Thursday promised rain, skies were sodden 3 hardy souls turned up at Berowra, in drizzle. Raining on the beaches 10:00am  nobody else. I foolishly parked at the front. Leader Andy TEC, Richo was the group! Wets were put on. Destination Ebenezer church or Tractor 828 for morning tea depending on the weather/road conditions and then Grey Gums for lunch. Berowra Waters ferry first, missed it by one minute, when eventually it arrived back, cars disembarked, but the ferry master stopped us getting on, gates closed. He went for a dump, shower, put on his makeup and then his morning tea, in the meantime  the ferry was being sprayed by another gentleman in the drizzle. Weed killer/pest control? never found out, after 25 minutes another Ferry master let us on. Finally we were under way, the clouds parted and a good run to Sackville Ferry, as we arrived the gates closed, would he let us on? No! Watched as he slipped away. another delay. Stopped at Tractor 828 as it was  11:3...

  The weather gods were kind today . . . for a while, but then decided to sabotage our planned ride to Thirlmere.   The few showers this morning were not enough to discourage the seven intrepid riders who made their way to Heathcote McDonalds from near and far. 'Near' being an hour away from the Eastern Suburbs and 'Far' being nearly two hours from the Northern Beaches and The Hills district.   Because of the wet weather, we agreed to abandon the planned RNP leg and proceed down the Old Princess Hwy and the M1, exiting at Picton Road so that we could take the less-travelled Mt Kiera Rd down the hill to the Coast   After a further diversion back onto the M1, we rejoined the Princess Hwy at Dapto so that we could take some back roads towards Illawarra Hwy and then up to the Robertson Pie Shop.   It was at that juncture, exiting the M1 at Dapto, that we lost three of our group, the first four riders being too covert in their egress from the Motorway.  Thankful...

  Tony and I arrived at Berowra to be greeted by 4 enthusiastic riders ready to go, all suggesting that we get going early because Dungog is a long ride. Over the next short while we were joined by another 3. A detailed briefing was given describing the route to our morning tea stop at Dooralong Hall. Mark was appointed Tail End Charlie and he and some others advised that they would leave at Sandy Creek Rd after morning tea as they had commitments in the afternoon.   We were all ready and anxious to get going when a colourful rider turned up and asked for some extra time to top up the gallant steed. Job completed and off we rode. One of our number reported that he had seen a gaggle of motor bike mounted constabulary pass by as we were waiting to leave. This was noted and a careful pace was set as we headed off. I also allowed a couple of other bikes to act as rabbits in case one of the blueys happened to be hiding in the bushes somewhere. True to form we found one hiding in th...

  It  It was an an enticing morning to gather at McGraths Hill Maccas, the weather was good but a sceptical majority must have been reading the forecast from the BOM and decided to stay at home. Nevertheless 7 riders gathered and then learned that one rider had a 'brain snap' and was waiting for us at Berowra!  The route was through Wilberforce, up the Putty and then left at Blaxland Ridge Rd. to Bells Line. As we passed Bilpin one rider was seduced by The Grumpy Baker, now 6 riders.  The forgetful one joined us at  Mount Tomah for smoko, back to 7 riders. Phones showing weather radar are wonderful things, promising a downpour, back to 5 riders.  Due to the sky indicating  fulfilment of the radar projection  and the probability of a rather wet, potholed run down to the end of the Megalong Valley, with no shelter at the end. The destination was changed to Mt.York, which has shelter.  The race was now on the finish lunch and beat the rain,...

There is NO escape! I arrived at Berowra 7-11 to find a gaggle of bikes so slotted neatly in front of them. Turns out it was ladies day so a number of the bikes disappeared early on in the piece as the rest in of the parking filled with bikes and the time was fast approaching  10am . Problem - the allocated ride leader was no where to be seen and no-one had heard from him in any attempt to arrange an alternate leader. At 9:58  Peter of the committee stood up and said “right we need a replacement ride leader”, I kept my counsel and buttoned my lip. He roamed through the crowd of 20 eager riders making pronouncements like “morning tea is at Spencer” so I foolishly assumed (and we all know what that does) it was sorted. He headed back in my direction so I was expecting a “so and so has volunteered so all is good” but instead I got “morning tea is at Spencer and since your bike is parked in front of all the others you are ride leader for today”.   Not happy Jan! So much so th...

