Ride Report

Alice Springs Ride - By Tony

The trip was fantastic, we have accomplished over 3,000k of unsealed roads, a round trip of about 6,700k in total. The Great Central Rd was much better than we expected, but with the high corrugations and wheel ruts, we can see how most cars including 4x4 would have had a much worse time than the bikes. If someone had told me we would be doing 90KPH over sand roads, I would of said bullshit, but it’s the only way to stay steady.
Barry had some rules for the trip 1/ no cleaning of bikes. 2/ Stop every 50k if no sign of headlights in our mirrors. We spaced our selves out a few hundred Metres to allow for clear of dust vision. We Bush camped 70% of the time only the smell drove us to parks with showers. Washing socks and jocks was in showers or hand basins. The sights we saw and frequency of good views that we saw, made us think at times that was a few days ago.
The Olgas was the first Tarmac we saw and no bike trouble at that time. Going the unsealed back way to Glen Helen gorge I split my radiator. Temp repairs done in Alice Springs. We had a meal with the Alice Ulyssess president. Coober-pedy was good. The SA dirt kingoonya way was really nice piece of road, Fowlers Bay is nice, as is the unsealed road in. Josef got a puncture and lost screws from his indicators. Alan bent his gear lever at one stage, Josef had to buy a new chain. Vince also lost bits of indictor. Barry had modifications to stand. Rob had carby concerns during the home run. Barry had an off near Balladonia hurt shoulder and foot, Josef the same gentle off different shoulder. The road Norseman to Hyden is in a good condition, it is maintained for the mine sites, it has over 200 vehicles per day using it. Which means main roads may take it over and tarmac it soon, 40k this side is already done. We arrived home safe on Tuesday 27th Oct. Regards Tony
...Photos

 Ride and Decide - 11/10/09 By Johnno

Missing a few people today who are away on their 'outback ride' to the centre as such.
Gaelyn arrived on her new bike, a shiny and sparkly very retro styled Harley (see Members photos) that she bought over the Internet, and endured some good natured ribbing.
We decided on a ride through to Gidgegannup for morning tea , and then to Grass Valley for lunch ... at least that was the plan. Derek led the ride the usual way through to Pickering Brook where unfortunately Christine had an off on the corner of Patterson and Lockwood Roads.
Apparently she hit the anchors too hard in an attempt to avoid lots of gravel that is always on that corner to varying degrees, and down the bike went. From the marks on the road it appeared to have slid a while before eventually high-siding her into the gully. She was winded and pretty shaken by it, although she didn't appear to have a serious injuries, but she did go into shock when she tried to stand. Luckily a nurse was driving by who offered to take her to Armadale Kelmscott Hospital; Gaelyn and Richard followed, with Richard eventually dropping Christine back home later in the day.
The bike was a bit of a mess, but was made ride-able, with Gordon taking it back to Derek's, and then getting a lift back with Greg to rejoin the ride. Once they arrived back we continued the ride to Gidgegannup, albeit a little more subdued. There was some cycling event on around Mundaring, and instead of turning at the roundabout and stopping for the normal re-group after the Weir Rd, the Police directed us to a detour where we joined a larger group of bikes that had been re-directed as well.
After a bit of confusion as to who was riding with which group, and a few side road detours back to the Hwy, we finally made it to Gidge for morning tea; but as it was almost lunchtime by the time we finished, we all simply headed home instead of continuing to Grass Valley. A short but eventful ride today of about 120 kms; hopefully Christine hasn't too many aches n bruises, and that her bike fixed quickly.
...Video of Christine's crash scene Patterson and Lockwood Roads

Arnolds Ride - 04/10/09 By Johnno

Departure point was a busy place this morning with the Fremantle branch there as well. After they left for their ride, Arnold led us all on a long way round '3 Dams Ride'; lots of twists, turns & loop-backs. Eventually we got to the Gidgegannup Bakery for morning tea, where the Warnbro branch was already having their morning tea break. Shortly after Warnbro departed, we headed off through to O'Brien's Rd etc, and eventually to the Coffee Hut on Gt Northern Hwy - about 220kms in total, but very busy and all up a great ride.
...Video
...Photos

