It was a nice morning, sun, no wind and a slight chill in the air. Leaving the F3 I was delayed by traffic, the last traffic delay for the trip, as we were heading west, There is no traffic west, just long narrow roads, huge B doubles and the sound of unbaffled motorcycle exhaust notes that thrill the ears and remind you that if you had wings you could fly. My 139 horse powered Monster was aching to stretch its legs and let me Ride the Riverina.
Riding the Monster |
I soon had my Monster in through the security system and there were many photos of librarians and Monster. 9.30 am and we were away. Windsor had been Biblioed.
'Hey guys, it fits!' |
The Lithgow Library is in the main street. We met the local journo inside and the boss soon had our bikes lined up at the back door and the photos began. The food was good, the t shirts distributed and we were soon off to Cowra via Bathurst. We left the great western and headed off on the mid-western past Blayney, coldest place in NSW according to my dad. It was here that we met Pam and her husband who had ridden up from Griffith on two Hondas. The pure bred Italians were nowhere to be seen. The MV Augusta and the Aprilla were being kept back in reserve at Griffith to be revealed on our arrival. and on to Cowra.
Overtime in Cowra! |
The fast ride to Grenfell took us through, Bumbaldry, Kellys Creek and Wirega to find many bikes parked in front of the Library/Art gallery. Peter Soley, the editor of the Grenfell record and his reporter were both there to greet us together with half of the town. Then in the crowd I saw Ian and Sheri with their trusty Honda and two debutantes on a Yamaha. There were children and their moms, volunteers serving food and drinks, librarians, reporters, picture takers, male library customers, young girls walking by and a black dog.
This bike gets everywhere |
Uncle Ian took the wheel of the jalopy out back, all the children climbed aboard and through the magic of imagination all rode at great speed into the sunset.
Ian's spin in the jallopy. |
We could not get accommodation at Grenfell and so soon moved on to West Wyalong riding into the setting sun. The roads were straight and flat and after trailing Leo for a while I overtook him and opened up the throttle being forever aware of the kangaroos that can suddenly hop on the road at that time of day.
Lucky man! |
West Wyalong is west of Wyalong, hence its name. We were now 467 km west of Sydney. We were on the crossroads of the Newell Highway between Melbourne and Brisbane, and the Mid-Western Highway between Sydney and Adelaide. At 262 m above sea level there was to be a chill in the morning air.
We all stayed at the same motel which had a mini Trevi Fountain in the court yard. Dinner in the local pub that it seemed Pam was well acquainted with and, after much wine, a hard earned sleep and another day bit the dust. I had been riding since 7am and covered 500kms and visited four libraries. A day well-travelled.
DAY TWO, FRIDAY 9TH NOVEMBER
My early morning walk resulted in some nice shots of the town and watching a parade of cars drive by with men and women dressed in blue and yellow. It seems that the town has a gold mine which has a rich seam.
My motley crew parked their bikes in front of the bakery and after coffee we moved on to the library and reasonably modern building just off the main road. Managed to get my Duke through the security barrier again and parked beside the Christmas tree. More photos. I now believe I could enter the bike in the Guinness Book of records as having gone into more public libraries than any other bike in the world. Everyone toured the library and talked to the staff.
Water break on the dusty road. |
“Yes I have, do you have it”?
“No it is in a road house just down the road,”
“ How far?”
“Well maybe forty klics”,
Off I go again, find the roadhouse, and get the bag and soon heading west again through Rankin Springs and then another 80 kms to Griffith.
Ross literally rode his bike into the ground! |
No matter how fast your bike, there's always time for a glass of red. |
So we went home via the scenic route. Not many curved roads in Griffith but pam knows them all. Even visited the old home of an Italian hermit who lived in caves above the town. That evening more food at a wonderful Italian Restaurant and talk of bikes and rides past.
DAY THREE SATURDAY 10TH NOVEMBER
Woke early and met a railroad engineer who stepped out of his diesel cab at the station. He was bringing in thirty carriages from Melbourne Port, mainly cartons for wine bottles. He was taking back wine from Griffith and rice from Leeton.
The next day it was a long trip on more straight roads. 61 kms to Barellan noted as Yvonne Goolagong’s birthplace, then some of us turned on to the Newell Highway and headed for Temora, 65 KMs away, others took the scenic route.
Temora was a new building, hard to get the Duke in but with help from a local, it was achieved. The librarian in the saddle and more pics for the local reporter. Refreshments then a group photo.
The Canberra contingent left us to go home and the rest of us and 51 kms to Cootamundra, the town where it first started. We had lunch then went on a fantastic narrow road to the Hume then we parted with the Griffith crew and waved the MV Augusta and Aprilla goodbye. The magnificent four moved on to Yass. Being late Saturday afternoon the library was closed, a few pics outside and a nice coffee.
After passing no fewer than three NSW patrol cars we cruise into the ACT. Got lost, and then found the motel. Children on a school excursion from Tasmania watch as we roll our steads to the parking lot with much noise. Dinner at Ian and Sheri’s house. BBQ and wine and beer and more wine. What bikes we will buy next and trying to convince Sheri she was now old enough to have her own. 330 kms for the day and two libraries.
DAY FOUR SUNDAY 11TH NOVEMBER
And the sun sets on a wonderful journey. |
Alan Flores November, 2012.
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