It had been a while since I’d had to avoid road-kill, but, at 4:50 am it was a sad fact, passing two little dead critters along Mona Vale Road.  Shiny-new rider Mark from Collaroy on his “Niner” waited while I filled the Guzzi tank and assured myself I had checked the oil-cap “tight-as”. Ring Road 3, the standard route for the past twenty-odd years, is an early morning Easy-ride, then we take a right onto Victoria Road at Top Ryde, with the sky lightening. More VERY bright lights announced six stern-faced Officers-in-Blue requesting 1. Count to ten 2. Show Licence.  Free at last, we tootled into Parramatta (going left at the monstrous Football Stadium, then parking 200m from Parramatta Park entrance gates, and strolling 500m to the Balloons Site.  Only one mini-balloon was inflated, and many folk very deflated when we were told that the faint breeze prevented safe launch of all the large, full-sized balloons. One fire-brand entertained with his gas-fire pumping out some u...

Due to the weather forecast for extreme heat and high temperatures around the scheduled destination of Kitchener a “quick discussion” ensued between the 10 assembled riders prior to the   10am   departure from Berowra to elect a new spot for lunch. Discarding Kitchener, Swansea, Norah Head and a few others there was a final consensus of a pinion which settled upon Summerland Point.  Isn’t living in a Democratic Society wonderful. Also worthy of mention, one rider was given special permission by She Who Must Be Obeyed to ride today because it was his birthday, 69 years young and what great memories, a spontaneous birthday chorus broke out which could be heard all over Berowra and I understand he is looking forward to his present when he gets home later in the day. After all of the above formalities, also noting Double Demerit Points are in force and drinking lots of water during the day to keep hydrated we tracked north to the Triangle via Yarramalong for morning tea under...

  I was the last to arrive at Berowra and found the bikes were clustered together. This only allowed me to park near the driveway. Upon approaching the group, I was promptly told that I had parked in the leader’s spot so I was the leader. Bugga, won’t do that again. I had previously thought that if this were to happen, I should have a destination in mind that I knew well. So proceeded to detail said route when I was interrupted by, “No, we already have a destination”.    Time for the ride briefing, Paul M started to explain the route until he was reminded that he is not leading today. My turn, Morning tea at Dooralong, no need for corner marking. Final destination Millfield. Waze was checked, speed camera at Cowan. This seems to be a regular occurrence of late probably encouraged by the local MP trying to please the locals.   10 off us headed off at what I thought was a good pace until, not far from Calga, a motorcyclist going the other way was either having a great ...

A fine day dawns for a change and as the designated ride leader, I prepare to depart. Geez.....the bl#@8y thing wont start. Looking like a short ride, I contemplate calling in 'sick'. Anyway I decided to put the stead on charge for 5 min and low and behold it eventually kicks over...... I leave it running for awhile then decide to risk it and head for Heathote.   I duly arrive at Heathcote and find a lonesome Peter W supping on a coffee.....me thinks PW will naturally assume TEC duties. After a bit of a yarn and a coffee, in roll 5 other riders who dispute the contention of our various Flat Earthers that the world does not disappear into a void south of the 'bridge'.   A short briefing ensued and we welcome a virgin to the ranks in the usual manner.......Peter.....wtf how many Peters do we have now. That got me thinking...what does it mean.....well for the few non Peter's out there, it means "Rock'. Well that conjures up all sorts of connotations. I begin t...

  Thursday 11th January - seemed like a good day to head out and join in the ride to Catherine Hill bay. Our leader for the day, must have lost his Passport and was a no show. The riders from the committee then did a quick scan of the next 6 months ride calendar and suggested that I assume the duties for the day as I had no ride leader duties for the next six months. Accepting the request - I then informed the 20 plus riders that morning tea would be a Dooralong - as I know the way - and there I would consult Google maps with a route taking us to Catherine Hill Bay. We had new riders from the Hills group join us - so we offered a token clap, another ride also tagged on the end when leaving the servo, slightly ahead of schedule. We all enjoyed a brisk ride - Old Highway - Peats Ridge - Kulnura - Bumble Hill - Yarramalong - Dooralong. Corner making working well - also noted that we had a Harley rider in the group today. Morning tea was quite lively as Erica regaled stories of ma...

  Welcome to 2024! Our first UNB ride of the New Year took us on a “Black and Tan” ride to Kanangra Walls, about 30km south of Jenolan Caves in the Kanangra-Boyd National Park. By Saturday evening I had a list of ten starters including new Member Simon on his first ride with us, my UNSWMCC friend Russell, and Vaughn and his cousin Craig. Sunday 7 th was a great day for a ride – mild but partly cloudy, and the forecast possible showers did threaten but didn’t arrive. Seven of us left St Ives at 8.05am and went straight to the M2, continued onto the M7, and out Richmond Road where we picked up Russell and on to the BP Kurmond for a comfort stop. Only light traffic up the mountains but a 5 minute delay at Mt Tomah roadworks and plenty of Police presence kept everyone at best behaviour. Left at Bell and over the Causeway to Mount Victoria to a fuel and coffee stop at the Ampol, where we met Craig but not Vaughn, who had torn a muscle whilst wrestling his bike in his garage. From Mt Vi...