A wet start to the year has seen grey skies overshadow many rides for 2008, and the Rim Valley Sunrise Run for 2008 was no different. Inclement weather over the preceding few days carried over to the Sunday morning, but 72 bikes gathered at the BP Blacksoil for the 5 am start. Lockyer Valley branch was well represented again for the ride, as was Mt Lindesay. The route this year took us through Walloon to Amberley, then along the Cunningham Highway to Aratula. From there the ride climbed up through Cunninghams Gap and on towards Warwick. The ride then turned toward Toowoomba before heading in through Allora for a fuel stop. The riders saw some intermittent misty rain up to this point, and winds at the top of the mountain were quite strong. This made for a fairly cold ride up to the fuel stop!

After a half hour break to fuel up the bikes, Gary led the ride through some glorious farming countryside, by which time the clouds had largely blown away for some decent (and welcome) sunshine. The ride wove through some small country townships and Pittsworth, before changing direction and heading toward Oakey. Some picturesque scenery and slightly warmer temperatures as we made our way toward Oakey were welcome, but as the ride headed for Murphys Creek the cloud cover returned and the air chilled down once again.

The ride reached the edge of the range and, accompanied by strong gusty winds, proceeded down from the Murphys Creek Turnoff before arriving at Spring Bluff a little after 9 am. The steep and winding uphill road to the café was a little challenging for the number of bikes using it simultaneously, and as the bikes began to bank back down the steep hill as those in front attempted to park their bikes, one Harley Davidson fell over. Assistance was quickly rendered to right the bike again, and all bikes were then parked adjacent to the railway line in front of the café. Everyone then trooped up the steep staircase to the café, where a welcome breakfast was enjoyed in the picturesque and green picnic area. Lots of fellowship was evident as everyone enjoyed a hearty country breakfast of bacon, sausages, scrambled eggs, grilled tomato and toast. Coffee was also well received as the weather closed in again and a light misty rain enshrouded the area.

With a large pool of raffle prizes on offer, the raffles were well patronised by all present. Raffles were drawn over about half an hour, with much hilarity. Eventually, as do all good things, the proceedings drew to a close at around 11 am, with the riders returning to their parked machines for the ride home. However, another memorable Sunrise Run was enjoyed by all.