ALBANY VINTAGE & CLASSIC MOTORCYCLE CLUB

July 2017 Club News

Frankland Kojonup Ride

by Chris Prescott

Four riders turned up at the info bay. Myself, Ian Alexander, Ian Jury and Jack on his trike. As the ride was advertised for a 9.30 start three of us left at 9.50 but Jack stayed behind to wait for any 10 o'clock starters.

As this ride was straight after the "week away ride" a big rider turnout was not anticipated. We rode back to the big roundabout in case there were any stragglers still heading out and then headed for Mount Barker via the Albany Highway.

Ian Jury rode with us as far as Mt Barker and then headed off on his own to Porongurups. Ian Alexander on his R80 and myself on my "new" 2003 Triumph 955i Tiger set off with a vague route in mind. Test run for me and Ian was keen for a ride so off we went.

I was very impressed with the R80, I didn't think BMWs went that quick. Wouldn't stay still long enough for me to get a photo, apologies Ian. We did the unthinkable and passed the Barker Bakery without calling in and went straight to Frankland.

Visited the cafe with the open sign out the front and the closed sign on the door. It was closed but some basics were available across the road. Met and had a chat with another group of riders from Albany who were on an assortment of bikes, then backtracked a few kms and headed to Kojonup on Shamrock Road which was a good, sealed, winding but narrow road with good scenery.

Came out on the highway a few kms south of Kojonup. Fuelled up at Kojonup just in case fuel was unavailable on Great Southern Highway (once bitten twice shy). Then it was Katanning, Broomehill,  Cranbrook, Mt Barker, then back to Albany via the Porongurups.

Some road damage on Great Southern Highway from wet weather and trucks made for some interesting manoeuvres if you didn't notice them, like, let's go sideways while airborne.

Total run of 420 kms. Both bikes ran perfectly, Triumph averaged just over 50mpg which I thought was pretty good. Plus heaps more comfortable than the old Guzzi.

A good ride, good weather, light wind, no rain. Can't complain.