SA Update

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TURNED OUT NOT TO BE TOO HOT SUNDAY FOR THE RIDE, QUITE NICE CONDITIONS ALTHOUGH A BIT WINDY IN A FEW SECTIONS.

SMALL TURN-UP AT PRICE’S BAKERY AT GOLDEN GROVE VILLAGE, WAS GOING TO BE A WARM ONE AT 35C+, SO WE DECIDED ON A QUICK RIDE UP TO LOBETHAL.

Rode from Bec's Bakehouse and followed the coast to Moana, back out to Aldinga, Silver Sands then a break at Myponga Reservoir. The riding to Carrickalinga, Yankalilla, Inman Valley Road, Sawpit Road, Pambula Road then across South Road down Crows Nest Road Lookout, where we had another break, appreciated as the roads were a bit rough. Then it was a short trip to Goolwa Bakery where we had lunch. After that, we all went our own way home. Much thanks to all as the cornering system went smashingly well and thanks to Garry who volunteered, with high-vis vest to be tail-end charlie. People who work the cornerman system well, makes the whole ride flow so much better. Thanks to all, very much enjoyed leading the ride. Richard Furler

Going up the top of Seaview Road, Range Road North, coming out at Houghton, Inglewood where we continued around the Millswood Reservoir cutting across to the Gorge Road, passing through Cudlee Creek where those early-start bike riders were already settling in for their morning cup of Coffee. Chucked a right at Cudlee Creek Road, then a sharp right onto Fox Creek Road, love this stretch. Mid way through we hooked a left on a not so common Staffords Road, connecting up to Miller Road, pass the Quarry which led us in to the back of Lobethal where we found the shadiest spot in the Main Street. Had re-registered the ZRX1100 for 3 months as it has just been sitting in the shed for ages while I’ve been riding the Z1300. Just a bit of difference in the weight and nimble handling factor! Forgot how much fun the ZRX is. Replenished our fluids and a bight to eat from the Amberlight Café, bit of casual chatting for a while, then time to head back home going our separate ways. Thanks, Peter Donnellan

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IT WAS A GREAT SURPRISE TO ARRIVE AT STEAMROLLER PARK AT 6.30 IN THE EVENING TO BE MET BY AT LEAST 10 OTHER MOTORCYCLISTS, MOST ENCOURAGING. We waited until approximately 7pm, by which time we had grown to a group of 15 bikes so we headed off via the lovely roads around the Piccadilly Valley and on to Greenhill Road to take us all the way into Balhannah. At this point we were still all together, then along Junction Road and a small back road to by-pass Littlehampton and on through Nairne and along the old main drag to Melbourne. Just the other side of Dawsley is the magnificent road to Harrogate, this has to be one of the great bike roads in the area except for one small section of dirt road (very good dirt road I might add) but enough to put a lot of riders off using it. We regrouped at the start of the Harrogate road and it was here that I discovered that we had lost some riders, oh dear. No answer on the mobile to one of the missing so there really was not much we could do but press on. Indeed we did, knowing the road well and the Suzuki Bandit behaving quite badly it was quite spirited run through to the previously mentioned dirt section with Mr. Osbourne in hot pursuit on his Kawasaki, great fun. Another stop in Harrogate to let everyone catch up and we were on our way to Woodside. It is about now that a major problem rears its head with a twilight ride in the Adelaide Hills, in that at some stage you will be riding into the Sun. This slows things down somewhat and you begin to realise that you will soon need to buy a new visor for you helmet! The route then took us around Woodside and on to Lobethal, down to Cudlee Creek, riding through the deep valleys you realise the sun will soon be down. We rode around the top of Millbrook Reservoir towards Kersbrook but then headed down to the suburbs via Tee Tree Gully, the Plaza and on to Grand Junction Road before turning onto the Main North Road, Enfield and arriving at Villie’s North, our destination for a meal, snack or whatever you fancied. At this point Gary and his pillion turned up having stayed with Pete and Christine, who had a battery malfunction at Balhannah, a quick phone call to Pete and I was relieved to hear help had been summoned, so all was well. These Twilight rides appear to be quite popular so I’m sure they will continue. I would like to thank all those who made the effort, despite the dirt road. Thanks, Mick Bulman