RETURN TO GYMPIE RID E

By Richard de Groot, Member #769

Sunny Coast BMW Riders ‘Back to Gympie on the Ride that Wasn’t’. Overnight Event - Saturday 14 November 2020

The ‘Sunny Coast BMW Riders’ invite all club members to this ‘Anniversary event’.

This is definitely a MUST ATTEND event for those who survived the ‘Evening Ride to Gympie’ in horrendous weather conditions on Saturday 16/11/2019.

All the survivors have already confirmed their attendance at this year’s anniversary event.

Last year’s surviving event participants were Paul Hughes, Greg Gaffney, Huw Samuel, Liezel Samuel, Iain Nye, Marion Nye, Cindy Bennett, Duncan Bennett, Wendy de Groot and Richard de Groot.

All club members who would like to attend this ride and dinner event and hear the stories (exaggerated or otherwise) from the survivors of ‘The Ride that Wasn’t on 16/11/2019’ are most welcome to attend. The more the merrier.

Venue - The Australian Hotel, Gympie, affectionately called ‘The Aussie’. Web site - www.australianhotelgympie.com.au/

Depart location - BP Service Station, 2632 Steve Irwin Way, Glenview.

Meet time - 1445 hours Saturday 14/11/2020 for a 1500 departure.

Route - A led ride on twisting, climbing, descending country roads in the Sunshine Coast hinterland. All sealed roads. The ride will NOT be via Maleny, Kenilworth or any section of the Bruce Highway (M1). The route distance is approximately 132 kilometres and will take approximately 2 ½ hours to complete; weather permitting. Extremely scenic route.

‘Back to Gympie on the Ride that Wasn’t’.

Event history - The route is exactly the same intended route as last year, which hopefully this year will not involve high winds from all directions, flying debris, nearby lightning strikes a plenty, thunder, hail, downed trees, freezing cold (Yes in November), extremely limited visibility, shelter in stranger’s cars on the highway, shelter under highway overpasses, the use of dog blankets for warming very wet and cold riders and loaned by kind motorists from Childers or elsewhere; or other similar events which might make for another very memorable ride event in 2020.

Prize for best story of last year’s event – On Saturday evening 14/11/2020, whilst at dinner at the Aussie Hotel, members who experienced the ride excitement of last year’s event, whether they commenced the ride from Glenview, or made their own way to Gympie in the horrendous conditions, can relive their individual ride experience by telling their story.

Members at dinner on Saturday evening will vote on what they consider the best story, exaggerated or not, with a show of hands.

The winner will receive as the prize a beautiful BMW rondel set in a fine piece of turned wood.

Dinner - At the Australian Hotel, 1 Lady Mary Terrace, Gympie Qld 4570. Ph: 07 5482 1070. Web site - https://www.australianhotelgympie.com.au/

Pre-dinner drinks from - 1800 hours

Dinner reservation time - 1830 hours

After dinner on 14/11/2020 you can stay overnight, which is recommended, so you can sit back and enjoy the social occasion or have a very enjoyable cruise south on the M1 to the Sunny Coast area and beyond. Surprisingly; an evening cruise down the M1 from Gympie is quite enjoyable. Traffic on a Saturday evening is usually very light.

The majority of members who survived last year’s event have already booked their accommodation and will stay overnight in Gympie.

‘Back to Gympie on the Ride that Wasn’t’.

Overnight accommodation Saturday 14/11/2020 –

At the Australian Hotel, 1 Lady Mary Terrace, Gympie Qld 4570. Ph # 07 5482 1070. Web site - https://www.australianhotelgympie.com.au/

Don’t delay; book now as there are limited rooms. The hotel was recently refurbished and has good clean accommodation; however, with share bathroom facilities.

Costs - Single Overnight Rate: $80 Per Night. Double Overnight Rate: $90 Per Night. Contact the hotel direct to book. Let the staff know you are with the BMW Motorcycle Club. Parking - No secure parking; however, the hotel has an off-street bitumen car park. There were no security problems last year with parking in the grounds.

Alternate Accommodation - A 15-minute walk to the Verandah Motel 1.1 km away. Web site - https://www.verandahmotel.com.au/home/

Breakfast Sunday 15/11/2020 at 0800 hours - Paninis Bakery & Cafe, 11/104 Mary Street, Gympie. A booking is not required. Web site - https://paninis-bakery-cafe.business.site/

Please do two things if attending the event:

If you ARE on the Sunny Coast BMW Riders Facebook timeline -

If you hit the ‘Going’ to the event tab; enter a comment and indicate if you have a partner, who is not on the group FB timeline and who is attending with you (only required for dinner table reservation numbers); or

If you are NOT on the Sunny Coast BMW Riders Facebook timeline –

Send an email to wen_rich@bigpond.com and confirm the names of the members attending the dinner event at the Australian Hotel on Saturday 14/11/2020.

Please note - Due to Covid – 19 requirements only those members who confirm their attendance at dinner will be able to attend the dinner event at the Australian Hotel.

Inclement weather - The event will NOT be cancelled in the event of inclement weather; however, the route may be changed.

Please include wet weather riding gear. Just in case!