Pinkies Ride

WOW!  I could not believe my eyes when I rode into McDonalds at Yamanto on 12^th July for an early morning Sunday Ride after very cool preceding days and a brisk morning to boot. I did warn riders to rug up.

The colourful array of Bikes & Trikes and Members was awesome.

This was a Trikers’ to lead Ride (me and my big mouth at a Branch Meeting) for the 2 wheelers to have a change; but the accumulation and number of 2 & 3 wheelers was beyond my expectation. There were the wonderful Lockyer Valley Members who turned up for this different Triker’s to Lead, Corner mark & Tail end Charlene event. There were also many Trikers & Riders who I did not know, who came out of the woodwork and some were either testing machinery or coming out on a new experience for themselves ie scooters, inexperience of group riding, joining for the first time with our Branch on a ride, or just to come along and see what we are about.

Before I even start on the ride report I need to share that my Trike is off the road and is in Leon’s Hospital after doing a major oil problem on our way to fuelling up prior to Ado’s Mt. Tyson Ride. I’ve been Trike-less since. Now I look at the oil trail from our driveway and down the road on a daily basis. Woops! There is now a 2.4 fuel injected motor being inserted. Look out all, not that I’m a rev head.

Anyway, I had been sucking up to Al leading for this ride, as we were down to his new Phoenix Trike. I’m the worst pillion, and love riding his Trike; but who rides & who goes pillion? But hey! I do the maintenance and polishing. I didn’t want to push it though. Our Boots polished, Helmets cleaned, hmm – what else could I do? Steady goes.

On the night before the ride we had several Trikers stay over; Quinton –“Phantom”, Janet – “Chuckles”, Colleen, Stefan & “Dolly”. They all asked secretly as to who was going to ride and my response was questionable. Even “Happy Larry” asked when he was plastering at our place - I could say trampolining on our bed to reach the roof of course!

It was not until the next morning, Trikes lined up out the front, Al took the gleaming Phoenix out of the shed, we helmeted up, and only when Al hopped into the pillion seat that we knew what was to happen for the day. Yahoo is all I could say! – Well, that’s an abridged version of what I actually said inside my helmet.

At Yamanto “Phantom” our Ride leader gave instructions and I counted heads, but I wish you would all stay still. I counted 67 & with more in the Servo. There were approximately 35-37 Bikes and 14-15 Trikes. I phoned the Queen Mary Falls Manager to advise of the counted heads. Panic at the other end of the phone. They had not catered for that many people in one hit. They did not know how they would be able to manage it. I took the optimistic approach and complimented by saying “That’s what happens when you have such a good reputation. Silence. Then he said they would do the best they can. Whew! Then I phoned Maryvale Pub which went through to Fax, I think. Oh no. Has he left town or slept in? I’ll try again at Boonah.

We headed through fog to Boonah for a regathering. I was still not sure if I was going to ride Al’s Trike through this next leg, but luckily Al played the “B….on the back”. Whew, `cos I hate heights, especially if I am not ‘doing’. No reflection on Al as he is a more than a competent rider & driver. Up the range we went to Carr’s Lookout and what a scenic journey that was with the tree canopy and a couple of fresh water courses over the road as wake ups. Being Tail end Charlene, it was amazing to see the snake of bikes and trikes weave our way around the winding, mountainous and narrow road. You all looked like a family united front, and we are! Photos were aplenty, but memorious was Kon standing on a lookout handrail taking photos of members taking photos of him taking photos.

Once again Al positioned himself as Pillion and this was looking good for me as we headed off on a very short ride to Queen Mary Falls for coffee, smoko & a wee (small) break. Some Members walked down to view the Falls, others were very organised and brought their own thermos for a picnic in the park and most made use of the facilities at the coffee/restaurant for yummy snacks and a chat, which we all do very well. I phoned the Maryvale Pub to advise the numbers for Lunch. Once again a surprise at the number of Riders attending, but they would have the heaters on for us and would accommodate.

Catering at Queen Mary Falls was more than sufficient. Paul & Dianne the Managers asked me to pass onto Lockyer Valley Branch their gratitude for our patience on waiting for service. I thought they did a magnificent job with no sign of panic.

The time came for the last leg to Maryvale. Al & I helmeted up, hmm, I’ll let him adjust his sunglasses, and I’ll fossick around with gloves. Yes, I’m rider again.

This last leg was wrought with complications. It was the easiest leg, through a non-busy backroad, lovely farming country heading towards the Cunningham Highway. But, we’d all spread out on this open country road. Being Tail end Charlene I was following a small group, but corner markers were scarce, however we were on track. Then a big ‘blow’! How come a 2 wheeler was corner marking? Where were all the Trikes in front? We arrived out on the Cunningham to go a short distance for the turnoff to Maryvale, but where was everybody? Our little group turned right at the Maryvale sign but then I saw a 2 wheel member of our tail group pulled over on the corner. When I asked if she was OK she said that others had ridden straight down the Highway and that she was waiting for them to come back.

I rode the short distance into Maryvale to find many members aware that others were missing.

Quinton & Ado took off at a great rate of knots in search of the missing. All were retrieved.

At this outback, off the road Pub we were well catered for with extra staff being put on for our visit. Some chose to sit inside with the heaters, others chose to sit outside in the sunshine, but we all had a good meal with great friends. For the second time again on this day, Dennis the Publican at Maryvale asked me to pass on to Lockyer Valley Branch the gratitude from both he & his staff for our patience and friendliness.

I’d had my day riding, and thank you to all. Al rode home down the Cunningham Gap after he’d quickly jumped into the Riding position on his Trike & I had to straddle him to get into the Pillion ‘Princess’ Seat.

Thanks to the little band of rogues who all helped put this ride together – Al, Quinton & Janet, Garry & Betty, and Hooch.

Lessons Learnt:

•                    Ask new, inexperienced, testing machinery, etc, riders at a Club Ride Briefing to either ride middle/back of the Group.

•                   Only experienced riders to follow Ride Leader for use as Corner Markers.

•           Corner markers to re – enter in front of Tail End when waved in.

•                    To ride as a Group; keep riders behind in the rear vision mirrors, slow down if you lose sight of those following until they are in view. This should work its way up to Ride Leader.

 This does not always work but it does help for those who are less experienced,

and

It is a reminder for experienced riders.

“Pinkie”