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


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ROLL CALL