With the temperature around 21 degrees a fine party of 11 riders followed me onto Orrong Rd to head ultimately to the Bistro by the Dam at Serpentine Dam.
Naturally it was not a direct route as my twisted brain devised a different route. We took the Crystal Brook, Kelvin Rd diversion off Welshpool Rd East to swing back onto the Tonkin and ascend up the Scarp on Mills Rd East and Chevin to the Brookton Hwy. We enjoyed the Hwy until we diverted onto the Westdale Rd heading towards Beverley before heading South on the York to Williams Rd. Unfortunately roadworks dirtied our pristine steeds not once but twice as the North Wandering Rd also had several km of gravel. At this stage we slowed to fuel conservation speed as the Raider GS was running on vapours. But we made it to Wandering for fuel and a toilet break. R90S Mark who was doing a fantastic job as TEC and informed me we started with 12 riders with one departing but another 3 joining ( Late starters from Catalanos). OK 14 was a manageable number.
We joined the Albany Hwy at Crossman and headed North to take the turn to Jarrahdale and arrived at the Bistro by the Dam at Serpentine Dam at about 12:30pm.
I expected that the perfect riding weather, it had crept up to 25 degrees, would result in a packed restaurant but to our surprise it was not that busy and the 14 occupied 2 tables. Delivery of food and drinks was rapid and after the longer morning ride did not stay on the table too long!
We decided the ride would end there as people had different routes to head home. I took the easy SWHwy/Tonkin Hwy option arriving home around 3 pm and 376km under the belt, with a maximum temperature of 34 degrees.
Thanks to all for joining me and special thanks to R90S Mark who kept us together.
