Canberra & Region Riders Meet, Greet & (?) Eat

First topic message reminder :

Guys, I notice not many of us Canberra Bandits have registered an interest for the Neville ride (not you Grover) so I was wondering about the level of interest in a meet, greet and eat ride somewhere Canberra thereabouts. Now the weather has turned Antarctic even though it's supposed to still be Autumn (minus 5 yesterday was a bad sign of the long winter that surely lies ahead of us), but I was thinking of a few ideas so that we can put a bit of flesh to the posters.

A. Simple coffee somewhere local (I don't even drink the stuff but I'm putting it out there as an option), then back to the rest of the weekend commitments.
B. Slightly longer meet and eat involving a local breakfast (ie in the Canberra 'burbs - there are numerous options).
C. Expand on Option b but go a bit further afield, eg Bungendore, Sutton, Gundaroo, Bredbo, etc - still doing a breakfast meet and returning home.
D. Not breakfast at all but lunch ('cause it will have warmed up to at least 5 degrees by then!). But still with all of the above options.
E. Or an even longer, all day ride, (but not overnight) that takes in lunch further out, eg Bemboka, Bateman's Bay, Wagga, Tumut, etc. I don't want an overnighter because the Neville trip is it for me.

What do you guys reckon? I'm out for May and probably the first half of June and then it will be really bloody cold. So, if replying, state a preference for timing, even if it is November (it sure to be a lengthy winter here)! It might be that far off but I'm certainly keen to meet up sooner or later. And besides, the forum doesn't even recognise Canberra as a state ride (not having a go so don't get on the attack)!!

With your response I'm happy to be the one to conclude the arrangements (might be called 'trip leader' in our old 4WD club).

I'm still in if you change venues.

Ok, have now got a few more details sorted (yep - this is a 'drip-feed' kinda plan!). Definite change to the Meridian Cafe, Marulan for a lunch meet and greet. Be there on 16th July at 12.30pm or thereabouts. For Canberra region riders I've got the following route out and back planned:

http://maps.google.com.au/maps?saddr=Chisholm,+Australian+Capital+Territory&daddr=Bungendore+NSW+to:Manar,+New+South+Wales+to:Tarago+NSW+to:Windellama+NSW+to:Bungonia+NSW+to:Marulan+NSW+to:Bungonia+NSW+to:Goulburn+NSW+to:Currawang+NSW+to:Bungendore+NSW+to:Chisholm,+Australian+Capital+Territory&hl=en&ll=-35.061477,149.570618&spn=1.312921,2.112122&sll=-35.061477,149.570618&sspn=0.862178,1.781158&geocode=FSam4_0dZIPjCCnXpjvyoUoWazHQWWmnbuoABQ%3BFZEQ5v0dRUfoCCnJEHc8HV4WazHA20OQtAkGBA%3BFegx5v0dZLDrCCn5AMSmVoYWazEA4EOQtAkGBA%3BFXLg6P0dEo3rCCn5rdRP3o4WazEA40OQtAkGBA%3BFbOZ6f0d6OHuCClp4vLJIBkUazFA5EOQtAkGBA%3BFUQs7P0dZ_bvCCm92Rp1lBwUazHQ20OQtAkGBA%3BFVhf7v0dh_DwCCkrab84ofATazEw4EOQtAkGBA%3BFUQs7P0dZ_bvCCm92Rp1lBwUazHQ20OQtAkGBA%3BFV6v7f0dU4bsCCmXDH5LzLEWazHg3UOQtAkGBA%3BFVZr6v0dcm3pCCl7HY6J3ZQWazEg3UOQtAkGBA%3BFZEQ5v0dRUfoCCnJEHc8HV4WazHA20OQtAkGBA%3BFSam4_0dZIPjCCnXpjvyoUoWazHQWWmnbuoABQ&mra=ls&z=9

For the Canberrans, I've started the ride from the Chisholm Shops as we seem to have only south-siders but if there are more that join from the tropical parts of Canberra we can certainly change the departure point. If the weather is OK we'll plan to stop for some happy snaps at the Bungonia Gorge (unless we've all 'been there done that' - in which case we'll skip that bit of sightseeing). I reckon the departure time from Chisholm would be (a) 10.15 with no sightseeing or (b) 9.30 with sightseeing.