  History:   Europeans explored the area  in the summer of  1822 and shortly afterwards  Dr Thomas Braidwood Wilson, a surgeon, was granted land in the area. Wilson, eschewing modesty, named his farm 'Braidwood' so that when part of the farm was resumed for the town it was a simple step to name the town Braidwood.   Starters:  Erica, Steve S, Rob T, Peter W, Frosty, Peter C, Kim & Yours truly.   Day 1 : McGraths Hill, Lithgow, Oberon, Taralga, Goulburn, Bungonia, Tarago, Braidwood....415km   Dinner : Royal Hotel   Day 2:  Braidwood, Gunning, Blayney, Lithgow, Bilpin, McGraths Hill.....487km   Weather:  Day 1 great although slightly on the cool side. Day 2 Cold and fine until lunch then showers to Lithgow, then 5 degrees and rain to Bilpin, thereafter fine.   EEE:  Erica's Enterprising Escapades. Day 1 and Erica disappears whilst we were gassing up...eventually the lady in red arrives flustered and d...

Overcast skies and a little drizzle getting to Berowra 15 riders turned up by ride briefing  at 9:55 Confidently predicted no rain. Peter of the Braces accepted TEC Regrouped at Calga, corner marking from there! George Downes, Right at Springs Rd. Down Bumble Hill, Yarramalong Rd to the Triangle for Morning Tea.  Where the problems of the word were solved, before 13 riders headed up the Hue Hue, left onto Jiliby Rd then right at Dooralong, onto Mandalong Rd. past the infamous corner.  Crossed the MI and right at Wyee Rd, left at Ruttleys Rd, starting to run out of corner markers. a left at the Pacific Hwy, right at Elizabth bay Dr, then left at Birdie Beach Dr into the  Munmorah State Conservation Area, used more corner markers in the last 6k than the rest of the ride. Arrived Frazer Beach.  Thanks to our TEC nobody got lost Beautiful weather, a great view, secluded, isolated, plenty of parking, an ideal lunch stop,  peaceful, serene.  W...

  The designated ride leader has sold his bike and is yet to buy a new one. Given that this was a reasonable excuse, I agreed to lead the ride on his behalf.   Despite the forecasted hot day, 20 riders turned up at Wollombi including one virgin, Geoff, who was duly welcomed to the group and given the clap accordingly. We took a different route to smoko at Jerry's which involved 1.5 hours of riding, without any regrouping thanks to the corner marking system working well.  The route was the usual Pacific Highway to a right turn at Calga and onto Somersby followed by a right turn down Dog Trap Road to Ourimbah. We then rejoined the Pacific Highway to Tuggerah where we turned left and headed to Yarramalong and up Bumble Hill to Jerry's.  After Smoko, 6 riders departed for home leaving 14 making it to Wollombi for lunch in the Park. After lunch, most made their way back via the Wollombi road with a couple taking the circuit via Freemans Water Hole to the Pie.   Despi...

We had three starters from St Ives at 9am and headed to Allambie Heights to the OpShop. Here we were joined by Vaughn and John O, and sat outside in the playground and enjoyed the coffee and pikelets.  Then   proceeded to Graeme’s where the Maintenance task for today was to rework Vaughn’s pannier frame to fit at the o/s passenger footpeg mount.  We had a few more chiefs than Indians here and managed to get in each others’ way for a bit, but finally the reluctant bracket was secured and declared good, so we then adjourned inside to participate in the generous bbq sausage(s), assorted salads and other goodies. Many Thanks to Graeme for supplying the meal and venue, and we chatted and gorged ourselves till nearly 3pm.   Another good one.

8 Hardy souls gathered in the icy winds at Berowra. After some discussion, Wollombi in reverse was agreed with Morning Tea at Cooranbong Corner marked from Springs Rd, down Bumble Hill, Yarramalong Rd, past the Triangle, Jilliby Rd, Mandalong Rd, Freemans Drive to a break at Cooranbong Park, 85k half way.  Past Freemans Waterhole, left at Sandy Creek Rd, thru Millfield to Wollombi,  arrived  at 12:40  for Lunch. Thanks to Rosco our TEC, nobody got lost, although puzzled how he wasn't the last to arrive. Then a quick ride to the Pie, Heart rate rose when Andy and I, met a police car on Peats Ridge at a speed somewhat above the allowed speed. 5 riders at the Pie. Weather was pretty good, except the wind that rarely abated.  An enjoyable ride, great company, 368k for me. I hope Kiama was as much fun! Till Next Thursday   Peter (Tracer)

