Catherine Hill Bay

-

 Got a last-minute call to play “Ride Leader” today—basically the biking equivalent of being asked to DJ a wedding with no playlist. 

I wasn’t exactly prepared, but hey, we’ve done this route before, and it’s pretty straightforward.

Weather looked like it was auditioning for a rainstorm, but BOM promised, “Don’t worry, mate, you’ll be fine till tonight.” Sure, BOM. Sure.

About 15 riders gathered at Berowra for the briefing. Three faces I didn’t recognize, but apparently Keith was the only newbie. 

Poor Keith—he didn’t know what he signed up for.

We rolled out at 10 a.m. sharp, heading for morning tea at the Triangle.

I set a decent pace—roads were quiet, just a few cars, trucks, and the occasional bike. 

Nothing dramatic happened en route, which is always a win in my book.





Then… the rain decided to RSVP just as we hit the bottom of Bumble Hill Road. 

Time for Plan B: abort mission and head to the Pie for lunch. 

Cue the wet-weather fashion show—everyone suddenly looked like they were auditioning for a waterproof superhero movie.

Down the highway we went, through the rain, half of us peeling off at Somersby, then cruising the Old Pac to the Pie. 

A few showers, nothing biblical. 

Most of us made it to the Pie for the usual: coffee, pies, sausage rolls, and a good chinwag.

Not the longest ride ever, but a solid day out. 

Rain tried to ruin the party, but honestly, it just made the pies taste better.

 

 

thanks all for your company today

Rob McKee

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Broke Ride 20th July 2023

-
Image
  On arrival at Maccas McGraths Hill the temperature was a brisk 6 degrees but that did not deter 14 other riders from near and far. Simon Morgan turned up on a brand new Triumph Bonneville and volunteered to ride as TEC so he could take some time to familiarise himself with the new machine. Just prior to   10 o’clock   the briefing outlined a fairly straightforward route with a pit stop at the Grey Gum Cafe although not open for business   until Friday it still works well as a good half way point if you packed a drink and muesli bar. The question of Corner Marking was raised and although the only two intersections where we turn right to reach our destination are well signposted we would corner mark just to be sure. A brisk pace was set as we headed off up the Putty. The weather was perfect and virtually no traffic however there was a report of at least 4 lots of roadworks on the Live Traffic App but there turned out to be numerous work sites but we were only stopped...
Read more

Mudgee 3 Day Ride 14-16th Sept 2023

-
Image
Mudgee 3 day ride report below and a PADPAL for those not on the Mudgee trip. The designated ride leader (Peter Wallshaw) bailed out at the last minute due to the unexpected arrival of his second granddaughter Rosie, who arrive a few weeks early. Peter was left holding the first granddaughter and her dog, subsequently missing a great ride. All doing well.   I led day one, 16 riders up to Mudgee via Tarana, Kelso, Sofala. Lots of nice twisty back roads.   Day two, I led the dirt ride loop, in the pub the night before we had 6 riders, but in the morning that had reduced to 4, sadly no GS riders were up for the dirt challenge. First thing we had to get back to the Sofala area to ride up The Bridle Track, so we went on some back roads through the mountains from Mudgee, very nice combination of fast bitumen and dirt, along Aarons Pass road for example, I can recommend it.   The Bridle Track runs alongside the Macquarie river, very scenic, lots of wild critters about, lunch at ...
Read more

Broke via Putty Rd 23rd February 2023

-
Image
  Broke via the Putty Ride Report It started with a phone call but this time even I have to admit Alan’s excuse was pretty good i.e. there’s a tree fallen on my house and it’s blocking my driveway. So suddenly I was leading the ride with less than 24 hours to prepare! Step 1 was to check the route given the appalling weather over the previous 24 hours. So I checked with Grey Gums but they didn’t know about the road but did know that their “facilities” would be offline on the morning of the ride “if the plumber made it through”. Mmmmm that could be problematic, did they have any suggestions and just like that I had the number of the Halfway Roadhouse which is a 10mins ride further up the Putty from Windsor. So a call to Dave (owner) resulted in a change of ride plan with morning tea at the Halfway Roadhouse. Step 2 was to check the return route and all looked AOK and PITS was open. Step 3 (which didn’t happen) should’ve been to check my route to Windsor. If I had got to that I would...
Read more

Kiama Ride 18th Jan 2024

-
Image
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...
Read more

Swansea Ride - 7th November 2024

-
Image
RIDE REPORT Let’s Swan off to Swansea, 20 or so Riders gathered (all champing to get away) at the Berowra Servo. The weather looked “iffy”, but that didn’t deter. Knowing that, with my Motoguzzi Italian Stallion, everyone would overtake me, the executive decision was made – meet at Jerry’s (Kulnura) for coffee – and almost immediately the weather improved and Suitcase took the lead – thanks for that. On arrival at Jerry’s, I felt a frisson of friction – our Hills Rider (A) was being harangued by an irate Hog rider for “daring” to block his exit and, despite an apology and (A) moving his bike, the Hog Rider proved to be the ‘perfect gentleman’ by ignoring the apology, and literally spitting at A, before spluttering off to his next confrontation. Excitement over, we farewelled Jerry and Mrs Jerry, with Tony leading us down Bumble Hill to Yarramalong past the Pink Elephants, then to Hue Hue Road, Rutley’s Road and Pacific Highway, past the Monster-Prawn, along some familiar sweeping bends...
Read more