This was another great overnight ride that we shared with a great group of people. Its amazing how complete strangers can become good mates after sharing some time together doing something that we all love. I did this ride on my own, back in April but it was so much better sharing what I experienced with this group of fine friends.
To gain as much interest as possible, this ride was posted on the NSW Riders forum and it worked well because we had 12 bikes in all with three of these doing the day trip only. The other 9 bikes did the overnight stay at Bateman's Bay.
Day 1: Heathcote to Bateman's Bay (248 kms travelled) - Map
The meeting place and time were set out for McDonalds at the end of Heathcote Rd on the Princes Hwy for 8:30 am with a 9:00 am departure. Here, everyone introduced themselves over a coffee and chatter.
(Im not sure what Craig was pointing at)
Craig. Andy and Linda
Derek, Chad, Neil and Ed - Chad left us at Berry to head down to Bateman's Bay to see family while Ed joined us to Mollymook Beach for lunch then returned home.
All the girls - Linda, Jill, Anne and Cathy. They all got on very well, note the lack of make up and fancy clothing. Not needed when having top fun on a bike !
Our first stop was at Bald Hill - a must when riding through the National Park.
Group shot with a view.
One word ..... wow
From Bald Hill, we made our way along the coast through Austinmer and Wollongong, stopping at Geringong Beach for a toilet break and a couple of photos - well worth the views.
Amazing place with perfect coastal scenery.
Oh look, how did my bike get in the picture ??
Eventually, we made it to Mollymook Beach for our lunch break. I highly recommend this spot for lunch at the golf club with great food and reasonable prices. Not to mention, its right on the beach.
Andy's attempt at the "Fonz" impersonation.
Group lunch shot. It was so nice in the warm spring sunshine with good food, cool drinks and friendly chatter.
Couldn't help take this shot of Ed standing down below, just about to start off home. He's usually the one taking all the photos.
Oh my God, here's something different, Cathy eating !
Linda and Derek, waiting for me to hurry up and take the bloody photo so they can tuck in to their meal.
Our mate Neil wasn't waiting for anyone.
This is Craig quietly wishing Id hurry the f@#k up and take the photo or is he clenching his fist, ready to feed me a knuckle sandwich ?
The group finally made it to Bateman's Bay at about 3:45 pm. Here we had time to ourselves before meeting back up for dinner at about 6:00 pm. This was the view from our room at just $90 per night.
After a brief discussion, we decided to have dinner at the Soldier's club across the road. The initial plan was to have dinner out on the pier but it soon got dark and quite cool. We walked into what we thought was the bistro but it somehow turned into a Chinese restaurant. No problem, the food was great and the good times and laughs kept coming.
Hmmm too much choice eh Jill ? What the hell is Anne laughing at now?
Neil, are you reading or sleeping ......... It's hard to tell !
This was Charlie and Anne's first overnight ride and they had a ball. Wont be the last one either I reckon.
Here's a sample of what came out of the kitchen.
Anne saying Mmmmmmmm Yummy and Charlie thinking ........... well I don't really know what he was thinking actually and I'm not sure I want to know either !
The leftovers - none to speak of actually.
Awww how sweet. Remember, less than 10 hours previous, these two didn't even know each other from a bar of soap.
Yes there was some alcohol consumed.
McDonald's Conference Centre ???? Looks more like a scene from a horror movie.
The girls were hell bent on a "real desert" and nothing was going to get in their way.
Hmmm ok so bring on the deserts !
Here's the girls overdosed on alcohol, desert and fun!
Day 2: Bateman's Bay to Braidwood, Goulburn, Highland Way back home (350 kms travelled) - Map
After a comfortable nights sleep at the Mariner's Inn, we were greeted the next morning with this view of the bay from our verandah. A little bit of morning fog came through which made for a nice picture.
Andrew didn't have any luck down at the pier for a fish, so he resorted to fishing the swimming pool below our balcony. Note the empty bottles of bait........or is that berley ?
The fog soon cleared and it was down to the waterfront, about 50m away from the Inn, for brekky in the warm morning sunshine.
Couldn't ask for a more feel good atmosphere.
Jill , just about to destroy her pancake , low calorie, brekky ........ not.
Oh look, a taylor made decorative flag, just for us.
This has got to be killing Cathy, everyone else has their breakfast but she is still waiting for hers.
Group shot on the pier after breakfast, then it was off to our rooms to pack the bags and load up the bikes.
Another group shot behind the Inn where we spent the night.
It's always good to have a place to lock up the bikes at night, providing a little peace of mind.
We left Bateman's Bay at about 9:30am in 2 groups. The boys (Craig, Derek, Neil and Andy) went ahead to have some fun on the King's Hwy, while Charlie & Anne, Linda, Jill and Cathy & I followed more sedately. We later joined back up with them at Braidwood.
Closer look at Charlie and Anne's new addition to the family.
The road to Goulburn from Braidwood, differed for the boys and us. They were in Goulburn 40 mins before us. Dont know why ........ oh hang on, we took the tourist route ..... ahem. The map for Day 2 shows the way WE went.
Parked up at a truck stop in Goulburn for lunch. By the time we arrived, the boys would have eaten anything.
After refuelling ourselves and the bikes, we left Goulburn on the freeway to Marulan then turned off onto the Highland Way which took us through the Southern Highlands to Mossvale where we had our final stop together.
Finally, all good things come to an end. This was a top ride shared with good people, cant wait for the next one. There was call to make this ride an annual event ..... we'll see.
