BMBEN
Registered user
Meet and greet at McDonalds Blaxland 8.30am for a 9.00 start.
Everybody is welcome.
Wednesday 28th March 2012
Grey Gum Café on the Putty Road.
The day was a little cloudy, forecast for afternoon showers - Noel has returned after his time of illness - WELCOME BACK NOEL. Also in attendance was Gary B, Franz G, Eric B, Peter M, Mr John , Big John and myself. Gary was there to talk about the 3 day trip to Nabiac in April and wasn't actually riding today. Decision time: where to go? Noel reassured as that it will be dry up north as everywhere else would have showers, so Grey Gum Cafe was the destination chosen. Eric was voted ride leader, and he, Mr John and Peter took off, whilst the rest of us were manouevring for positions. I turned left out of Maccas (Eric, Peter, Mr John) all turned right. Big John and Franz brought it to my attention that I needed to turn around and head down Layton Ave. We caught up to the leaders at Emu Plains and headed through Penrith onto Castlereagh Rd. Franz left us at Penrith, and we had an uneventful ride to Agnes Banks.
We bypassed Richmond via Crowleys and Yarramundi Lanes. At North Richmond whilst waiting for the lights to change an moronic motorist in a black Camry drove over double unbroken lines for about 20 metres in the face of oncoming vehicles, so he could turn right with the arrows, but went through the red arrow anyway. We continued to Kurrajong and did a right into Blaxlands Ridge Rd. Crossing the Colo River, I noticed there was quite a bit of exposed sand. On the retrun the river had risen so that most of the sand was now covered. Approaching the Colo Heights servo for morning smoko I detected some rain spots on the screen. I was thinking Noel did say that the north would be dry; I was hoping he didn't read the map upside down. We had a nice relaxing coffee and chat before heading off. Big John made mention of the old Halfway House so we went there for a look see before heading back to the Grey Gums for lunch. Whilst there Dave Thurston came over for a chat.
Back at Grey Gums, there were about 6 cyclists having a break as well.
Whilst there, heading south 3 x 1929 Rileys arrived. A red 2 door, 4 seater, soft top convertable, a green 2 door ute and a maroon 2 door panel van.
They were gorgeous. I had never seen ute or panel versions of the Riley cars, I didn't know these versions were even made as Riley made sportier cars. One of the owners said that they were good for 65 MPH and a 2 door sports version could do 100mph. I was amazed that the motors had crossflow heads AND twin overhead cams - not bad technology for 83 years old. The fuel tank looked to be a little over 10 litres, was gravity fed to the carbies and was situated under the bonnet on the firewall.
After lunch we headed back to Colo Heights, fuel for some and coffee for all, except Eric who had some furniture to sort out. Surprise, surprise, no sooner had we arrived that the 3 Rileys rocked up. I couldn't believe my eyes as the Riley people were still sitting down when we departed Grey Gums.
We headed back just before 3pm and followed our morning route and then took the Springwood Rd to Hawkesbury Heights and home. Again a few spots of rain at Hawkesbury Heights but that was it for the day's rain. Another great days riding with good mates. 285 kms travelled
Until the next ride, keep well,
Regards Jeff
Everybody is welcome.
Wednesday 28th March 2012
Grey Gum Café on the Putty Road.
The day was a little cloudy, forecast for afternoon showers - Noel has returned after his time of illness - WELCOME BACK NOEL. Also in attendance was Gary B, Franz G, Eric B, Peter M, Mr John , Big John and myself. Gary was there to talk about the 3 day trip to Nabiac in April and wasn't actually riding today. Decision time: where to go? Noel reassured as that it will be dry up north as everywhere else would have showers, so Grey Gum Cafe was the destination chosen. Eric was voted ride leader, and he, Mr John and Peter took off, whilst the rest of us were manouevring for positions. I turned left out of Maccas (Eric, Peter, Mr John) all turned right. Big John and Franz brought it to my attention that I needed to turn around and head down Layton Ave. We caught up to the leaders at Emu Plains and headed through Penrith onto Castlereagh Rd. Franz left us at Penrith, and we had an uneventful ride to Agnes Banks.
We bypassed Richmond via Crowleys and Yarramundi Lanes. At North Richmond whilst waiting for the lights to change an moronic motorist in a black Camry drove over double unbroken lines for about 20 metres in the face of oncoming vehicles, so he could turn right with the arrows, but went through the red arrow anyway. We continued to Kurrajong and did a right into Blaxlands Ridge Rd. Crossing the Colo River, I noticed there was quite a bit of exposed sand. On the retrun the river had risen so that most of the sand was now covered. Approaching the Colo Heights servo for morning smoko I detected some rain spots on the screen. I was thinking Noel did say that the north would be dry; I was hoping he didn't read the map upside down. We had a nice relaxing coffee and chat before heading off. Big John made mention of the old Halfway House so we went there for a look see before heading back to the Grey Gums for lunch. Whilst there Dave Thurston came over for a chat.
Back at Grey Gums, there were about 6 cyclists having a break as well.
Whilst there, heading south 3 x 1929 Rileys arrived. A red 2 door, 4 seater, soft top convertable, a green 2 door ute and a maroon 2 door panel van.
They were gorgeous. I had never seen ute or panel versions of the Riley cars, I didn't know these versions were even made as Riley made sportier cars. One of the owners said that they were good for 65 MPH and a 2 door sports version could do 100mph. I was amazed that the motors had crossflow heads AND twin overhead cams - not bad technology for 83 years old. The fuel tank looked to be a little over 10 litres, was gravity fed to the carbies and was situated under the bonnet on the firewall.
After lunch we headed back to Colo Heights, fuel for some and coffee for all, except Eric who had some furniture to sort out. Surprise, surprise, no sooner had we arrived that the 3 Rileys rocked up. I couldn't believe my eyes as the Riley people were still sitting down when we departed Grey Gums.
We headed back just before 3pm and followed our morning route and then took the Springwood Rd to Hawkesbury Heights and home. Again a few spots of rain at Hawkesbury Heights but that was it for the day's rain. Another great days riding with good mates. 285 kms travelled
Until the next ride, keep well,
Regards Jeff
