From Newry we headed of into south Armagh, parralleling the border all the way into Newtownhamilton, where we had a quick stop for those who wished to partake in a suck on a cancer stick. The chat so far was of " what a great road that was", " never been on that before, I'll certainly be back". You get the general idea. The other half of the chat surrounded Barry's, modified 1100GS. With its "S" wheels and laser can with chip, what a lovely note from it.... We gathered ourselves and headed south towards Castleblaney, crossing the border at Altnamacken, by which stage the roads still in good enough nick, had really started to tighten up, and any momentry lapse in concentration would certainly end in disaster. This little road the R182 was a test for everyone skills, but a joy to ride on. Arriving at Castleblaney it was there unfortunately we were 2 bikes short. and after 10 minutes the worry clouds started to gather. To cut a slightly long story short, big Dave on the Varadaro, binned it in a tight right hander. losing the bike in a bit of a ditch. However we were soon on hand to lift the bike out and get big Dave and the Honda on the road again. Hats off to you Dave for carrying on, lucky just to have a bit of a bruised leg, and minimal damage to the Vara, crash bars saving the day, we all agreed. Reaching Castleblaney for the second time for most, a quick coffee was in order to steady the nerves. Again to our surprise Dave decided to carry on, good lad we all thought. From Blaney it was onto the R181 to Bailieborough, and our agreed lunch stop and rendezvous, Virginia. Turning up only 20 minutes late at the big Church in the town centre, when no one was there to meet us, thoughts turned to here we go again. However all was not lost, arriving at the Hotel on the Dublin road on the edge of Lough Ramor, we were greeted by the Drogheda boys, and as many of them as there were of us too. Tremendous! Lunch was greeted heartily, and an hour or so was spent on the hotel terrace overlooking the lough, making new aquaintences. Again Barry's 1100 receiving a lot of attention. A quick change of plan and direction after lunch and it was of to Ardee via Kells, with the Drogheda boys joining in. At Ardee a break was taken and we said our goodbyes and thank-yous. At this point I would like to thank everyone who turned in, you know who you are, you made it a great day out, and hope to see you all at the next meet. For those who didn't make it here are a few pics.......
Cheers!
Gathering at McD's
