friday morning 11 July
STranger and I were ready for departure, he was ready after his recent Ill's, and so was I.
9:04 left home heading for the Putty Rd where I had an easy leisurely ride
, STranger was feeling STrong and STable and glided rather swiftly thru the twiSTies and across the range, left along the Golden Way and up into Muswellbrook and onto Scone to
see an old friend, coffee and try to track down my recent STew saviors
from my laST attempt at a ride.
As we went thru Murrurundi I spotted a Red ST1300 and 2 familiar faces, A2Z, Al and Fiona, so I STopped to say hi. We then rode off together,STopping at Tamworth for fuel and then onto Uralla. It was good to be riding with fellow OzSTOCer's again. At Uralla I waved
Al and Fiona off at the TOP PUB, then onto Guyra for me and STranger, arriving juST after 5pm,30 mins later 'Sicman and pitSTop arrived to a toaSTy warm fire. Later I finally had got to
taSTe the yummy 'Guyra STew' and enjoy the hospitality of ST2UP and Pockey.
Sat 12th as minus 4 heavy froST to awake to, ST2UP, pitSTop, Sicman and I were about to leave to meet the others in Uralla for breaky before the RTE within an RTE ride when ST2UP noticed STranger's front tyre lQQed low, 22 psi,,
so off to the servo for air PPPPSSSSSSS 42 by the servo airgun
and off we go. The roads were white with froST and off we went nice and STeady. By the time we arrived at the White Rose cafe my fingers were NUMB,, gee it was cold. the guys at W R cafe had a warn fire burning and in we went to wait for the others to meet for breaky. they make a good feed there, I had a the Big BreakfaST, fuel to keep me warm for the ride ahead. 9:30 ish back at the top pub we gathered to depart for the <RTE> RTE and
6 ST1300's, a lone Stranger, ST1100, another Honda and a Harley, Fish, headed out lead by ST2up for a ride on the local roads in the area, the sun had warmed up and melted all the ice and STranger enjoy'd the ride to Ebor Falls
I know there's 1 ST13 short STinkey pete had urgent business so his STeed missed the photo op
and met up with 2 others who joined us,
Nth Dorrigo for lunch via more
good roads
where we were met by saaz. I had grilled fish, chips
and salad
After lunch we STopped and saw some old boilers
at the STeam thingy place,
then STranger got to teST himself on the Dorrigo Mtn, and he showed his agility down and back up only scratching up his STirrups once. I let him down, as saaz raced off leaving us to wait out another roadworks stoplight cycle on the hill.
I do remember saaz saying he'd ridden it 3X b4 we arrived, and it was our firST time so not bad.. that PR4's is good
then back to Uralla's Top Pub before the cold night set in.
down by the fire in the pub later I got to meet more of the family and we went upSTairs for the feSTivities of XMAS in July,
, either the room was small or there were many more than expected, but that juST made it more cosy, I enjoyed
my Huge Mixed grill in the company of Cerebal,Tipsy and Grumpy, all of which also tucked into the Huge mixed grill.
all the food i saw on other tables looked yummie
. After we were all fed I got to meet some of you and chat.I didnt get to meet everyone but theres always next time,some I've met B4 i also didnt greet,
Sorry I didnt have my ph so no pics here, but others will share theirs .
9:40 I put Stranger in the bottle shop which was STable for moSTly Red ST's.plus STig , at leaST STranger had 2 other ST1100 with him.
Sunday morning again to a covering of ice
every one STarted to gather b4 breakfaST again at the White Rose and more socializing and a nice hot fire burning I had the porridge, yum and a STrong coffee,, after all the food this weekend hopefully I'll gain a little weight.
STranger and I planned to go home along Thunderbolts so I asked A2Z and Fiona if they would like to join us. Back to the pub to pack and get Stranger ready I checked his front air again,
62 psi, WTF
so I let a lot out back down to 45 psi.. something odd going on here have to get that all checked, but 60 odd. ST2up tell the local servo their Airgun gauge is STUFFED..
10 am and we fuelled up and headed off to Walcha, gee this rds rougher especail down to Nowendoc, since I laST was thru here. But STranger rode along leading A2Z thru the countryside.There was ice in places where the sun hadnt shined so in the shadows we took care. On top of the range I pulled into a lookout to shake of the chill and take a pic,
then headed down the mountain and into Gloucester and a STop at Roadies Cafe. A few minutes later Wombattle and Verity arrived on there way thru.
It was hear we went seperate ways, I said goodbye to everyone and off we went turning of to Dungog and across toSingleton and my favourite rd, the Putty.
at Dungog I reckoned I'd be home at 5.30
STranger's become quite familiar with that road, and even STopping to offer help to a BMW with a flat balder than my laST tyre, STranger and I arrived home at 5:33 pm.
I'd juST like to say thanx OzSTOC organisers who put this together and a very merry XMAS in July to the OzSTOC family. I had an exciting weekend of fun, got to ride a RTE ina RTE which was exhilarating,
, put faces to forum friends,no family. Experience the mateship so many share. I really needed to be out on STranger after my recent events. Thanx everyone,
now for the short version....
planned, left, had a fun ride and great food, more food and coffee spent time with family, left for home more fun ride, got home safely, overall excellent weekend.
fotenote. I like STranger solo, his single seat is far more comfortable than his twin, and his cowl proved to be a good pillbox, and glove box... what did you guys think of his new lQQk and colour ?
I rabble on dont I.. it took 2 hrs to write this Ride Report..
