We had thirteen bikes for our ride from O’Halloran Hill to Encounter Bay. Bikes ranged from a very new Royal Enfield to a 52 year old Honda & a 54 year old Triumph. First we rode around the suburbs and then through Onkaparinga River Park and the back roads of McLaren Vale and into Meadows for coffee.
Then down everyone’s favourite road (Bull Creek) and around to Mt. Compass and after criss-crossing the Peninsula for 180 kms we made our way into Victor Harbor to refuel. Then over to Encounter Bay for lunch. Some of us sat in the sun on the waterfront and others enjoyed fish and chips looking out over the bay.
Enjoying the sunshine at Encounter Bay.
Fish and Chips for lunch.
The return ride was a spirited run back to Seaford again covering many of the back roads of the Fleurieu. I travelled about 300kms, so those riders from north of the city must have covered over 350kms. Maybe next time we do this ride, we do it in the warmer months and we can spend time stopping at the lookouts and enjoying the scenery.
Riders:- Alan Wallis 1950 Tilbrook 197cc Graham Riley/Sharon 1956 Vespa 125cc G Christie 1987 Ducati 750cc David Saint 1966 Puch 250cc Mick Hayes 2016 Suzuki 650cc Warren Duncan 2002 Honda 250cc Tony Earnshaw 1972 … Read More »
Eighteen bus passengers and seventeen motorcyclists congregated at the West Croydon & Kilkenny RSL on Sunday morning for another Pt Pirie trip. As our registrar, Bob Finnie, remarked ‘it’s a pretty piss-poor turnout considering we have almost 300 club members to date’. Bob’s damning assessment is unfortunately quite true and we should all be grateful that he made the effort to arrange this excursion. Thanks, Bob!
We hit the road at 8:45am, first stop was the United servo in Pt Wakefield. After a quick coffee, we were back in the saddle – next stop: Pt Pirie. The bus and most of the bikes were parked on the side of the road just outside the town awaiting the stragglers. We were guided to our first attraction: a collection of old bikes including some lovely examples of early Indians. The gentleman, who owned the bikes, was delighted to show us around his sheds. Some highlights included an Indian 4, an Indian Scout, a Scott Flying Squirrel and an early 250cc Levis (all restored). In the back shed was a timber framed Humber car and a freshly restored Tilbrook sidecar (destined for an early BMW). The owner was particularly pleased to see Alan Wallis, who he sought for some Tilbrook expertise. There were several unrestored bikes : a Velocette GTP, a 1930s 500cc BSA and an early Velocette LE – a great collection!
After a short speech from President Bob Cole thanking the owner for showing us around, we took off again to visit a transport museum on the outskirts of the town.
The owners, a retired couple, had an amazing collection of material: predominately transport related, but also, what I describe as early Australian social history. This included masses of toy cars, dolls, a small military exhibit, tools, Elvis memorabilia, Coca-Cola paraphernalia, Nevil Shute’s A Town Like Alice exhibit and much, much more. There was almost too much to take in on such a short visit. Out in the back sheds were trucks, cars, buses and some small stationary engines.
We enjoyed a BBQ lunch outside and the owners really did us proud with a great selection of salads, sausages and steak. We all agreed that it was a glorious day with lots of interesting things to look at. Bob Cole thanked the owners for their hospitality and allowing us to inspect their collection.
Most riders and the bus opted to take the quick way home via Pt Wakefield, and a handful of us took the scenic route via Crystal Brook, Gulnare, Spalding and Burra. I clocked up about 500 kilometres for the day. What a great day and again many thanks to Bob Finnie for making it happen.
Charles.
PS. I’m sure some of you took much better photos than I’ve posted here – maybe you could pass them on to myself or Trevor Jones for publication.
Ross (Rosco) Edwards’ also wrote his own version of the trip report:-
Today we had 2 classic and 15 modern bikes, one with pillion, ready for the ride to Mannum. First stop was the Throttle Shed at One Tree Hill ,but unfortunately the Triumph Riders beat us there so the place was packed.No problem,some of us went to the shop down the road for our morning coffee and we were ready to go.
