BMBEN
Registered user
Wednesday 7th March 2012
Greygums Cafe, Putty Rd
What a beautiful day; clear skies above. Unfortunately, the clouds in the far east and toward the west didn't look too promising. There were 12 riders at Macca's, however Rod was there to wave us off and Franz rode with us to Mulgoa Rd. There was a big BMW presence there - Alan, Dave, Guy, Franz, John ( new face and nice guy R80RT ) and Ian. Also in attendance were Eric, Bill, Malcolm with his nice Goldwing, Mr John, Rod and myself Jeff G (Spiderman).
Eric started looking for a volunteer ride leader. You could almost hear gears crashing as were selecting reverse to get away before being volunteered. I stuck my hand up to accept this responsible and humbling post. We headed off via penrith in case the Yarramundi bridge was still under. We paused on Mulgoa Rd, to allow those riders who could not get through the lights to catch up. We enjoyed a pleasure ride along Castlereagh Rd to Agnes Banks. We by-passed Richmond and took a left at Crowley's Lane then right at Yarramundi Lane. A left took us onto Kurrajong Rd which becomes Bells Line of Rd on the North Richmond. We waited for the riders who were caught up with the North Richmond traffic lights, headed up through Kurmond and hooked a right at Comleroy Rd. We followed Blaxland's Ridge Rd through to Putty Rd and up to Colo Heights servo for morning tea.
I was surprised at how badly the roads have been damaged due to the rains. Pot-holes abounded along with the harder to see, bitumen that had been pushed up next to the wheel tracks. Arriving at Colo Heights, I thought I saw another White spyder, however it turned out to be a Yamaha Ventura which had a "Wedgetail Outriders" conversion attached ($10,000).
It is a setup of 2 extra wheels attached via suspension to the bike frame - it still drives through the rear wheel. It was a really nice conversion. The owner, a fellow Ulyssean, told me a heart attack wasn't going to stop him riding, but the exertions riding the Yamy would have been too much for his ticker, so he invested in the outrider conversion. He also had blue LED ribbons around the side wheel covers, frame, and rocker covers. A good looking bike. Whilst there another rider, Rob, arrived (just missed us at Maccas). Ian headed back as we took off for the Grey Gums. Another nice bit of dry road although a little coolish.
At the Grey Gums,
Eric commented it was the first time in ages he was looking for a sunny spot to warm up. It was nice to sit down and chat with Malcolm and John (the new faces for me) along with Mr John. After a chatty lunch time for all, we headed back to Colo Heights servo for afternoon tea. Malcolm continued home.
On arrival there was a Moto Guzzi V7R
it looked like an old well restored bike but was in fact a 2011 model. It is a 744cc with 48hp. It looked superb with a chrome tank and Candy Apple red frame and swing arm. The owner was another Ulyssean too.
After smoko Eric headed off a few minutes before the rest to take some footage of the very swollen Colo River, and the riders. Dave and Alan stayed on the Putty Rd, whilst Mr John, John and myself peeled off to Blaxland Ridge Rd. Eric caught up with us on Yarramundi Lane and continued along Castlereagh Rd.
I have no idea where Guy, Bill and Rob disappeared to, but I hope they made it to their respective homes safely. The three amigos headed up Springwood Rd, across the Yarramundi bridge (lots of water flowing) and up through the Hawkesbury Rd school zones. John left us on Hawkesbury Rd and Mr. John at Warrimoo. I had donned my wet weather pants at Colo Heights - I thought what a waste of time until I got to the 60 zone at Blaxland when it rained and rained. I fueled at Blaxland to get some respite from the rain. The rain only lasted 5 mins and and was down to Hope St.
It was a fantastic day for a ride with good mates - I travelled 260km
Best wishes until we meet again.
Jeff G (Spiderman)
So I, Franz (BMBEN) had headed of to look at Warragamba Dam after the 3 weeks of rain we had been getting, and the Dam is full and overflowing. Last time this happened was in 1998ish.
