Anyone planning on heading to the Border Run this year? A Geraldton member is hoping to meet up at Southern Cross Thursday evening, before continuing with the group on Friday.
Please post details of where you intend camping / or accommodating so he can find you.
Border Run 2025: 31st July - 4th August
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Cookie
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Border Run 2025: 31st July - 4th August
Regards
Cookie
R1200RT
R75/6
Cookie
R1200RT
R75/6
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Raider
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Re: Border Run 2025: 31st July - 4th August
Hello Cookie,
I am planning to head off Thursday 31 July morning for "The Breakaways" camp site east of Hyden. Friday to Norseman, Balladonia and to an impromptu camp just east of the start of the "90 Mile Straight". Should be there by mid-afternoon to get a camp fire going - if one has not already been set by another Border runner... Saturday to Cocklebiddy for their "Big Breakfast" and then on to the Border.
For anyone interested, see you at the Breakaways on Thursday evening.
If there is a lot of rain on the Tuesday or Wednesday in the Hyden - Norseman area it is likely the Hyden-Norseman Road will be closed. If not closed then the haul road sections will probably be very slippery and not great on a bike. Plan B for Thursday will be to head to Coolgardie and south to Widgiemooltha and stay at the local hotel (dongas out the back...) where a beer, pub meal and wood fire would be appreciated. Plan B might also be implemented if a substantial cold front with heavy rain makes landfall in the early hours of Thursday morning...
Cheers,
Raider
I am planning to head off Thursday 31 July morning for "The Breakaways" camp site east of Hyden. Friday to Norseman, Balladonia and to an impromptu camp just east of the start of the "90 Mile Straight". Should be there by mid-afternoon to get a camp fire going - if one has not already been set by another Border runner... Saturday to Cocklebiddy for their "Big Breakfast" and then on to the Border.
For anyone interested, see you at the Breakaways on Thursday evening.
If there is a lot of rain on the Tuesday or Wednesday in the Hyden - Norseman area it is likely the Hyden-Norseman Road will be closed. If not closed then the haul road sections will probably be very slippery and not great on a bike. Plan B for Thursday will be to head to Coolgardie and south to Widgiemooltha and stay at the local hotel (dongas out the back...) where a beer, pub meal and wood fire would be appreciated. Plan B might also be implemented if a substantial cold front with heavy rain makes landfall in the early hours of Thursday morning...
Cheers,
Raider
Last edited by Raider on Sun 01 Jun, 2025 9:04 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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Raider
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Re: Border Run 2025: 31st July - 4th August
Hello Cookie,
Then there is the ride back from Border Village to Perth on Sunday...
Depart Border Village at 5:00am - pitch black, cold and likely fog... Steadily, steadily, steadily ride westward. Keep a keen eye out for kangaroos...
Keep that visor cleared of misting rain...
Watch the sun rise in the rear view mirror.
Keep riding...
Keep riding... pick up the pace as the sun rises, the fog clears and some warmth comes into your body.
If there is an easterly and blue skys contemplate breakfast and fuel at Balladonia. If not then focus on that Big Breakfast and fuel at Cocklebiddy.
Enjoy the sun's warmth on your right side - a clear and calm day unfolds.
Pass Cocklebiddy - willpower needed to pass on that hot drink, breakfast and some warmth...
Pass Caiguna - note the conical structure on the flat to the north just before roadhouse turnoff - an electronic waypoint marker (DME) for the transcontinental flights to and from Perth airport.
Enter the 90 Mile Straight - double check fuel to make sure you can make Balladonia... The sun is still behind and off your right shoulder.
Pass by the Friday camp spot and reflect on a good night with fellow riders, a few beers and by a roaring fire...
Head across the RFDS airstrip - head into the dirt shoulder just because you can... Balladonia not far now. Good thing as the fuel reserve light has come on...
Indicator on and turn into Balladonia Roadhouse - late morning now and the sun is still off to the NE... Fill 'er up and have some breakfast and a coffee. Border Village to Balladonia before a coffee or breakfast.
Back on the bike - note the cameras capturing your movements located on the south side of the road. Keep her pointed westward.
Keep riding...
Now a steady 110km/h to Norseman - a sense that you have moved out of desert country and into woodlands...
Fuel and a quick Coke at Norseman and then across Lake Cowan headed for Hyden. The sun has now passed over your right should and is now well ahead.
The dirt road is in good nick. Making good time. Pass the Breakaways where you camped a few nights ago...
Keep riding...
Make it into Hyden to top up with fuel, grab a Chicko roll and a strong coffee before the server closes... Sun is now low and ahead.
