Armidale 4 day ride report Day 1 – Tuesday 2 June 11 riders registered for this four day tour but one unfortunately had to drop out on the morning of the trip due to mechanical issues. That makes 10! [Three Peters, Two Frasers and a couple of other ‘unique’ individuals on the usual assortment of BMWs, a couple of Hondas and a lonely Kawasaki representative.] Nine riders set off from Berowra with a plan to pick up the remaining rider on the way. It was the usual route out of town (OPH to Calga, Peats Ridge Rd, George Downes Dr and then onto The Great North Rd). Morning Tea was at the Trading Post at Laguna and then it was off to Singleton to pick up Rider #10.  This Singleton detour had us discover a couple of really lovely back roads that I hadn’t ridden before (Stony Creek Rd, Middle Falbrook Rd, Glennies Creek Rd) before hopping back onto The New England Highway. Well worth the diversion! We copped a little bit of rain as we headed into Scone for lunch. We blamed this on R...

    There were thirteen eager riders at Berowra 7-Eleven waiting to pounce on my arrival and to let me know that because I whimped out on my ride to Swansea Heads last week due to adverse weather conditions that I should lead that ride today. I was way ahead of them as I had already made up my mind to volunteer to do just that, so all their self-righteousness was quickly put back in the box!!!   The plan was to have morning tea at Jerry’s and then progress to Swansea Heads via Bumble Hill, Yarramalong, Hue Hue road, Rutleys road and Pacific Highway. All good. We were honoured by the presence of our illustrious leader Rocket who bravely left his sick bed to make an appearance.   The weather was cool and occasionally overcast but at least the rain kept away.   At Jerry’s Rocket plus A. N Other left us for various reasons??    Unfortunately on the onward journey from Jerry’s there were a number of “phantom” roadworks which delayed our progress somewhat. N...