Greygums Cafe, Putty Rd
What a beautiful day; clear skies above. Unfortunately, the clouds in the far east and toward the west didn't look too promising. There were 12 riders at Macca's, however Rod was there to wave us off and Franz rode with us to Mulgoa Rd. There was a big BMW presence there - Alan, Dave, Guy, Franz, John ( new face and nice guy R80RT ) and Ian. Also in attendance were Eric, Bill, Malcolm with his nice Goldwing, Mr John, Rod and myself Jeff G (Spiderman).
Eric started looking for a volunteer ride leader. You could almost hear gears crashing as were selecting reverse to get away before being volunteered. I stuck my hand up to accept this responsible and humbling post. We headed off via penrith in case the Yarramundi bridge was still under. We paused on Mulgoa Rd, to allow those riders who could not get through the lights to catch up. We enjoyed a pleasure ride along Castlereagh Rd to Agnes Banks. We by-passed Richmond and took a left at Crowley's Lane then right at Yarramundi Lane. A left took us onto Kurrajong Rd which becomes Bells Line of Rd on the North Richmond. We waited for the riders who were caught up with the North Richmond traffic lights, headed up through Kurmond and hooked a right at Comleroy Rd. We followed Blaxland's Ridge Rd through to Putty Rd and up to Colo Heights servo for morning tea.
I was surprised at how badly the roads have been damaged due to the rains. Pot-holes abounded along with the harder to see, bitumen that had been pushed up next to the wheel tracks. Arriving at Colo Heights, I thought I saw another White spyder, however it turned out to be a Yamaha Ventura which had a "Wedgetail Outriders" conversion attached ($10,000).
It is a setup of 2 extra wheels attached via suspension to the bike frame - it still drives through the rear wheel. It was a really nice conversion. The owner, a fellow Ulyssean, told me a heart attack wasn't going to stop him riding, but the exertions riding the Yamy would have been too much for his ticker, so he invested in the outrider conversion. He also had blue LED ribbons around the side wheel covers, frame, and rocker covers. A good looking bike. Whilst there another rider, Rob, arrived (just missed us at Maccas). Ian headed back as we took off for the Grey Gums. Another nice bit of dry road although a little coolish.
At the Grey Gums,
Eric commented it was the first time in ages he was looking for a sunny spot to warm up. It was nice to sit down and chat with Malcolm and John (the new faces for me) along with Mr John. After a chatty lunch time for all, we headed back to Colo Heights servo for afternoon tea. Malcolm continued home.
On arrival there was a Moto Guzzi V7R
it looked like an old well restored bike but was in fact a 2011 model. It is a 744cc with 48hp. It looked superb with a chrome tank and Candy Apple red frame and swing arm. The owner was another Ulyssean too.
After smoko Eric headed off a few minutes before the rest to take some footage of the very swollen Colo River, and the riders. Dave and Alan stayed on the Putty Rd, whilst Mr John, John and myself peeled off to Blaxland Ridge Rd. Eric caught up with us on Yarramundi Lane and continued along Castlereagh Rd.
I have no idea where Guy, Bill and Rob disappeared to, but I hope they made it to their respective homes safely. The three amigos headed up Springwood Rd, across the Yarramundi bridge (lots of water flowing) and up through the Hawkesbury Rd school zones. John left us on Hawkesbury Rd and Mr. John at Warrimoo. I had donned my wet weather pants at Colo Heights - I thought what a waste of time until I got to the 60 zone at Blaxland when it rained and rained. I fueled at Blaxland to get some respite from the rain. The rain only lasted 5 mins and and was down to Hope St.
It was a fantastic day for a ride with good mates - I travelled 260km
Best wishes until we meet again.
Jeff G (Spiderman)
So I, Franz (BMBEN) had headed of to look at Warragamba Dam after the 3 weeks of rain we had been getting, and the Dam is full and overflowing. Last time this happened was in 1998ish.
