Mid week ride

Meeting at McGraths Hill at 9-30am 6/1/2011 first mid week ride

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After a big discussion Vic and I decided not to use the M7 tollway, so we took the scenic route, which took in many traffic lights from home. Onto Mame Road then St Marys then through Dunheved onto Richmond Road through Riverstone onto Windsor Road to McDonalds at 9-25am just in time to get a briefing from our ride leader Keith. It took us ¾ hour to arrive at the starting point. I made a statement by wearing my new jacket and helmet.

24 riders, including two virgins, assembled at McDonalds, McGrath’s Hill ready for the 9:30am take off. Two late arrivals made the number 26.

 Our route was directly over the Bells Line of Road, where there was some drizzle and fog, through to Lithgow and then on to Bathurst.

There were no regroups, apart from a wet weather gear stop, so as a result we were strung out like the proverbial ‘Browns Cows’. Stopping at a little park just on the outskirts of Bathurst we had morning tea and by the time the tail enders arrived the early arrivals were almost ready to leave.

Worth mentioning that one or two decided to see how much he weighed and diverted into the Bell Weighing station.

At Kelso a few topped up with fuel before arriving at the morning tea park. Big thanks to Ross who did a splendid job of being “X” marking the spot. After morning tea it was off over some fantastic roads through Sofala and on to Rylstone for lunch.

Some decided to patronize the local coffee shops, others ate their packed lunch in the main street and three enjoyed a very pleasant lunch in the park by the river. After lunch it was off again taking the Windamere Dam road as Keith had not been this way for a while Vic took the lead  to the Mudgee road out of town and then on towards Lithgow. It was on this stretch that we again became spread out. I was stuck at the back looking after a couple that did not know the way, and they just did not overtake any traffic I was getting quite frustrated.

 Leaving the riders at Lithgow, Vic and I rode down the Great Western Highway through the mountains, Vic stopped off in Penrith to catch up with Peggy whilst I carried on home. It was long but a good day’s ride, we clocked up just on 480klm