Megalong Valley Ride 9th Nov 2023
It It was an an enticing morning to gather at McGraths Hill Maccas, the weather was good but a sceptical majority must have been reading the forecast from the BOM and decided to stay at home. Nevertheless 7 riders gathered and then learned that one rider had a 'brain snap' and was waiting for us at Berowra! The route was through Wilberforce, up the Putty and then left at Blaxland Ridge Rd. to Bells Line. As we passed Bilpin one rider was seduced by The Grumpy Baker, now 6 riders. The forgetful one joined us at Mount Tomah for smoko, back to 7 riders. Phones showing weather radar are wonderful things, promising a downpour, back to 5 riders.
Due to the sky indicating fulfilment of the radar projection and the probability of a rather wet, potholed run down to the end of the Megalong Valley, with no shelter at the end. The destination was changed to Mt.York, which has shelter.
The race was now on the finish lunch and beat the rain, we failed, as the sky opened upon leaving for Mt. Victoria. The rain continued until just before Mt. Tomah when light seemed to be reflecting from the road. A closer look revealed an increasing amount of icy hail, no time for front brakes! Assuming the hail would only be around 'The Gardens' we went only 5 kilometres further where hail totally covered the road, up to 5cms in depth, but just to emphasis the point, a hail storm erupted. There was no shelter and agglomerated stones up to 3 cms diameter were targeting us. This continued almost until Bilpin. Most cars pulled of the road but my concern was that if stopped, it is hard to start a bike moving again on an icy road! We survived.
Coffee was taken at the Mountain Bell and time was passed until the weather improved. An interesting day!
Cheers
Paul
was an an enticing morning to gather at McGraths Hill Maccas, the weather was good but a sceptical majority must have been reading the forecast from the BOM and decided to stay at home. Nevertheless 7 riders gathered and then learned that one rider had a 'brain snap' and was waiting for us at Berowra! The route was through Wilberforce, up the Putty and then left at Ridge Rd. to Bells Line. As we passed Bilpin one rider was seduced by The Grumpy Baker, now 6 riders. The forgetful one joined us at Mount Tomah for smoko, back to 7 riders. Phones showing weather radar are wonderful things, promising a downpour, back to 5 riders.
Due to the sky indicating fulfilment of the radar projection and the probability of a rather wet, potholed run down to the end of the Megalong Valley, with no shelter at the end. The destination was changed to Mt.York, which has shelter.
The race was now on the finish lunch and beat the rain, we failed, as the sky opened upon leaving for Mt. Victoria. The rain continued until just before Mt. Tomah when light seemed to be reflecting from the road. A closer look revealed an increasing amount of icy hail, no time for front brakes! Assuming the hail would only be around 'The Gardens' we went only 5 kilometres further where hail totally covered the road, up to 5cms in depth, but just to emphasis the point, a hail storm erupted. There was no shelter and agglomerated stones up to 3 cms diameter were targeting us. This continued almost until Bilpin. Most cars pulled of the road but my concern was that if stopped, it is hard to start a bike moving again on an icy road! We survived.
Coffee was taken at the Mountain Bell and time was passed until the weather improved. An interesting day!
Cheers
Paul
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