Canungra - 9th August 2009

Photos submitted by Howza

These Photos, ride report and links were submitted by Michael Ross (M&M)

Click on these addresses:

to watch videos of the ride to Cunangra taken with Michael's new motorcycle mounted camera. (Just hope the Sheriff isn't watching...)

Canungra Interbranch BBQ – Aug 09, 2009 – by Michael Ross

Checking the BOM website for temps (and seeing 3 degrees at Beaudesert and Amberley) and then seeing cracked ice on the lens of the Dinmore Traffic Cam, I figured the winter gloves would be the order of the day with the summer gloves stowed in the bag for possible later use. And so the interbranch BBQ run down to meet Mt Lindesay and ride with them to Canungra, was beginning. A quick go-go juice fill and tyre pressure check and I was off to our mustering point - Maccas at Yamanto, right next to the new flyover/interchange.

While I had ridden with Mt Lindesay before - and to Canungra as well so I was pretty sure on the route we'd take from their muster point - it would be something new for other members. Also new on this ride would be a video camera mounted to my bike. Designed specifically for filming from motorcycles and cars, it would hopefully capture some good footage to be edited into something interesting later (all traffic infractions would be removed, of course, not that we do any, and all footage is without prejudice too, just in case of an over-zealous ride Sheriff).

Turning off Warwick Rd into the Maccas area I saw some of our bikes and headed there. After parking I noticed others parked in a different area. So we were a tad spread out. You'd think with all the Big Mac, Fillet'o Fish, Quarter Pounder, French Fries, Coca Cola, Thick Shakes, Mc Feast, Sundae & Apple Pies eaten over the years Maccas would reserve a spot for us. But no. The 32 bikes and 7 trikes which turned up for Lockyer (including some non Ulysses and Vietnam Vet MC members) had to spread out.

Birdie, our ride leader down to the Mt Lindesay's muster point, gave his ride brief. We'd be heading down the New Centenary Hiway from Yamanto to Springfield, then through Greenbank, instead of the straight run down the Ipswich M'way and then the toll rd. While the new road is fairly good, at night it's full of bugs, it's as dark as and has Beware Of Roos signs so it's not so good for motorcycle riders.

Instructions given, we were off. I'd positioned myself somewhere near our tail-end so the video camera could hopefully get some nice footage of how such a number of bikes looks on the road. Because even though I've seen it before, each time I see our group of riders snaked out in front of me it still looks amazing. And I can understand why people just stop and stare as we pass – like the kids and adults alike at the Greenbank football club as we rode on by.

Our ride coordinator, Mouse, wouldn't be riding. He'd broken some bones in a non-motorcycle accident. But he'd be coming along nonetheless in a tintop. Maybe with all the windows open so he could still feel the rush of air. And maybe with his head out the side of the window to catch bugs and get that riding-a-motorcycle feeling without being on one.

Slowly we made our way through Greenbank into Browns Plains and along the main drag to the muster point. Even soliciting a friendly wave from a policeman in a patrol car on the other side of the road. And into the Browns Plains carpark just behind Maccas. Now Mt Lindesay say NOT to park in the Video Ezy carpark but next door in front of what used to be a Harvey Norman store. But, that obviously went out the door as that seemed to be the main muster point for everyone – maybe it was the mysterious forcefield that prevented cruisers crossing into the Harvey Norman area as it kept Howza's bike from getting over the small speed bump while I had no problem. Either way, Video Ezy would just have to suck it up as asking to move the bikes, of what was probably 100 people just there alone at That stage, was not going to happen any time.

Thunder, Mt Lindesay ride leader, gave his ride brief and nearly all paid attention (Pinkie!), and it would be a straight forward run down to Jimboomba then nip across to Canungra – just like the previous ride I did with them (and just like the previous ride, corner markers seemed scarce). And so we started our engines and waited. And waited. And waited some more to make sure we had the waiting thing down pat. And just when we had waited enough, we see Cutie talking to the policemen parked at Maccas – policemen who would stop all traffic and let us ride out as a group – and holding up four fingers. So we certainly had plenty of time to center our zen before the ride.

Finally, after waiting on our bikes for around 11 minutes we were off. Right at the Maccas lights, left on Beaudesert Rd and off. Only to come to a rolling stop so we could all ride as close to a single group as possible. And the procession weaved its way through the roadworks. Sure the occasional car pulled out from the left instead of waiting a few minutes for us to all go past. But for the most part, there was no interference on the ride.

Heading along the final push into Canungra we encountered a driver of an old Merc with a backseat full of kids. Frantically waving at us as we overtook, I couldn't help but wonder if they were buckled in cause it didn't look like it.

Through motorcycle mecca Canungra, up the small range, down again, a quick right turn, a few bending clicks, over an old bridge and we were there. James Sharp Memorial Park. A five hectare managed camping ground that costs $5 to stay overnight.

Mt Lindesay fired up their BBQ, tossed on some onions and snags and let the hunger cue form. Deal was, buy a ticket for your food, take a couple of steps to the right, hand ticket over and collect food. Eat food. Drop paper serviette into fire Lockyer had gathered around and claimed as own, get smoke in clothes to go home smelling like bushfire (or like you'd been out clubbing all night), and chit chat – or – stroll around and look at bikes – or – buy tickets in raffle to win 250cc Hunter Motorcycle or other raffle for booze and seat covers and stuff – or – go down to river and have a nap.

Of course, we don't call him Noddy for nothing. And he should know there is nowhere he can go that a camera will not find him. So while Noddy napped the blanket was spread out and BS flowed. The Bear in the woods lost his nuts, or found them, I cannot recall which. Happy got both name-sake wives under his arms at the same time. Mum couldn't find any gear on her trike except crunch. And I learned that Marmite had been gunning for me at the last meeting to... well, probably reveal his mysterious writing secrets from the previous ride.

Wondering around the grounds I spotted some Northern Gateway members, Gold Coast, Redcliffe and even a guy from the Cairns Rainforest Riders who'd seen the BBQ mentioned on the website and thought he'd come for a spin. At 1,600+km from Cairns to Brissy, it's along way for a BBQ. Maybe a free BBQ. Sure. But a cold-coin BBQ? And he didn't even win any raffles.

Despite accusations from Cutie, Ado's drawing the winning raffle ticket of another Lockyer member was not rigged. Nor did Ado go mad and we have to shoot him – it just looked that way.

Around this time it was time for me to bid adieu and head back home. Once again I had work later that night and needed to get ready and to work (I'd sleep the next morning after work). And I headed back to Browns Plains the way we had come, and then took the Logan Tollway option where I saw the idiot of the day... a tintop had taken the tollway exit by mistake – despite hundreds of meters of arrows advising of such. So instead of driving one click to the overpass and coming back, he did a 3 point turn right in front of me and drove back against the direction of traffic!!! so he could get back to Beaudesert Rd. The things you see when you're not a cop.