Head off through the wheatbelt towns as the sun sets ahead and you ride into the night.
Night and cold grips you as you head out of the wheatbelt and into the Darling Range. Watch out for roos and ferrel pigs...
It is bloody cold and pitch black.
Stop at The Lakes (if back on that track) for a hot chocolate and a break before heading down the Darling Scarp and into Perth traffic.
Home by 9:00pm...
The big R1250 GSA hasn't missed a beat.
Cheers,
Raider
Then there is the ride back from Border Village to Perth on Sunday...
Depart Border Village at 5:00am - pitch black, cold and likely fog... Steadily, steadily, steadily ride westward. Keep a keen eye out for kangaroos...
Keep that visor cleared of misting rain...
Watch the sun rise in the rear view mirror.
Keep riding...
Keep riding... pick up the pace as the sun rises, the fog clears and some warmth comes into your body.
If there is an easterly and blue skys contemplate breakfast and fuel at Balladonia. If not then focus on that Big Breakfast and fuel at Cocklebiddy.
Enjoy the sun's warmth on your right side - a clear and calm day unfolds.
Pass Cocklebiddy - willpower needed to pass on that hot drink, breakfast and some warmth...
Pass Caiguna - note the conical structure on the flat to the north just before roadhouse turnoff - an electronic waypoint marker (DME) for the transcontinental flights to and from Perth airport.
Enter the 90 Mile Straight - double check fuel to make sure you can make Balladonia... The sun is still behind and off your right shoulder.
Pass by the Friday camp spot and reflect on a good night with fellow riders, a few beers and by a roaring fire...
Head across the RFDS airstrip - head into the dirt shoulder just because you can... Balladonia not far now. Good thing as the fuel reserve light has come on...
Indicator on and turn into Balladonia Roadhouse - late morning now and the sun is still off to the NE... Fill 'er up and have some breakfast and a coffee. Border Village to Balladonia before a coffee or breakfast.
Back on the bike - note the cameras capturing your movements located on the south side of the road. Keep her pointed westward.
Keep riding...
Now a steady 110km/h to Norseman - a sense that you have moved out of desert country and into woodlands...
Fuel and a quick Coke at Norseman and then across Lake Cowan headed for Hyden. The sun has now passed over your right should and is now well ahead.
The dirt road is in good nick. Making good time. Pass the Breakaways where you camped a few nights ago...
Keep riding...
Make it into Hyden to top up with fuel, grab a Chicko roll and a strong coffee before the server closes... Sun is now low and ahead.
Head off through the wheatbelt towns as the sun sets ahead and you ride into the night.
Night and cold grips you as you head out of the wheatbelt and into the Darling Range. Watch out for roos and ferrel pigs...
It is bloody cold and pitch black.
Stop at The Lakes (if back on that track) for a hot chocolate and a break before heading down the Darling Scarp and into Perth traffic.
Home by 9:00pm...
The big R1250 GSA hasn't missed a beat.
Cheers,
Raider
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Wobblywheel
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Re: Border Run 2025: 31st July - 4th August
Hi Raider
So does that mean we don’t have a ham and salad roll at the Hyden bakery at 12?
Cheers
So does that mean we don’t have a ham and salad roll at the Hyden bakery at 12?
Cheers
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Raider
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Re: Border Run 2025: 31st July - 4th August
Howdy Wobblywheel,
Ah, the Hyden Bush Bakehouse Cafe... When open, its affect is like a bright light to a moth. On a cold winters day there is nothing better than a hot drink and one of their pies - or anything else they have on offer. Just what is needed before hitting the dirt as you head eastward.
And if it is a cold dreary evening and you have just come off the Hyden-Norseman Road heading homeward, the Bakehouse closed and in twilight - the Hyden Travel Stop for a Coke (or strong coffee) and Chicko roll is the ducks guts...
Cheers,
Raider
Ah, the Hyden Bush Bakehouse Cafe... When open, its affect is like a bright light to a moth. On a cold winters day there is nothing better than a hot drink and one of their pies - or anything else they have on offer. Just what is needed before hitting the dirt as you head eastward.
And if it is a cold dreary evening and you have just come off the Hyden-Norseman Road heading homeward, the Bakehouse closed and in twilight - the Hyden Travel Stop for a Coke (or strong coffee) and Chicko roll is the ducks guts...
