start of the day looked a bit dodgy with heavy cloud cover but luckily no rain.   Eighteen riders assembled at Berowra 7-eleven.  There were no virgins as I guess they were absent due to their “endangered species” classification!!!   We headed off to Jerry’s for morning tea. The previous day there were a lot of highway patrol officers on the M1 (I counted twelve on bikes and in cars) when I rode from Port Macquarie to Sydney so I thought they’ve done their dash and we can push the pace along a bit, which we did. At Jerry’s we were joined by another rider who had had battery problems so we were now nineteen. After being told I shouldn’t have regrouped at Calga as we were corner marking religiously by some smart-arsed GS rider we headed off down Bumble Hill and along the Yarramalong Valley, again at a brisk pace. We turned left at Hue Hue road and then left again at Dicksons Road following it all the way to Mandalong road where we turned right and negotiated the “Gravel” ro...

  How good is spring time. Much debate about all the flowering blossom trees, mid September is suely the best time to be out west, might quit my job as being retired. Kickoff - Heathcote Macca as planned via Engadine. 11 riders gathered - fueled up, coffe'd up ready to go. Senic route via National Park to Stanwell tops then on the Shellharbour - marina precinct - very new, nice marina (reconnoiter for my next voyage to Tasy) Own joined the group, next stop - fuel only Nowra then Neriga Pub for lunch. Court Marshalling required for 80% of riders - who think Norwa - spells Neriga. OK - Tarago for arvo tea / lunch for some, why Tarago - stilll part dirt from Neriga to Braidwood. O'oh - missing phone - misplaced, loss, stolen - but not with the owner - comments - forget get a new one, what are they buying with you phone credit card, what to do, call the servo, - not there, sleep on it - so off the Bungendore via the Braidwood road - as we have inside info that Bunge...

  After a quick briefing 17 talented Riders (2 Ladies and 15 “Gentleman”) departed the Berowra 7 Eleven under clear Spring Sunny Skies at the scheduled   9:30am   earlier start time. As planned our group was joined by Karen Fitzgerald as we cruised by Jerry’s at Kulnura bringing the lady rider numbers up to three. Having Karen join us was a great relief to Allan Scott who was feeling very lost and lonely at the 7 Eleven departure point. The regroup at Wollombi went smoothly as we tracked a further 30k’s north to Broke for our morning tea break. At this point I was mindful of another well known rider Frank Henry from Armidale joining us at the township of Merriwa.  Having used all my amazing computing skills, Artificial Intelligence and other logarithms my ETA given to Frank was to optimistic, so I searched for his “roommate” Wayne whilst at Broke so he could update Frank of a new arrival time. Unfortunately Wayne decided to remain at a distance across the road at the...

  We ride right past this museum at least once or twice every year, I thought it was time we stopped and took a look through it. Our start point was Maccas Narellan and we had 5 riders in our group.   The direct route from Narellan to Thirlmere takes only 30 minutes, so I planned out a longer ride that followed, more or less, a figure eight. We don't normally travel through this area so it was good to ride some roads most of us hadn't seen before. After leaving Maccas we headed north up Narellan Rd turning left onto Cobbitty Rd, then left at Silverdale Rd. We tracked through The Oaks and Oakdale and into Picton (spotting the only gendarme for the day!!) and from there travelled south towards Tahmoor stopping at Bargo Sportsground for morning tea.   After morning tea I was having trouble getting my new nav device (Chigee) to connect to my phone (for Android Auto), testing Rod's patience to the point that he was dropping his clutch in the gravel and spraying dirt. I think I...

When I left home, the sun was shining, the birds were singing, and the kookaburras were laughing. I soon realised why they were laughing. By the time i reached Berowra, the sky was looking rather ominous — the sort of clouds that suggest someone upstairs had just filled a bucket and was deciding where to tip it. Thankfully, the rain held off. We had about 17 riders turn up, which was a bloody good effort considering the weather forecast. Clearly, none of us had anything better to do. We headed off towards Jerry's for morning tea, where I decided to set a nice, firm pace. At least, I thought it was a nice, firm pace. All I could see behind me were headlights. "I'm obviously going too slow," I thought. Either that, or everyone had decided to keep an eye on the old bloke in front in case he got lost. A few riders departed us at Jerry's, and the rest of us continued on towards Pokolbin Park via Broke. No cops. No incidents. No arrests. A very disappointing day for the...

