Wangi Ride 23rd Oct 2025

 Well, that all went ok. The weather was near perfect. People thrust money into my hands as they arrived at Berowra and we went for a ride.

We wandered off down the Old Pacific Highway. This is a lovely road and easy to under-appreciate because we do it so often. Lots of bends and twisty bits, and the added excitement that comes with the impossibility of riding within the speed limit, even, for much of it, if you are on a bicycle. 

We are blessed, and Australia is beautiful as you wander through the trees and over the Hawkesbury and past the rich orange-red sandstone cliffs. The colour is almost Trumpesque, but I put that unpleasant thought behind me secure in the knowledge that the cliffs were there a million years BT, and will be there, provided we don’t blow the world up, a million years PT.

I thought the following crowd was a bit slow, but that didn’t matter. They’d soon catch up at the multiplicity of roadworks traffic lights placed strategically to frustrate us. Quietly out the front I contemplated what a joy this all was, and what a joy my motorcycling mates were. This wasn’t just about the ride. These are the people that make a difference; independent, self reliant, themselves and with a propensity to go at least a bit fast even if only on a bicycle, which they weren’t.

A quick coffee at Jerry’s, and pleasant discussion with a good mate of mine who has secured the World Land Speed record for green BMW GS1300’s. He’s still not sure whether the summons is in the mail, or if the cops will simply turn up at his house one day, shortly. It’s wonderful to live on the edge like that. Almost as much fun as a Strata housing dispute.

We continue to think what a thoroughly nice place Australia is, and the value as it is for a short time on a low tax pension, as we swoop down into the Yarramalong Valley, and up through Jillaby and other longs and bongs like Dooralong and Cooranbong and into Awakabul country.

We waddle through Wangi, arriving at No 139 a few minutes early. People press more money into my hands, as they come through the door. I contemplate an escape to Brazil. Our special guests, Ulysses legends Lynn Lesslie and Mike Abberfield are hard at work, cutting up onions or burning off their eyebrows on an errant and explosive barbecue.

Everyone is fed well. Best in class snags, rissoles and salad, especially the potato salad, as we spread ourselves on The Deck of Contemplation watching the birds, and the breeze rippling across the lake. Thanks to my wife Jennifer for that. This is a really generous day. I haven’t banked the money yet so Brazil remains a possibility. I’ve always wanted to go to Carnivale, but on reflection Wangi may be much more pleasant.

According to current calculations, we’ve raised around $1,700 for UCARF. That includes the cash collected today, and some direct deposits, a couple of which I haven’t quite caught up with yet. For those grinches or otherwise busy people with full lives that haven’t donated yet, it’s never too late. Bank details are:

Account: UCARF 
BSB: 062 517
Account: 1078 6075

Let’s see if we can beat $2,000! Let me know when you donate, so we can keep a tally. Put “Thursday Riders” in the reference.

Thanks to everyone. Rheumatoid Arthritis is an awful disease, especially if you’re a motorcyclist that otherwise could have had the sort of great day us lucky, jammy bastards that were in the ride had!

Thanks too to Peter Walshaw, our TEC for the day. He got the whole crowd to Wangi on time, and in full.

Stephen Davies