Drake Ride

First topic message reminder :

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.

Re-Cycled wrote:

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?

No I missed it

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.

Maybe later

Hammy wrote:

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

Translation: "12 volters" sensibly parked in the shade.

Re-Cycled wrote:

Hammy wrote:

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

Translation: "12 volters" sensibly parked in the shade.

Splinter Group.      

A couple of pics:

Serious consideration of the menu


Not a stubby in sight!


At the lookout over the rail loop.


Motorcycle museum Tamworth.


Artwork on the Putty Road


And, just for MM:
[insert picture of kill switch in the operate position]!   

     

Ewok1958 wrote:And, just for MM:
[insert picture of kill switch in the operate position]!   

     

Don't your Suzukis have modern features, the 'Strom has "CHEC" on the display if the side-stand or the kill switch are preventing starting?   

My kill switch is the starter switch

Howdy Baz,

Just having a look at your blue submarine.



I'm not sure the cows are any more convinced than I that it is not an upside down sailing boat.


Yep, I'm with the cows on this one      

Actually, I reckon you could sell it on E Bay as a Jules Verne prototype.

Here's the picture of Hammy that i took on the Saturday morning



Love the new helmet mate   

Is nothing sacred around here ? 

Good one Max.  You'll keep.