Coolah Ride, Sunday 6 April.

Ten bikes participated in this ride, but some like reluctant brides did not make the main event. Six bikes from Singleton joined three at Muswellbrook, but two of the original six returned to Singleton via Jerry’s Plains. Seven bikes arrived at ‘Mare & Foal’ park Scone to join a new Vulcan cruiser and have a chat. On departure from Scone one more bike turned back to Singleton, leaving seven bikes to do the Coolah caper.

 The run to Quirindi was a spirited spurt, where we stopped for fuel or a drink, and we were then led off toward Premer by the ’blue tractor’ at a steady 98kph, (I don’t think cruisers like patched tar much, we were overtaken by local traffic). We turned southwest to Coolah and toured along at a steady legal speed in near perfect weather.

The Black Stump Hotel provided a good basic country lunch for ourselves and a couple of other mega cruiser riders, then after a little milling around to get fuel we were off home via Golden Highway and Merriwa Park. We did have to overtake a beautifully restored Duitz powered Greyhound Clipper, but I could not see if the ghost of Reg Ansett was driving. At Denman we split up, one bike being home, four turning south to Singleton, and two heading east to Muswellbrook and into the only shower of rain all day. Nothing makes home look so welcome as a wet arse.

Bill T.

Bathurst Ride 19/20th April

6 bikes set out on a very cold and overcast morning, 3 couples being Sandie & George, Kerry & David, Lucy & Graeme and 3 solo's being Keith Smith, Gasket & Donna.  Stopped at Merriwa for smoko, and as arranged, Keith returned home to The Princess.  We had on our wet weather gear, but avoided the rain all day.  Stopped in Sofala for a walk around and lunch in a Cafe.  We sat outdoors for lunch under a grape vine covered in autumn leaves and all enjoyed home made pumpkin soup (with grated walnuts on top, yum) and hot crusty bread.  Arrived safe and sound in Bathurst and all had enjoyed the run.  Gasket went for a pensioner nap while the rest of us decided to walk down town to check out a venue for dinner.  Was bloody freezing cold, so we returned to our hotel and decided to check out their basement bar & bistro.  Was a lovely spot, tested out the liquid delights and voted on dinner 20 steps away from our rooms.  Had a very good meal and a few empty bottles of wine littered our table by the end of the evening.  All retired for what we hoped was going to be a restful nights sleep, however, I was woken around 1am by my very noisy neighbours, having a very noisy romantic interlude right behind my bedhead, kept me awake/entertained for quite some time and NO the room was not occupied by one of our Group.  Sunday was another crisp but clear day, set off and decided to ride to Orange for breakfast.  Found a nice Cafe and sat outdoors on the footpath and had a warming hot brekkie.  Enjoyed another good days riding with a stop at Merriwa for some lunch.  Storm clouds threatened, but I was 2 minutes from home in Muswellbrook when the rain started, so the Singleton folks would have had about 1/2 hour of rain to end their weekend with.  Not a bit group, but those who attended enjoyed the ride, food, grog and the company.

Donna

Sunday May 4 2008

At approximately 8 a.m. 9 bikes from Singleton departed Macca’s car park to rendevous with 4 bikes one with sidecar at Muswellbrook Macca’s where we departed for the brown fields of Bendemeer. In total there were 16 individuals who all agreed that on arrival in Muswellbrook it was bloody cold. We all welcomed new member Phil, who was on his first ride, having attended the meeting on Saturday with his partner Louise.

First stop was Murrurundi for a nice hot cuppa and a bite to eat; it was not surprising to see how many people decided to eat in the sunshine, where they were trying desperately to warm up.

Once morning tea was over, it was time to mount up and off we rode up the New England Hwy. detouring on the Fossicker’s Way [I think] just to add some excitement to the trip.

When we arrived at Bendemeer Donna fuelled up her trusty steed and the servo attendant told her that it was -8 degrees on Saturday night, no wonder we were cold.

Lunch at the pub was superb, everyone enjoyed their meal, and afterwards a quick chat before mounting up and heading for home.

All in all it was great day, the company was first class, and there were no mishaps.

Thanks to all who attended, particularly new member Phil, and Julie for taking the photos.

SIMMO.