Now this was going to be FUN and it would be FUN because it was well planned and thought out by the RallyMaster ( not me) but I still managed to have FUN which was the easiest part of course!RTM = Ride to Meet (Meet Location: Mudgee between 3-4pm for check-in Sat 31st March, 2012)
FarRally 02 = 2nd official FarRally event organised by and within the network of fellow riders known as FarRiders (Mwaah #478) and my 1st FarRally. (Start Location: South Penrith 11.30am Friday 30th March)
Planets, Stars & Statues = P's S's & S's revealed by Ghosty (RallyMaster extraordinaire) in said RallyPack rec'd via Inbox about 3 weeks earlier.... First Point Location: Parkes, NSW
Rally Kilometres travelled from SL to ML = 1,154 (Missed a Gulgong Turnoff.. which would have pushed K's up)
then a lazy ride back to Penrith leaving Mudgee at 5pm and Home @ 8.30pm Saturday night.
PHOTO above is Daisy - a very dirty daisy, in fact the dirtiest my bike has ever been and it was all compliments too a stretch of Roadworks just west of Orange that was a shocker... the roadworks from Mudgee to Portland were nearly as bad and put another nice coat of wet muck over the top... The bugs, well they were acquired throughout the Ride and both of my Jackets now have bugs to bear...
Back to the where it all began: South Penrith, I had read through the Information and formed in my head a few plans and a few thoughts on which Planet Drive was the most obvious for me to take on, then waited for the curveball to see if I could utilise it? somehow.. Photo/s of Statue of a Horse/s (/s would definantly be for the serious RallyRiders) not I said the small fry, I'd be happy to get ONE (1) Yes, just 1 would help me out immensly to get the req. 4000 pts - so I could go to Temora, Scone, Uralla, Goondiwindi or Holsworthy/SouthWestSyd from my FPL (*insert: Parkes)
Now I could have started this Rally anytime after 7am Friday and on Wednesday night while Stu was slaving over my Rims fitting new tyres on for me, I was pondering the Idea of starting earlier than after Midday and whether it would be possible... Work v Riding and it annoys me when Work interupts an opportunity to get going sooner. By Work atm (it's my own p/t business of setting up and supplying a chick hatching Programme at venues and as Easter approaches then it becomes quiet the popular event) had a MISHAP the previous week before with Eggs and had to Kram more Units than usual into this Week + add to that 3 x Bunnings setups on the Thursday night for their Easter Party!!! I really didn't stop to think about the Rally until äforementioned Wednesday night..... Thursday morning up early to check out the SuperBonus was Horse Statues and that really got me thinking:
I would settle for Scone - I'd be able to get there on Saturday sometime and back to Mudgee..... Then to learn of the Tokens that were on Offer!!! Oh my oh my just ONE (1) of those would help me out alot ='s 1500pt Horse Statue +300 - so I really did want to get away as soon as I could on Friday so that I could get to Coonabarabran before the MTW closed at 7.30pm Friday night. Oh it's all well planned you see, BUT then Thursday night 1 bunnings done , next bunnings "oh but your staying for the party to help with the kids??" ummm No, sorry but you paid $230 for a 2 week programme not a 2hr programme" OH how I would have loved to have just done that 2hr option and packed it up at 9pm Damit! Finally got to 3rd bunnings and they didn't have a scarik of room left for the display, kids everywhere, easter bonnets and craft stuff and jumping castles and $#@% everywhere and nowhere for my chicks... :-( So I obliged and agreed to return Friday morning to setup... Grumbling as I drove home about how on earth was I going to get much achieved with Pts on Friday at this rate. $ Anny thats why we do it $ Anny... remember!! Happy customers Anny = return customers Anny!! atm it's my only Income as State Govt.continues to screw their casual screws with
This is it: Í'll get to Parkes, I'll grab a few ZZ Sundry photos of Firestations enroute to Dubbo, then grab a Planet or two on the way to Coonabarabran for the Token by 7.30pm and then thereafter I'll focus on the Details...
