Participants:
- Avon (Suzuki GSX650)
- BalmyBrowny (Suzuki GSXR600)
- Benjamin78au (Honda VTR250)
- Cuvy (Yamaha XT600 “Bovine”)
- Muttly (Yamaha FJR1300)
- Godspetmonkey (Honda VFR800)
- Lawrence (Suzuki GSX1000)
- Righty (Honda CBR1000RR)
- Dooper (Kawasaki ZX6R)
- Sooty (Kawasaki GPX250)
- TheBigD (Honda VFR800)
An awesome ride that went without a hitch due to excellent organisation and participation.Woke up to a clear sunny morning that was making promises of a warmer than usual day. So I decided to chance it and wear my clown jeans (Hornee's that are too big). The bike still had about 300km of fuel left so I went straight from Nambour to Dayboro via Narangba at 8am. Not 10 minutes on the highway and I was wishing I had my other pants. I experimented following various cars to see which felt the warmest.
I had not taken this route to Dayboro before which runs along the western side of Lake Kurwongbah. Normally I would go all the way into Petrie and jump onto Anzac Ave and then onto Dayboro Rd which is a long way for nothing. I thought I was royally lost somewhere between Burpengary and Nerangba when suddenly I popped out onto Dayboro Rd. I did a happy dance and hiked it west and found myself in Dayboro at 9:15am for a ride starting at 10am. So I went for a quick cruise around the back streets since I had only seen the main roads throughout the place before and it is quite a nice area. Topped up the tank, checked the oil and that was me ready to go.
The larger part of the group arrived at 9:30am on the dot from their ride via Mt Glorious. Everyone was pretty much ready by 9:45am which is always a good sign. Muttly and TheBigD did the headcounts and then Muttly gave the general run down on how the ride will go – all straight forward and nothing strict. We departed Dayboro heading up Mt Mee Road at 10am with me grinning like an idiot.
Everything was great over Mt Mee, views, temperature, road, all except for a section on the northern side, Delaneys Creek, where they have recently fixed the shoulder using what appeared to be gravel mixed with sewage thus there was loose gravel all over. It's interesting watching other peoples lines through the bends since I don't know what mine are like – someone on another ride said that I take 'touring' lines?
We all made it as a group to Woodford for a break with a few taking advantage of the bakery. This was us just getting warmed up though so shortly we were on our way to Mountain View (near Maleny) via the Maleny Stanley River Rd. I was following Benjamin78au on his VTR250 during this stage and was amused as he was jumping up and down on his bike trying to squeeze more speed out of it during an overtake.
My bike at Woodford
The "bovine"
Arrived at Mary Caimcross Park and lined the bikes up along the edge of the car park in what appeared to be a organised manner that would have impressed the onlookers. Here we met Di (Suzuki GSR600) and her husband Russel (Triumph Tiger) who are locals to the Sunshine Coast. Another rider on an intense sounding MV Augusta F4 pulled up and had a chat to us about various things. It was great in the warm sun enjoying the good company and views. It was one of those rare days where you can see right out to the ocean past the Glasshouse mountains.
The group at Mary Caimcross Park
After a good 30min we set off towards Beerwah. I corner marked the first corner of this leg and didn't catch the TEC so I waited for what felt like ages in a passing lane wondering where the others were. I was starting to confuse the cagers so I took off and managed to catch up as the group was heading through the ice box where I regretted removing my jacket's thermal liner. We turned right down Old Gympie Rd and then right again towards Peachester along a set of finely crafted curves of the asphalt kind. I was following Avon on his Suzuki GSXR650 trying on his lines. Onwards to Woodford for the next stop.
Twenty or so minutes in Woodforward and we were on our way back over Mt Mee but this time stopping at the lookout. This presented me with a funny moment as I negotiated the gravel strewn corner of the lookout. I think my front and back tyres took turns loosing traction and it felt like I rode in diagonally. By this time a rather forboding storm cloud had drifted overhead and made me doubt if I could ever get away with not being rained on during a groupride.
Did the mandatory group photoshoot with the Glass House Mountains under an ominous cloud in the background. The rain held off and our downward path off Mt Mee went smoothly with only the tail end of the group being stuck behind a car or two. We concluded the day at 2pm, said our goodbyes and went our separate ways while looking forward to the next ride. Then it rained on me.
It was a uneventful ride home and everyone checked in on the forums so all in all a successful day which I think everyone will be happy to do again. Many thanks to all.
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