History:   Europeans explored the area  in the summer of  1822 and shortly afterwards  Dr Thomas Braidwood Wilson, a surgeon, was granted land in the area. Wilson, eschewing modesty, named his farm 'Braidwood' so that when part of the farm was resumed for the town it was a simple step to name the town Braidwood.   Starters:  Erica, Steve S, Rob T, Peter W, Frosty, Peter C, Kim & Yours truly.   Day 1 : McGraths Hill, Lithgow, Oberon, Taralga, Goulburn, Bungonia, Tarago, Braidwood....415km   Dinner : Royal Hotel   Day 2:  Braidwood, Gunning, Blayney, Lithgow, Bilpin, McGraths Hill.....487km   Weather:  Day 1 great although slightly on the cool side. Day 2 Cold and fine until lunch then showers to Lithgow, then 5 degrees and rain to Bilpin, thereafter fine.   EEE:  Erica's Enterprising Escapades. Day 1 and Erica disappears whilst we were gassing up...eventually the lady in red arrives flustered and d...

Overcast skies and a little drizzle getting to Berowra 15 riders turned up by ride briefing  at 9:55 Confidently predicted no rain. Peter of the Braces accepted TEC Regrouped at Calga, corner marking from there! George Downes, Right at Springs Rd. Down Bumble Hill, Yarramalong Rd to the Triangle for Morning Tea.  Where the problems of the word were solved, before 13 riders headed up the Hue Hue, left onto Jiliby Rd then right at Dooralong, onto Mandalong Rd. past the infamous corner.  Crossed the MI and right at Wyee Rd, left at Ruttleys Rd, starting to run out of corner markers. a left at the Pacific Hwy, right at Elizabth bay Dr, then left at Birdie Beach Dr into the  Munmorah State Conservation Area, used more corner markers in the last 6k than the rest of the ride. Arrived Frazer Beach.  Thanks to our TEC nobody got lost Beautiful weather, a great view, secluded, isolated, plenty of parking, an ideal lunch stop,  peaceful, serene.  W...

  The designated ride leader has sold his bike and is yet to buy a new one. Given that this was a reasonable excuse, I agreed to lead the ride on his behalf.   Despite the forecasted hot day, 20 riders turned up at Wollombi including one virgin, Geoff, who was duly welcomed to the group and given the clap accordingly. We took a different route to smoko at Jerry's which involved 1.5 hours of riding, without any regrouping thanks to the corner marking system working well.  The route was the usual Pacific Highway to a right turn at Calga and onto Somersby followed by a right turn down Dog Trap Road to Ourimbah. We then rejoined the Pacific Highway to Tuggerah where we turned left and headed to Yarramalong and up Bumble Hill to Jerry's.  After Smoko, 6 riders departed for home leaving 14 making it to Wollombi for lunch in the Park. After lunch, most made their way back via the Wollombi road with a couple taking the circuit via Freemans Water Hole to the Pie.   Despi...

We had three starters from St Ives at 9am and headed to Allambie Heights to the OpShop. Here we were joined by Vaughn and John O, and sat outside in the playground and enjoyed the coffee and pikelets.  Then   proceeded to Graeme’s where the Maintenance task for today was to rework Vaughn’s pannier frame to fit at the o/s passenger footpeg mount.  We had a few more chiefs than Indians here and managed to get in each others’ way for a bit, but finally the reluctant bracket was secured and declared good, so we then adjourned inside to participate in the generous bbq sausage(s), assorted salads and other goodies. Many Thanks to Graeme for supplying the meal and venue, and we chatted and gorged ourselves till nearly 3pm.   Another good one.

8 Hardy souls gathered in the icy winds at Berowra. After some discussion, Wollombi in reverse was agreed with Morning Tea at Cooranbong Corner marked from Springs Rd, down Bumble Hill, Yarramalong Rd, past the Triangle, Jilliby Rd, Mandalong Rd, Freemans Drive to a break at Cooranbong Park, 85k half way.  Past Freemans Waterhole, left at Sandy Creek Rd, thru Millfield to Wollombi,  arrived  at 12:40  for Lunch. Thanks to Rosco our TEC, nobody got lost, although puzzled how he wasn't the last to arrive. Then a quick ride to the Pie, Heart rate rose when Andy and I, met a police car on Peats Ridge at a speed somewhat above the allowed speed. 5 riders at the Pie. Weather was pretty good, except the wind that rarely abated.  An enjoyable ride, great company, 368k for me. I hope Kiama was as much fun! Till Next Thursday   Peter (Tracer)

  The destination for   todays   ride was to be Kiama and the weather forecast, after a bit of rain the day before, was good, but included strong northerly winds. Now I don’t know   wether   it was the starting point ( ie Heathcote), the strong wind forecast or my ride lead capabilities, but by departure time only one rider had turned up to join me, Peter Walshaw… at least the choice of TEC was going to be easy!!   Anyway  we decided to follow the route I had planned, which turned out to be a lovely ride, despite the sometimes annoying wind gusts. We took the Old Princes Highway as far as we could to Austinmer, then the Motorway to the Picton  turnoff, up and around Kembla Heights and back down to Princes Highway again. We continued to follow Princes Highway to just past  Dapto  where we turned off and headed through Calderwood to the Illawara  Highway, up Macquarie Pass and to morning tea at Robbo’s Pie Shop. It was a slightly diff...