Parting the storm clouds- amazing ride around the Dams

Was woken by large thunder claps, lightning and heavy rain early Saturday morning.. the wife rolled over and said..."your NOT going riding in this are you?" to which I replied....of course! I then made a quick run to my computer and the BoM weather radar to be relieved to see the storms were a passing thin line with nothing behind them!! So, a quick text confirming the ride was on to our band of bikers...a quick brekky...geared up and off for an amazing days riding with some 22 bikes joining in.

ok the picture didn't look too good!

I arrived at Gateway the road to a completely dry road and number of newbies

Phil and his big Kawasaki cruiser

Sam and his Yamaha

Peter  and his green machine

Mark and his 250 Yamaha Virago

now where does the oil go ahain

We had another bike join with his unhappy owner all the way from Tasmania..... think his name is Leigh.. a honda with top box and fancy (loud) muffler and  a safety vest...what more could you want!

oh come on leigh..its not that bad

Oh yes...one more revamped bike.. my 900 custom resplendent with dual silver stripes (thanks Dave W) and a new sissy bar and luggage rack for our upcoming roadtrip

So with around 22 bikes in the end and a few pillions thrown in we assembled to head off to Esk for morning tea then around somerset dam and the back of Wivenhoe dams

So off to Esk bakery....another great ride with a great a great group of mates....

but I think Brenton recognised Des despite his helmet

it was fabulous riding one we got onto the Somerset-esk rd 

it was a short stop for a refreshing drink at the Somerset camp store and we witnessed the benefits of a reverse gear...thanks Drew and the Honda Goldwing

Leo can't believe it..a reverse gear

Meanwhile the boys showed of their -shirts

we then made our way back to the famous fernvale bakery , with dome riders taking the Mt Gorious run home, as we watched the very dark clouds gathered

Most bikers headed off a little north of the storm but alas I had no choice but to make a run for it... I found out what getting hit with small hail felt like, fortunately I made it into my local servo (crammed in with a host of vehicles) before the golf size ball hail hit followed by torrential rain.

fortunately all other drivers made it home unscathed...ah what a ride in the great south east.

Check out a short video of the ride below..sorrow about the wind noise..could not mute.

A great twisty ride with an interesting encounter

Another fantastic day in the great Sth East greeted 20 bikers assembled for our ride south through the Numinbah Valley. With all the publicity about biker laws I inquired who might have tattoo's ...a couple of ladies put up their hands!! Little did I know that knowledge would come in handy.

We welcomed Al and Evonne on their Moto Guzzi Stelvio and Leo's new bike yes he has a cruiser and sports bike...what a great wife!

Leo's second bike

Al & Evonne and Moto Guzzi Stelvio

Off we took south heading for the hinterland inland from Nerang, then onto the great Numinbah Valley road...with our corner-man system in place ...yep thats me with the leaders fluro vest..looks great.

it was a great ride down the valley and as we pulled into the Numinbah Cafe we were greeted with a visit from motorway police.... in the end all very innocent ( yes police need toilet breaks). They ended up explaining their interpretation of the new bikie laws and played along with some members who had tats.

interesting selfy with Al sorting out what the laws are abt

taken into custody but the vest gives it away

So whilst we enjoyed a good morning tea we were glad to get out of there and head off to the lovely timber town of Tyalgum

Love that road into Tyalgum....and what a cute town... Leigh didn't look that impressed though?

Then we wound our way towards Murwillumbah with Dave Walton leading the way to a nice lunch spot at the art galley and what a nice ride it was.....

We all descended on the Murwillumbah Art gallery with its great food and fantastic view over the Valley & river. Des certainly enjoyed his cuppa tea and bought some class to the proceedings.

ahhh....another magic ride in the great sth east...check out some video below