Next problem was as we were leaving Roger headed for home, and some riders followed him instead of looking for corner markers, then one of our riders decided to ride off the road and down a bank.No injuries, well maybe his pride, so while we waited for everyone to catch up and regroup we decided to shorten the route to make up some time. Finally we were on our way to Mannum.
After lunch and chat on the banks of the mighty Murray it’s time to refuel the bikes and back on the road to Adelaide. An uneventful ride except for being stuck behind a truck and trailer filled with cattle. Don’t you just love that smell. Still it’s always a good day to be out riding with friends. I made it home after 323kms of very enjoyable riding.
This report from Motorcycle Ride Week was published in Old Bike Issue No. 90 and was made by Robert Elliot of the Veteran & Vintage MCCSA. Click on the cover photo to read the article.
Rider List Rob Smyth 1970 Motobecane 50cc Peter Arriola 1957 James 150cc Roger O’Loughlin 1988 Suzuki 650cc Don Jennings 1977 BMW 1000cc Lyn Jennings 2005 Yamaha 250cc Joe Betschart 1972 Kriedler 49cc Tony Earnshaw 1974 BMW 600cc Warren … Read More »
17 Starters presented at Civic Park which can only be described as a carnival atmosphere. Yes, the Bay to Birdwood was in progress, it seemed that we would be a portion of the cavalcade for a brief period.
The participants were;
Ed Lowrey on his 1975 BMW 900
Tom Robson on a Kawasaki W650
Allan Vaisham on a 1970 Honda 450
Graham Riley on 2016 Indian Scout 1200
Burnie Burton on a 1995 Suzuki 600 Bandit
Wayne Williams on Yamaha 650 Cruiser
Wayne Lawson on a 2016 Triumph T120
Merilyn Braunsthal on her 2019 Kawasaki 650 Ninja
Bob Braunsthal on a Yamaha XS650
Campbell Blaney on a Triumph 750 T140E
Alan Kernich on a more reliable Triumph 750 T140V
Ray Hill on a 1974 BMW R90/6
Charles Oliver on a Triumph 675 Street Triple R
New member Peter Perry on a 2010 BMW R1200R
David Saint on a 1974 900 R90S
Neville Gray on a Bridgestone 350 GTO
Not something you see every day – a Bridgestone in excellent condition. Bike of the Day.
We set off about 10am, I was on my Tenere 700 we were part of the pageant for longer than I thought as Vintage tin moves very sluggishly up hills. I was in first gear searching for a lower gear! This enabled the trailing riders to make up ground prior to turning off from the procession. Our first break was to be in Williamstown travelling via Snake Gully and Humbug scrub. I slowed up on numerous occasions to help avoid people from drifting from the route, I saw numerous headlights grouping behind me in my mirrors. “Good job” I thought, as I pulled up in Williamstown with a steady stream of participants pulling up in the car park.
Then there was a pause of riders for several minutes. It became apparent as tail end Charlie approached from a different direction, there was a problem. He educated me that his bike wouldn’t start due to operator’s error and “cleverly” took a different route????? So the all the corner markers waited tolerantly until it was apparent something was wrong!
I was pleasantly surprised that so many riders are bringing along their own refreshments with so many Thermos’. This empowers us to stop anywhere and have munchies and drinks, as my second planned stop was Barossa Sculpture Park had no catering. Most were refreshed, the unprepared were restless. Only one lost rider here, found at Angaston.
Scenic lookout at Barossa Valley Sculpture Park.
We ventured off towards Angaston were I thought it was a good idea to give everyone some U-turn practice. Over shooting one turn, and wrong turn at a T-junction, truth be known, I need a GPS. Finally in Angaston for lunch, the shaded park in the main street provided an agreeable location, close to cafes and toilets. After discussing the world’s problems (me being one of them) we set off on the return leg. Some departed at the lunch stop their own way. Thanks to all participants, this was an entertaining and eventful day.
Next club monthly ride will be on November the 1st to Waitpinga. We will meet at the Caltex servo at O’Halloran Hill for a 10.00am departure. Due to the Covid situation I have socially distanced myself from cafes and bakeries, I am not emotionally devoted to them. So I’m giving everyone advance notice, as there’s only a toilet at this destination no catering present. Please bring your own refreshments and or lunch. Perhaps even consider bringing a chair as this is the type of “Point of Interest” destination lunch stop I’ve been enjoying during the peak of the pandemic, which I truly appreciate. Nevertheless I plan to do a café stop for Brunch.