This is how it went: About to leave my driveway - bike ready - facing out, helmet on head and a car pulls up "oh Anny glad I caught you.. do you remember me? brought some crossbred chicks off you once before... do you have any ? " me: (in my head: Ummm rite now your delaying my departure can you not see I am going somewhere?) I said: Oh damn, if you were here yesterday I had some 4wk old pullet chicks, but I just dropped them out to a Produce Merchant, so ummm next will be available after Easter.. He said: so you ride? where you headed, my mil rides over in WA, those girls I got off you last time are great layers.... and on.. and on.. now I am good for a chat and love to Talk but not usually in the sun with my helmet on in my driveway with someone that isn't also on a bike with a helmet on.. He left & I got on the bike around the corner to the local service station for Fuel Dkt & Chewy 11:18 and finally got on the M4 bit after 11:30am, must remember I have new tires too, geeez this clutch is feeling odd.. 20mins up the Mtns and I'm convinced that the Clutch is a Issue, probably just needs adjusting, Stu lives nearby I'll call in and get his confirmation.. Just at Valleyheights traffic congestion - turnoff to Stu's and he greets me ? surprised to see me, mention the Clutch and he grins "ahh might have tweaked something, this'll fix it, clix the dial to 5 (from 1) Fixed! Which is what I'd thought I could do but doubtful so with Mr Handy nearby I'd double check, hear a Chopper in the sky, and head off out to the Highway.. traffic congestion still there, get in amongst it, filter a little, filter some more, we had to get off the Highway to go thru Springwood, I then took a back street behind Springwood main st. BUT still had to get back in amongst the traffic along the rail line up to Falconbridge, it was standstill.. clear to go, so I did what I'd normally would not do and poked up past the cars, did this as the opportunity arose, and finally got back on the Great Western Highway at Falconbridge after 1hr then off I went for the first Pitstop at Lawson & Chewy 13:18. Got to Lucknow for Fuel & Dkt 15:33 and headed on to Parkes... Roadworks = Delays Finally got to FPL 17:10 Pitstop / Magnum Icecream & Chewy. Pondered how long too Coonabarabran, was the Newell 100k or 110k heading north Oh I don't know...Won't try to do it by 19:30 I'll just HAVE to get to Scone on Sat. Run into some ppl I knew and had a Chat (non bike riding I wasn't acquiring any tips haha, more flood talk and Condo 750 talk etc) Headed off from Parkes at 18:30 to go on as FarRiders do as far as I could go before taking up the Rest Bonus.
Heading north up the Newell with the sunsetting to the west and lightening to the east in the distant Ranges - I had put my wetweather gear on at Lawson as big dark heavy clouds were above, a wise fella said I'd probably miss it, or just get a drop at Mt Vic, I put it on anyway, It didn't RAIN not even a drop at Mt Vic! Skies looked good at the FPL so I took that wetweather gear off. Got a couple of photos at Alectown, then PeakHill - the policeman was curious, I explained & he grinned and wished me safe travels, headed off again. Pitstop at Tomingly and change of visor. Finally another bike going north too, it goes past as I was behind a Tree! (as weeee girls do) It's always nice to see another bike out there wondering if it's another RallyRider and how their plan is going... Not alot of oncoming traffic just a few trucks who always politely dim their lights well in advance - they are great fellas and I wonder how many other bikes they may have also seen in their travels that day...more than Me no doubt!
Get into Dubbo and grab a photo of the Golf Club Entrance & I'd go out to Narromine for a N & some extra K's, grabbed Fuel Dkt & chewy 20:34 at West Dubbo. Got 15k's out the road and thought better of it, turned around & headed back past the Airport and took a shortcut thru the North side of town (bypassing the Info Centre = Pluto!!) duh.. I missed the crucial roundabout exit to Gilgandra and was on the Dunedoo rd, no prob I'll take a turnoff and get over to the Newell, via the Racecourse and the Saleyards - neither had a Statue of a horse haha... Voice in my head reminds me: It's okay Anny you can get your Horse at Scone?
It has been nearly 10 yrs since I've travelled on the Newell Hwy and I loved it, some don't like it but I really enjoyed it, the oncoming Trucks and a few cars were getting sparce, nothing in front of me and nothing behind me, it was beaut for evening riding. The skies were clearing and + thoughts were for perfect RallyRiding weather for all. Got into Gilgandra and as I pass the roadhouse I look for bikes, nope none zilch zero nobody. I head into the town centre to see what I could see, policeman & paddywagon talking to some locals, I spot the PO so took a Photo as you do. Hmmm Pic a bit dark, try again, did the town name come thru clear enuf?? oh the pressure... :-) smiling head back out to the roadhouse I'd come past for something to eat, food I should grab something and it was getting later and my options may disappear any later...