Hope that suits. Just let me know.

I reckon the change to the destination is good given we'll be going north through Taralga for the Neville ride in October. Should also be a ripper.

Thanks Ewok. I will be there and am in favour of a bit of sightseeing on the way so up for the earlier departure time.

Sounds good, should be back on the road by then!

I'm good

Looks good. I've been out to the gorge but never seen it. Follow the road for a bit, saw the rangers hut and did a u-ey. Didn't have the time or loose change to pay the visitor fee. I'll be more organised this time around.

Baz wrote:I'm good

Baz,
that's your morals covered, but are you up for the ride?

Grover wrote:

Baz wrote:I'm good

Baz,
that's your morals covered, but are you up for the ride?

yeah good for the ride on Sat 16th July, just wondering if any other sydneysiders are up for it as well

Sat 16th sounds OK to me. I'm in Macarthur across the road so if nothing changes see you there....

Another south sider in... cool.

What's up with the northsiders? They must all be soft.

I'm planning on leaving M4 east maccas at 0930 and take the Northern Road to Narellan and the old hume hwy as far as I can abd take back roads into Marulan. On the way home I may take Mac Pass.

.. so if any other Sydney bandits want to join in

this is where we are going
Meridian Cafe, Marulan for a lunch meet and greet. Be there on 16th July at 12.30pm

to meet up with some of the ACT members

the weather says Few Showers ... check it again on friday

Good on ya Baz. Hope you can get compaby. We're still on as far as I'm concerned. The weather actually seems to be ok - may get a bit of a shower but hopefully the fog will stay away. Possible shower seems to have diminished a bit even in the last 24hrs so fingers crossed. ACT is now showing shower-free but cloudy for Sat. Suspect chance of a shower increases as we head north-east. Might be a bit windy - up to 25kmph which isn't too bad.

For the Canberrans, I'm confirming a start from the Chisholm Shops (as we seem to have only south-siders) at 9.30am with the Bungonia sightseeing included. If you can, please try and start with a full tank so we're all running low together! I believe there is a $7.00 charge for the Gorge which is a bit steep but still, someone has to pay for the facilities. I think you need coins as well. We'll aim to get to the Meridian in Marulan at ~12.30pm, assuming we don't get lost too many times - I forgot to mention I'm crap at navigating without the missus in the left seat but fingers crossed! It's only the bit from Tarago to Bungonia that we might go astray!

If I've got it right we'll have: Me, 440, Grover, Dekenai and Warwick from Cbr, Boatz from the Gong and Baz (et al) from Syd.

Ewok1958 wrote: It's only the bit from Tarago to Bungonia that we might go astray!

Largely dirt last time I drove that way

Now definitely all bitumen Baz - did it a few months back. But was following not leading so not cross-checking with a map or GPS at that time. But I'm pretty sure I can find the same route again.

I remember heading from Tarago and veering right at an intersection. I'll bring a GPS along as well, we might be able to work it out

All good fellas, I will be there unless its pissing down. I just wanna check, that's meet at the Chisholm shops, not the BP beside them.

Yep, Chisholm Shops - although it's a big(ish) carpark, I reckon we'll see each other OK.

I've had a slight change of plan.
Of course I meant to say I will be leaving at 0930 M4 Maccas WEST and then the Marulan for lunch, then I'm heading for the south coast via Braidwood

Just to confirm, we are green for go tomorrow.

how far south Baz??..........................Grumpy

I'm still on.
how far, Moruya but if a fine day comes along and ride is in order I can't rule out lunch at Bermi .. how does Wednesday sound ?

It was a good day for a ride. Weather held off and a few new roads were discovered. Good burgers at Marulan, must keep it in mind for future visits. Great to meet the local bandit riders

Mmmm Canberra is not out of the question from here. Would need to be an over nighter but if roads are good and weather more reliable .........

DOH, Raining steady at about 9.00am at home , drizzle after that for a while. Was not riding the Pass in those conditions. Will be eager to catch up next ride.

I wish I had a bike mounted camera, seeing a line of Bandits going through the curves in single file is a great site. First group ride where I haven't had to keep up with the sports bike crowd.