Hi all,
After 16 years on hermetically sealed bikes, fully pasteurised and homogenised riding was the order of the day. I had every Yammy Japper Tourer ever invented. My last was the venerable FJR1300, I liked it so much I started the Australian Enthusiast site;
www.fjr13.orgBut anyway, I met a coupla guys in Toowoomba on my last posting (Navy), called Bill and GOD. They both have Guzzles, GOD has two... lucky flucker!
Neil also always espoused the greatness of the Guz, having one himself... I think a Mark IV (but I am sure I am wrong!).
I found the Ballabio online and the FJR had a lot of miles on it, so I asked Neil to have a quick look at it, in Sydney. It obviously lived in someone's living room for 3 years, it was mint. I bought it at almost trade-in price for the FJR, which had 100,000+ kms on it, bargain! This little bike has given me heaps of issues over the last 6 months, it loves to break down! But, Mr. Magic (Peter Roper) is close at hand, luckily for me.
Back to the Fringe....
It was a long day in the saddle, Neil on the Bavarian Money Wasting 'block o'flats' GS, starting the day at 0415hrs from very, very South Canberra (or North Cooma...if you prefer!
).
Neil met me some forty minutes later, still in Canberra, joining the road for the other 525km to Bretti Reserve.
Making great time in mild conditions was a nice start to the journey, until we came to a great gully just prior to Pheasants' Nest, along the Hume. The road falls into the gully some 300 meters and also degrees, so my family jewels tell me!
The ride around the Cumberland highway reminds us all briefly why we hate Sydney and then the mindless freeway miles start.
It was my first time, on the road to Gloucester road to the Ragged Fringe... That is a spectacular view along the valley obviously frequented by a bazillion bikers, wonder why!?!?!
The town of Gloucester was almost Italian when we arrived, midday on Saturday, to the tune of 30-odd bikes, with a good percentage sporting a Goose.
It was hot, damn hot, and I was hoping that the Reserve would be refreshing and picturesque, it didn't disappoint.
Neil and I met up with our cohorts from Toowoomba, Bill, GOD and Tony and pitched our tentage (someone should have told me that you need a PhD in Astro-Physics to pitch mine...!)
The night was great there, with the ubiquitous Flares, Fireworks and some truly spectacular Stones Bombs (thanks Neil !!).
The crowd was quiet and respectful and people retired to their fires and tents for a quiet evening. (although there was a guy whose snoring was of Biblical proportions behind me... even my earplugs complained!)
The ride home was fast until we met with a wall of water outside of Ingleburn, Sydney, on the road to Canberra. This lasted for an hour and my boots had become aquariums, God bless water-proof boots...they DO infact keep all that water in !!!!
A respite of sunshine awaited us and gave us happiness for another hour. Seemingly dry and content the heavens greeted us into Canberra with another downpour, guaranteeing our cold, wet numbness for hours after dislodging numb buttocks from uncomfortable Italian furniture !
Thanks to the Moto Guzzi Owners Assoc of NSW for a great experience, I WILL BE BACK !!
Thanks and Regards
Tryg
My Goose, V11 Ballabio
Bill's LeMans
GOD's Cali
Pete and his FEZ (oh.. there's a Guzzi in the photo too !!)
