A beautiful Spring morning brought 17 riders (including 1 pax) out for a morning coffee ride. A quick photo by our resident photographer (not a member of our Club) who now turns up early so he can take the shot of us before we leave. Then it was off down through the RNP, up to Symbio, OPHwy, Bulli Tops, down Bulli Pass, left heading north along the coast road. Small miscalculation, Tuesday is garbage day on the coast road and as we got past Austinmer sure enough a garbage truck parked in the middle of the road picking up three times more bins than houses! So sneak around him and onwards northwards. By the time we reached Stanwell (Park) Bottoms the group was relatively still a group, must have been a good Ride Leader at work.
But alas the café in the park is still closed so back up to Stanwell Park CBD to the cafes there. Some went to the café on the corner, others the back yard of Loaf Café for a coffee. Lesley got a surprise with a blue tongue lizard wanting to make friends as she enjoyed the break. The lizard was quickly caught and given a pat before being released into the wilds of the café backyard. It was a good stop, relaxed, and shady under large umbrellas. Give them a try if you’re down that way.
On the return leg we decided to call in at Garrie Beach. The road down has been closed for what seems like years, and to pay for the repairs as we got near the bottom the toll booth was open and manned, or should I say, womanned. “Just going down to the beach, turning around and coming straight back out again” I informed the Ranger. “Yes, well that requires a $12 day pass” she smiled. I didn’t smile, I just told her we would be doing a U turn right here, thanks. So back up the hill, on to Audley and up towards the Princes Hwy. There’s a boom gate half way up and half the road is closed as they repair a washaway. If you’re a few cars/bikes back from the boom you’re stuck right on a blind corner. You are constantly looking in the rear view mirrors waiting for the Doof Doof car from Bankstown to come around the corner at Mach III and run right over the top of you. But we all made it safely home after a beautiful morning when the reason we ride bikes was really on display, and to enjoy to its fullest. Thanks for your company.
Tunnels.