1 x VBLB & vested man was pulled up opposite the DriverReviver park, Yay I'm not alone out here! As I Parked up, another bike goes past Vest on - it's another FarRider for sure! it's pitstop time for me and a Trucker (John) sitting outside asked the ? "what r u all up to on the bikes tonight" haha I knew it, I knew they noticed us too! So I explained it as best I could, he grinned and said "good on ya, got some mates that ride, they ride all the time" I brought a Chewy & a meal ( Vdrink, Sausage roll & sauce) get a Handwritten Dkt 22:30, head back outside to sit with Trucker John, he gave me the tip: that the Solar Planet signs I'll need to look hard for them at night as they are not signposted/highlighted by signage on the roadway & mostly off the road in reststops. Perhaps I really ought to refer to the Drive details... rather than relying on coming across them!
Ohhh Ghosty you got me now: here I was thinking I'd see a Sign, you see there is always a Sign.. well thats what I've lived by, believe & tell others when ever you are lost or looking for something or having a moment, your never really lost look for a Sign! Duh! A RallyRider finally in the flesh turned up at the roadhouse while I'm chatting to Trucker John, *insert name* has the best brightest lights I've ever seen on a bike, up from Mildura and booked into the Cooeee Motel for his well earned & desired > 22:30 sleepzz Lassooed his Horse at Temora and was Happy and Trucker John was amused by our banter!
I had my meal imagining it was a Steak Veg & chips and it did the job, I was ready to get going - so farewells it is and I'll grab Neptune on my way past for the 3rd time, then keep an eye out for Uranus & Saturn on the way to Coonabarabran ETA about Midnight :-) find someplace to pull up & roll out the inflatable & get in my sleeping bag ( ? perhaps on a Hill it definantly feels warmer on the rises than down lower when I'm riding so I should keep that in mind I'm thinking...) Great roads again as I continue on my way along the Newell Hwy still just a few Trucks oncoming and I savour the Night ride, don't do it that much really but this was so worth it! Ahead is a light, just a single light towards me - whoohoo I'm not that only one still going and taking the Rest Bonus late as possible, BLB passes me and I think he waved - I waved anyway, I just knew it was a RallyRider who ? I don't know but that didn't matter he's got Gilgandra in his sights and I have Coonabarabran in mine. Opposite directions but still with the same purpose and goal to get to ML tomorrow with K's & Pts clocked up. I got up to the Mendooran Turnoff and there it was bright as a button Uranus for all to see! haha this is FUN off I go again, now the next one was it on the right or the left it was after a hill, oh geeesh which hill, I'm going up and down so many hills, but it's a Great night for a Ride :-) check at rest areas as I pass them by, nope not there... then there it is - Ahhh there it goes, so I have to turn around and get Saturn Oh theres a Tent popped behind the Rock and a Bike of course! I tried to poke in quietly, thought to dimm my lights as it shone into the Tent and Oops I hit the horn :-/ ahhh Sorry! Get off the bike, take the pic and ponder who is CV number plates.... Clint? no I he'd be busy with the Rally workings and not riding which is the pity for the behindthescenes guys that put so much into setting up and pulling off such a great Rally. Quietly as I could (tippy toe tippy toe on floorboard style) out onto the Newell again.
Wow I've just collected 3 Planets this is FUN! I stop in for Fuel Dkt & Kitkat it's 00:06 so I'll be all ready to go again after I take the Rest Bonus which tick tick tick I have to decide on where, there's a Pub with the name of the town on it so I take a Photo, decide then I'll poke out along that road to the Siding Spring Observatory probably be a rest area along there... hmmm well I did get to Jupiter and thought of sleeping there but it was open & would be tad cooler so I'll keep going for a scrubby sheltered spot...probably about 5k's further out on Timor/Toorweenah rd and the Roos on cue were appearing, I took my time, it was approx. 