A ride to the Bungendore Pie Shop (via Auto Italia and then via Norton Road)
Distance: - 47km from Manuka - (a short ride for small bikes and older bikes)
Backup Trailer: Caroline Bradly

What a perfect way to start a Sunday, lots of sunshine and old motorcycles. We began the ride as always from the Services Club and after some chat I provided a riders brief, including instructions on how to get to Grevellia Park for the Auto Italia viewing on the way to Bungendore.

Pole, not being shy in coming forward, politely advised that the Auto Italia (Wog Bike) display is being held at Patrick White lawns in front of the National Library. With that knowledge at hand we modified the instructions and headed down to Wentworth Ave then along the Lake edge to the Library. (Thanks Pole)
Interestingly the Italian authorities did not want us to park our non Italian mounts any where near their precious display and after some effort we found space across the road.

Auto Italia seemed bigger to me this year, with a great display of motorcycles of all types and of course the four wheelers as well. A few of our people decided to stay there rather than proceed to Bungendore, with the rest heading off around 11.15am. Next time we will endeavor to gather everyone together before leaving as there were quite a few riders taking off without company.

I drove the old 1950 Holden and followed Lorraine Litster on the Trumpy, firstly heading out to the Airport and then on to Sutton road. The Trumpy sounded fantastic as we moved onto Norton Road then Bungendore road and down through the cutting to the town. Many of the bikes had better brakes than the Holden and were able to overtake me through the downhill section heading into Bungendore. A special mention here to Phill Thompson on the Norton 850, it sounded sensational roaring past me and tipping into the tight left hander on the hillside.

On arrival at the Pie Shop, many riders had settled into long conversations about old bikes, older riders and repairs. The Pie shop did very good trade with quite few club members opting for Logan's Cafe next door as well.

Great conversation and even better pies were had before we started back to Canberra.

Best wishes go to John Waldron who did a head gasket on the Arial at the start, I understand he kicked it so hard the head popped off the barrel and didn't want to play anymore.

- Mick Gentleman

Mick also took some photos on the day,
which can be seen HERE

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Roll Call