  Oops I’ve had another seniors moment…..forgot all about submitting my ride report until I was awaken at 5am this morning thinking about my early onset something or other and the effects of such!   Anyway it started out a beautiful day, the sun was shinning, the Birds were singing, the Bees were buzzing and the hills were alive with the sound of music……hmmmm not really sure Julie Andrew’s is a good fit for a knarly bunch of hard arsed motorcyclists.   Anyway seven candidates rocked up to Maccas Heathcoate. Rod provided us with a 20 min dissertation on how wonderful the new BMW R1300GS is and its reliability / technical capabilities as well as his glowing remarks about Procycles!    The ride eventually commenced with a spirited lap through the national park, down the highway and upwards to the Robertson Pie shop for morno’s. We were blessed with virtually no traffic on the way up until I stopped behind a bus at some road works. This instigated a treasonous coup ...

The ride this week was to the Australian Infantry Museum, Singleton. There were 20 riders and no virgins present at the briefing but there were quite a few regular riders that had never been to the Infantry museum. Morning tea at Jerry’s was a no brainer and assuming everyone was familiar with Jerry’s at Kulnura there was no necessity for corner marking or regrouping between the start point at Berowra and Kulnura.   It was a straightforward run through to Wollombi and Broke. The roads on this route are much better these days although after recent rain there are some nasty potholes to avoid. The worst section on this ride is Great North Road coming into Wollombi where the road surface is bad but continuing onto Broke along Paynes Crossing and Wollombi Road, the road is in excellent condition as it has been widened and resurfaced. Overall, this route through to the Golden Highway is a good motorcycling road. The earlier  start at 9.30am  from Berowra allowed us a 30-mi...

  ride. Everything clicked, no mishaps or misadventures (on the ride anyway) and a safe return home for everybody.   We had 15 booked for the ride, but unfortunately five had to withdraw, three with vehicle issues, one with the dreaded lurgy, and one with family matters to attend to. In fact, we actually had 16 booked for the ride, but one had drafted the email to confirm to me that they were coming, but forgot to press send. Fortunately, we had three late registrations, so ended up with 13 for the ride. Given that two of those who cancelled were sharing, the room configuration did not change for the motel, and they were very happy to have had our custom. Zorbas is a great location right on the waterfront in Batemans Bay, and easy walk to dinner and breakfast.   We had a briefing outlining where we're going, but I'm pretty sure that went in one ear and out the other of everybody there. We welcomed Spencer for his second ride with us, and Mark, who had come down from Port ...

  With a crystal blue sky and not a cloud in sight, what better than a trip to the beach. Except the fur seals were shivering with the cold, so it was down to 22 intrepid Thursday Riders to venture out to Norah Head with varying degrees of insulation between themselves and the self induced 100 kph wind chill.   We took the Old Road to Somersby and then on to Jerry’s for morning tea. Rather fortuitously, just as we were finishing up there, two marked and a possible third unmarked police car rolled into the car park. Unfortunately there wasn’t time for a chat, so we all left in a very orderly and law abiding way with the thought that the road ahead should be free of licence endangering encounters.   And so it proved to be as we traversed Bumble Hill and took the long roads back to the coast - Yarramalong, Dooralong and Mandalong. We all made it to the Norah Head lunch spot, with a little bit of innovative navigation by a few en route.   Then back to The Pie for most of...

  We should ride every Wednesday. The weather was perfect. 17 Cowpersons (there were 2 cowgirls and 15 cowboys) headed out of Berowra, north toward Wollombi. As well as an early springtime, paranoia was in the air as we passed, unhindered as it turned out, through the speed traps and patrol cars on the Old Highway before stopping at Jerry’s for coffee.     A lovely run through Wollombi, and via the Martindale back road into Denman for lunch. Next the Bylong Valley Way, wonderfully green and picturesque with cattle standing like statues and at that lolling speed which is quick but leisurely. This is a classic motorcycling road. Then on to Rylstone, and the World-famous Globe Hotel.   The Globe describes itself as 3 star, but that is not quite true. Let me get to that. The rooms are small; a bit bigger than a ‘phone box with thermodynamic construction to keep them cold in winter and hot in summer, and with a shared and distant bathroom. The beds remind me of my time in...

