Scone 2 Day Ride 1-2nd Oct 2025

 McDonalds McGraths Hill was a hive of activity as 25 or so riders gathered for a 10.00am departure for this overnight ride to Scone the long way but a more interesting route. After a short briefing we managed to successfully hightail it out of Windsor and across the grasslands past a mobile camera car not far along on the right-hand side opposite. A quick stop at Kurmond to regroup and it was a nice ride along Bells Line of Road with another mobile camera car and then a lollipop stop and go at Bilpin as workman were clearing vegetation along the roads edge. Roadworks at Mt Tomah held us up momentarily and it was a clear run to Lithgow to regroup just west of McDonalds. The group of 25 bikes seem to have been split up into three groups because of the number of traffic lights getting through the railway town of Lithgow. The first stop was the very impressive Wallerawang Bakery for lunch.

The Castlereagh Hwy was a good run with a 5-minute break at the Ilford Rest Area. The Glen Davis section was left out to save time.  Rylstone was the next stop for fuel before the next 175 kms to Scone via Merriwa. Everyone was ready to leave Rylstone after refuelling but we were missing three bikes. Some text messages and some frantic phone calls and we were made aware that we were missing one Corner Marker, Tail End Charlie and Danny. Turns out Danny’s beloved BMW decided to short circuit and give up the ghost but with Danny’s knowledge of his trusty machine and Danny’s mechanical know how was able to fire up his bike and continue on rewardless.

 

The Bylong Valley Way between Rylstone and Sandy Hollow was the next big challenge with the odd heavy vehicle to overtake coupled with mountainous and windy roads and of course potholes and roadkill to lookout for so as a result the group did get a bit fragmented. 

 

It’s always a nice stop for a break at Bylong and one of our lady riders Jane had a photo of herself with her Triumph at the front of the old general store and service station she could then show her friend that own the business a few years ago. Unfortunately, the store has been closed now since Covid in 2020.

 

Turning left onto the Golden Hwy to Merriwa was a pleasant change but the Point-to-Point speed checks for heavy vehicles was a bit of a hinderance for some of our riders as they were on their best behaviour. Turning off in Merriwa took us along the Bunnan-Scone Road, a fantastic road to Scone, about a 45-minute journey over 63 kms arriving at The Gables Inn at 4.30pm for the first group of riders.

 

The Thursday Riders occupied 17 of the 21 rooms at the motel and others stayed at the Colonial Motor Lodge, Royal Hotel Motel and Airlie House. The Scone RSL worked well for our group with Happy Hour Schooners for $3 and a very wide range of food in the Bistro. The Wednesday night all you can eat $22 Buffet was popular and the bistro fixed menu meals were a hit as well.

 

Thursday morningsaw an 8.30amdeparture taking a back road from Scone into Muswellbrook via some horse studs and dairies to the Hunter Belle Cheese Café for our first stop then it was onto the Trading Post at Laguna for lunch. Most of the group finished up at Pie in the Sky on the last leg. Points for improvement by the rank and file was leave McGraths Hills Maccas at 9.30am.

 

Thanks to all the Corner Markers and Tail End Charlies Rob Toshack and Peter Walshaw. Until next time.

Cheers

Dave Sipple

Ride Leader