Ride to Birdwood, Sunday 4th March 2018

8 Mar

15 participants met at the Magill Foodland car park for our Sunday run on 4 March. Historic machines outnumbered the modern classics 8 to 7.

Classics in age order were:
Phil Allan 1966 Norton Commmando 750
John Mikutta 1971 Suzuki T500
Darryl McWaters 1971 Honda K1 750
John Suggate 1974 Honda K5 750
David Saint 1976 Suzuki GT750
Alan Kernich 1976 Triumph Bonneville T140V 750
Ed Lowrey 1978 Triumph Bonneville T140E 750
Ray Chappell 1983 Kawasaki GPZ 1100

and moderns:-
Tony Mitchell 1998 Honda NX650
Campbell Blaney 2001 Yamaha Fazer 1000
Wayne Williams 2009 Yamaha XVS650
Louis Peilschmidt 2016 Honda Africa Twin 1000
Graham Riley 2016 Indian Scout 1200
Gordon Suggate 2017 Triumph T120 900

Up into the hills via Norton Summit, Basket Range and Lenswood to the Lobethal Amberlight cafe for morning tea/coffee. This turned out to be a good move as the alternative Cudlee Creek venue (as I noticed a little later on our ride) was standing room only. After refreshments it was on to Birdwood via Chain of Ponds, Checker Hill road to Forreston, Norsworthy Road back towards Kersbrook, then on to Williamstown, Springton and Mount Pleasant. At least that was the route taken by the leader and the first half dozen or so riders. Just as I was leaving Springton I got a call from Wayne to tell me they were already at our end point at Birdwood. Someone took a wrong turn or perhaps followed the wrong bike and the rest is history. In any event, a very pleasant ride, plus the good news – No breakdowns and no prangs!

Alan Kernich
Club Captain