What a glorious winter's day we had for the Googong Dam run (in contrast to the Molongolo Gorge run two weeks ago), with a clear blue sky and the air so still you could hear a Beemer idling. A few days ago we were expecting a cold and rainy day, and I was comforted by the fact that I'd be warm and dry in the backup vehicle, but neither came to pass.

Peter Davey phoned me yesterday and kindly offered to take over the backup trailer duties, and seeing as the revised weather report was much more inviting, I gratefully accepted.

We arrived at Manuka to the sight of a very full car park. The footy must have been on at the grounds next door and most of the car spaces had been taken, but covering every spare piece of tarmac were motorcycles.

When a lady sheepishly asked if she could retrieve her car from the middle of the throng there were many chuckles and a great deal of shuffling to be done.

39 riders appear in the roll call book, plus Peter Davey in backup, plus Cheryl and Dean running the BBQ, plus one or two others that I'm sure missed an entry in the role call. It made for a wonderful sight as nearly two score of classics thundered down the Monaro Highway.

The backup trailer followed with already one space taken up by an army Beeza with a slippery clutch, and somewhere along the way an Ariel Square Four joined it for company due to battery problems.

My Commando developed a persistent misfire after we turned North onto the old Cooma road and was threatening to become a third backup customer, but it eventually recovered after a couple of kms and saved me some embarrassment (having passed on the backup duties, and then to need a lift...)

We all arrived safely at Googong Dam with big grins on many faces. It really is a nice route to travel, with a nice easy ride South, followed by scenic ride through the hills.

Cheryl and Dean had the BBQ sizzling and they were quickly swarmed by a ravenous crowd, attracted by the smell of delicious chicken kebabs and a choice selection of sausages, followed by some lovely cakes and mini muffins (Thanks very much for spoiling us once again).

Googong Dam makes a nice destination, with a large cul-de-sac car park overlooking the upper dam, plenty of seating along the low viewing wall, and the nature of the valley all around. What a great day.

Who says you can't enjoy motorcycling in the middle of a Canberra Winter?

Cheers, Craig Mill

Photos can be seen HERE



Roll Call