25k's and I had time... to get somewhere to stop... then mobs of them, GIANTs I tell ya, I have not seen that many Bucks ever clustered and so peacefully gathered on the bloody road & everywhere, I didn't dare look up in the trees for Koalas I was going slow enough too thou, I did go past a Kookaburra or Kingfisher on the roadway. Up thru the hills, this would be nice road in daytime no doubt, it was nice still but too crowded at Night.. no rest areas, there were plenty of farm driveways but wasn't exactly what I'd envisaged for my rest location under the Stars! Tick tick and then I got to the Gateway of the Observatory 00:45 Quick Anny get that Picture then get some Rest.. I ignored a Sign (no camping) and found an area to pull up, roll out and hopefully get some sleep beside my bike @ Earth under the brightest of Starry Nights. My travel bed worked out Okay, had the sleeping bag string all pulled up so that I was cocooned inside from the dew, I kept my earplugs in so I wouldn't hear the GIANTS outside... and I did get some sleep, I woke at 1/4 to 4, got up, looked at the Map and thought about Saturday and what I could achieve in the Day ahead... Token @ Molong was out, I'll hop back inside my sleeping bag and make the most of the Rest until the first bike arrives upon Earth! haha Well that wouldn't be long, 10 mins later I hear a bike start up nearby, thinks Ahhh they must be further up the Observatory Hill, waited waited the sound disappears.. ?? did I just imagine that sound, lying there buckleys chance of getting back to sleep, so looking forward to the Day ahead. I hear bike it's a bike yep it's definantly a bike, the sound of a bike over the Ramp - *insert name* greets me with Oh Anny sorry to wake you up, I replied ahh I slept under Earth as I was pretty sure to have a Bike arrival as my Alarm clock! Everyone knew my name, guess being 1 of 3 female solo riders out there we're easy to work out, so much harder for me to remember names and I put the list on the back of my #23 card to prompt me & help remember (it's now currently in Rally envelope thats probably been Binned as I'm a _ _ _) 04:59 Headed up to the Sun, grabbed Venus & Mercury on the way, the Sun well that was hard to get a photo of in the dark! Back down to the main road for Mars and back into town carefully, but surprisingly the Roos had ventured back to wherever it is they go before sunUp out there... save for a handful of late movers. Oh and that Bird was still there on the roadway, I hope a Local saved it, (my bad as I didn't stop to see if I could help it) this Rally had me distracted and determined... no room for a Bird today!
Hi ho hi ho it's up to the Oxley I go - the next Planet was on the highway and two trucks parked up just nearby it, hmmm hope I don't wake them up... Got a good photo of another Saturn (probably the 1st that counts in picture quality with my skills) and bade farewell with Planets and a Horse on my mind. The call in #2 it's not 7:00am yet, I'll do that at the next stop... that next one I past the turn off, spotted it and had to turn around OMG Large BallMill balls for Rocks on the side of the roadway as I'm trying to do another multi point turn because I'm really trying hard not to drop my bike and have to count to 10. I get back to Uranus and ummmm well I think a few ppl have been there before me with Anus exposed (did I describe that politely) #$@% No phone reception on either Telstra or Optus WT? Hmmmm these poor buggars out here get so ripped off.. Perhaps I'll get into Gunnedah before 8:00am to call in. Late call #2 in 8:07am finally done.
Back on the Oxley a few patches of new tarmac down but done well and no issues for the riding, it was very cool and misty pretty hard to keep the mirrors clear & the visor so I opted for it up and cold waterery eyes, thankfully there wasn't any bugs about at that Hour! Didn't see any other bikes but knew that they'd be all up n about somewhere someplace and looked forward to the converging of bikes as the ML gets closer. Enjoying the thoughts of a Sunrise and taking in the vastness of the countryside no matter where you go it is just so vast and it's where someone call's Home. The country looks good and felt good but still no reception even on the Hills... Arrived at Neptune as another RallyRider did from the opposite direction, it's *insert name* this fella had been out to Belata and was pretty happy, chatted briefly about plans for the day and bade farewell. My plan was still pretty simple as I was really just aiming for 4000pts and a Horse.. I didn't need the Stud! Heading out again with Quirindi my next stop for Fuel Dkt & Kitkat 09:35 - a lovely little local Servo Yogi's place, nice service, busy hive on a Sat morning, I took that opportunity for my Combo Cafe photo with the Helmet & Jacket off. Also took a moment to review my K's and what I had to do and where I'd go from Scone to get the 1201k - i'd go into Mudgee via Gulgong that ought to make it. (it was here that I ought to have clicked about Detail) but I didn't... It was another beaut day for Riding and I really was having FUN! Thanks Ghosty.
