Woodford ride 2009

Well, what another brilliant day for the Ulyssians to go for a ride. Mick (Noddy) somehow prepares a magic day for us. A little sprinkling of a shower to just freshen up the atmosphere to herald a clear day ahead.

Back to the current traditional start point of the BP Blacksoil. I turned up at around 8.30am expecting to see about 20 bikes with matching souls and a few extras as pillions. I was so wrong that I was actually stunned as there were 35 to 40 bikes (I didn’t count) in the waiting area. So much for a little ride on an off week just for a BBQ. What does this message send to our President Ado and the committee? And when these newsletters are read by the followers of the Ulysses websites across the country that may even be on the National Committee? That this club is so needed, supported and loved by its members in that we all enjoy riding safely and together.

Well, off we go with Mick yelling that we are having a leg stretch at Fernvale! Why some of us think as the engines are only getting warm by then? The toilets are broken at the BP is the reason and as coffee and early morning starts are hard on bladders, there is no disgruntlement by the members.

After this we have an uninterrupted run to Kilcoy via Somerset Dam and Split Yard Creek. Now this is a great run as there are some straight bits of road broken with seeping curves and then you are faced with tight twisting mountainous roads which are a wonderful test of cornering and all that stuff. To those unlucky Ulyssians who live in other parts of this great country, I must say this if you are in the Lockyer district on a ride day; join us for jaw dropping scenery. I know there are people out there that will argue with me that their districts are better but hey, I live here and love my Lockyer Valley! OK, Woodford is on the Brisbane Valley but we like riding!!!!

Fortunately, we have an uneventful ride to Kilcoy and a pull up for the leg stretch (again) at the hot bread shop. I love this place as all their food is good, places for the bikes to park and an amenity building across the road.

On the road again for a quick sprint to Woodford for lunch. Well, not to quick as after the hot bread shop and a pie and drink, who wants too?

We arrive at the final destination of the historical society of Woodford and their steam train. Yes, a real working steam train. Well it only goes for a kilometre or so up a track and back again but it is a different way to spend the day.  Also, there were street markets on in the town so off go the shoppers. Not only the ladies but we guys too as there may be a bargain! Happy Larry does find one. The biggest coffee cup he has ever seen, it is then bought and stowed into the saddle bags. How come of all the riders in the group, Larry gets a mention of both my last two reports????

To top off the day was a visit to a private collector’s house. He is a collector of engines and old stuff. I say old stuff as I have NO IDEA of how to explain what this man has in his house. It is truly a museum of old engines and an historic collection of artefacts’ that somehow, somewhere in the future, someone must gather it together and display it to the world. President Ado has promised that we are going back to visit again as the hour we had just wasn’t enough to soak up what we were actually looking at and we also had the knowledge of a BBQ lunch and others friends waiting for us down the park.

A final comment is on the lunch. Noddy has done himself proud as the meat was cooked to perfection and the historical society was still standing (not burnt down in other words). Somewhere along the road someone (Newsletter Editor extraordinaire Amanda? As she was pushing it) had purchased coloured bread. Blue, green, pink etc. Where do these ladies find this stuff? Must be a MUM thing from days gone past? I should be careful as we may get fairy bread next time? As I like her (and many others obviously do as well, the loaf was nearly gone) I made my sandwich with the coloured bread and felt sorry for the kids watching as they probably only had boring white bread for their lunch.

Lastly, THANKS to all that worked together to actually make this happen. Mick may have been the ride leader but his wife and others helped to make it happen! We all had a wonderful day (smiles are a dead giveaway) and are looking forward to our next getaway.

Cheers, Ian Winter

Ps

For those that have worked it out, I forgot my camera, hence no pictures.....you’ll have to see Michaels report for photo’s...

Pps

Believe Ado’s closing comments in the newsletter: They are watching! Even with a gutter mount! On my way back home I saw flashing lights in the rear view mirrors! Phew, they were after the car behind me I was doing towards 90 (following a car) in a work zone and we were supposed to be doing 80 and the guy behind me was catching me so was probably still doing a 100 when the boys in blue rounded the corner. Too late for him but a wakeup call to me to slow down to the limit.

Woodford Via Kilcoy – Jul 19, 2009 – by Michael Ross

Following my Mountain escapades and a visit to Express Motorcycles to get my ride repaired, I mentioned to the owner, Dean, my intention to buy another bike. He asked if he could give me a price. Sure, I said. And while his price was Not the best (beaten by $10 by Springwood Suzuki) it was certainly easier and closer to do business with Dean. And so when the repairs were done he ordered my bike and it was there the next day!

The ride to Woodford would be her first club ride. And the day arrived and greeted us with a spot of rain. Though checking the radar showed it was from one cloud that zoomed across the Ipswich area and was off. But that didn't stop some arriving in wet weather gear just in case. And so the numbers at the BP swelled – as had the toilet there to the point of not working (a servo on a highway with a non-working toilet. Guys are fine cause every tree's a winner. But girls...).