Harvey Ride & Decide - 27/09/09 By Johnno

Today's Ride and Decide was led by Trevor, who took us down Sth West Hwy, then via the back roads to Pinjarra Heritage Tea Rooms for morning tea. From there we picked up the old Bunbury Rd till it joined the new Forest Hwy; great piece of road, but limited to 110kph with 'revenue collectors' zapping people. We got off the new hwy at the Waroona exit and made our way to Harvey for lunch. It was a glorious sunny day, so nice after the cold wet rides of recent weekends.
After lunch, a few headed straight back up the highway to home, while the rest of us turned off at Waroona and took Nanga Brook Rd & Nanga Rd through to Dwellingup, and then via Dell Park Rd back to Sth West Hwy and home - all up a bit over 300 kms for the day.
Short Video of lunch stop at Harvey
...Video
...Photos

Harvey Ride & Decide - 9/8/09 By Johnno

Turn out for the Ride n Decide was about a dozen or so, others were away on Bully's overnighter to Paynes Find. Although the day was overcast, except for the odd spit, the rain held off for the whole ride. We went the usual back way through to Pinjarra for morning tea at the bakehouse.
After some hot drinks n food, we continued on via the old Bunbury Rd through to Waroona, and then on to Harvey.
We got there a little early for lunch, so Joseph took us for a short ride to Harvey dam where we took in the scenery. For a while there was nothing but 'beeps n tones' coming from all the digital cameras. Back into Harvey for lunch stop, and where Gaelyn seemed intent on setting a personal record for 'putting her foot in her mouth' and keeping us in stitches.
Some took the direct route home up the highway, while the rest of us took a more scenic ride through to Dwellingup, followed by a strictly 'legal speed' ride back along Dell Park Rd (seems the police have been targeting it lately) - all up a good ride with laughs a plenty.
...Photos

Pinjarra - 19/7/09 By Johnno

Was a drizzly ol' morning at the depart point, with just Trevor and I turning up for a ride. We decided to tag along with about a dozen riders from the Fremantle branch who were heading to Pinjarra tearooms for lunch.
We went via Byford and Serpentine, passing Karnet Prison, and back onto South West Hwy, and then onto Dell Park Rd towards Dwellingup. We turned off onto North Spur Rd, then onto Alcoa Rd and into Pinjarra.
After lunch Trevor and I just headed straight back up the highway, whilst the Freo crew headed off home via the coast. All roads were wet to varying degrees; was a good ride though, dry spells interspersed with some light showers, and a few heavy downpours.
Johnno

Two weekends away from Sunday rides By Tony

Just in case someone has been wondering about my absence from the last few Sunday rides! The 9th and 10th of May I went with Josef, Di, Gerry and Pamela to Ninghan Station 50k south of Paynes Find. Its an Aboriginal property with quite a large area to do some off road riding practice on. We travelled up by van with the bikes on trailers, all Postie bikes except for mine. First of all we put up our tents on a red dirt area near some basic donga’s then went to see the elder at the homestead, we were able to loan a map of the property and got show some pictures of our campsite during wild flower season, really hard to believe the transformation. Then out came some small gold samples and one nugget the size of my palm roughly shaped like map of Oz estimated value $29,000. That night it got down to 4 degrees, we had a campfire going burning malley roots and a nice clear sky, touches were no good as the moon was so bright, later that night I had to pull my hat over my eyes to block out the moonlight just to get some dark time sleep.

