To Riverheads and back – almost: 15th September 2007

by Tim Sayre

Approximately 18 bikes met at a new spot, due to Quay Street being closed for the Multi cultural festival. The plan called for a leisurely run to paradise dam via Isis mill. From here through Childers to Sexy Coffee for a quick refuel then on to Riverheads with the decision of lunch either at Riverheads or in Hervey bay itself. After lunch, ride to Toogom then up to Woodgate and finally back to Bundaberg. As ride leader I was going to be sticking to 100 to 110 with no ISH this time.
That was the plan, reality was a little different.
It has been arranged to met the Pico's at Childers at around 10:00, so after a quick brief on the day we left at 8:43 sharp (Late already) and headed past Bundaberg High school, on to Walker street and up Takalvan Street.
At the airport we had our first stop of the day. After the initial 18 we were down to 4 bikes already. Eventually we all met up and made our way uneventfully to Isis mill were we took the old road to the highway. I thought I had taken into account most things, but a stupid farmer who couldn’t drive wasn't one I had mentioned. Managed to eventually get past him and on to the highway, where once again set a steady pace to the Booyal turn off, which on the way to we passed Tony Pico heading to Childers. John Burrage decided to follow them. Bike numbers had dropped again, but the corner markers were catching us up, so tail end couldn't be too far.
Made it to the turn off to Paradise dam and for the first time, took a leisurely ride through to the dam wall. On the ride passed a couple of bikes heading the other way pushing hard. These guys were lapping and surprised Tony and Loll. Within minutes, all the riders had caught up and we spend a few minutes recovering. 30 minutes later we were off to Childers.
Dave and Mark had ridden ahead for work reasons and were waiting at the park. We went through Childers with approximately 6 bikes, 4 of which turned off when they saw John and the Pico's leaving Grumpy and I on the highway. Grumpy went ahead to get fuel and eventually the bikes came out and I continued to Sexy Coffee. The traffic was HORENDOUS!! Eventually made it and decided that as it was 11:45, this would be lunch. Ok so the plan was a little bit out but not too bad.
Peter Hansen had to fuel up the new bike after trying to do a dump and burn off all his fuel. These new bikes and their fancy fuel lines! This wouldn't have happened on the old bike.
½ hour for lunch then on again. Tony, Loll and John would meet up with us after a short stop in Maryborough. It was decided that Riverheads was really just the end of the road, and rather than go in, we would just go past, head into Hervey Bay and go down along the esplanade.
Entering the bay via Elizabeth Street we pulled up at Kondari resort waiting for Tail end Charlie. When everybody was assembled, and Mark had scared the local wildlife, we left for the run along the esplanade. Looking in my mirror, it didn’t look like 17 bikes, but maybe I couldn't count.
The esplanade was a pleasant little ride, seeing the sites the bay had to offer. Waved to Tony, Loll and John as they came the other way, and made our way out of Hervey bay. On turning at the fuel station, I was the only bike, and for a minute I thought I had done a Harry and lost everybody, but no here they all came, so off to Toogoom we go for a whistle wetter.
From Toogoom we went at a leisurely pace to Apple Tree Creek, that was until we hit the highway. We had a couple of spurts to get around a few trucks, caravans and idiots, but eventually we made it safely to Apple Tree. In the process Adam, Geoff pulled off at Childers and John kept going through Apple Tree. A whistle wetter later and a few stories, we again were on the road for the last part of the run to Hervey Norman. Pulling up, I was the only one again, but eventually everybody pulled up successfully and we managed to get a group shot.
Thanks to Syd for being tail end Charlie and thanks for all those who did the corner marking. It worked really well.
All in all an enjoyable day covering approximately 390 k's.
Thank-you.