A February ride with lots of twisties and the odd puncture

Another great ride organised this month by Leigh Keillar.... 30 riders , 36deg C and around 260km's travelled  around Mount Mee, Somerset and Wivanhoe Dams ,Mount Glorious and Mount Crosby.

 It was a parade of special T-shirts that greeted the bikers as we assembled at Gateway. Dave with his  "BMW Ballet in Bb" a reference to his altercation with some slippery roads near Dorigo.  Leigh, well its just another 

unique "T" from his vast collection.

It was great to welcome some old and new riders a long for this great ride...we have an eclectic mixture of bikes that makes it that special. We even have a new MX5 thanks to John and Jan...its great when you retire isn't it.

who is that model draped over the MX5?

flemming with new retro honda

And Ron Grant came along on his dirt bike to give us a special farewell....don't you just love his riding boots

So the large head off for a fantastic ride in the great South East with some fabulous food thrown in. We head up the gateway to the ANZAC Ave exit at Kallangur heading for Petrie. Any caffeine deprived riders got a coffee at Maccas at Kallangur and we picked up our Northsiders Al ,Marius and respective wives.
Riding on through Petrie we head to Dayboro turning left heading up Mount Mee to Birches Restaurant for breakfast & coffee.


Flemming enjoyed this ride much better than when he last tackled Mt Mee in the poring rain on his Virago...you can see by the smile

a beautiful ride up Mt Mee...check out the lycra lads flying down the Mountain

we alll enjoyed a great brunch a birches...catching up with friends and making new ones

we filled the car park and one verandah of the resteraunt

Departing Mt Mee we proceeded to D’Aguilar then Kilcoy heading down the west side of Lake Sampson & the south side of Wivenhoe to turn up to Mount Glorious for lunch at Mt Glorious Restaurant/Cafe. 

what are frinds for..taking pics

On the way though we had, for only the second time in 8 years of the Band of Bikers, one of our riders have a puncture...and though Trevor had recently bought all of the gear to repair and pump up a flat tyre his efforts were in vain...even Crusty customs faithful "gunk"only poured out of the tear in his tyre.

the poor bike just dumped the gunk

It was a hot day but thankfully Trevor found a tree and with the support of Leigh McQ waited till an RACQ truck and bike loving driver came and transported trevor and the bike safely home to his front ...postscript though...Trev sprained his ankle getting out of the truck at home, well at least he can quickly recover...sorry Trev, just not your day.

The police sent me this photo of a loveable (and naughty) leprechaun on a moto guzi flying past the group... thats a month on the sideline!


After the puncture and with a malfunctioning GPS the group got a little split up but ultimately mot made it up Mount Glorious to for lunch a another breathtaking resteraunt with amazing views. You can always tell when a former chef (Leigh K) organizes the ride.

as we left we were entertained by John & Jan's MX5 roof opening demonstration...10 seconds , amazing... and a little envious



After a sumptuous lunch it was back down the mountain by any means...some went down via Samford and another group enjoyed a run down via Mt Crosby and the gap...very twisty, very beautiful.

It was a long day with some awesome roads, long lunches and most of all some fabulous friends on two wheels....this just gets better and better.
Check out the ride video below.....

A long January ride with the "Newbies"

2014 began with a great ride with 30 bikes up ( including 15 from the online "Newbies" motorcycle group) through the Lochyer Valley, Ma Ma creek to Toowoomba and home via the fantastic Hampton-Esk  road....400km in total.
Just check out the follow video of the ride departure...what a sight and what a sound.



There were plenty of Newbies with the "Newbies

Our lovable larakin, Leigh Mc Queeney passionately preaching to us about the run....it was then off to Rosewood for Morning tea.

the upward leg of our ride...most came home via hampton-esk road

I got a chance to show off my new T-shirt that my mate Brenton got me from his trip back to NZ and the "Cemetery Circuit" with Guy Martin doing his stuff.

We left Rosewood for Toowoomba via Laidley, Gatton and Ma Ma Creek.... and it was fantastic, apart from a few of us getting separated and taking a different route but all worked out in the end.

What a great if not long day, made a lot of new friends and enjoyed the amazing variety that is the great Sth East.

Enjoy the video below...and again sorry...its a bit long

A Food and film night to kick off the year

We enjoyed a great start up event for the new year with over 30 attending our Food and Film night at our refurbished bikers clubhouse (aka Men's Shed).
We enjoyed a great BBQ from Dave Walton and some great Motorcycling adventures, bike reviews and classic video's.

...watch out boys...the bikers are here

 During intermission Leigh McQ made a presentation to "the fastest 750 vstar" following impressive performances on the "Bushranger Tour"

What a great night....will look to do again before the year disappears.

Christmas 2013 post in feb 14?

Yes, I know...what a slacker posting a 2013 Christmas post now...but I thought I would get some good pics on record, after all it is our traditional trip through Canungra , up the goat track to a Bavarian waffle and shopping at Eagles Heights.

drew all ready with Christmas Gnome

is that you Santa?

its a great feeling riding with a great group behind you

Things were pretty quiet on the road as we made our way out to our favorite coffee stop...the Outpost Cafe, again did not seem too busy

It was a joy as well to ride on another beautiful day in the south east...and up a restored goat track to boot

 Richard enjoying a morning tea at the Outpost Cafe..come on give a smile now.

Leigh McQ with another one of his vast T-shirt collection

now was the light green or red?

Yes, you are right, ompa loompa man (aka Leigh McQ) is waiting at the lights (though on the wrong side of the road) at the bottom of the goat track...hmm wonder if something about Kate being on the back?