Breaky was a Chicken/garlic thingamagiggy was nice actually & x 2, but it wasn't the Toasted Ham cheese tomato & onion sandwich I'd been planning on having... something filling & nutritional? Yogi's Place I'll be back whenever I'm in the area. ( They do make Toasties ) I just took the quick option that I didn't need to take. Had put my warmer Jacket on for the early hours start and as it was recently purchased I was pretty happy to get to test it out. So if you saw me in my Pink leather perhaps and then in Black/Grey Combo that's why - girls gotta do what we do, Jackets for all seasons/occasions :-) Head off in the direction towards Scone 10:15am Stopped for a photo of a Silo at Curlewis, then onto and through WillowTree via the Railway Stn. Pass so many Water Towers but I'll get the next one... Still hadn't seen a CBA or ANZ seriously! But I'll just get this Horse Statue sorted and I'll review where I'm at and go for whats left thereafter is what I'm thinking... I knew I had to catchup my paperwork but I'm not cutting anything fine so I'll fix it up later. Hmmm well not too long after I turn onto the New England Highway a Cruisy Blue Honda waves me as he passes numberplate *Scofa or similar.. He's a fellow FarRider and I know where he's going! haha this is FUN! Someways along this Highway a oncoming small Truck flashed his lights and waved at me - so instant thought was Radar, but then it didn't appear around the next sweep, or the next, so then I had a Feeling... the Truck ahead of me indicated to his left but there was no turnoff he was pulling off but only just slowing down, I look in my mirror and here comes the Ambo up from behind... That Feeling was back stronger... so it was then with some dread that I continued to ride towards the unknown of what was ahead. As I got to the scene the Firetruck was blocking my view, but I pulled over as I got alongside further, no traffic coming up behind me, to give myself some kinda confirmation it was a Bike and then the best confirmation there is: Rider is Alright! What a relief to see Mister Ron upright and giving me a thumbs up. My next thought was Marls and I hoped I'd be able to help reassure her that I'd seen he was OKay. Gags was across the way and had spoken with Ron, he took off ahead of me and I ambled into Scone and lost any Degree of focus on K's to be honest. I'll grab the Horse at Scone and just enjoy the Ride thereafter...
That I did :-) the road from Scone to Merriwa was Superb on my rating and I will definantly take Stu back thru that way from Lightening Ridge! Ohhh and when your not looking you see : the B Gully haha but I didn't go back for it I just kept on Riding... Into Merriwa to get my First and only PLUTO whooohooo geesh so glad I didn't come for this one at Nighttime! Went for a buzz back into the main st. to buy a KitKat as you do and I see Ox (stationary) and a few other Riders idling thru the street spotting things of Interest - hmmm Chemists and Newsagencies ahhh I get it now! Hindsight of course... the Cafe didn't have any KitKats. Now if I'd realised these Linear Items were donated in the end & not for my consumption I would have walked just a little further to the IGA and brought it - sorry! Back out down towards Dunnedoo thru some hills and off to the right sitting up having a casual break is a RallyRider gives me a wave & I continue on down the Golden Highway, take the Ulan turnoff to get a photo of the coal mine on my mind, and then when I had a thought on K's tally I'd come past the Gulgong turnoff and it was reading only 103k's I had a brain fade and thought I'd bumped the button and must have reset it somehow at ??? Got into Mudgee on the fuel light and purchased a KitKat Dkt 14:19 then around the block to the town park to take a pitstop and sort my paperwork out! ( DUH that is when I realised a. Anny that is you have clocked over the 1000'k and into the next and you NEEDED to pickup a few more K's via Gulgong remember to Qualify >1201 k. ) So it's 15:00 and the sound of bikes starting up and heading into the ML that's my cue to bite the bullet for my 1st FarRally that was a hellava lot of FUN and there at the ML is Marls under the tree xx & ZedPilot to Greet & Meet me Yay, then Nev and so many kind fellow FarRiders to see how I got on!
Such a sight as always is: to Ride in and see bikes parked up Riders mingling and Welcoming, and then more Arriving, to see the Smiles and beaut to see TableDrain doing the check-ins, thanks to Ghosty & Mosey & Clint it is a huge feat and done so well. I vow my next Rally will be a Qualifying one! Thanks to *insert names* out n about there during the Rally that I crossed paths with and who kept the FUN and spirit of the Ride to a T. Priceless: Gags to prompt me to Take the final Odo K photo ohhh Oops I've just taken a few Happy Snaps as you do - and then to actually physically check-in with TD!
While I'm at the confessional: Add to the List that my Photos at first & only review of same at the Town park /Mudgee were all 1hr out and I swear to you I checked and set it all up Wednesday night... Stuart?? sabotaging my FarRally hey to take pictures of your upcoming (OMG thats coming up this weekend) 750 Rally bike!
Buggar was though I had to get back home for Errands today for Chick Hatching Deliveries tomorrow... Everyone noticed how Dirty my bike was too... no dirt outback tracks for this RallyRider to achieve such a Look!
More Pictures to follow: it did really happen as stated above and some.... ;-)
PS. Glad to see Ron posting online, and that he had stayed in overnight for Obs and Marls still has her sense of Humour in action :-) All's well xx
HOOROO For now.. Anny
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