With more rain in recent times it was welcome that the morning of Sunday 30 March 2008 dawned fine and sunny for our special ride for Andrew Taylor. A large group of riders gathered on the forecourt of the BP Blacksoil to ride with Andrew on what would likely be his last ride as a licenced rider. Word reached the group at about 8.30 that Andrew's bike wasn't co-operating and wouldn't start, but with a little assistance from a neighbour the bike started and he was on his way, arriving to cheers from the riders assembled shortly prior to the appointed departure time.

Paul B (Poppa Bear) got up onto the hire car trailer with Andrew to announce the route for the ride and timetable, but unfortunately within moments a loud crash signified the collapse of the trailer's jockey wheel assembly. Dottie, who had been sitting on the drawbar, had her leg caught under the trailer as it collapsed to the ground, and her ankle was gashed quite badly. While first aid was administered and Poppa Bear rang for an ambulance, everyone tried to make Dottie comfortable and look after Andrew, who hit his head when the trailer tipped forward. Andrew made light of the incident and headed into the servo to grab some food. An incident report was filled out while everyone waited for the ambulance, but it was pretty obvious why the jockey wheel had collapsed - the entire assembly was held on by two tech screws and oversized washers, instead of being welded or bolted as one might have expected for a car trailer!

Poppa Bear announced that the start of the ride would be postponed until the ambulance arrived and Dottie had been looked after, and most Ulyssians used to time to have a yarn and tell jokes while the ambulance officers attended to Dottie. Fortunately, nothing was broken, although Dottie still had to be taken to the hospital to have 5 stitches in her leg, and Hazza gave the ambulance a motorcycle escort. A number of other riders had passed on their best wishes to Andrew in the mean time and departed; most were members of the Ipswich chapter of Easyriders who had another ride on, but who wanted to wish Andrew well.

Poppa Bear updated everyone on route at 9.45, and the group departed (led by Andrew) at 9.50 am. Some 80 bikes were at the servo meeting point, and some 45-50 of those came along on the ride itself. The group headed along the Warrego Highway toward Toowoomba, turning to travel through Walloon and Amberley before joining the Cunningham Highway, Brisbane bound. We then took the Yamanto exit and headed toward Peak Crossing with Poppa Bear in the lead. The ride then turned right at Peak Crossing and wound its way through the farmland before arriving at Kalbar a little before 11 am. A 15 minute stop saw everyone refreshed, and we saddled up again at exactly 11 o'clock and took the Boonah connection road back toward the Cunningham Highway. Poppa Bear led everyone along at just under the posted limit, before turning left at Warrill View to take in the scenery at the back of Mt Walker. However, simultaneously with our arrival, a large group of bikers was heading along the same road for a spit roast picnic at Cunningham's Lookout, so our group swelled their numbers to over 200 bikes as we brought up the rear of what was a very large group of bikes! After the other group had turned off the road, our group continued to the Rosewood-Rosevale Road and turned back towards Rosewood. By this time Andrew had taken up a position in the middle of the pack, and as we headed through the scenic countryside Skids decided to show everyone what his newly acquired Suzuki could do. He passed everyone and headed toward Rosewood at greater speed than the main ride group, disappearing from sight before the group reached Ebenezer. The main group rode through Rosewood township and out through Tallegalla, turning just past the cemetery and proceeding through Marburg. The group then re-joined the Warrego Highway for a leisurely run to our destination, Kholo Gardens. Ashley (Loan A Ranger) took over the lead just past Blacksoil as Poppa Bear had to exchange his bike for his car to bring back the food and drinks. Everyone arrived at Kholo Gardens at around 12.30, where we were met by Skids, Al (Mousey), Vic and Jenny Dalton, Lazza and a few others who could not make the ride but wanted to wish Andrew well. It was then discovered that Andrew had pulled over at the servo at Blacksoil to fuel up, and wasn't there! Andrew's wife arrived with Anne in the meantime, and it was discovered that a couple of riders had pulled over with Andrew at the servo, so both were expected shortly.

Sheriff Ado kept everyone entertained with some of his usual fun games while we waited for Andrew, but when everyone had arrived without Andrew eyebrows were raised. It seemed that Andrew had forgotten that Anne was bringing his wife to the gardens and he had gone home to get her! Poppa Bear went looking for Andrew at his house, but by then nobody was around, so John went looking for him on his bike while Poppa Bear doubled back to the servo to look for him also. Fortunately, a short time later Andrew and John arrived at the gardens to a rousing cheer from all present. Poppa Bear then arrived with the food and drinks, and some fun was had with Sheriff Ado's entertaining group games while the snags were cooked.

Poppa Bear then made a presentation to Andrew of a Ulysses Lockyer certificate, and Sheriff Ado presented Andrew with a novelty pack signed by everyone who had come on the ride. Lazza from Easyriders then made a small speech in Andrew's honour, which reduced Andrew to tears - it was pretty obvious that Andrew is well liked in motorcycling circles in Ipswich, and many people offered him future pillion rides so that he will still be able to participate in the group's events.

The afternoon wound up at around 2.40 pm, but it was certainly an eventful day and great fun for the many who participated. Best wishes from all Andrew, and while you may no longer have a licence to ride your own bike, it is clear you will always be welcome to ride with us in future.