PADPAL 25th July 2024

 As is the norm of late the PADPAL was to be split between 3 riders to “spread the load” but as is also becoming “normal” it didn’t quite pan out that way.

10 riders assembled at Berowra including a couple of very infrequent faces. It was suggested and seconded that a Wollombi Loop was in order and in short order we had Al#1 for the Kulnura leg, Al#2 for the Millfield leg and I volunteered for the “Long” leg back to the Pie. In the meanwhile a veritable procession of jam sandwiches was passing by the 7-11 prompting some musing about WTF was going on.

Anyway, Al#1, one the the relative newbies, assured us he knew where Jerry’s was at Kulnura so we set off up the old road behind him with confidence albeit a slightly reticent start. This was due to one of our number positioning at the front but then not following the leader out so’s to not have to corner mark!

All was going well right up to Mount White when Al#1 turned right into the Road Warriors Cafe followed closely by one of our number. The rest paused momentarily, said “sod that” and carried on with me in the lead up the old road to Calga. We regrouped there and a very apologetic Al#1 appeared but wasn’t game for a second innings as lead so I led the pack up to Kulnura. On the way we met more jam sandwiches heading south so they were either all heading lemminglike for a cliff somewhere or summat big was “going down”.

 

After a pleasant morning tea in the warm sunshine where problems of the world were discussed and then discarded as not being real problems anyway Al#2 (him of the Antarctic) called the ride and we set off for Millfield. There was the normal hiatus at the Bucketty turn for St Albans with the traffic lights there seemingly always red! From up the front of the pack all seemed to be progressing normally, in fact him of the Antarctic was enjoying his new bike so much I was having a hard time keeping up. At Wollombi the leader flagged a corner marker who promptly ignored him so I took up the cudgel and marked the corner whilst the group regathered further up. Before long the TEC arrived but I couldn’t help but notice we were one rider short. Questioning of the normally uber reliable TEC revealed he had overtaken a biker he thought not part of our group. He’ll not live that down for a while😜 I flagged the ride group to carry on whilst I waited for the straggler who finally pottered into view 5 mins later so I led him to join the others at the Millfield Cafe for lunch. 

 

Upon arrival consternation was afoot, some dastardly swine had cut down the beautiful vines and with it all the shade. Discussion with the cafe staff led to the fact that the new chemist now in residence next to the cafe had demanded their removal as it was hiding his shop frontage, what an absolute cad! We were assured that big plans were in train and all would be beautiful again soon.

 

After a short battle to open the furled shade umbrella at our table, yes I can be really thick when following 5 parallel sets of instructions, lunch was enjoyed despite the missing greenery.

 

I called the ride but then noticed one of our number was already set and about to depart, I asked what the go was and got some rambling explanation of helmet testing. I returned to my bike mounted up and found all but one of the group had left the carpark and were lined up on the road. I rolled out expecting to run up the line to the front but no, as soon as I reached the back marker the group set off led by the helmet tester!! Somewhat bemused I was leading the return leg from the back. At the roadworks near the Kitchener turn off I returned to the front only to be overtaken again on the final section of Sandy Creek Rd. I had resigned myself to the non-leading leader role and intending to stop for fuel at Freemans when I found the whole group waiting for me there with frantic hand gestures to get back up the front. I still have no clue what that was all about.

 

From Freemans Waterhole we passed through Cooranbong and on to Mandelong and then down Dicksons to the Hue. All was progressing well until we reached the Triangle where unbeknownst to me, the TEC turned left for the motorway whereas the rest of the group bar one, went down the valley to Yarramalong. This meant when I requested a marker for the Bumble Hill turn I got a phone call from him a while later saying the TEC was a no show. Meanwhile treachery was rearing up again at the front of the pack with riders overtaking me whilst I was on the call. Apparently my brain can’t cope with riding fast and talking on the phone so I automatically slow down. So by the time we reached the turn for Mangrove Mt I was back in the middle of the pack. Bugger it I thought and stopped for fuel at the Corrugated Cafe. Then at Calga I took the freeway down to Mooney Mooney. Consequently I was waiting at the lights over the Peats Ferry bridge when the now leaders of my pack rolled up behind me.

 

All was forgiven over coffee at the Pie and all agreed it was a bloody good ride with great weather and excellent company.

 

Thanks to all and even to the unnamed TEC whom I can’t really blame too much because in hindsight I briefed the group on the intended ride including the use of corner marking on all legs before the TEC arrived at Berowra and I never did tell him that last bit.

 

Until the next time.

 

AndyJ