We all 8 left Cats, bound for Guilderton. This went fairly well with the group arriving without incident. On departing Gerry suggested there was a 40km dirt road that should meet up with Bozos' group on the way to Regans-ford. So Gerry and myself headed North and the rest headed South with the idea that we would arrive first as the other group was doing extra distance with their route.Well after getting our dirt fix, we got to the designated rendezvous at the corner of Cowallar Rd/Burnies Rd and waited for about 20 mins and no BMWMCCWA group members showed. We were not left unattended thou , a bunch of Polish tourists in a blue car came and asked us for help. They had been looking for a restaurant or something, and had become severely lost and their fuel gauge was on empty. Someone had given them the name of the restaurant and they said they were following google maps GPS trying to find this place. There was only one of the 3 that could speak English, and they were battling to make themselves understood. At our location they managed to get a phone signal which they couldn't get before and ring a friend that was already at this restaurant who proceeded to try and give them further directions to the lady who had a smattering of English . She was getting very upset and starting to panic as she couldn't understand and kept saying she was out of petrol and had been driving up and down the road looking for this place. As she wasn't getting anywhere with the person on the phone I took the phone and talked to the person on the phone who said the restaurant was only a km away and they must have driven past it.
Ended up with the phone person going to come and get them. We decided waiting 20 mins for Bozos' group was long enough and headed South thinking we might find Bozos group but alas this was not going to happen so we kept heading back to Perth. I should add I lost Gerry who disappeared when I looked in my mirrors. I stopped and turned back but couldn't find him. I presumed he must have turned at the road that led back to the Indian Ocean drive, so rode home solo
The Guilderton group comprised Gerry, Bill B, GS Bill + Trish, German Paul, JP, Kim, Drew, Bozo and Swampy.
The trip up from Catalano's was uneventful as we toured around the back of the Casino, past the new Stadium, through the tunnel, up the Mitchell Freeway and north through Nowergup. The start of the ride confused most of the group as Bozo did a U-turn on Albany Highway as part of picking up Gerry from the petrol station.
On Indian Ocean Drive a massive roo jumped across in front of the party but well clear. A sole high vis cyclist did little to impede the group as it turned off the Indian Ocean Drive to Guilderton.
It was very pleasant sitting on the verandah of the Guilderton General Store but soon it was time to head back to Indian Ocean Drive turn down Gin Gin Brook Road before deviating on to Cowalla Road. JP on his magnificent airhead left the group here and Bill B and Gerry had left earlier for the gravel ride.
On Gin Gin Brook Road we passed two emus casually feeding in an adjoining paddock. After the sweeping bends and vistas of Cowalla Road we travelled to Regan's Ford and briefly waited for Gerry and Bill. Thinking they would catch up we went via Mogumber West Road to Mogumber.
Just out of Mogumber a small kangaroo bounded across the road and stopped right in front of Bozo. It then took off. The group behind were critical of Bozo saying that he needed to give more notice if he was going to brake violently.
At Mogumber the pub dog greeted German Paul like a long lost friend and again we waited for the dirt riders to catch up. On the way to Bindoon Bozo got an insect in his ear and again stopped without a lot of warning.
At Bindoon the group tucked in to their personal favourite baked items and then headed through the Chittering Valley and home. Wandena Road tipped us out on to the Great Northern Highway before the ride terminated at Gingers.
Thanks to Swampy for running Tail End Charlie.
Brilliant riding weather that was mildly impacted by a few insects and getting warm towards the end of the ride.
Home in time to see Daniel Riccardo run an impressive 4th in the Formula 1.
Excellent day out...sorry we lost Bill and Gerry but good to hear they got home safely.
