Berowra PADPAL 21st Sept 2023

Arriving at Berowra 7-11 the place was already heaving and by 9:40am we had 12 riders raring to go “somewhere” including a newbie John on a Spider. We also had a clash of voices as can be seen from the attached photo but there was sadly no “biffo” to go with it.

As it was getting late I couldn’t help myself, I had to ask, “anyone have any suggestions for a ride?”. This was despite the fact I was very clear on the inevitable outcome of opening with such a gambit. So it will come as no surprise that my suggestion of a ride to Grey Gums via the church was unanimously accepted and I was also voted ride leader for today’s ride.

So after a brief briefing with Berowra and Sackville ferries, Cattai Ridge and Halcrows road (the name of which I couldn’t remember at the time) all getting a mention and a dose of the clap for John I called the ride and we rolled out right on 10am.

It was a slow track down to the ferry but corner marking was in force as it was all the way to the church. After Wylds rd the pace picked up and just missing the Sackville ferry meant we had an impromptu regather on the Sackville rd.

At the church, after causing much consternation in the cafe with such a large group suddenly descending on them, we were busy scoffing tea/coffee and scones when someone pointed out we were missing a rider. After some consideration no-one could recall seeing him at any point on the ride??? So phone calls were made and, as we were getting set to roll out, the rider was located (apparently only 5 mins away) after he missed the turn off the Pacific Hwy to the Berowra ferry and only realised his error at Calga 🤨

3 Riders had “other priorities” after smoko so we were down to 9 when, after 12 mins, the missing rider finally appeared so we were off once more using Bulls Ridge rd to join the Putty and enjoying a brisk and mostly traffic (and roadwork) free run up to Grey Gums.

Lunch was the normal free for all of opinions and rumours, life tales and conspiracy theories after which the ride broke up with a group heading for Broke and Wollombi and thence to the Pie, another retracing the mornings route and a couple heading home via Windsor some stopping at Maccas.

I stopped to refuel in Colo Heights and so met the returning group from the ferry frantically waving to indicate it was no-go just after I turned off the Putty which put paid to any trip to the Pie so I dropped in on Maccas to say hi to the group there and use the facilities before heading home.

Thanks all for your company today and to Jim for volunteering as TEC

Until the next time

Andy