Page 11 - JUG Times Feb 2022

WEDNESDAY RIDE - 19 January 2022

Four of the bravest!!?? Or Mad dogs and Englishmen
By Ride Leader Mike Parker

Yes four hardy riders, MP, Nigel, Colin and Trevor braved the elements to traverse the roads through the
Chittering Valley to Bindoon. It is rumoured that it is so hot in the Chittering Valley that the trees are bribing
the dogs!
On entry to the bakery we were greeted with an announcement “cash only“. What the? Yes indeed cash,
what is this foreign commodity you talk about! Fortunately my spare “just in case fiver” saved me.
After solving the world’s problems plus creating a few more, we all headed for home. Nigel took the turn off
to go back though the Valley, I suspect to check out if the rumour had any merit.

Just to digress I went to BMW to have some electronic fault sorted, long storey Blah blah blah which it turns
out I could have had fixed over the phone. Back on point now, my ambient temperature gauge reflected 43
degrees.

WEDNESDAY RIDE – 26 January 2022

By Ride Leader’s Timorous Spouse
o
Given that it was the first coolish Wednesday after a record-breaking run of six days in-a-row over 40 C, I’d
expected a turnout of more than the eleven parishioners that were gathered at Maccas this morning. Whilst
modest (actually, ideal) in number, the quality was undeniable. Karen offered to lead a ride to the Dome
Café at Northam with the opportunity of a pee break at Brockie’s shrine on O’Brien. There being no
dissenters and no counter offers, the die was cast.

Before yattering on about our escapades I feel a need to address the New-Bike phenomenon. The past three
or four months have seen quite a few of our crew turn up on brand new, or nearly-new, steeds, and today
witnessed another fine example to join their ranks. Des came along on a very nice, new Indian Scout (is that
you Kemosabe?) that was actually his wife’s bike and replaced her slightly older Scout.
With Mike P as our TEC, we set off through Neaves, Cathedral and the Whoopies. After turning on to
O’Briens, I was pleased to see that the bushland, that had had an intense fire run through it last year, was
bouncing back with loads of new growth. Additional beauty was added to the roadsides by the bright, multi-
coloured attire of the numerous cyclists strung out along the route. [Homework: should cyclists be strung up
along the route?].

We reached Brockies’ place and found that there were three other motorcyclists with sports bikes already
parked up there. As my friends will attest, I never notice such things, but several of our number enthused
about one of the riders, declared it to be a woman gymnast (they said that she was very fit). Immediately I
was concerned about the modesty of some of our crew being threatened as they sought to lighten their
bladders. Now, it is a true saying, and worthy of all men to be believed, that the Wednesday Crew are not
exhibitionists. Nevertheless, it is also indisputable that they are not shy to present a fine display of their
riding, and other attributes. Sadly, before any display could be mounted, or embarrassment (or applause)
might result, the trio left the parking area. At least one of their number could be heard ripping along the
80km/h road beating the oil pressure to 12,000rpm.

We took Berry, Toodyay, and the lovely Fernie before heading back towards Northam on the eponymous
Toodyay-Northam Rd. A diversion along the scenic, narrow and bumpy Katrine led us to the outskirts of
Northam. This constituted a substantial problem, ‘cos I’d told her ladyship that it would lead right through to
the main street in Northam. Mea Culpa. After a few hesitations at intersections, and one short-lived deviation
from the “true path”, we arrived at Dome.
I’m tiring now, so I’ll rush through the rest. Staff problem at Dome. Meals very slow. Drink service fairly
prompt, but we had delays because some of our own crew intercepted drinks meant for others. Easy mistake
(but take heed, don’t do it again).

All headed home without any organised route or leader, but we remained a coherent bunch until Sawyers
Valley.

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