This ride is going to be in excess of 200km, my notion is doing longer runs when less extreme weather conditions usually found in Spring and Autumn are expected. I’m also working on a pillion friendly civil ride, so older riders and smaller capacity bikes and the like are better accommodated, as some members find the moped runs TOO slow and monthly rides too perplexing for a variety of reason.
It was an overcast and moist start to this abbreviated ride. Welcome to 2 new club members who attended. Alan’s “new” Trident required a push start in the morning to become mobile. Slow and nervous headway was made, due to the slippery roads covered in moss and debris and my dicey front tyre proved to be an impairment in the drizzling conditions of the day.
It was soon after our short coffee stop in Lobethal when I realised at Gumeracha that nobody was behind me. I waited, then I retraced my path to find my companions had stopped to support a malfunctioning unit, yep the Trident again (not Alan). Repairs were made to the electrics and we set off. Time disappeared due to this interruption so wisely I amended portion of the scenic journey so it wouldn’t interfere with lunch time.
Have you tried hitting it with a stick?
No more than 2 kms of progress, I found I was no longer leading a group. Back tracking again to a small assembly, I called tail end Charlie, yes it was the dreaded Trident again! Signifying Alan could retreat home, as it was relatively nearby for him, I was assured all was well and will be travelling again shortly. The repair pit crew decided to overtake the second patiently waiting group, so now the ride leader was demoted mid pack. The two groups met up in Palmer for a well-earned lunch.
After lunch, some members wanted to proceed the direct route home, including tail end Wayne. I proposed that Alan resume duties as the ride Leader and I become tail end Charlie. I assumed that more breakdowns were looming, so nobody would have to backtrack. I gave him route instructions to Mount Pleasant, which was pointless as another stoppage was encountered at Palmer before we could set off. During repairs the Trident stater was engaged, the bike was in gear and sprang forward almost falling onto Charles’ Triumph.
I kept the stick, it’s under the seat for these emergencies
It became vital for a fuel stop at Mount Pleasant for the Trident. I followed the group, but we became disjointed around Mount Pleasant. Rain was now falling, I made an executive deduction to terminate the ride, I was glad to get home out of the cold! I heard later the petrol station was closed at the time in Mount Pleasant, of course it was. I’m convinced that Trident translates to 3 breakdowns! I hope you all enjoyed your ride to Palmer
I’m keen for recommendations for upcoming monthly ride destinations and formats, bearing in mind that rides are 2 to 3 months scheduled in advance and advertised in our club calendar. Ride duration of about 200 kms seems standard, personally I’m happy to do longer rides or shorter when it’s scorching. Also I think it’s practical in the summer months for southern ride destinations. To utilise normally cooler conditions encountered, but avoided in winter for similar reasons. I know and love riding in the Southern regions, but central and Northern is sketchy. Can someone assist me with Northern ride destinations that’s familiar with the region? Perhaps even lead a ride one month and give me a break?
As the newly appointed club captain I’m still trying to find my “mojo” so bear with me for a while. Aside from leading club rides there’s no other apparent “job description”. I don’t expect to keep every Tom, Dick, and Harry satisfied all the time with destinations and format nominated. But I would like to mix things up a little, so I’m am not just leading another a predictable café outing. What I hope to bring to this position is variety, after all variety is the spice of life! If you want predictability (Groundhog Day) I’m certainly the wrong person for this position, I am content to vacate anytime for a “café junkie” ride leader.
Next weekend ride will be to Angaston on Sunday September 27th, we will be meeting at Civic Park Nth East Rd, Modbury – opposite the Tea Tree Plaza – at 9:30am for a 10am start. All makes and models of bikes are welcome. This is the last of the predetermined ride destinations from the outgoing club captain.
13 starters met at Caltex at O’Halloran Hill which started as a lovely winter morning! Blue skies and no wind. There were six historic and seven modern bikes on the starting line. Strangely 2 Harleys, must be a record. The … Read More »
Scenic lookout at Barossa Valley Sculpture Park.
