morning dawned bright and clear on Bribie so it was off to Deception Bay to pick up Richard. Our first leg was through the Mt Lindsay mountain range and as I had been through there a few weeks ago Richard suggested that I should lead. I declined pointing out that as Tour leader it was his place to be in front. I knew that large trucks and land cruisers often cut the tight corners on this stretch. There is no replacement for age, treachery and downright cunning as another member has noted. Once we had passed through the Mt Lindsey stretch we embarked on the back country roads that Richard had mapped out for us. He was off as though Sonny Barger and the whole Oakland Chapter were after us. We thundered through sun dappled winding valleys in great style. Two things happened that bought me back to earth. The first one was a large pot hole that threw my left leg up level with the tank and I swear my top set of false teeth actually shot forward, hit the screen and popped back into the head before I could close my mouth again. The second one was a large sign warning of loose cattle on the road. A 500kg cattle beast is a formidable thing to run into at speed. Richard did not appear to notice the sign and I am sure he has protection from other sources. We had a good ride and ended up at Nymbodia for the night. The Nymbodia coach stop was established in 1906-3 years after the first Triumph went on sale. A great place with a museum and hotel. This is owned by a young kiwi chap by the name of Russel Crowe. The Manager was kind enough to give us the key to museum. A chopper built for him by Orange County Choppers in 08 was on display along with some early British bikes-Norton-BSA etc. The armour that he wore in the movie Gladiator was also on display along with a coach complete with horses. Was very realistic and I half expected Doc Haliday or similar to step down from it.
After tea and a couple of pints we called it quits and hit the hay. In the morning we were exposed to the vagaries of 21st century electrics. Richard has just fitted a lithium battery to his 09 America. These things are a tad like myself in that they require a 20 minute stand in warm sunlight to get started. Do not I repeat do not tell the large patch member parked next to you that his mother drinks the bathwater and then rely on a quick getaway!
We parted ways a bit down the road as Richard embarked on more back roads and I opted for the pot hole free main highway on the coast. Arrived at Bulahdelah about 2.30 pm to meet up with Buckers from the Blue Mountains. Waited for a while and then as there had been no other arrivals we decided to head off to the local pub for a beer.
Around 5pm Dollarbill,Benny and Richard had rocked up so it was back to the pub for a few pints and dinner. After dinner we all returned to the motel and a close inspection of all bikes followed. Bennys rear tyre was as bald as the head of the President of the Bribie Island bowls club so a new tyre was on the go for him which he got the next day.
In bed about 11pm. Saturday dawned bright and sunny. I emerged from my unit to sight Benny resplendent in flannelette blue and white striped pyjamas complete with slippers. I commented on this and he informed me that his mauve monogrammed dressing gown was in the wash so he had to make do with the pyjamas. It restores my faith in bikers in that amongst us there are a few with a sense of class and decency.
After brekky we headed off to Nabiac to the Motorcycle museum where we met up with John and Stevie. The Museum was pretty amazing and reeked of motorcycle history. Over 700 machines and a good many more waiting to be restored. Quite a few were on loan from familys as part of a estate. Reminded me that at one stage the bike would have been the pride and joy of a young biker way back in the thirties or before. After a few hours in the museum we headed off to a cafe for lunch.Benny rocked up with his new tyre at this point. Found out that motorcycle tyres are a lot more expensive in small country towns!
The group headed back to the Museum for another look. I decided to head back on the main road as Richard had another route through country roads planned for the way home. When I returned Derek had rocked up on his America and having seen the Museum before decided to wait at the motel. He had a impressive 18inch set of ape hangers which took me back quite a few years. We hung about for a while and then retired back to the pub-Around 5pm the troops all arrived back and Buckers produced a couple of bottles of red that had been made by a mate of his. Had made Triumph labels for them to give them a air of respectability-they were soon dispatched. The All Black-Wallaby game commenced soon after but for my own health I will not dwell on this!
Off to the local Bowls club for dinner and then back to the pub for a few pints. At this stage I had intended returning straight to the motel but went along to make sure that a sensible sober member was there. Things quickly got out of hand from there and I found myself surrounded by large hairy locals drinking profusely and singing albeit off key! Benny, Bill and Terry seemed to have slipped right into this group and were doing a very good impression of the Bee Gees. Richard and Derek had the wisdom and foresight to duck out the back door and head for home. I should have been so lucky-Took me hours to find the back door and was forced to consume copious amounts of beer just to get that far.
Needless to say the next morning I was a bit bleary eyed but the sight of Benny in his pyjamas and slippers reminded that all was well with the world. Loaded the trump up and headed home. Had intended to stop over at the gold coast but as they predicted rain coming rode all the way back to Bribie. Just over 800k or so I think. Had a shower -watched TV for 2 minutes and then in bed by 7.30p.
Had a great time! Many thanks to Richard who did the organising and the members that turned up pub!!!!!!!!!!
:couch to make it happen. We did have a call to the motel from Stacka on sat night that he would be there. You are lucky Mate-you too could have been abducted and forced to hang out in that noisy smelly:
PUB