Meets and greets were had. Happy gave me a hug cause I joined the Suzuki Owners brigade, then called me Mountain Man due to my misadventure on the mountain. At least I didn't have to move my bike again, though there was no Sheriff there to see if I'd had to and maybe fine me for nuisance value. Ian arrived on his new Boulevard C50 (nice) and Pinkie wore blue! Nah just kidding, pink.

The ride brief was fairly brief but informative. Getting priorities in order it was first stop Fernvale for a toilet stop, then on to Kilcoy via Splityard Creek for our first Official stop, then Woodford and the Historic Train Society for a BBQ lunch and what would turn out to be a special treat for some.

Of course, Fernvale was busy thanks to the weekend markets. So it was an interesting sight when the 29-ish bikes (including a sidecar) and 2 trikes parked at the park and the toilet dash began - with lucky last award going to Queen Julie. Which then made for an interesting departure as she was just getting back to her bike as the ride leader was heading off.

Mike's bike with trailer (ride leader) didn't miss a beat as we leaned our way from side to side on the way to the Kilcoy turnoff some 75 clicks away. And my bike then got a nice rest break as I marked the corner and awaited our now very strung-out group before making the final 22 kay dash into Kilcoy.

Stopping at the Coff & Co bakery for a pie we stretched our legs and were treated to a Revving Contest between Ado on his Harley with non-existent-muffler & Trish on her mouse-quiet CB400. It was a close call but I think we have to give it to the clapped out Ford that drove by around about that time as he wasn't even trying (nor did he actually exist, I jut threw that in there for Creative Value – of course you won Ado J).

With a curried chicken pie in my belly we left for the final 25 kay push into Woodford and the Historic Train Society. Which I think is a nice polite way of saying Rusty Clapped Out Train Society as there was some nice piles of rust forming around the place.

There was a working steam train there – thoughtfully wood-fired for the environmentalists – which, apparently, turned off its steam and operated solely under the power of Hot Air when our mob boarded it, or so I heard anyway. The Ulysses Cattle mooed as the train departed the station and traveled (reversed) along its 900 meters of track before driving forward to come back again.

Around about this time Noddy showed us some Kung Fu moves. This popped his pants zipper and from there his credibility diminished at every turn until there was just a yellow-trunked elephant standing in front of us. I have no idea what he was saying as the popped-zip-to-elephant transformation totally captured my attention. But I know the safety pin offered him to keep the elephant at bay proved to be ineffectual - and dangerous to the boys.

The brick BBQ was attempted to be fired up but wouldn't play ball. Enter the helping hand of old scouts feeding the twigs first before the half a tree of large wood and it came to life - much to the annoyance of the resident ant and lizard population which had made its crevices a home. As meat-substance patties were applied to the hotplate Tony sun-signaled Queen Julie with an aluminium tray (important carry-along on bush treks in case you're lost and need to signal for help) to show her he had learned the Long-bowman's Salute. And word spread about Bill the engine man. Rumor had it he had a Track motorcycle he was willing to show us.

A small group ambled up to young Bill's abode (he's only 82, nearly 83) and were invited in for a cuppa and chat. Foregoing the cuppa we had a scaled down tour instead. And got to see and learn about Some of what this young man has collected and experienced over the years.

He's isn't known as the Engine Man for nothing and there are engines and engine bits all over. And when I say Engine I don't mean some engine from an old Kingswood or something, I mean Engines from things that could be a hundred years old. Engines which are the only Working ones of their kind in the world!

We saw an old chain-driven car. An engine used by the Queensland Govt to burn the gas that was supplied everywhere in Brisbane, to be turned into power in a building's basement. Old centrifuges used to determine the Fat Content of freshly squeezed cow's juice. Old aircraft engines converted into pumps. Butter churns. 1879 navy diving helmet. Anti-horse and anti-elephant spikes used in war. An Enfield motorcycle from the war that used to be dropped from aircraft to provide transport to those on the ground. And way way too many things to mention here.

Unfortunately we had to cut our tour short as the BBQ was ready. But the brief time we had with him and his trusty guard dog was a treat indeed and is worthy of a ride all its own. I don't know how he'd go with 30+ people trudging through his tight confines but it'd be fascinating nonetheless.

Bidding Bill farewell – it's hard to get away as he does love a show-and-tell – we moseyed back on down to the BBQ for some food. While some opted for the Technicolor bread I chose the more traditional white (crusts to be exact as I'm not afraid of curly hair). A couple of burgers later desert was offered and had (hmm mmm) and then plans made to depart – I had to work later that night and a few others had things to do too.

As some hopped on board the Woodford Express for another blistering run of steam-powered adrenaline, we said our farewells and made for the two hour-ish ride back home. And riding back the way we had come was pretty well traffic free. A nice run with fewer face-shield platters compared to the morning and which saw me find a mysterious neutral between 5th and 6th only once on the way back, compared to three times on the way up – I'll keep an eye on this as a problem - or - me getting used to the new bike as it hasn't happened since.

After that odd single cloud of wetness in the morning, the day turned and stayed very pleasant – the wind not too gusty. The ride was at a nice pace and the food was tasty. The Train Society was rusty. The Engine man's place a must-see. And the day overall satisfying our wanderlusty.