Morning and Pamela complained that Gerry snores and blames went from person to person. Once we were able to get Josef up we went riding, first East to Warrdale a large Granite rock of over 100 Square metres, climbed it and marveled at the view, the tracks were rich red soil with a layer of bull dust a couple of inches thick on top. Gerry met a Kangaroo unwilling to give way, I actually thought he might attack till the loud exhaust of my bike scared him off. Then south to another granite rock this time we rode to the top claiming it as Ayres Rock. We almost rode down the wave like section (yes like at Hyden) by chickened out when closer saying too steep.
Then like little kids back to the bikes and south to see the salt lakes, but being the type to misbehave we rode out and along the salt flats. The postie bikes leaving only a cm deep track, but my harsh Nobilies a deep 6 inch trench. Then this section slightly soft to cross to get back to red dirt. Gerry first he made it 2/3 across then got bogged, me next 3/4 across but got bogged with 10kg of mud under my rear mudguard and took two of use to push it out under motor power! Then some natural bush riding to find our way back to a track, But wrong side of the fence so followed a fence about 4k through light bush to find a gap. I was really surprised to note how well the Postie bikes coped. If anyone has $900 spare they are heaps of fun.
After Lunch we thought OK lets try Mt Singleton a rough rocky track about 12k to the summit very steep and rocks from fist size to head size, many loose making the going FUN for me on the KLR650 but hard work for the little red CT110’s. at the top the views were worth the climb. We only did almost 100k but so varied and wonderful. ...See my pics.

Part 2/ weekend of the 16th and 17th of May Alan’s ride to Karlgarin

01 Mar - Tony's Tassie ride

Sunday 1st March was our first test of Tony's "Tassie Ride". It started off as a conventional Sunday ride with Tony as ride leader through to morning tea with one of Sally's cousins in Alexander Heights, not direct of course. With twenty some riders, we went via some hilly bits through to Kalmunda for our first leg stretch. From there, we went down the Zig Zag, thu' Greenmount and Middle Swan and round some twisty bits to then pass through Whiteman Park and on to Alexander Heights. A special thanks is due to Johnathon and Wanda who put on a magnificent spread for us. Cakes, biscuits, hot savouries, toasted hot cross buns and fruit juice, tea and coffee. From there nine riders set off to put Tony's Tassie ride to the test. We went up Alexander drive, to Gnangara Rd, and into the new territory region of Ellenbrook and The Vines which most of us and never seen before. It was on this bit that Barry went back to look for a bit that had fallen off his bike and we lost a total of 3 riders including TEC. Sticking to "changing the leader at every corner", eight persons on six bikes arrived in Toodyay for a late lunch at about 2pm. All in all, not a total disaster, and I believe all had an enjoyable day, although it was a bit hot from about noon.
Trevor.
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Sundays ride! This was a very nice ride thur the hills and lots of corner marking, everyone got a chance to mark, Snigger. I got an excuse to go thur Whiteman park and use the west exit to Beechborro Rd. Morning tea was excellent, plenty to eat and drink, thanks Johnathon & Wanda. The Tassie style ride was tried, it seemed to work well with one exception, Barry lost a part and went back for it, by the time he and Gerry Tail end turned up a corner marker had left position and they got separated. In actual fact they got ahead of use while we stopped to discuss what was going on. We did a loop thur the Vines, (which by the way Sally loved seeing the lovely houses), Tail end Charlie took a wrong turn and got in front of us!!!! We continued the ride with a new TEC and continued up the Northern Hwy, turning to Chittering Valley. I kept thinking will the lead head Bindoon or to Toodyay? After a nice faster pace than previous we got to Toodyay and boy was it warm and humid 36C. a light late lunch, with some cooling refreshment and home to strip off. The best part of a hot ride day Sally can’t wait to rip all her clothes off!
Regards Tony

...Photos

19 Oct - Mogumber

Josef lead to Mogumber with an unexpected turn up of some 30 bikes. The expectation of a nice warm sunny day brought many out to ride. With a nice ride through Chittering valley, Cuppa at Bindoon and north with some nice gentle bends, we then arrived at the tavern with only one lady serving she felt swamped so asked for volunteers Robyn and Joanne helped out in the bar and taking lunch orders, while Sally helped out in the kitchen with preparing and delivery. Well done girls give yourselves a pat on the back. It was good to see Ted and Joanne mix right in on their first ride with us straight from Glasshouse mountains region in Qld, Ted is riding a GS BMW, Joanne is pillion, wishing her bike would arrive soon so she too can be let loose on our roads. The temp that day reached 36C where we were, the hottest for some time. Two weeks previous with hands almost turning blue from the cold I lead the ride heading south past Wandering with the plan to end up at Collie but due to cool temps/winds and the fact Phillip island GP was on TV early afternoon we stopped at Dwellingup for lunch from Boddington. Then home to watch the race.
Regards Tony ...Photos

