Braidwood Ride 25-26th Oct 2023

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History: Europeans explored the area  in the summer of 1822 and shortly afterwards  DrThomas 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 dis-shelviled.....she had locked herself in the local Loo and took an eternity to bust her way to freedom.

 

Later in the day we encountered some roadworks heading into Oberon where the road had just been dug up by a grader. The surface was quite loose and lumpy and following an incident where one of the bikes decided to lay down, Erica decided to park hers as the way ahead looked too daunting. The Grader driver came down to investigate and proceeded to ignore  the geriatric male entourage and immediately went to assist the damsel in distress......yep he jumped on Erica............oops Erica's bike and in true Chris Hemsworth style rode her bike to safety though the quagmire without a helmet , his muscular thighs glistening in the sunlight and hugging her trusty steed! Erica was besotted and breathlessly hoped the shining knight would sweep her off her feet, lift her up into the cab of his Grader and drive off into the sunset.......she then snapped out of her trance and lept on her bike to continue the journey with with the magnificent seven crusty old riders. Believe it or not!

 

Thanks: To everyone for your company and a special thanks TEC Day 1 - Rob T and Day 2 - Peter W.

 

Until next time......

 

Cheers

 

Wayne 

 

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