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I had a feeling there would be a lot fewer starters than
usual on this cold morning with a high probability of rain and a 200 k plus
round trip planned. When Geoff Duddy and I arrived at the Services Club car
park we found six riders already there and three more arrived before 10:30,
making eleven in all. Geoff organized this ride so he was elected to lead us
out of town and I must say the route taken, via Canberra Ave., Fyshwick and Queanbyan
could possible take the club trophy for the most traffic lights. However, as
most of us were on relatively modern bikes I guess we could let him off this
time. Geoff was setting a good pace until we encounted your typical Sunday
driver doing 80 k’s or less with a queue of cars (and bikes) behind her (yes it
was a woman in a 4wd). We all got past OK on the flats before Bungendore, and
at Bungendore we lost three riders, including a couple of modern Triumphs. The
rest of us pushed on to regroup outside the Loaded Dog at Tarago.
From here on the route involved going strait on across the Braidwood/Goulburn
Road into unfamiliar territory, so Geoff gave us a heads up on the various
twists and turns, then led the way. I was following Tony Jones on his Dominator
at a comfortable pace as I watched Geoff disappearing into the distance. I
thought “if we lose sight of Geoff we are stuffed” so I rolled on the throttle
of the Commando sweeping past Tony and was reeling Geoff in when he did the
right thing, stopping at the first turn off to make sure no one missed it.
The road to Windellema was about 35 k’s from Tarago, sealed
all the way and narrow-ish and winding with little traffic. A good motorcycle
back road, but with no center line and the occasional vehicle coming the other
way around blind bends we soon learnt to keep to the left.
When we pulled up in front of the Windellema Museum the
woman running it was waiting to greet us and I think was a little disappointed
not to see a larger number of really old bikes but made us very welcome. The
area included an oval, a country fire shed and a hall. The local markets were
on and tea, coffee, scones etc. were available for very little money. TJ Dunne
and Jenny were also there to greet us.
After an hour or so, and mindful of the weather, some riders
headed home. I suggested that the rest of us should leave shortly, so we
rounded up the stragglers and left with Trevor following in the backup vehicle.
I ended up leading, managing to remember the way back to Tarago and, noting the
gathering gloom to the west didn’t stop for a beer.
We caught up with the others just before Bungendore and
followed them in. I didn’t stop for a beer at Bungendore either, even though I
told Geoff I would, but headed for home ’tut sweet’ via Mack’s Reef Rd.
The Commando spluttered onto reserve at a set of light close
to home as a few drops of rain came down. I managed to keep it going and turned
right onto Southern Cross Drive, minutes from home when down came the rain just
as it had on returning from Bungendore earlier this year on another club run. I
muttered something about déjà vu but this time was well prepared with wet
weather gear on.
A couple of days later I found the gods were with me. I
checked over the bike to find the tank bone dry – wouldn’t start without more
fuel. I guess 220 odd k’s is all you get out of a Commando roadster tank.
This was a good ride that I would do again and would like to
thank Geoff Duddy for organizing it and Trevor and Jenny for providing backup.
Steve Davey
------------------------------ ROLL CALL
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