
Sunday 29 Jan 2017 saw the second RTE for NSW.
8.30 am I left home in Picton and headed to my local Shell and fuelled STranger for the ride ahead. It was a warm sunny morning with a hot forecaST for the day. I rode my rural back-roads through The Oaks, Silverdale and Mulgoa to Penrith and Cranebrook, then across to Windsor on the Northern Rd. At that point I received a ph call

via bluetooth from Ruben (Rubencan) telling me he was also attending but would arrive a little late.
Through Windsor and across the Nepean River and on towards the Putty Rd. I had a good ride up through Colo and without any slow moving vehicles in my way, tackling the twiSTies with a

big grin on my face, then a great ride on my favourite Road. I enjoyed it. About 10k's before Grey Gum Cafe there was a Speed Camera set up and I approached it behind a slow car 80 kph and overtook STaying almoST at 100 kph the poSTed limit for that road.

The camera flashed as I was beside the ute. HMMM I thought, I dont have a front number plate, my speed was 103.
I arrived a few mins later and was pleased to see the HWP

ford parked and the officer having smoko. Grey Gum has two concrete BIKE ONLY parking STrips and there were quite a lot of riders parked, I managed to park along there directly under our OzSTOC flag above with space for us beside. about 10 mins later I was met by Knave on his red ST1300 and we claimed a table and went and ordered. Next to arrive was Natman white ST1100 then was Wilko black ST1100, and his son Luke on his Honda (?). Then Ruben arrived riding his big black STeed, we all sat and ate the fine food on offer, last to arrive was Dodgy and Gail on,white ST1300. Among the other rider was a Black ST1300 and I left a card on the bike.




After the normal chats we STarted our exit. I followed Ruben, with Nathan following me and we headed back along the Putty following a few other riders. Being aware of double demerits we had a reasonable pace, back towards the speed trap. A white ST1300 appeared in the mirror and he soon went passed us never to been seen ahead

did Dodgy hear about the speed camera and a possible HWP lurking about.. I sat behind Ruben following another rider who couldn't decide his speed and after a while I overtook and was behind other 'nannyrider'.

I followed behind in double lines for what seemed a lifetime, slowing to 70kph

on bends capable of the 100kph limit,

missing 1 opportunity to pass then another 20k's of double lines when I was able to pass legally

before the good twiSTy bits along the ridge and down into Colo River,but I had to follow a car who at leaST didn't slow for every bend, where I stopped and waited for Ruben and Nathan, then lead them back into Windsor where we departed ways. I headed back through Mulgoa, The Oaks the way I came earlier. Its a far better ride than using The Northern Rd arriving home at 3pm. The temp at home 40 deg.
I will try and edit a short video and add it to this poST. It was a good day out a successful RTE given it was a long weekend. Thanks to all who attended the ride and will catch up again on another RTE

. Cootamundra is the next one for NSW