First SA RTE in attendance were
Mel and Pete, (Pete)
Ray (Straysa)
Phil (Philster)
Heather and myself ((Alan) Wildfireangel and Alans1100)
On Thursday just gone with all the rain and more again on Friday there was a fear that Saturday would be the same, however the forcast predicted overcast and all but no rain and the day was as predicted which is unusual for the weather guys.
We awoke to a cold, frosty and unusual foggy morning but by 9am the skies had cleared around Peterborough so we'd have at some sun for a little while. I hooked up the trailer, Heather dried off the bike so I could put on our goat skin seat cover on. When ready to go at 10:10am I fired up the bike (even used the choke) and let it warm up a minute or two then went to fill up and then on our way leaving Peterborough about 10:30am.
The ride down to Saddleworth was ok except for the chilly wind blowing across the road from the right and made worse by the north bound B-doubles and wind forces they generate. I would say it's one the coldest trips I've done on the bike but considering an overnight of 3 degrees for us it was ok. Because of the cold I kept the speed around the 90/100kmh mark with the throttle lock on and let the speed vary as it does.
About 11:15 saw us turning at the northern entry of the Burra heavy vehicle by-pass which I usually use unless I need to stop off for a drink etc. A few k's out of Saddleworth I passed by a car driven by a blonde female 'P' plater. Not a drama, but a little too close to a blind RH bend and 15 or seconds later a car comes from the other way. One thing I noticed, most of the traffic was heading north and mainly 4x4 towing vans or similar. We arrived at the hotel at 11:55am, not bad considering the late start and slower 100kph I tries not to exceed.
Heather and I entered the hotel and were greeted warmly by the lady (turned out to be the manageress) behind the bar and I let her know that there'd be about another 4 or 5 turning and let us know there was a table for 6 set up and we could use that. About 12:15pm I saw a blue 1300 go past the window so we both headed outside again to meet Ray (Straysa), Mel and Peter (Pete). Heather took a couple photo's before we headed back inside out of the cold. Not sure what time Phil (Philster) arrived but it was 15/20 minutes later and we all headed outside to meet him. A few more photes taken before it was time to go back in side again.
From then until about 3:15 we'd talked about a bike related stuff (among other things) we'd done etc, had our meal which was all ok and when leaving were told we'd be welcome back anytime (only next time it won't be so cold.....lol).
We all had places to be and wanted to get there before it turned really cold again so we didn't hang around to long in the car park. Mel and Pete headed back towrds home. I didn't see which way Phil went while Ray followed us out of town towards Clare then he passed us on his way to Melrose. We stopped of at Woolworths in Clare and arrived home at about 6pm.
All up a great day had by all (even if a bit chilly) and a nice group but I think the general feeling was that next time we'll wait 'til it's a little warmer. Heather said she wouldn't mind going again so we might do so in about 6 to 8 weeks time.
Even with the fire going I can still feel the cold while I write this.
We didn't take many photos, outside ones are okay but the inside ones didn't turn out to well so I picked the best one. Maybe a few more will come to light from the others that attended.
This was the last photo I took with my camera and I've added the names etc. to the photo.
Taken by Heather with her camera after Mel, Pete and Ray arrived
Taken by Heather after Phil arrived
Best of the inside pics that we took but forgot the flash.
