You couldn’t have asked for a better morning, the sun out, the skies clear and all is good. A deep breathe and I roll out the drive for our meet point in Castle Hill.
The street is blocked off and so many bikes already there when I arrive. I saw sense and parked close to where I thought we would head out (turned out to be a good choice). Many more soon pull in and I think we totalled 120ish bikes.
Dave, Anny (lady I’ll be riding home with) then Karl arrive and the hype in Castle Hill is in full swing, people everywhere, the Lions Club doing a cracker job with breakfast and 2GB provided the entertainment. My extended family arrive and it’s then that the boiling pot of emotions starts to hit and it’s real, the reason I am doing this ride. Tears are flowing and I can’t describe how I felt…..I just cried.
My extended family
The signals given to get ready. I say my “see you laters” to everyone and extra long hugs for Karl (who I am going to miss terribly). The countdown is on as we wait for the checkered flag and Channel 9 so we can head off. Final waves and thumbs up and we’re off.
Once the pack breaks up and we hit the Putty Rd and the wind picks up. It’s so windy that branches have broken and are scattered on the road as we ride through. We stop for morning tea at The Grey Gums and people are already complaining how cold it is…..not me, I’ve got all the right gear on..phew!
Grey Gums Cafe
Next stop Muswellbrook, where the Lions Club have once again provided a lunch for us. The wind just hasn’t given us a break and think this is just gonna be how the whole day will be. Anyways, fuel then food, a bit of a chat to some people I’ve today and we are off again bound for Tamworth.
I’ve found a couple of bikes that I like sitting with and we cruise our way through the back towns of Quirindi & Werris Crk…I even overtook the Channel 9 crew at one point and sat with Simon Bouda. He was a little to slow for me and off I go.
Just outside of Tamworth we regroup again, Simon does his thing, the Lions Club are there with “hot” tea & coffee and it’s damn freezing. I tell ya it was warmer riding in the wind than standing around in it. Anyways CH9 need footage for the news of us in mass heading into Tamworth. So on mass we give them…..have now idea if I made the telly, hopefully someone can tell me.
Finally check in at my digs for the night and then it’s off to the Bowlo for dinner by….guess who….well that was easy – The Lions Club. Pretty awesome meal but I’m tired as are most and it’s an early wind blown night.
My digs
And so you know where, I’ve been here’s todays map
Thank you everyone for your “wonderful phrase”, “best wishes” and “good lucks”, they are all much appreciated.
Sleep now……tomorrow is a big one (emotionally)
xx
