on the 7th AuguST I decided I needed a ride, not juST a local ride, but get some k's up.There was all the crap about census and security of the info so after reading the census form delivered, I thought bugger this if I go for a ride that will have me away Tuesday and Wednesday, by my interpretation of the front page of the 2016 census I'm only obliged to fill out Q1 then skip to Q52 and on.
I arranged for Kimba to STay at mums, then on sunday checked STranger's fluids, tyre pressures changed a blown HID and re tapped his blinker cowling.
Tuesday I intended to sleep till 1pm then get up eat, shower and hit the road. I left home here in Picton and headed south, only 1 k then turned onto Barkers Lodge Rd that took me across to Richmond,then onto Windsor and the Putty Rd. I always enjoy the Putty. I made my way to the New England at Muswellbrook then headed north. I STopped at Scone to take my pills with food and coffee. Next Stop Tamworth for fuel. being midweek there was very little traffic so the ride north was fun, not faST and furious. at Tenterfield I started to feel the cold and by the time I got to Warwick at 3.30am I was in need of a reST and food and coffee. I sat in the truckers lounge and managed about an hour or so sleep.
I left Warwick at 6.30 then headed across to Gatton via Maa Maa Creek once again pill time so into Macca's for breakky. from there headed to Esk and onto Toogoolawah and left up the Diagular Hwy to Blackbutt to await the arrival of other OzSTOCer's, I think some were supprised to see me there all the way from Picton 1200 odd k's for a coffee and Pie, and meet some that I have only corresponded with thru our forum.
After lunch and chats on different topics, we headed outside for flag pics,where I hung the NSW flag.
After lunch I decided to head back home and followed PC& Marion along with Draco back thru Toowoomba via the Cooyar Range and onto Warwick where after fuel bid farewell to PC and Marion and I continued south.
A coffee STop at Guyra turned into an O/N STay at ST2UP and Pockey's, thanks guys for your hospitality..
Now Thursday morning after a little rain o/n I was about to leave when I discovered I had left the heated grips on, so after a failed clutch attempt Chris helped to jumpSTart Stranger. Out onto the New England southbound before 7 am it was a little cool. I headed to Tamworth for refuel then once again to Scone for my late breakfaST and morning meds. back to Muswellbrook and head across thru Jerry's Plain, Bulga and the Putty Rd. The Singleton end has had roadworks widening and re positioning some of the twiSTy's new tar all made for a fun ride. I arrived in Windsor with a huge grin
. Less than 100 k's to home now. Penrith. Mulgoa > Greendale and finally home in Picton around 3.30 pm.
A fun ride 2500ish K's.. what a way to avoid giving the gubbermunt info. I had a good ride, STranger apart from my bad, didnt miss a beat.
Its good to be back riding after surgery and meds side effects..
Thanks to all who made this mid week RTE a success. It was good to see some familiar faces and meet others in person.