14 Sep - Memorial Ride

The memorial ride was lead by Josef as many branches across the nation, presidents lead. A small turn out but enough to clearly represent our branch. I enjoy these group mass meets I get a chance to catch up with previous known members from my days when Perth was the only Metro branch, before Armadale existed. Graham & Carmen happen to be there and were cleaning Out their place before a house sale, and gave Josef and I a heap of free safety vests. Just what we need For our tail end Charlie’s, or anyone else who may like to make themselves more visible. The day had its infrequent drizzle patches during the service (more of a reading) then a social BBQ/picnic With very cold winds coming off the lake. Regards Tony ...Photos

03 July - Tony's AGM trip report

Sally and I (Tony) had a ball on our trip. We have included a few pics (with basic titles) to cover the many wonders seen and done on this huge adventure of a trip. When someone asks how was it? It’s like where to start we did so much and covered 3 states and 10,000k. So in brief:
We flew to Brisbane Bought a new beema 1200rt, we spent time with our son Mark in Brisbane suburbs, We drank at Bundaberg factory, travelled the mountains and coast of QLD, explored Townsville high and low, ate & drank with Members local and interstate, mined in MT Isa, Travelled the out back of 3 states, seen Croc’s, sweltered in 40degree heat, ate Barramundi, Been on river cruises, flown over the bungles, stayed in motels, camped some on grass and Dirt, become experts at packing the bike with a little more after each place, spent up to $2.12 a litre, worn out 2 tyres and badly need a 10,000k service. But best of all only had one day of light drizzle not worth putting on wet gear. Estimated cost I put around $4,000 all in total! Townsville to home Used 384 litres of fuel = aprox-$684 Or 4.81litre to the 100k ...Photos

04 May Barry's Ride to Bolgart

Hi Adam, This is Barry's ride to Bolgart, just a few pics (didn't have my glasses on)! A great day was had by all. Some members were trying out their gear for the long haul across the paddock to the East. After a bit of a hiccup to the start of the run, eventually everybody caught up with each other. At least we knew where morning tea was going to be! You could not have asked for a nicer day, and I think everyone enjoyed the run out to Bolgart, a sleepy little town north of Toodyay. A really nice lunch at the local then headed off to Toodyay with afternoon tea somewhere (we didn't go) so I don't know the name of the place.  A handful of us headed for home, whilst the others went on. Thank you Barry. Cheers Robyn

27 April Don's Ride

This weekend just gone one of our new members Don has put to shame some older one's and lead a ride to Brookton.  His mum Betty and dad Bluey put on a sausage sizzle and cuppa, to some cold riders it was very welcomed, as I am sure you remember how cold Brookton Hwy can be this time of year. So a big thank you to them. We copped a little light drizzle which kept us cool, but we were very lucky to miss some big rain patches that we could see behind and west of us. From there our ride was north to Beverley, east to Mawson, west to York to the new Bike cafe for lunch. Then home via Spencer's-brook rd and Clackline to avoid some road works between York and the Lakes. A good days ride enjoyed by eight tough riders. Regards Tony

30 March Ride & Decide

Our ride and decide on Sunday 30th march was lead by Graeme and Trish after he got volunteered reluctantly after the start speeches. It was a good ride thanks Graeme, I thoroughly enjoyed it! Shame that after no one at the start had any input when asked/given the chance to speak up that the speedsters decided to go ahead and make their own plans differently. Pics attached of the new part of the Kauring cafe. Regards Tony