PADPAL 22nd December 2022

 

Well,

 

I'm usually late, and right on time when it's a good day, but this morning, I was 6mn early and I got flogged with the lead, so I won't be early anymore!

 

12 souls gathered at the 7 Eleven, and by the time I got there, it was decided that we'd head to Broke, the lead, well, was sorted as I arrived, and this doubtful choice proved that some were looking for some adventure, because if everybody knew how to get to Broke, I certainly didn't!

 

Amongst all the information I had to gather and the multiple questions such as: "which way" and "where do we have smoko?" I was so overwhelmed that I forgot to choose a TEC as well as welcoming Rob and his S1000XR, our virgin of the day, so no clapping and since he left at Jerry's, we'll say he's only been half done so still half a virgin in my books, so we'll give him another clap (as clapping, not the disease) next time he shows up.

 

Mark, because he was last and wore a high viz vest, naturally became our TEC

After all the commotions, we left at 10.06am (that was clearly flagged to me by a living clock) and I told him that we will make it up on the way with the help of a good pace.

 

 The ride to Jerry's was quite nice, I've noticed the reflexion of the sun on the water through the cloudy skies once we've passed the Peats Ferry Bridge which was quite surreal for some reasons, after that, nearly rode over a giant goanna, I guess that's what happen when you're the leader, you see stuff you usually don't when you're in the middle of the pack and that's why I like it there!

 

On our way, I was praying Thor and Odin to see all the Highway Patrol from the area gathering again for coffee (like they did last week), so we could have a brisk ride to Wollombi, but this didn't eventuate; having said that, someone listened because we didn't see one single bluebottle during the whole ride.

 

After smoko, we've lost our TEC as he had to bail to run some errands, old and new Rob also went their ways as well as David since he was heading that way again, tomorrow.

 

That left 8 of us to deal with the "tremendously bad" road between Wollombi and Broke, and it actually wasn't that bad at all since the workers partially fixed it as we were riding which left us with less than 15km of challenging conditions.

 

We arrived at Broke, had lunch and all went back together (probably Xmas magic) to the Pie where we briefly had a few beverages before splitting our separate ways.

 

The Gods definitely were with us as the rain started to fall the moment I got home, in all, it was an very enjoyable day, as usual, with great people and great weather

 

Merry Christmas to all and a safe start for 2023

 

Laurent