Xmas Band of Bikers @ Mt Tamborine lookout

Leigh & daughter enjoying the views

up 

drew resting whilst warrick takes a pic

Bushranger Tour - Day 4

our last luxury accommodation as we head home

At sunrise coffees were consumed to sharpen night’s jangled nerves as we mounted up for the ride to raid The Bank on Molesworth Street in Lismore. The raid was mighty successful with breakfast fair quiet 
resplendent; but money we did not take from The Bank, rather walking away with wallets somewhat lightened.

Again we mounted up to ride once more through the countryside most scenic with roads twisting, flowing up & down, and leading on through a Smokey haze enveloping the town of Nimbin. I could swear I saw in my mirror, bikers riding high upon their cycles with somewhat fixed and dilated eyes; or could that be just my imagination!

The road did lead us on through Uki to take a turn back to the left following along the Tweed River on the Mount Warning track, where upon we did take our rest beside the banks of the river with its gently flowing water lapping coolly over boulders in the stream, here the trees did offer shade as we took our seats to sample some of the treats from the Café Rainforest.

Can't believe I got caught in this very girly store

From Uki we did cruise to find ice-cream at Tyalgum to fortify extended bellies as we made ready for the final dash to make it safe across the border; riding through Numinbah Valley we made our way unseen back into home country. Finally we enjoined with traffic upon the Pacific Motorway no longer rangers of the bush were we but simple commuters homeward bound. Thus ended the Bushranger Ride.

A special treat greeted at Tyalgum ..a mini grande recital

WANTED - DEAD OR ALIVE

The Band Of Bikers FROM GATEWAY

Paul (Captain Crusty) Cavanagh        Kawasaki 900 Custom, Cruiser

David (Captain Midnight) Bates        BMW K1200 LT, The Armchair Tourer

Des (Mad Dog) Nelson                      Moto Guzzi T3 850, Cafe Racer

Ken (The Phoenix) Elliot                   BMW F800 ST, Tourer

Phil (The Streak) Cranston                Suzuki GSF 1200 Bandit, Sport Tourer

Richard (The Flash) de Bruin            Honda CBR1000 F, Sport 

(Leroy) Leigh McQueeney                 Honda 750 - Four, Sport Tourer

Johann (Fang it) Folscher                  Honda Shadow 750, Cruiser

(Lethal) Leigh Keilar                         Triumph Tiger 800, Adventure Tourer

our lovable leprechaun Leigh..and his T-shirts

a few snaps of soo many nice meals

Check out the ride video below

Bushranger Tour - Day 3

"Hey Dad, when I grow up do I have to be a Honda? Can I be a 900 Custom like Crusty..can I can I..."

Dawns morning light saw the Biker Band ride on through Armidale on up the Waterfall Way they did ascend, riding through country most resplendent with hills draped in pastures green sloping steeply down to form valleys were streams did curve their wending way most graciously below. The hand of God’s creation most evident here seen, stirs man’s heart in sheer awn of his creator.

On through the rain and bone chill air the Band did forge their way ahead onward toward Dorrigo on the high plateau. Splendid waterfalls caused a distraction to pause the headlong rush to find respite away from the chill wet air of the mountains. 

with hot refreshment we enjoyed some fun at the famous Juan's Cafe, could he be Leigh's brother?

Juan’s Café did loom out from the misting rain on Dorrigo’s main Street offering warmth and respite to the shivering Band of Bikers. Danger Falls brought on photo opportunities as we made our way through rain to ride on through the ranges on twisting road that wound its way up through the eucalypt forest. 

The road was wet and ripped up, the clay was moist and greasy, it was these conditions that brought undone the armchair BMW; Midnight David did find his front wheel slip and slide to lay him down upon his side with a gracious pirouette and the BMW did spin through 270 degrees before it came to rest. Crusty Paul who was behind was most concerned to see if he had caught the action on his video camera; once confirmed he had, Paul call out “David, are you alright there in the dirt, don’t just lay there man, get up!

A horse float truck did lurch and stall at the scene of the BMW’s fall; two country blokes did alight to offer their advice and assistance; “would be better to get a horse one did opine” as he walked off after righting the armchair BMW!

Once again a streaking flash and with a roar did they flash as The Streak and The Flash flew by their fearless leader who was left to recede extremely quickly to their rear. Leroy Leigh did follow on to try and run down the speedsters flight but found it quiet a wild ride to maintain contact at the rear. Mad Dog Des did make a run unleashing the Guzzi like a vintage red streak he did ride alone around the curves ahead of those who followed on to Nymboida. 

the boys certainly enjoyed some fine dining...not sure what phill & Leigh were up to?

At a more sedately pace the Biker Band rode on to find a place to rest and recline in Grafton. A restaurant at Duke Streets end with a view across the river had a pleasant breeze flowing through its doors wide open. A table most resplendent was laid awaiting the Band of Bikers for them to partake of the menu’s offering of Cucina Povera (Italian peasant cooking).

From Grafton Richard led as on toward his hideout at MacLean we did ride where his family most eagerly awaited the arrival of the Biker Band with the billy already on & cake laid out upon the table, the riders took their rest to lay down another kilo to their copious girths. 

a nice Casino sunset

 The journey continued along Clarence River’s edge to catch the ferry from Woodford Island to again head north toward the overnight stop at the Hotel Commonwealth in Casino. It was here that Leroy Leigh came sweeping round the corner to encounter three ducks across the road; if he had have collected them up, he would have gone from riding a Honda to Kwaka!! 

A splendid meal was enjoined at the local RSL to be followed with a rolling stagger back to the Commonwealth to retire for a well earned rest.

Check out the special "Two Falls" video below



check out a video of the day below