Despite the recent wet weather, a good turnout of bikes and members gathered at BP Blacksoil for the first Lockyer gazetted ride for 2008. The ride leader was Paul Brasher, and there was a strong contingent of riders and pillions represented for the ride. Paul arrived at 7.55 am - present were Adrian,Thursty, Ken, Tony and Karen, Fred, Bruce, Mick and Paula, Tony and Di, Gloria, Annette, Barry, Ashley and Tess, Gazza, and of course Paul and Di. If I have left anybody out, my sincere apologies - it was a big group!

The ride was got underway at 8.05 am, and the convoy proceeded out from the servo along the Warrego Highway before turning onto the Brisbane Valley Highway and heading for Fernvale. We rode through Fernvale and turned at the Sunday markets, bound for Lowood. Paul led the group at a steady pace through Lowood and on towards Brightview, Lockrose and Plainland. We took the new overpass across the Warrego at Plainland and continued into Laidley, where we stopped on the main street for a bbreather. The weather still looked a bit threatening, but the day was at this point relatively fine, hot and very humid.

After a 20 minute break for a smoke and drink, the group saddled up again and Paul led the group through Grandchester (where the model steam railway buffs were putting on a good display at the show grounds) to Rosewood. We rode through Rosewood and turned right, bound for Rosevale via Mt Walker. The convoy looked pretty impressive as we rode through the green fields and farms beyond Rosewood, and despite the very heavy rainfall in recent days and obviously waterlogged fields, there was little water over the road.

The group headed steadily along past Mt Walker, tackling a short section of dirt road before arriving at the Rosevale pub at 10.40 am, where everyone dismounted in the steaming humidity. It was then discovered that Adrian, Thursty and Ken were not there - nobody remembered seeing them since Grandchester - and Max and John K were already enjoying a cool drink at the hotel. Several people tried unsuccessfully to ring Adrian, and Annette climbed on her bike to ride back for a look see when Adrian was finally reached on his mobile. They had apparently dropped back at Grandchester, and had taken a different route through Ebenezer and Warrill View on the trip out from there. They would arrive shortly.

The group trooped into the pub and took over the covered barbecue area at the back. As we were a little early for lunch, the group sat around with a few cold drinks and socialised (all except the pariah smokers - Ashley, Gloria, Thursty and Annette were all required to light up in the small pavillion at the back of the grounds, to comply with the smoking legislation). It transpired that Max and John K were there with a few Harley owners for a Sunday morning ride, and they socialised with the group for a short while before bidding everyone g'day and continuing on toward Rosewood. By this time Adrian, Thursty and Ken had arrived, and lunch was ordered. A great meal was had by all, with some lively conversation adding some wit and humour while everyone ate.

Mick and Paula bid everyone goodbye at around midday, leaving the rest to finish their meals and drinks. The darkening skies and a few rolls of thunder heralded the approach of a storm, and when Ashley checked his trusty mobile phone for a Bigpond weather update it was discovered that the weather bureau had issued a severe storm warning for the area at 11.40 that morning. Strong winds, very heavy rain and large hail were expected. This prompted everyone to say their goodbyes at 12.30 pm and proceed home at best speed - Gloria was the first cab off the rank, followed closely by Ashley and Tess, Annette, Paul and Di and Ken. We all went as a group to the Warrill View turnoff, where it was starting to rain. We shot along the Warrill View road as the rain started to fall, turning onto the Cunningham Highway at Warrill View and headed for Ipswich. The rain was not heavy, and it seemed that we might have avoided the storm until we got to Amberley - then the heavens open and the rain bucketed down. Annette turned off to fuel up at the Amberley Coach House, and Ashley and Tess followed. The others proceeded toward Ipswich through the rain.

Despite the inclement weather at the end, the ride was a very enjoyable one and took in some very inspiring scenery. The recent rain had certainly greened up the countryside everywhere we went, and the food and company at Rosevale were first class. Everyone had a good time, and even the downpour was fun (as nobody got hailed on).

So went the first official Lockyer branch ride for 08 - hopefully we will enjoy many more over the course of the year.