Beautifully captured by Narelle . . .
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| Sister Warren quietly going about her business . . . |
Hi everyone
As a new ‘madette’ to the Mount Madness ride . . . I sum
up the experience as just great . . . exhilarating, and hope Alf and I get to
go again. New Year’s Eve dinner in Omeo
. . . steaks the size of dinner plates that even Tony struggled through :).
Alf and I joined the ride the next morning 1/1/12 at
Swifts Creek and what a terrific ride through Bruthen, Buchan and McKillops
Bridge, a refreshing swim in the warm waters of the Snowy River, then back on
the road through to Orbost, what a refreshing way to travel and see the amazing
countryside. The dive of a hotel added to the variety of the adventure, the
varied interesting characters and humour of the crowd overshadowing any
negatives.
Off to Pambula the next day, one group off up one type of
road, and the others going another way, and the ones that got lost . . . well
thanks to modern technology we all met up in the end, smiling with stories of
adventure and of having a great day and
more great scenery regardless of the road taken.
A welcome pool and spa (with naked bubbles)at Pambula
was refreshing to all.
Next morning, some of the group met up at a restaurant on the hill at Tathra for a great breakfast, with magnificent ocean views, watching a sea eagle soar on a drift of air was so uplifting, just magic.
Next we headed off up to Pipers Lookout and met up with
others along the way, then a meet up at Dalgety, a really interesting pub in
barren country with amazing rocks surrounding it . . . I was fortunate to have
a really comfortable seat on Alf's Harley, love touring and felt very safe in
his hands:) !!
We travelled
through lush national parks, open country, straight roads, winding roads, up
hills & down . . . I love the Lake Eucombine
area . . . a fantastic winding road where you went down and could
see the riders ahead going up the other side.
It was really great being a part of a group, everyone was looking out
for others welfare and happy to help out.
Two nights spent in Corryong, a simple motel, again with
a pool and outdoor area to relax and share stories of the day.
On our last day we had lunch in picturesque Mt Beauty and
travelled home to Swifts Creek via Falls Creek and Anglers Rest (Blue Duck Inn)
and Omeo. Once Alf headed off from Mt
Beauty and nearing home territory you could feel the call of home in his riding
style . . .
I so enjoyed our five days on the road and meeting such a
wonderful group of riders, a great tour and good food.......................all
the best to everyone, thanks for the trip.
Narelle
[Ed . . . and we hope to see both of you back on future rides!]
Roger moved to prose . . .
Our own 'in house' Bard was moved to pen some lovely words about MM . . . or at least I 'doctored' his email to make it into prose!
Incl . . . what it’s all about
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| This is actaully Homer - anyone else notice the similarities? |
btw, this is what it's
all about, for me at least,
incl precipitous
inclines on dubious surfaces,
incl when the A decides
it just has to have a rest......now!,
incl the pitter patter
of rain,
incl when you're on a
slick clay surface,
incl with miles to go to
tar on inappropriate equipment,
incl the smell of that
wet tar at the end,
incl the mad
ears-pinned-back hoots up the twisties,
incl loydland,
incl getting lost and
chaos,
incl having to stop and
fix flats,
incl the smell of the
bush,
incl rowdy's never
ending babble,
incl boiling a billy
somewhere out of the way,
incl seeing santa etal
when it's not even christmas any more,
incl crappy hotels, etc,
etc, etc,
incl not being at or thinking
of or caring about work for a while,
and extra especially
incl being out for a
week in the wilds with youse mad lot!!
A VERY BIG thanks to
Richard . . .
 |
| Stick with taking photos mate!! |
What a marvelous job you did in organising this eclectic bunch of people who all consider themselves to be leaders, decision makers and reluctant followers in most things! Incredibly you managed to keep everyone happy and reasonably together – and I for one take my hat off to you for that alone! Not only were you very diplomatic in all your decision making I could see that you were either constantly on the phone checking up to see where people were or even jumping on your bike to find them if you thought they might have gone the wrong way. Whatever you did it seemed to work for most of the time –so thank you very much!
Health warning . . .
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| Be very careful!! |
Just one thing Richard – you should know that the job comes with a health warning and after a few years you too will end up like Loyd who did it for yonks. But seriously, I for one would be delighted if you put your hand up to do it all again next year!
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| May the sun finally set on the Commonwealth Hotel! |
The provision of a traveling aged care nurse was a stroke of inspiration Richard – perhaps you might consider other specialists next year? I only have one other recommendation – steer well clear of the Commonwealth Hotel in Orbost!
Camera bikes . . .
Given the plethora of camera persons on the ride, Richard has decided to formalise it for MM 2013 and 2014. Next year every moment will captured by at least two camera bikes for each MM participant with dedicated photograpers . . . and in 2014 we will introduce a live TV broadcast back to the old peoples home!!
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| I have already trialled the new system! |
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| That does not look very comfortable! |
Vox pop . . .
I have captured some of the email comments about this year’s ride for posterity . . . and to again acknowledge the fine job Richard did!
Hopefully we have collectively done enough groveling
to pressure him into doing it again next year - I would say it is unanimous that Richard should lead MM 2013!
________________
We are home safe and sound. Loyd has arrived OK and says he loves youse all! We left Danny in Mansfield as he was heading to Thornton for the night.
Thanks again for a wonderful time together - and a special thanks to Richard's organization and soft touch in keeping his flock roughly in the same vicinity for most of the time!
Cheers – Neil & Lorraine
________________Hi MMers,
I'm back home too now. I went to Thornton via the Jamieson Eildon Road and had a great ride to the van. Thanks to everyone and especially Richard for a very enjoyable MM.
Rowdy
Thanks to you Richard for such good organisation that reflected in such a great week and terrific ride with friends - we just loved it.
Bikes are put away shiny and clean with new rubber already on the GS, ready to go once again!
Phil & Mel
________________
Thanks everyone, I had a wonderful time.
Cheers R.
Hi everyone, sorry we cut out early without saying goodbye, had a wonderful time - a big thankyou Richard for organising everything, and thanks to everyone for your encouragement and support, it was very much appreciated.
I hope 2012 is a great year for everyone,
Cheers - Karen
________________I love youse all!
Loyd
_______________
It has been a somewhat frustrating riding week for me (apologies to those I held up) though I did manage to use the tire on occasions. No chicken strips at least...
The fun hasn't finished yet as we have stopped (no low fuel light?) Just into Euroa waiting for roadside assist.
We had a great time with you all.
Thanks again Richard.
Looking forward to MM13
Mark E
PS - My resolution this year is to get out on the bike more!!!
[Ed - that would not be very hard from what I have been told!]
________________
And a belated thanks to all of you from us, too, for yet another fantastic week of MM. Great job Rich. Hope we can talk you into doing it again.
We're home safe and sound. Bike's still filthy and sporting its new look canvas rear tyre. Perhaps I'll go and fix the rear mudguard, and maybe even give it a bit of a wash before I fly out this evening.
See you all soon – anyone for a ride somewhere in March?
Love yous all - R&J
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