Cheers,
Raider
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Raider
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Re: Border Run 2025: 31st July - 4th August
Howdy riders,
I have been busy lounging around thinking about the August Border Run and Desert Raid. How will these two events pan out given the plan is to ride to the Border and home. Then back it up with Desert Raid and continue on to a lap of the Eyre Basin and the Cape etc… I got in touch with Lang Lefroy and suggested we tackle the Border Run together - for old times sake. It has been quite a while since we have ridden together. An equally long time since we have consumed a bottle of Stones Green Ginger Wine and smoked a cigar by the light of a mallee root camp fire. The taste of that last cigar still lingers…
One thing led to another and I was reminded of the 2003 Border Run with Lang. Of course he single-handedly picked my fully-loaded (and I mean fully loaded) R1150 GSA out of the dirt after I threw it away. That Lang is a strong bugger! And, of course, I was the embarrassed bugger. That Border Run was followed-up with an eventful Urandangi Off-Centre Rally.
Being twenty two years ago mobile phones with high resolution cameras and tiny cameras that hang off your chin so you can VLOG (was that even a term back then?) were not de rigueur. Well maybe but I hadn’t noticed. Instead, I wrote an article for the then paper version of the BMWMCCWA newsletter. Who knew?
Whilst the Urandangi Off-Centre Rally was the focal point of the trip, the ride to the Border with Lang was memorable. Who knows, if the sky is blue, the sun is shining and there is a mirage then Border riders this year may also experience the “transformer” dunes near Eucla.
Enjoy an old fashioned read…
Raider
https://www.bmwmccwa.asn.au/resources/D ... eRally.pdf
PDF document: Right click > Open in New Window...
I have been busy lounging around thinking about the August Border Run and Desert Raid. How will these two events pan out given the plan is to ride to the Border and home. Then back it up with Desert Raid and continue on to a lap of the Eyre Basin and the Cape etc… I got in touch with Lang Lefroy and suggested we tackle the Border Run together - for old times sake. It has been quite a while since we have ridden together. An equally long time since we have consumed a bottle of Stones Green Ginger Wine and smoked a cigar by the light of a mallee root camp fire. The taste of that last cigar still lingers…
One thing led to another and I was reminded of the 2003 Border Run with Lang. Of course he single-handedly picked my fully-loaded (and I mean fully loaded) R1150 GSA out of the dirt after I threw it away. That Lang is a strong bugger! And, of course, I was the embarrassed bugger. That Border Run was followed-up with an eventful Urandangi Off-Centre Rally.
Being twenty two years ago mobile phones with high resolution cameras and tiny cameras that hang off your chin so you can VLOG (was that even a term back then?) were not de rigueur. Well maybe but I hadn’t noticed. Instead, I wrote an article for the then paper version of the BMWMCCWA newsletter. Who knew?
Whilst the Urandangi Off-Centre Rally was the focal point of the trip, the ride to the Border with Lang was memorable. Who knows, if the sky is blue, the sun is shining and there is a mirage then Border riders this year may also experience the “transformer” dunes near Eucla.
Enjoy an old fashioned read…
Raider
https://www.bmwmccwa.asn.au/resources/D ... eRally.pdf
PDF document: Right click > Open in New Window...
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Raider
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Re: Border Run 2025: 31st July - 4th August
Howdy riders,
Plan B is now in effect for my ride to the Border.
On Thursday 31 July I will be headed to Widgiemooltha where I have booked a donga for the night. On the Friday it will be a leisurely ride to Balladonia and then on to a camp just east of the start of the 90 Mile Straight. Saturday morning on to the Border...
I will be riding with a couple of other border runners on this occasion.
Widgie is an interesting stop-over with basic accommodation, food and a beer next to a (hopefully) roaring wood fire. Call 0427 752 979 to book a room...
See you there?
Cheers,
Raider
Plan B is now in effect for my ride to the Border.
On Thursday 31 July I will be headed to Widgiemooltha where I have booked a donga for the night. On the Friday it will be a leisurely ride to Balladonia and then on to a camp just east of the start of the 90 Mile Straight. Saturday morning on to the Border...
I will be riding with a couple of other border runners on this occasion.
Widgie is an interesting stop-over with basic accommodation, food and a beer next to a (hopefully) roaring wood fire. Call 0427 752 979 to book a room...
See you there?
Cheers,
Raider
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Raider
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Re: Border Run 2025: 31st July - 4th August
Border riders,
The Raider forecast for the outbound trip to Border Village SA…
Beautiful clear blue skies (maybe coastal fog, coastal low-level cloud) mild days with frigid mornings and cold afternoons and evenings. Calm to light easterly breezes.
Make sure to bundle-up as that cold air mass behind the front that has gone through today will likely have high humidity and will result in bone-chilling cold air at 100km/h… Frost in the early hours?
Only quote me if this turns out to be right.
