Drake Ride

I may as well kick this off as everyone else is too tired.

28th February:

David and I met at Hexham for an 8:30 start this meant leaving home just as a down pour started. Riding through quite a bit of traffic meant I was pretty wet by the time we reached the Bucketts Way but after that it was a pretty good run to Walcha.


After a quick break it was on to Armidale where, with a surprising lack of drama, we managed to locate and meet up with Ewok, Madmax and Boatz for a good lunch at the Imperial Hotel.

With Ewok and Bryan setting a good pace we were soon in Tenterfield but not before encountering a few showers which had a few of us donning the wet weather pants.

The run into Drake was good despite the wet road surface and we were soon enjoying the hospitality of the Lunatic Hotel and meeting up with Hammy and Baz.

Day 1 map

1st March:

It was decided that due to the wet roads today's run would be curtailed, this left plenty of time to explore Drake.
Lunatic Hotel Motel


Bob took us out to see his block in the courtesy bus and in the mean time Mr and Mrs Bosco arrived. Mark then joined us on a ridewhile Chris had well earned rest.

We had a good spirited run to Casino and then onto Lions Road where we stopped at the lookout that over looks the Border Railway Loop


Mark aka Bosco at the Lookout


Then onto Rathdowney for a late lunch where it was decided that we had misplaced Madmax.

After trying to contact him for a while it was decided that some riders would complete the loop back to Drake and David and I would back track in case Bryan had run into some sort of trouble.

Making a donation for Lions Road


I'll let the other guys tell you about the good, bad and ugly of the alternative route.

Bryan was safe and sound getting a head start on the evening's socialising at the Hotel when we arrived.

Day 2 Map

2nd March:

An early start was made with Baz joining Ewok, Madmax, Dave and myself for the return run retracing our Day1 route. The ride to Tenterfield was enjoyable despite some close encounters of the wildlife kind. Madmax still hasn't seen the 2 dark coloured wallabys that took off into the bush as he passed we both almost collected a bandicoot.

We enjoyed breakfast at a cafe in Tenterfield.

Bluff Rock just out of Tenterfield


I think Ewok and friends avoided a chat with a nice policeman when they stopped to photograph a Dalek.

We parted ways at Armidale, Dave and I had lunch at Walcha before hitting Thunderbolts way. The run home was spoiled by some light rain and fog before Gloucester and some heavier showers after that. We didn't stop for wet weather pants as being on the move kept most of the water off. The final run home was dry which made for a pleasant end.   

It was great meeting a fine bunch of bikers and enjoying the active and social aspects of our pastime.

I'm looking forward to the next one, I have an idea involving the Oxley Highway for the poor unfortunates that haven't been there before.

Great report Peter.

Hey Re-C, did you lot lose Bandit Dave by the time you got to Tenterfield?
On the way home that is

Kiwisteve wrote:Hey Re-C, did you lot lose Bandit Dave by the time you got to Tenterfield?
On the way home that is

I didn't know he was going the same way, I didn't see him go through when we were having breakfast he would be turning right instead of left at the main street I suppose.

Thursday;
Berowra ferry ride to begin the day





what else is there to do on a ferry but take photos?


I took the Bucketts Way to Booral and then to Bulahdelah and couldn't believe what I saw, had to do a u-turn twice to photo this blue submarine 




Friday;
On the Oxley Hwy


Gingers Creek on Oxley Hwy

put the bikes away, talk about em, try one for size and beer is waiting guys


Saturday;
at the Lions Road loop lookout




Mt Lindesay ... take this road over Lions Rd


Ewok just after crossing the border back into NSW on Mt Lindesay Hwy


Bluff Rock just south of Tenterfield





Bet you didn't know Daleks actually contained EWOKS





And this was the last photo I took.

Super write up Baz. Great pics.  Love the submarine.

Some good shots there Baz, I'm glad you got some of the bikes and riders.

Baz wrote:Bet you didn't know Daleks actually contained EWOKS

Photobucket is doing strange things to me this morning. The group shot at the railway loop does contain Dave your bro but not showing on the post.

Note to Ewok.  You look good on that "Bird" .   For you !   19 5.     .  Plus I'll throw in an iPad.

I've been tpld I look good off it as well! One more ride on the bandit on that patchwork quilt of a road and you'll have a sale!

Some SBA members had to be restrained.

While most slept in on sat' morning. Some caught the lovely Drake sunrise,

Happy Birthday To You !    Mmmmmm  that tasted good.

You would have felt right at home Gus.

One for you Jimmy.  Main street,  Nimbin.   "Yeah Baby"

Ahhh,  no thanks, I'm only lookin'.

And here's what their ridin' in Nimbin.   

Drug Money??

Jimmy the Boy wrote:Drug Money??

Maybe he has a job........nah, what Jimmy said.

It's probably been ridden to Nimbin Hammy. From what I remember of the locals wheels when I used to do food deliveries there a few years back.

Wonder if we'll hear from MM soon about his "mishap" on the way home this morning? wink wink.

Ewok1958 wrote:Wonder if we'll hear from MM soon about his "mishap" on the way home this morning?  wink wink.

Sshh!

madmax wrote:

Ewok1958 wrote:Wonder if we'll hear from MM soon about his "mishap" on the way home this morning?  wink wink.

Sshh!

Spill the beans MM.

Hammy wrote:

madmax wrote:

Ewok1958 wrote:Wonder if we'll hear from MM soon about his "mishap" on the way home this morning?  wink wink.

Sshh!

Spill the beans MM.

Hey MM did you see my little slide coming out of the Servo at Armidale?

The lookout at Lions Road. Note: 1 bike missing.   "12 volters"  had to park separately.