Sofala Ride 12th Sept 2024

 The pre ride discussion included that water proof riding gear was a myth, a general agreement that longer rides should have an earlier start, the weather and should we amend the destination. Having checked the weather radar I thought that we would be able to thread the needle between to rain storms so the destination remained the same. No virgins and as we had all been across the mountains many times no need for corner marking or a TEC. I regretted the lack of TEC later as I was often distracted with checking the mirrors to make sure we had not left anyone. Traffic was light, I set the pace as a cruise, and we all arrived at Maccas Lithgow together.

 

Further discussion on the destination and weather lead 5 of the 9 heading back. The 4 remaining, after checking the radar, decided that, yes, we should be able to get between the rain. We arrived at Sofala as the rain had turned from a few drops and were welcomed by thunder and heavier rain. We ate in the park then headed off home via Wattle Flat and Limekilns Road. 

 

The weather deteriorated to a down pour, big pools of water on the road and even worse at the edges. “It can’t get worse “and maybe we should have just retraced our tracks back to Lithgow was my thought. Then came the section of heavy rain on hail.  Sphincter tightening stuff, It was here I stopped checking the mirrors. Further down the road the weather eased so I stopped for the others to catch up but no show. I hoped no one had come off so back into the storm I went, after reaching where I last saw the lights of the bike following me and having not seen any rescue vehicles, I realised that I had been abandoned for taking them into this mess. I assumed they turned off at Yarras lane which I then did arriving back to a dry Gt western Hwy. 

 

A lonely, wet rider I was, now so despondent that I did not care about the licence points and screwed that throttle hard. It was only coming into Lithgow I got caught behind a slower car which coincided with my first sighting of a well lite auto waiting for prey on the other side of the road. So, someone up there did love me, I eased back and was a good boy on a mainly dry return home. Dry that is except for the water that had penetrated under my Ixon waterproof riding gear. Standing to stretch my legs or fart was out of the question as the breeze on my wet lower parts was creating ice cubes, or more accurately ice balls.

 

Home safely where my wife was waiting with my pipe and slippers, I was hoping, did not happen just you silly bugger.

 

Thanks for all that turned up, I enjoyed the company. Surprisingly I still had a good time.

Andrew