  Well, I made a couple of mistakes yesterday. It was drizzling with rain here on the Central Coast, and I had almost decided not to ride when I looked at the weather chart and that suggested that the rain was not going very far inland, so I decided to get into my gear and ride. That was a mistake. I should've stayed home.   When I arrived at Berowra there was an excited group of riders examining Rockets new 1300 GS, and wishing him well with running it in.   At the start we learned that the nominated ride leader had a mechanical failure, and would not be turning up, so I let myself get press-ganged into putting my hand up to lead the ride. That was a mistake.   Given that ride was to the Ebeneezer church for lunch,  which is not a very long ride, I suggested out loud that it would probably be worth making the ride a bit longer, with a ride up Bumble Hill to Jerry's for morning tea, and then across to Ebeneezer for lunch. Everyone thought that was a reasonable i...

  Hi, it's taken me pretty well all day to come to terms. Bob Yonge told me this morning that he will depart this world tomorrow Wednesday. I have known Bob for nigh on 30 years so even though I totally agree and understand his decision it's still came as a a bolt. A lovely respected gentleman who will be sorely missed! He has chosen to die at his home with his family beside him. He said to say hello and goodbye!!! Erica

  Despite the rain, 8 keen riders turned up at McGraths Hill all confident it would not rain out west. We did encounter the odd shower on the way to Bulga but arrived there for lunch in sunshine after a break at Grey Gums. The return however was somewhat wetter especially around Peats Ridge but the sun was out again for our farewells at The Pie.  I was on my KTM390 but everybody was able to keep up with me. I think the roads constantly changing between dry and wet deterred anybody from overtaking me!! Thanks to all for your company... another great day out riding. Peter (KTM)

  Well, what a week makes, raining last week and sunny this week. So 21 (including two ladies) riders decided to join in for what turned out to be a spectacular day for riding. The group was well behaved and we didn't lose anyone, although after morning tea at Wollombi some riders had to depart for other duties. The 16 remaining (including 1 lady) riders continued through Millfield, Paxton and to the Mount Sugarloaf lookout. The view was clear and you could almost see Erina beach. No issues raised over lunch and then off to PITS to finish off an enjoyable ride Regards Geoff Briggs

  Report from ride today. Well 3 Peters first turned up ready for a ride (based on the weather forecast you could hardly call them 3 wise men!) then Brian and Andrew. So 5 jolly riders started the ride under foreboding skies… all went smoothly but by the time we arrived at morning tea smoko the skies decided it was time to confirm the adverse forecast. Two riders got wise and decided to high tail it from there whilst the 3 remaining riders continued to Burragorang lookout. Lookout in words, as it was completely covered in rain cloud but one could imagine the views on a good day would be pretty spectacular, just not today. By this time the rain had set in and it was jointly decided to high tail it home. Great roads and in dry conditions would be a lot of fun. Hope all arrived home safely, ready for hopefully a dry ride next week.. Thanks to Peter (Ktm), Peter (Harley)Andrew (Tenere) and Brian (Ducati) for your company. See you all on the next ride. Cheers. Peter (Africa Twin)

Thursday Locstock Dam Ride report from the stand-in ride leader.  Allan Scott was to lead but injured himself on Monday.  Whilst sitting on the toilet reading an article on his phone, his leg went to sleep so as he stood up, he fell down.  Sprained right ankle, sore knee and hip.  Allan said the article was very interesting, Stephen suggested he was looking at porn, Danny is thinking of designing a seat belt and my opinion is he was looking the Bank Statement and fainted.  Anyway .... on with the ride.   I was alerted  at 9:37am  that the ride should have left  at 9:30am .  Sorry about that.  Steve Sampson kindly offered to be TEC.  We got under way from Berowra, down the Old Road to Somersby.  Onto the freeway for a short stint to Wyong and along Old Maitland Road, past the triangle, up Hue Hue Road and turned onto Jilliby Road.  I was sure that was the corner Frosty corner marked for me.  Nice run through Jilli...

  Despite some early showers, 4 riders made it to Heathcote Maccas for   a 9:30am   start. It was decided a TEC was not required and we headed off to Smoko at the Robertson Pie Shop where we picked up another rider from the South Coast. We then headed to the pub at Nerriga via Kangaroo Valley and Nowra. After our pub lunch we took the back road to Marulan via Bungonia and then home on the Hume Highway. A good days riding with very little traffic and only a couple of rain drops around Nowra. A little over 500 kms door to door. Thanks to my fellow riders for your company and usual banter. Peter (KTM) Walshaw

  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...