Oberon and beyond

Ride Report

Seventeen riders converged on the Caltex/Maccas at Rouse Hill for the ride to Oberon, many old faces and a few new faces, good to see four girls joining the group as well. We slowly got ready wasting time checking out the bikes. After spending 15 minutes trying to work out what a Cagiva Raptor was (apparently it was a very distinctively styled Italian bike that was available a few years ago) we headed off. It was an overcast day but the tempreature was really perfect, whilst the day before was really hot, the cloud cover provided some protection giving perfect riding weather.

Heading up bells line of road traffic was quite reasonable and a lot better than expected. Personally I can never get tired of those 4 corners heading up the hill to Kurrajong Heights, they just go on forever. We regrouped back up at Mt Victoria for the quick ride down the hill to the morning tea stop at Hartley.

At Hartley, we discussed the Aprilia's fuel light was on and we thought that the bike may not make it to Oberon with the fuel. There was some discussion about whether the rider had forgotten to fill it up completely. Apparently this was forgotten immediately as on the last leg to Oberon he definitely wasn't hypermiling that bike judging how quick he was gone.

At Oberon we got fuel and headed onto O'Connell for lunch, I led this bit but the only time that I lost any of the group was where those signs said loose surface, was having fun on the Buell on the gravel :) though there wasn't that much and the sportsbikes were back soon after. We stopped at the O'Connell pub which everyone agreed was good food and of course great company.

Heading back home via Tarana was interesting having never been on the road before, we had a minor mishap from one of our riders who crashed avoiding a chopper. I was right behind him and I locked the rear as well after being surprised by the gaudiness of it as well. I really think that if you are going to own a chopper like that you should keep it in the garage or on a trailer where choppers belong (only joking chopper riders). The rider was OK just a little bruised and we headed onto Lithgow and the Bells Line of Road, I settled down at the back as the flamme rouge and noticed that there is actually scenery on the route. We stopped at Kurrajung Heights for a drink and then went on our ways. At Richmond the skies opened up and within minutes was coming down like a monsoon, Lisa ended up having to lead me as I was having difficulty seeing through the rain with a tinted visor, but I finally got home about 10 kilos heavier from the watesoaked gear. It was a good day and the rain at the end only dampened it slightly.

Carl