Words by Bob Rees. Photos by John McKinnon made on Sony A7S with Zeiss
Sonnar FE 55/1.8.
Saturday 30 March: time for the 2019 "Bring Your Oldest Bike Ride" for
a week. The majority completed the 7 night, 8 day ride. And there were
others who, due to other commitments did 3, 4 or 5 days.
That’s the beauty of the ride: you can pick and choose what you’d like
to do, coming and going as you please. But we averaged around 18 bikes
for most of the time, which together with Bronwyn doing back-up duties
was a good number.
Where would we have been without Bronwyn and the trailer, she was
clearly the most popular person there. Even though Phillip and Bronwyn
live in Kojonup they are very active members of the Club.
It was good as well to see Keith coming down from Dunsborough to join us
at the start of the ride in Albany.
We set off on a nice sunny morning with Garry, our Italian Police
Escort, heading towards the Bluff Knoll cafe in the Stirlings, a great
way to start the week off..
Raelene on her V50 Moto Guzzi near Gnowangerup.
Then through Borden to Gnowangerup. John Mac unfortunately had an electrical problem at this point, but with many hands in the headlight and under the seat, he rode the whole week. The battery also deciding that enough was enough, I’ll come with you, but you’ll have to start the bike yourself by using the kick start - lucky he had one.
The crew checking the wiring on the R75/5 to see where the fault lay. In the end it had to kickstarted or push-started and not use the headlight or indicators.
Gnowangerup was also where Ducati Wes from Bremer and John "the
Matchless twin" would join us. John had only done about 15 miles on the
Matchie before the ride, but had utmost faith in the machine.
After a Gnowangerup lunch we rode through Broomehill to Chester Smith’s
place on the outskirts of Katanning. He has an amazing and varied
collection of old memorabilia, machinery, farm and home items in
different sheds. And its all laid out very neatly and presented very
professionally.
This is the second time we’ve been there as a Club, and again this time,
they had tea/coffee and cakes and biscuits laid out for us. Chester’s
wife and sons were also there to help explain the different pieces
around the place. Their collection of garage memorabilia tractors and
stationary engines is outstanding.
Wes's Ducati GT750 and Garry's BMW R90S at the motoring museum.
After spending quite a while there we headed to Woodanilling where we
were staying the night. Pic of Bob setting up his flash new camp bed. It
only just fitted into the tent.
We averaged throughout the week about nine tents with the rest of the
riders staying in either units in the caravan parks or hotels, motels
even B&B’s in close proximity.
The majority went to the Woodanilling Tavern for dinner, and four of us
stayed and dined at the caravan park - the charge for camping was $10 a
night - cheap for this day and age.
Meandering along to the Woody pub for a drink and meal.
Bob with his BMW K100RS.
Next morning after a lovely ride to Narrogin, Garry's Polizia
Municipale V50 and Raelene's more standard Moto Guzzi V50 were parked at
the coffee shop, with the other bikes on both sides of the street. Then
we rode towards Wickepin before heading across the Albany Highway to
Boddington, our next night’s stop.
This was a particularly exceptional days riding, great roads and
weather. There was only a couple of "moments". One was John whose
absolutely beautiful Matchless decided that it was time to have a rest
and jumped on the trailer. The other was a bee which decided to do its
usual somersault and managed to sting me between sunglasses and helmet.
I immediately pulled over, together with the bee who wouldn’t let go of
the sting. "Help" I shouted and immediately I was surrounded by expert
bee sting retrievers. There’s a certain technique which needed to be
applied to minimise the effect of the sting, with Doctor Chester
wielding a Swiss Army knife.
Leaving the deceased bee by the side of the road we continued onto
Boddington, apart from a bit of pain I didn’t seem to have any side
effects - I had a antihistamine pill on me and took it straight away.
Chris's BMW R51/3 and Bob's R69S outfit.
Bob re-starting his R69S after the roadside stop to remove the bee-sting from his face.
Bob showing off the next-morning results of the bee-sting while hanging
on to the bars of the old police lockup at Boddington. Six of us decided
at Bob Boyes suggestion to share the original (restored) police
jailhouse which is located in the caravan park. It was very salubrious,
with Chris and I having the honeymoon suite and Bob, Chester, John and
Garry T sharing two cells. The cells are brilliantly done and if ever
six of you are wandering though Boddington it's the place to stay.
We all went to the pub that night and after dinner a very competitive
game of pool ensued. I can’t remember the eventual "doubles champions"
were, but it was someone who beat Chris and I after holding the table
for several games - Wes and Steve rings a bell.
Next morning looking out my one eye, the other eye had decided to shut
John roared in on the Matchie. Unfortunately it was very hard to start.
The spark looked a bit weak and it was decided that it was definitely
electrical, or fuel or something, but the best place to have a look
would be Bridgetown, our two-night stop.
Posing contentedly behind my R75/5 at the Quindanning Pub .
Leaving Boddington our first break was Quindanning where Bob Boyes had
organised morning tea. He had arranged scones, jam and cream with tea or
coffee. And it was all laid out in their restaurant, beautifully done
with more than enough for all or us, the cream being brought by Bob from
Boddington. A great piece of organising Bob, and only $7 a head -
marvellous.
Then onto some lovely roads to Collie for our lunch stop. It was here
that Huw and Elina joined us on their bikes. I must admit after the
scones it was a bit hard to fit lunch in, but most had a go anyway.