Cheers,
Raider
The Raider forecast for the outbound trip to Border Village SA…
Beautiful clear blue skies (maybe coastal fog, coastal low-level cloud) mild days with frigid mornings and cold afternoons and evenings. Calm to light easterly breezes.
Make sure to bundle-up as that cold air mass behind the front that has gone through today will likely have high humidity and will result in bone-chilling cold air at 100km/h… Frost in the early hours?
Only quote me if this turns out to be right.
Cheers,
Raider
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Raider
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Re: Border Run 2025: 31st July - 4th August
Border riders,
Another cold front is closing-in on the south-west coast late on Friday… Immediately ahead of that front the winds will increase and back to the NW - from the light easterlies... That front and the associated rain squalls with westerly wind gusts will greet the border riders on their homeward journey towards Perth on Sunday.
Looks like Cocklebiddy for a hearty big-breakfast and a hot chocolate on Sunday morning. The first task on arrival will be to fuel-up and try to hold the pump nozzle steady as you shiver in the single digit temperatures. It is possible the ride from the Border to Madura could be shrouded in fog with it lifting just east of Cocklebiddy.
After the big breakfast and some thawing-out of blue fingers, back on the road...
Dark and low clouds ahead with the associated sheets of rain. The first of the frontal squalls hits you… Head down and shelter behind the fairing as the squall hits and the bike is buffeted. Through it in a couple of minutes with just a gleaming wet road ahead. All clear for the next few minutes before the next squall-line hits…
Raider
Another cold front is closing-in on the south-west coast late on Friday… Immediately ahead of that front the winds will increase and back to the NW - from the light easterlies... That front and the associated rain squalls with westerly wind gusts will greet the border riders on their homeward journey towards Perth on Sunday.
Looks like Cocklebiddy for a hearty big-breakfast and a hot chocolate on Sunday morning. The first task on arrival will be to fuel-up and try to hold the pump nozzle steady as you shiver in the single digit temperatures. It is possible the ride from the Border to Madura could be shrouded in fog with it lifting just east of Cocklebiddy.
After the big breakfast and some thawing-out of blue fingers, back on the road...
Dark and low clouds ahead with the associated sheets of rain. The first of the frontal squalls hits you… Head down and shelter behind the fairing as the squall hits and the bike is buffeted. Through it in a couple of minutes with just a gleaming wet road ahead. All clear for the next few minutes before the next squall-line hits…
Raider
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Raider
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Re: Border Run 2025: 31st July - 4th August
Howdy Riders,
The BMW R1250 GSA is packed and ready to go. The alarm is set. At this stage there will be four of us converging on Widgiemooltha tomorrow (Thursday) night.
It is going to be COLD riding with clear blue skies… Glad I am on the R1250GSA, with heated grips, and not on the DR650 for this ride.
Looks like the next cold front will bring rain to Perth on Saturday evening. At that time border riders will be catching up with the like-minded and enjoying a few beers and a meal at Border Village. That front will catch the Perth-bound riders headed homeward on Sunday.
Cheers,
Raider
The BMW R1250 GSA is packed and ready to go. The alarm is set. At this stage there will be four of us converging on Widgiemooltha tomorrow (Thursday) night.
It is going to be COLD riding with clear blue skies… Glad I am on the R1250GSA, with heated grips, and not on the DR650 for this ride.
Looks like the next cold front will bring rain to Perth on Saturday evening. At that time border riders will be catching up with the like-minded and enjoying a few beers and a meal at Border Village. That front will catch the Perth-bound riders headed homeward on Sunday.
Cheers,
Raider
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spacey1
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Re: Border Run 2025: 31st July - 4th August
Border Run weather by Windy.com
Saturday 5pm 2 August 2025
https://www.windy.com/-Satellite-satell ... ,125.390,6 then 'Click' play animation...
Saturday 5pm 2 August 2025
https://www.windy.com/-Satellite-satell ... ,125.390,6 then 'Click' play animation...
Himalayas Royal Enfield Tour 2017; Camp Cook-Off Winner 2017; Kennedy Ranges; Three Oceans Tour Australia; Hyden-Norseman Breakaways; R1200 series final drive repair; Mt Augustus; Bimbijy Station; Around Oz
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Raider
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Re: Border Run 2025: 31st July - 4th August
Riders,
The GS and my riding gear, including socks and jocks, need a wash so that should work out well…
Low turnout this year.
Heading back to Widgie tomorrow and then home Monday.
Cheers,
Raider
The GS and my riding gear, including socks and jocks, need a wash so that should work out well…
Low turnout this year.
Heading back to Widgie tomorrow and then home Monday.
