A great Autumn ride to Somerset Dam - April 2012

A group of 6 bikers on 5 bikes and 4 commuters in 2 cars set off from Gateway under gloriously clear skies for David’s “Water Supply Run”! This was the inaugural drive for Tim (and son Nathanael) in his new Mazda MX5 (yes, alas, another mid-life crisis). 

Pete's new custom

Des with Davids twin

Phil with wife Andrea on first ride

Peter had his brand new blue V Custom 900 for its first Gateway Bikers’ excursion (the one he got as an accessory to the helmet he bought at the recent Motorcycle Expo!). It was also good to have Phil’s wife Andrea along for the first time. We headed out along the Ipswich Motorway and then the Brisbane Valley Highway to Fernvale for a relaxing morning tea at the popular Bakery cafe. Here we were joined by familiar biker Tim and first timer Des whose Suzuki GSX650F is a twin of David’s.

From there it was along the Wivenhoe Dam wall and then up through Esk before enjoying the beautiful scenery along the connecting road to Somerset Dam.  There were plenty of photos taken at the picturesque Spit picnic area which was buzzing with jet skis, water skiers, swimmers and picnickers. The water was so inviting Phil was really tempted to have a dip himself.

Just south of Somerset Dam we took the alternate route via Splityard Creek dam back to Fernvale. This would have been a nice winding ride if it wasn’t for the number of separate 60km/h roadworks sections, none of which had “End Roadworks” signs at the end of them – very frustrating. So it was “welcome back” to the same cafe for a delicious lunch and more friendly chat under the trees, by the fountain. We farewelled Tim, who preferred to ride the twisty bits through Mt Glorious and then farewelled Peter, the MX5 duo and Leo before venturing home via Mt Crosby and the water supply pipelines to Brisbane (no, not inside them, beside them!).

Great weather, great scenery, great company and great machines – an excellent day. Curiously, this group was a totally different one to that on the previous ride in March (except for leader David who wondered what that really meant???).

A Beautiful Boonah Bike ride in March

wayyyy...to many sports bikes..where are the cruisers?

Although missing a few regular riders, a group of 11 bikers on 9 bikes set off from Gateway on St Patty’s Day under cloudy skies. We welcomed first timers Jenna on her black Ninja and Russell on his blue Suzie 650F (that made 2 of those with our leader David on his usual blue 650F). 

Russell and Blue Susie

Jenna and the Ninja

Warricks wild new V-strom..matches his jacket

Heading south and then west our party increased to 10 bikes when Glen joined us at Logan Village on his Busa. Lovely country aromas of bush flora and cow manure wafted through our helmets as we headed south along Mt Lindesay Highway! A leisurely morning tea (brekky for some) was enjoyed at Beaudesert Maccas (where there were already 2 other bike groups).

100% healthy biker food!

Then it was off onto the Boonah road where we experienced pleasant aromas from the refuse station (not!) before discovering the new Wyaralong Dam recreational area, so scenic and peaceful, even after we arrived! We got off our bikes to enjoy the water views and the mountains (sorry Veronica, I mean “hills”). Back onto the main road we enjoyed the high quality deviation constructed because the dam submerged the old road. Under David’s control, we all stuck to the 100 km/h limit, much to the frustration of others – Richard was later heard to say “I didn’t realize 100 km/h felt so slow”!

what a beautiful sight...now don't knock over the dominos

Ah the life of the retiree...Grahame

now lets look knowledgeable

 Turning onto the Boonah – Ipswich road some heavy spots of rain appeared but quickly disappeared, thankfully. This was a good country road with plenty of scenery to enjoy (which you can do when you’re sticking to the speed limit). A short stop at Peak Crossing to say goodbye to some and then it was into Yamanto Maccas for some more sustenance and a good friendly chat. It was pleasing to see the big grin on young Jenna’s face at every stop – further evidence of how enjoyable riding in the country is. Rain came (and went) while we sat at Maccas but the roads weren’t too wet when we set off for home via the Centenary Highway, with its numerous large roundabouts (nice for bikes), and then along the toll road (to have our tails photographed). Another great day on two wheels in beautiful SE Qld country.

David

Australia Motorcycle Expo on the Gold Coast 18/2/12

Glorious weather for our ride on the weekend which made us all the more eager to be out on the road.  After a very pleasant mountain experience over west mount cotton we joined the expressway for a little bit of speed to blow away the cobwebs. Then off the expressway again and onto the country roads again at Yatala and the route thru’ Tamborine to Canungra.

Seems like everyone on the coast and other places was revving up to for the Expo, as the favourite café was jammed when we arrived and the parking lot was full of sweet machines (and the air was thick with exhaust for those on street tables)!

Australian Motorcycle Expo a great event

Only a few intrepid souls ventured the heat and traffic lights on the way to the expo, which was fantastic. Check out the Indian photo attached, and Dave with his potential water bike.