Down the road we went from Collie to Boyup Brook. At the outskirts of the town the police had decided to set up a breathalyser road block. They breathalysed the first couple of riders, but then when they saw they were going to get swamped by the group coming down the hill they decided to let us through. We would all have registered zero anyway.
It was a lovely road down to Bridgetown where we spread our tents out
in the caravan park. All the onsite units were occupied and Phillip and
Bronwyn managed to score a delightful B&B.
The Club pergola was brought out, Phillip supplied a light and it was a
nice cosy "happy hour". We decided to cook in the campers kitchen which
was very well laid out.
Next morning the old bike enthusiasts were tying to find the fault with
John’s Matchless. Ignition timing, compression, points, plug, carbie,
fuel all good. So it was decided that it was most probable the magneto
itself that was the cause of the non-starting problem.
John decided it would be better to use the RAC to take it back to
Gnowangerup. The RAC turned up within a short space of time and agreed
to take him and the bike back to Gnowangerup. It was a shame, but it was
the only thing we could think of doing other than leaving it on the
trailer for the whole trip, which was no good for John who wanted to
ride.
I think the RAC Ultimate Roadside Assist is good value as it covers any
vehicle under your name, you’re better off with the top level though.
We had two nights in Bridgetown and so a ride to Balingup via the back
roads was the plan for the day. The riders had corner marking running
like clockwork and every corner there was a rider there. Excellent,
nobody got lost and there were some fabulous roads. This time with
Bronwyn pillioning Phillip’s green machine and Leanne, who drove up from
Albany for the two nights in Bridgetown also riding on the back of
Colin's.
It was also in Balingup that Paul joined us, he lives most of the time
there and it was great to see him.
After a long stop at the French cafe in the main street it was back on
the bikes for a ride to Greenbushes and down the Maranup Ford road which
joins up with the Nannup-Bridgetown road.
We then headed back to the caravan park for a lazy afternoon.
Next morning we agreed to all meet up in town at one of the cafes. Here
it was great to see John returning from Gnowangerup on his 750/4 Honda
so as he could complete the rest of the week away.
Leaving Bridgetown we rode to Nannup, where a compulsory stop at the
cafe was in order before riding to Margaret River for supplies and
lunch.
It was then down the picturesque Caves Road ending up at Hamelin Bay
caravan park, our stay for the next two nights.
It's a lovely shady park and the staff are very friendly, as they all
have been. We had plenty of room and decided to put the pergola up once
more. The campers kitchen here is excellent to with plenty of room in
the outside area.
There’s also plenty of cabins in the park.
After a look at the beach it was time for a meal.
Interesting in our tent that night, Chris hopped into our sleeping bag
and let out a yell, something about a spider. Anyway when I got in the
tent there was a large (massive) Huntsman spider inches away from her
head walking around the roof of the tent - inside.
Not sure who was more worried, Chris, the spider or me. Anyway I had to
be brave and grab it and throw it outside, but unfortunately its demise
was the same as the bee several days before. Chris now zips up the tent
completely ha ha.
Next day was a ride to the lighthouse, there was a bit of drizzle, but it didn’t come to much. We then rode to the Augusta IGA and bottleshop (for more supplies) before lunch at the Bakery. We were lucky to get in as it was closing early on that particular day.
Elina and Huw on the road to Augusta on Huw's BMW R69S.
Bob and outfit further down the Augusta road.
Chris on her R51/3 also purring past the same nice stand of Karri trees.
That afternoon, after another look at the beach to see if we could see the stingrays John and Louise arrived from Perth, John on his Z Kawasaki and Louise on the 400 Honda - a lovely bike.
I can't resist taking pictures of Chris's lovely 1951 BMW.
Sheltering in the gazebo when it showered that evening.
Dinner was again in the campers kitchen, and after a while I thought better I’d drag out my guitar as Bronwyn had being carrying it around in her car all this time. I enjoy playing and have been doing it since I was 16, as you could tell by some of the songs that I sing ha ha.
Chris lends some support.
Next morning Karridale for a welcoming coffee (the water can have a bit
of a strange taste at Hamlin Bay) before heading up a different road to
Nannup and lunch, here the Huw and Elina left us. The effort that
members make to come on the ride make the planning it worthwhile.
Manjimup via Graphite Road was the last night's destination. The selfie
above is in the ablution block at Manjimup, which is very good.
Once again the owners provided scones, jam and cream for each of us, not
many caravan parks do that. Apparently the park will close shortly as
they aren’t making any money, shame really. They were saying a lot of
travellers are making use of Air B&B and free camp sites in the bush
making it unviable for them.
That night about half went to the pub and the rest made use of the cosy
campers kitchen.
Next day was the last and it was home via the Tingles cafe just after
Nornalup. John and Louise headed back to Perth. Once again the road was
relatively empty and we had an enjoyable ride. The pies etc at the cafe
are the best, they shut throughout the winter, so it's a great place to
go during the summer months.
We then headed for home.
Everyone seemed to enjoy the week, we have a great bunch of people who
are very easy-going, don’t complain, help whenever they can and always
have a smile on their face, so its a pleasure organising rides.
Again thanks Bronwyn (and Phillip) for towing the trailer. It was used
several times for bikes, and of course, carried luggage, chairs and
importantly eskies. We couldn’t have done the ride without you.