Fourteen stalwarts lined up at the start at Apex Park, Flaxley Rd. Mount Barker. Assembly took place amongst a variety of machines, equipment, and sewer pipes because the Western Sewer Main for the town and the surrounding suburbs was under construction at that point. The contractor however honored an arrangement put in place earlier in the week to leave enough room for our activities, and that worked well.
The first leg for the day took us out through Echunga to Meadows for the usual Meadows Bakery refreshment stop, and then a return to Mount Barker via Macclesfield. Several riders opted to retire at this stage and after a 1.25 Hr. lunch stop, the remainder set out for Woodside via Balhannah to visit Melba’s Chocolate factory.
After collecting a few sweet purchases the riders called it a day and all but six retired leaving the remainder to return to Mount Barker via Nairne and the Bald Hills Road interchange.
With the exception of Ian Roddies’ Excelsior Autobyk which is still settling down after an extensive overhaul , all bikes ran well throughout the day. The Excelsior gradually lost power during the morning run and had to be loaded on the back-up trailer for the return to Mount Barker. Ian then loaded it on board his motorhome which transported the bike to the start, and after the lunch break followed the run up to Woodside in his vehicle.
A quick scan of the entry list for this event illustrates the variety of makes of machines which turn out for these events. Out of the fourteen entries Suzuki is the only make duplicated, thus the twelve remaining entrees are all different makes! Note also that engine capacities vary from 50cc for the smallest to 1690cc for the largest.
Throughout the day Roger O’Loughlin and Mick Hayes marshalled the corners and kept everyone on track. Our thanks go to them for this assistance and also to Alan Wallis for his “Tail End Charlie” duties and to Robert (Pud) Freeman and Charlie Brown for manning the back-up vehicle.
Ride list:
| Alan Wallis | 1950 | Tilbrook | 197cc | M/C |
| Alan Martin | 2017 | Yamaha | 300cc | M/C |
| Graham Riley | 1960 | Vespa | 125cc | Scooter |
| Rob Smyth | 1970 | Motobecane | 50cc | Moped |
| Peter Arriola | 1974 | James | 150cc | M/C |
| Roger O’Loughlin | 1989 | Suzuki | 650cc | M/C |
| Malcolm Gray | 1974 | MZ | 150cc | M/C |
| David Saint | 1957 | BMW | 250cc | M/C |
| Warren Duncan | 2002 | Honda | 250cc | M/C |
| Mick Hayes | 2005 | Suzuki | 400cc | M/C |
| Rob Snell | 2012 | Harley | 1690cc | M/C |
| Joe Betschart | 1956 | Moto-Guzzi | 750cc | M/C |
| Ian Voysey | 1948 | Malvern Star | 98cc | Autobyk |
| Ian Roddie | 1947 | Excelsior | 98cc | Autobyk |
NEXT RUN: Adelaide Beach Run – 3rd December 2017
MEET: 9:30am for 10.00am start. Birkenhead Tavern, Pt.Adelaide-Over the bridge, right turn at lights – Tavern on right.
RUN: Port Adelaide/ Outer Harbour/Largs /Semaphore/Grange/ Henley Beach/ Glenelg and return. Riders may elect to lunch together at the tavern after the run. Please let Alan or Warren know beforehand so that numbers can be confirmed.
REMEMBER: These runs cater for the slower rider, backup trailer always provided.
Enquiries; Warren 8388 1770 Alan 8295 5097