Mopeds Plus – Strathalbyn, June 14th 2020

19 Jun

Riders

  • Alan Wallis 1950 Tilbrook 197cc   
  • David Saint 1966 Puch 250cc
  • Rob Smyth 1970 Motobecane 50cc
  • Warren Duncan 2002 Honda 250cc
  • Graham Riley 1960 Vespa 125cc
  • Peter Arriola 1957 James 147cc
  • Ian Roddie 1951 NSU 49cc
  • Tony Earnshaw 1974 BMW 600cc
  • Ian Voysey 1948 Malvern Star 98cc
  • John Groeschel 1995 BMW 1000cc
  • Paul David 1950 Ambassador 197cc
  • Adrian How 2004 BMW 1200cc

An apology was received from Roger O’Loughlin

From the outset the planning of this event presented a challenge. Firstly, being the first Moped event after a period where all ride activities had been suspended on account of the COVID-19 pandemic, this ride had to conform with the remaining restrictions still in place. Secondly, there was not a lot of time between the relaxation of controls and the due date for the run, such that fairly swift action was required to get the message out to riders that a run can proceed.

With this in hand, enquiries had to be made to find eateries which would be willing to feed a dozen or so hungry and cold motorcyclists at a morning tea, and the lunch break. This plan was complete on the Friday before the run, when the Sails Restaurant at Clayton Bay, our normal lunch option, rang to say that due to a health issue with staff, they will not be open on the day! With only a few alternatives available our new plan was established with the cooperation of the friendly staff at the Finniss General Store and given a test run on the day before the event.

The ride departed on a new route covering the same area, travelling clockwise instead of anticlockwise with morning tea at Milang and lunch at Finniss.

Unfortunately, the “NSU Quickly” was quickly returned to the back of Ian Roddie’s utility when a cable broke at the start and took no further part in proceedings, but the remainder of the field made good time down to Langhorne Creek. As the group approached Milang following the shores of Lake Alexandrina it became obvious that strong South Westerly winds were going to be an issue for the rest of the ride. Morning Tea at Milang was a brief stop and riders proceeded non stop from there via Clayton Bay to Finniss in order to arrive on time for the planned lunch at the shop at 12 Noon. Across the flat country approaching Finniss we are accustomed to being buffeted by evil winds and this trip was no exception.

Lunch at Finniss was excellent, and because of the poor weather conditions there were few travellers about, and we had practically the whole covered outdoor area (with wood heater) to ourselves.

Departure after the break was about 1-45pm and the long straight road back toward Milang provided an opportunity to feel the effects of the South-Westerly as a tailwind, giving surprising performance from all the bikes. From the outskirts of Milang, the ride traversed a route which has never previously been included in a Moped Plus event. Called the Nine Mile Road, this fully sealed and mainly straight road afforded a quick return to the starting point at Strathalbyn.

There was plenty to indicate that the frontal system forecast for the afternoon was about to arrive but it was not easy to make haste with the very strong gusty wind once again at right angles to the road for most of the distance. Intermittent clusters of trees to the left of the road at times masked the wind, but as these trees passed the effect of the wind suddenly increased.

The Advertiser Newspaper published the morning after the ride featured an article covering an accident on the Nine Mile Road, Strathalbyn early a.m. on the morning of our ride, where a car suddenly left the road and hit a tree. The driver was taken to hospital by ambulance!

On this final leg of the ride the rain started just as the ride ended, and those who returned to the Adelaide area by bike would have had a wet journey. Overall a good day, but one to challenge the participants’  motorcycling skills.

Our thanks go to those who assisted with marshalling duties under difficult conditions, to Alan Wallis, as Tail-End Charlie, and to Wayne Williams for providing the back-up vehicle for the day.

Report by Warren Duncan.


  • Next Run:     The Williamstown Wander – Sunday 2nd August 2020
  • Meet:             Williamstown Oval (Just outside Oval gates off Springton Rd.)
  • Start:             10.00am for 10.30am dep.
  • Run:               Williamstown/Springton/Eden Valley/Angaston (lunch)                                                     Nuriootpa/Tanunda/ Lyndoch/Williamstown (80kms)  

REMEMBER: These runs cater for the slower rider, backup trailer always provided.

Enquiries – Warren 0417882625 – Alan 8295 5097