  The destination for   todays   ride was to be Kiama and the weather forecast, after a bit of rain the day before, was good, but included strong northerly winds. Now I don’t know   wether   it was the starting point ( ie Heathcote), the strong wind forecast or my ride lead capabilities, but by departure time only one rider had turned up to join me, Peter Walshaw… at least the choice of TEC was going to be easy!!   Anyway  we decided to follow the route I had planned, which turned out to be a lovely ride, despite the sometimes annoying wind gusts. We took the Old Princes Highway as far as we could to Austinmer, then the Motorway to the Picton  turnoff, up and around Kembla Heights and back down to Princes Highway again. We continued to follow Princes Highway to just past  Dapto  where we turned off and headed through Calderwood to the Illawara  Highway, up Macquarie Pass and to morning tea at Robbo’s Pie Shop. It was a slightly diff...

  Ten brave souls made it to Hassans Walls Lookout!!! Here is a sample of the views you missed I woke up to a rather damp morning and thought, bugger it too wet to go riding …. back to bed!!! Double bugger I have to go as I’m leading the bl…y ride. After scoffing my breakfast and struggling into my very expensive waterproof Rukka riding gear off I went to Maccas Mc Graths Hill hoping no one would turn up and I can get back to my warm bed.   No such luck as twelve sorry souls turned up and wanted to be “lead”.   With no virgins and everybody ignoring my ride briefing I jumped on my trusty GS and headed for the Turf Farms hoping the rest of the sheep would follow. Surprisingly they did with young Pete of the yellow braces taking up the rear. There was a steady drizzle coming from the heavens and I was particularly annoyed as the BOM seers had decreed that the clouds will part and sunshine shall prevail. Bollocks!  As we made our way along the Bells Line of Road in a we...

  Eight Model enthusiasts journeyed to Luddenham on Sunday 24 th to visit the Sydney Society of Model Engineers at Sydney Model Park.   Our Sunday began cool and cloudy but cleared to a fine and cool day just perfect for an outing on the bike. Departing St Ives at 9.05am we travelled via Comenarra Parkway to New Line Road and Round Corner, to a coffee stop on Annangrove Road at the Vanilla Cream Café at the old Amaroo Park complex. This was the first visit here for all but two of us, and the consensus was 10/10 – good food, good coffee, quick and friendly service. Totally refreshed and an hour later we journeyed on, along Windsor Road for a bit, down Garfield Road and along Richmond Road for another bit, then south via Rooty Hill and Mt Druitt to the old Great Western Highway to St Marys, then turned down Mamre Road and then Luddenham Road to the Model Park. Your Ride Leader was concerned that with the scale of Infrastructure development going on around the immediate area...

I convinced the ride group that a trip to Bungonia Look Down would be an interesting  addition to the ride, however we would need to delete the usual southern highlands route to save time, the group agreed and the Look Down was a hit, I recommend it if you are ever down there, see our Facebook page for pics. The pub food was good as usual, the weird monument across the road has fallen over, no great loss.   After lunch a very quick pace was set to Nowra, Kangaroo Vally, Robertson Pie Shop (which is for sale for first time in 43 years), the Tourist road and back onto the motorway for M5 and M7 options home. Fine weather most of the day, brief heavy shower enroute to Nowra, a fast bunch of riders and good company, I managed to clock up 560Ks round trip to Mosman. Rod 

Arriving at Berowra 7-11 the place was already heaving and by  9:40am  we had 12 riders raring to go “somewhere” including a newbie John on a Spider. We also had a clash of voices as can be seen from the attached photo but there was sadly no “biffo” to go with it. As it was getting late I couldn’t help myself, I had to ask, “anyone have any suggestions for a ride?”. This was despite the fact I was very clear on the inevitable outcome of opening with such a gambit. So it will come as no surprise that my suggestion of a ride to Grey Gums via the church was unanimously accepted and I was also voted ride leader for today’s ride. So after a brief briefing with Berowra and Sackville ferries, Cattai Ridge and Halcrows road (the name of which I couldn’t remember at the time) all getting a mention and a dose of the clap for John I called the ride and we rolled out right on  10am . It was a slow track down to the ferry but corner marking was in force as it was all the way to the ch...