Flying 14 to Toodyay
Posted: Mon 28 Apr, 2025 9:05 pm
Smaller turnout of BMW’s at Catalano’s this Sunday with many of the regulars breezing their way to Nannup for the annual airing of the airheads.
The event did not curtail the Sunday ride with 14 flocking to Harvey Street to celebrate the impending end of kid’s school holidays and double demerit points. The group included Steve N, Sophie, Mick S, 3 Amps Nick, Rob, David P, Lou, Tom, Grant, Fozzie, Rainer, Ralph, Peter Bee and Bozo.
Steve influenced the choice of destination of Toodyay via York. A mild protest about the abbreviated history of Mundaring Weir was ignored as the group headed for a stop at the Lakes.
It was not long before we were enjoying the sweeping bends on Talbot West Road and Qualen Road. Passing through York we entered Northam which was packed for the Flying Fifty event as we bypassed the Main Street to turn into Katrine Road.
Arriving in Toodyay we headed to the Bakery. Occupying Kids Corner we discussed how childish Trump has been and drone protection equipment before talking about Tail End Charlie - the Chamberlain Tractor. Tail End Charlie was a road geared tractor that had two drivers so it could run for 24 hours to keep up with the participants in the 1955 Redex Trial that ran around Australia. The tractor towed broken down participants and completed the trial.
Tail End Charlie was designed by Bob Chamberlain and ended up going around Australia three times. It is now at Whiteman Park.
The term Tail End Charlie was a Royal Air Force slang description of the tail gunner in a bomber and came into use in 1941. It quickly became used as the last in a group.
We headed home via Salt Valley Road and Fernie Road. Thanks to a great group, excellent weather and a masterful mahout at tail
end Charlie (Peter Bee) it was a very enjoyable ride. A slow fuel leak was monitored but no conflagration was experienced.
Bozo
The event did not curtail the Sunday ride with 14 flocking to Harvey Street to celebrate the impending end of kid’s school holidays and double demerit points. The group included Steve N, Sophie, Mick S, 3 Amps Nick, Rob, David P, Lou, Tom, Grant, Fozzie, Rainer, Ralph, Peter Bee and Bozo.
Steve influenced the choice of destination of Toodyay via York. A mild protest about the abbreviated history of Mundaring Weir was ignored as the group headed for a stop at the Lakes.
It was not long before we were enjoying the sweeping bends on Talbot West Road and Qualen Road. Passing through York we entered Northam which was packed for the Flying Fifty event as we bypassed the Main Street to turn into Katrine Road.
Arriving in Toodyay we headed to the Bakery. Occupying Kids Corner we discussed how childish Trump has been and drone protection equipment before talking about Tail End Charlie - the Chamberlain Tractor. Tail End Charlie was a road geared tractor that had two drivers so it could run for 24 hours to keep up with the participants in the 1955 Redex Trial that ran around Australia. The tractor towed broken down participants and completed the trial.
Tail End Charlie was designed by Bob Chamberlain and ended up going around Australia three times. It is now at Whiteman Park.
The term Tail End Charlie was a Royal Air Force slang description of the tail gunner in a bomber and came into use in 1941. It quickly became used as the last in a group.
We headed home via Salt Valley Road and Fernie Road. Thanks to a great group, excellent weather and a masterful mahout at tail
end Charlie (Peter Bee) it was a very enjoyable ride. A slow fuel leak was monitored but no conflagration was experienced.
Bozo
