Auspicious Eight Ride with the Wrens

[Bozo]

Chinese New Year may have attenuated attendance at the Year of the Rabbit first breakfast, but it was an auspicious number of eight that launched into a winding ride to Serpentine Dam.

Cramming in the corners, Astro, Multi Media Mark, R90S Mark, Rod Rocket Peter, Nannup Nick, His Royal Griceness, Peter Bee and Bozo skipped up and down the scarp including Cann Road to have a break at Canning Dam. A couple of "twitchers" approached us to show the birds they had spotted including a Splendid or Superb Fairy Wren in a shimmering blue. With all the publicity about bike vs car accidents it was disconcerting to pass an accident scene with an ambulance. Fortunately, it was ute vs SUV. As befitting people of our age, we hammered it on the last section of Canning Dam Road for a run down Albany Highway before spotting a wedge tailed eagle on Jarrahdale Road. Muscling past the Minis we sat at Bistro by the Dam to watch blue wrens, bronze wings, kookaburras, 28 parrots add to the scenic attractions whilst we discussed the history of Australia Day.

In Chinese culture, blue birds are messengers of knowledge and enlightenment. It was interesting that the birds that came closest to our group were the blue fairy wrens. The only evidence of enlightenment in the group today was one rider who remembered that he had forgotten to reinsert the vacuum seals after balancing his carbies. In a weird coincidence, blue tape was used to provide a temporary seal and he was the one that the blue birds came closest to.

Another convoluted run via Serpentine and Mundijong got us to Byford where the ride ended. An easy group that got easier as the heat dropped the ride group. Thanks to Peter Bee for running as tail end Charlie. It hit 38 degrees as we exited Kingsbury Drive but had dropped five degrees by the time I hit Cannington.

Old Chinese saying: "if your BMW twin is running rough check that the vacuum seals have been correctly installed and are not perished"

Bozo

[pspencer]

Another entertaining ride and write up thanks Bozo. Warm but bearable with all riders behaving as expected