Dungog Ride 16th Nov 2023

 Tony and I arrived at Berowra to be greeted by 4 enthusiastic riders ready to go, all suggesting that we get going early because Dungog is a long ride. Over the next short while we were joined by another 3. A detailed briefing was given describing the route to our morning tea stop at Dooralong Hall. Mark was appointed Tail End Charlie and he and some others advised that they would leave at Sandy Creek Rd after morning tea as they had commitments in the afternoon. 

We were all ready and anxious to get going when a colourful rider turned up and asked for some extra time to top up the gallant steed. Job completed and off we rode.

One of our number reported that he had seen a gaggle of motor bike mounted constabulary pass by as we were waiting to leave. This was noted and a careful pace was set as we headed off. I also allowed a couple of other bikes to act as rabbits in case one of the blueys happened to be hiding in the bushes somewhere. True to form we found one hiding in the scrub pointing this camera looking thingy at us, not long after we came off the bridge. I gave him a wave and was greeted by a scowl as we rode on.

The threat diminished and I was able to pick the pace up a bit, but now I had two riders between me and the rest of our riders and the distance increased between us. I was then the only rider as we approached the large roundabout at Somersby, so I thought it would be a good place to regroup as it was a place where we had previously done so. This was where the trouble began.

The next rider to come along waved and continued around the corner as if I was the corner marker followed by 5 other riders. We now had a new leader, not a problem I thought, as they all know the route and are all very familiar with how to get to Dooralong Hall. How can one be so wrong!

I waited for Mark to show up, only this time there were two following him instead of in front. We waited at the Peats Ridge Rd turnoff to the M1 and watched as the other two rode on past the turnoff. I still thought they all know the way to Dooralong so no worries. Wrong again!

The leader and TEC were the only ones at Dooralong Hall apart from the NDIS busses. After some hasty telephone calls we discovered the group at Jerry’s Kulnura.

Peter C elected himself second alternate leader and proceeded to bring the faithful to the hall. They arrived after Mark and I had completed our little lunch and the time was approaching mid-day. It was now obvious that Dungog as a destination was seriously compromised. Once we were almost all together again a quick decision was made to change the destination to another place at least starting with the letter ‘D’ - Dora Creek.

We found a lovely shady place by the river under a nice tree of knowledge to munch our lunch and solve all the world’s problems.

The Pie in the Sky was also selected as a final meeting place and off we rode. We were enjoying a cuppa when the remaining group, all except the colourful one arrived. We were whole again!

Some more discussion about the wonderful ride to ‘D’ and what the F happened and we headed off to our loved ones.

A special thanks to Mark for keeping me company and acting as TEC.

I also have a request from the other attendees, that the ride committee consider an earlier starting time for rides of such length particularly those starting from Berowra.

Cheers to all Jim