Was up early Saturday morning, had packed the bike, refuelled and tested tyres friday evening.
Rolled down the drive at daybreak around 7.45am Clear skies and the promise of good weather. Extreme buffeting side winds. Sun was over the trees as I approached Hamilton, and road nearing Hamilton is in atrocious condition with many potholes!
Arrived Hamilton 7.55 and had a coffee at Maccas. Continued on 2k just past Streatham where I took a left turn onto Carngham road.
One thing of note on this trip was the number of downed/broken off/uprooted trees along the roads from past weeks of extreme windy weather. Never seen so much firewood available so close to the roadside. Nice country, good roads around Mt Emu. Cruised on through to Wendouree where I had a rest stop for another cold drink, on to Creswick, Blampied (this is is all new territory for me, have avoided it before because it is snow country) Daylesford and Hepburn. Beautiful hilly country here, very green and photogenic and some great twisty roads.
Arrived at the pub around 10.40 am. Parked in the empty carpark at the back, which is why my bike is not visible in photos taken by others.
Had a coke and a smoke on the veranda at the pub while waiting for crew to arrive. First arrivals around 11.50, main runners arrived shortly after. Carpark at back was full by this time. Bit of a trick in backing bikes uphill into the parking area, but plenty of willing hands available to push/pull bikes into position. Great to meet so many club members, both old and new faces.
Plenty of gas bagging outside until I noticed that staff were getting a little worried. (We were booked for lunch at 12.30, but as we all know, time waits for no man) so we went in and settled ready for a meal. What a spread was available! PAGES of it!
Really great meal and service from staff, my only 'complaint' being that there was too much food on the plate for my small appetite.
I could only eat part my chicken parmy, and was embarrassed to pass my half eaten meal back to the staff.
Much chatter and banter around and between tables by members until I said my farewells to all just before 3 pm.
Gps informed me that my hometime arrival would be 7.03pm (which we all know is easily surpassed)
There was a traffic accident, a major rear ender a few km south with police and ambos in attendance, but traffic could still pass.
Fuel stop Ballarat, and on the road towards Hamilton with very little traffic, I noticed many suicidal bugs flying at extreme speeds.
Had a 20 minute stop at Skipton for a drink, where I met a friend from Portland who was on her way to Melbourne and we chatted for awhile.
Clear roads and great weather except for the buffeting winds as I continued on. On arrival in Hamilton, GPS had amended my home arrival time from 7.03pm to 6.20pm Including fuel break and delay at Skipton! I suppose I could try and explain it as the GPS was reading my progress across an 'origami folded' map, but we all know the REAL reason for the shortened time?
Very light traffic for a Saturday afternoon, and I was in the door to an enthusiastic pair of cats at 6.10 pm.
Exactly 650 Km for the day.
Went to bed around 9, slept until 11am this morning, and I have aches in places that I didn't even know that I had places!
Who says that you need to go to a gym to exercise?
Thanks, Marcus, for organizing a great RTE, and to the many members who attended. A pleasure to meet some more members in real life.
There are many other tales to this meet, but I will leave it to members involved to elaborate on. Crows, anyone?