Another fine day was had, but then any excuse is always good for a ride in the country.

interested in a custom ride?

lots of bikes at the "Outpost"

Lyn interested in her own "victory"

...unless Pete gets to it first

a shiny new 900 vulcan...love that smell

Beautiful Beachmont first ride of 2012 - Hang gliders, police and Belgium Waffles

Well it was a beautiful Summers day as 12 bikers and support vehicle set off on the first ride of the year, after all the rain this was a small respite to clear the head in the great south east...down to Canungra, up to Beachmont down and up to Mt Tamborine, some great roads, hang gliders, a policeman on PR duty and a lovely Belgium waffle.

There was a lot of love in the air with multiple couples riding for the first time...ah the laddies make a great addition to us ugly bunch

Grahame & Marjorie, Geoff & Leanne,Peter & Lyne

So with lots of love around it was off to Canunga we went..to the Trading post for breakfast....and their new cooling system.
Check a quick video of ride HERE

John doing another interview...Celebrity is hard to handle

Lynne, Marjorie and David enjoying getting the helment off

whats everyone looking at?

...those crazy people with wings

Check out some video footage of these "bird men" HERE

Having had a great stop watching those magnificent hang gliders we then rolled down the mountain to be greeted by a youngish motorcycle cop on PR duty...he did a great job...not sure if he knew I was videoing him...check it out HERE.

After some great banter with our police friend....we headed back up Mount Tamborine via Henri Robert Drive, apparently a killer on tour bus brakes coming down but a great bike ride going up.

Sooo...much more comfortable than the "Star"

another lookout, another beautiful view....

Paul and Dave sharing some lettuce leaves and carrots??

what goes on the ride stays on the ride...I did share it with Dave!!

Amazing road, revelry and rain - roadtrip 2012

Ken,Peter,Dave and Phil ready to ride

The 3 Muskateers (Paul,Dave & Ken) grew to the Fabulous 5 with the addition of Phil and Peter for our 2012 roadtrip to Cania Gorge.As we prepared to leave at 7am the sky was a beautiful blue but the forecast had plenty of storms forecast.
 Some Christmas bling was mandatory with some santa hats, tinsel, bells and even reindeer antlers gave us some of the spirit.With plenty of rain the previous day and threats of rain coming we gave the twisties of Mt Glorious a miss...so it was two BMW's , two Suzuki's and my Kawasaki Custom that headed off to Esk then up past the beautiful Somerset dam

In NZ the fish were this Big!

Dave always the Bakery connoisseur

The trip saw us cover over 1,300km in three days....cover plenty of awesome scenery...and particularly enjoyed the hospitality of Monto and Proston..... and Clovelly winery

Check out a quick video of our ride up to Cania Gorge HERE

Thanks to Dave we ended up at Monto's best (only) caravan park (ask Dave about our hosts) for an overnight stay and enjoyed their annual Christmas Street party......with fire eaters...true.

"Come on guys..there's a street party on"

But before the fun we had a great country Pub dinner...and country banter....and on to the street party and fire eaters.

We told you their were "fire eaters" in Monto

We awoke from a BIG night in Monto ,Peter had a particularly interesting one having encountered Dave's ability to keep the dead awake with his snoring...so we packed the bikes ..and headed off for breakfast a "do duck in"....
Having digested a wonderfully healthy breakfast we made our way off to our destination...Cania Gorge...a great road and some great ah,ha moments.

 So...tha'ts it ...time to head for home...... back through Monto.....find a BIG storm to ride through, a great winery and an ovenight at the Proston Pub!

 Check out the "storm chasing" video HERE

Ken enjoying a well deserved rest

 We had seen this on the way up but the lads wanted to play "boy racers" and we missed the turn but on the way back we made sure we stopped in a "Clovelly" wines . Arrived mid-afternoon as the restaurant was closing but managed to negotiate a large platter and Tempura prawns at the "Cellar door" as we tasted a great range of wines.
 Ahhh...life on the road is tough but I guess someone has to do it.
We discovered "lucky" Phil was the wine connoisseur and manage to fit four bottles into his pannier for home . It was a great interlude on our roadtrip....something to savour....but we had to finish our prawns and wine and find our evening accommodation at the Proston pub and we were in for a real treat as Pete found a great back road there.

So where can you get accommodation, breakfast,dinner and great country pub conversation for under $50...Proston of course.....I think we doubled the number of patrons and we had a great night listening to stories as the storms rolled in. It was great when you can just park your bikes under the shop awnings in the main street

So after a great nights sleep (thanks to getting Dave his own room) and with a big country breakfast on board we headed for home

Check out the ride home video HERE


....and the final unsolicited endorsement....of sorts

....one last image in my mind symbolising the freedom of the trip was Pete with his hands raised in the air riding the wonderful road around Proston, unfortunately I never seem to have the video on at the time...but Phil did his best coming down the Gateway Bride as we were finishing...thanks Phil

look mum...no hands