As we started to assemble at the Princess Park Sport Ground for the start of the Saturday Run the rain was continuing to come down. Those of us that had arrived in Maryborough during Friday were well aware that the rain had been coming down for many hours and did not look like stopping any time soon.So it was with many and varied articles of clothing to try and keep the rain at bay we started to assemble. Many a gloved handshake as most of us were even at this stage reluctant to remove said gloves due to the difficulty of getting them back on. See 66 wet photos in the Gallery.
As Ed started to gather the group around for the briefing the sports ground had a football match going on. We thought we were crazy!! At least we weren’t running around in shorts.
After a welcome from David Langridge and the briefing from Ed we were off. We wound our way through Maryborough and headed out to Majorca, on to Talbot from Talbot through Caralulup, Evansford with a regroup at Lexton. This is a lovely part of the country but with the bleak weather, concentration was paramount so at least from my point of view glances at the scenery were few and far between.
On the run from Talbot to Lexton a few bikes had succumbed to the water giving the back up trailer some work to do. There were some who had to head back to Maryborough as either they or their bike was not able to continue. It was decided rather than stand around and wait for the back up trailer the main group would head to Avoca, our lunch destination.
As I arrived in Avoca I noticed some of the group heading for the bakery, my thought was the pub. I figured the pub would have coffee, food and more importantly an OPEN FIRE. I was right!! During lunch the owner of the pub said it hadn’t rained this much in 13 years. Great!! Maybe the club could form a business as drought breakers.
After lunch a popular question was what is the distance of the afternoon run? Aprox 110Klm’s. Next question what is the quickest way back to Maryborough? Again some of the group found the riding gear starting to give up and headed back. The rest headed of from Avoca to Amphitheatre, Chute, Waterloo, (apt name) Waubra, and Clunes and back to Talbot were we found Ray and Elvira Isles with a welcome HOT cup of coffee. From there it was a short run back to Maryborough for a hot shower and dry clothes.
The evening meal was at the Maryborough Golf Club just across the road. At about 5.15pm whilst everyone was trying to dry riding gear in front of the various room/cabin heaters the lights went out. As my first thought I had overloaded the cabin supply a quick look outside confirmed the whole area was without power. What to do now? Dot and I decided we may as well sit in the dark at the Golf Club as the cabin, so of we went. On arrival an enquiry was is the evening going ahead. Yes, the staff was busily putting candles on all the tables, the kitchen staff was wearing miners type lights on their heads, it was all go go go.
The Golf Club had bookings for a 30th birthday, a 21st birthday and The Classic Club.
The night went of with out a hitch. The food was great, the beer was cold, and the staff was fantastic in both their manner and service. All had a great night!
The next morning, we were greeted by more gray sky’s but this time there was a hint of sun pocking through. As the morning approached assembly time the sun was becoming more convincing in its conviction to make an appearance.
After a briefing by Ed we were off for the Sunday ride. The field was a little depleted due to bike water gremlins and ridding gear that was not dry due to lack of heating the night before. Some members who had their bikes back on trailers, Ute etc followed the field to morning tea. A good effort from them. This mornings run took us out through Carisbrook, Tullaroop, Moolort, Baringhup, Eddington, Laanecoorie, and Newbridge stopping at Llanelly for morning tea.
The Bendigo Historic Motorcycle Club provided morning tea to us. What a terrific greeting we received. Flag marshals to direct us in, a lovely big fire to warm us up and a delicious morning tea with plenty of food and coffee for everyone.
The hospitality we received at the Bendigo Historic MCC was second to none. Many thanks to Rex and Pam Jones for theirs and the clubs hospitality.
After morning tea it was off back to Maryborough via Dunolly and Timor. We arrived back at Maryborough about lunchtime to pack up and leave for home.
During the trip home the rain appeared again, this time at least the bike was safely on the trailer and us in the car.
A fantastic weekend and a job well done and a big thank you to Ed Sleightholm for his organization. Also a big thankyou to Ray and Elvira for the afternoon tea duties. And also to Keith and Belle Emmett for back up trailer duties and anyone else who helped with the organization I may have missed. This type of rally takes a lot of time to organize and Ed did a great job. All in all a great out come, a good rally and plenty of rain for the locals. What more could we ask for. Roll on the next Years Brass Monkey.
As we started to assemble at the Princess Park Sport Ground for the start of the Saturday Run the rain was continuing to come down. Those of us that had arrived in Maryborough during Friday were well aware that the rain had been coming down for many hours and did not look like stopping any time soon.