This year's ride started out at 10.30 AM from the Canberra Services Club in glorious temperature and sunshine, with over 40 machines, from Peter Davey's very original 1933 BSA Blue Star, through the Thirties, Forties, Fifties, Sixties, lots of lovely coming of Concessional Rego Seventies, to a 2007 being the latest machine.

Gary Rankin did a splendid job towing the back-up trailer, just waiting for something to expire, hopefully on the flat, despite the fact that most old bikes expire on an uphill corner with dodgy road shoulders during a long pull at low RPM with a hot magneto.

Fitz's Hill is one of the longer Club rides in our local annual calendar. It involves a start from the Services Club car park, a gentle run to the Cotter, followed by lots of winding hills and ball-bearing breaker roads for the girder fork models. On to Tharwa, stopping for a regroup at Val Jeffery's Store, Musk stick, Antique or Licorice anyone? Then it's turn right towards Victoria, right at Orroral Road and next thing is that ride over Fitz's Hill to the Camping ground and the Club BBQ. You really should appreciate not having to pedal your motorbike over that hill.

Lou and Cathy Baljak weren't too sure that they had set up the BBQ trailer camp at the right place until Glen Tankard arrived, to verify that they were in the correct place. Shortly afterwards the bikes started to roll in and the BBQ plate was turned on in earnest.

The BBQ went extremely well, there was never a serious wait and everyone got at least one and in most cases two of Lou's tasty sausages and some lucky punters got one of Caitlyn's excellent homemade biscuits.

It was great to see Caroline Meaney arrive on the BSA Military (M20?), followed by Anthony in the modern tintop with Alex. He (Alex) may only be a few years old but he is totally, seriously, smitten with the motorbike concept. He is going to be a very interesting handful when he hits fifteen or so years old.

Rob Harris was riding one of the Seventies round case Ducati's ( an Italian Indian?). I would bet that there was a struggle when Dean asked for its' return after the ride. There was no sign of the Lyre bird which last year gave some brilliant mimicry of squealing brakes.

The BBQ was done by 12.30 and most people had other activities in mind for the remainder of Mother's Day. By 1.00PM, the last of the VVC were on their way home. A great day, lots of visual and intellectual entertainment, with only a few sore bum cheeks for the riders of the Girder fork bikes. The only back-up trailer activity was a pick-up from the BBQ site and I don't have any details other than that it was a creamy white bike.

A top ride! We had 45 bikes and over 60 people in attendance. That is a sensational turnout in a club with 260 members, very well done all!!! Many Thanks to Mick Gentleman for the organising; Lou, Cathy and Caitlyn for the BBQ and homemade biscuits, and to Gary Rankin for the very necessary Back-up trailer.

See you on the next ride.

Peter Toet

There are some photos HERE

Roll Call