Cheers,
Raider
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Raider
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Re: Border Run 2025: 31st July - 4th August
Riders,
Departed Border village at 7:30am local time (SA). Sun just below the horizon. Mid-level extensive cloud cover with wind from the NW but no rain. Spectacular sun rise reflecting off the clouds. Temperature 17 degrees C suggests this is a trough dragging moist air from the NW. Not the anticipated cold front.
Rapid temp drop just east of Cocklebiddy and a dark sky ahead indicated first of the frontal rain that hit Perth on Saturday afternoon. Steady light rain as I pulled into Cocklebiddy for fuel and breakfast. It is going to get a lot colder.
Given the strong northwesterly head-winds fuel consumption meant that I would not have made it to Balladonia on this occasion.
Looks like there is a lot more rain to come as the front passes and I ride west into that cold air mass behind the front and more rain…
Cheers,
Raider
Departed Border village at 7:30am local time (SA). Sun just below the horizon. Mid-level extensive cloud cover with wind from the NW but no rain. Spectacular sun rise reflecting off the clouds. Temperature 17 degrees C suggests this is a trough dragging moist air from the NW. Not the anticipated cold front.
Rapid temp drop just east of Cocklebiddy and a dark sky ahead indicated first of the frontal rain that hit Perth on Saturday afternoon. Steady light rain as I pulled into Cocklebiddy for fuel and breakfast. It is going to get a lot colder.
Given the strong northwesterly head-winds fuel consumption meant that I would not have made it to Balladonia on this occasion.
Looks like there is a lot more rain to come as the front passes and I ride west into that cold air mass behind the front and more rain…
Cheers,
Raider
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Raider
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Re: Border Run 2025: 31st July - 4th August
Howdy riders,
Home! The ride today from Widgiemooltha was arduous and bitterly cold.
Now to get sorted, transfer gear to the Suzuki DR650 and make ready for an early AM departure on Wednesday for Desert Raid, this year located at the 7Millers Shack on the western shore of Lake Rason. Planning to arrive there, all being well, on Saturday morning.
At this stage I am riding alone. However, there is a chance I will have company.
Am wondering how I will cope without heated grips on the DR…?
Yesterday I spotted a BMW I3 electric car abandoned a few kilometres east of Balladonia, the direction in which it was pointed. With the strong north-westerly winds it probably ran out of useable electrons… Imagine the “range-anxiety”? At some point it will likely get towed to a place it can plug into diesel power to get more “green” energy.
Cheers,
Raider
PS. The Hyden-Norseman road was blocked and CLOSED yesterday afternoon.
Home! The ride today from Widgiemooltha was arduous and bitterly cold.
Now to get sorted, transfer gear to the Suzuki DR650 and make ready for an early AM departure on Wednesday for Desert Raid, this year located at the 7Millers Shack on the western shore of Lake Rason. Planning to arrive there, all being well, on Saturday morning.
At this stage I am riding alone. However, there is a chance I will have company.
Am wondering how I will cope without heated grips on the DR…?
Yesterday I spotted a BMW I3 electric car abandoned a few kilometres east of Balladonia, the direction in which it was pointed. With the strong north-westerly winds it probably ran out of useable electrons… Imagine the “range-anxiety”? At some point it will likely get towed to a place it can plug into diesel power to get more “green” energy.
Cheers,
Raider
PS. The Hyden-Norseman road was blocked and CLOSED yesterday afternoon.
Last edited by Raider on Mon 04 Aug, 2025 4:20 pm, edited 3 times in total.
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Raider
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Re: Border Run 2025: 31st July - 4th August
Spacey1,spacey1 wrote: ↑Sat 02 Aug, 2025 5:13 pm Border Run weather by Windy.com
Saturday 5pm 2 August 2025
https://www.windy.com/-Satellite-satell ... ,125.390,6 then 'Click' play animation...
Fantastic image. Thank you for posting. In front of the main cold front (band) leading-edge are several lensoidal cloud bands cutting Kalgoorlie and thereabouts.
The ground air temperatures (as noted on the ambient temperature gauge on the bike) in front of and between these bands was around 17 degrees C - when I encountered the first of them near Cocklebiddy. At the time of departure from Border Village the temp was 16 degrees C and quickly rose to 17 - 18 degrees C despite the early hour. Under those cloud bands the temperatures plummeted to 5 degrees C. Only once the leading-edge of the front was encountered, west of Cocklebiddy, the temperature dropped steeply, stayed there and included widespread heavy rain. That rain and the cold temperatures departed as the frontal band passed.
This frontal system didn't have the discrete squall-lines and persistence I have encountered so many times in this area.
Cheers,
Raider