..........morning person as anyone that knows me will tell you, and this morning was no exception. I ended up getting mobile at about 07:45, fortunately there is little traffic on the raods I was to traverse at that time on a Sunday and since I had opted for the Trumpy Superscoot now that it is fully run in, I was able to make up lost time, overtaking is easy on the Triple-R as it goes from "get-out-of-my-way" to "ohhhh-ssshhhhiiiittt" in next to no time. Indeed, when I fanaaly got onto the Freeway near the end of my morning run and found there was nobody around I just had to give it a little squirt - I can report that it goes from 100 kph to 160 in about 2-3 seconds but starts to feel too floating at that speed and I'm not brave enough to take it further - 160 kph = approx 9000 rpm with the redline at 13000 (of course Mr Policeman this is all a lie told to make the bike sound fantastic and I will deny it ever happened should I be taken to court).

I arrived at the rendevous with about 2 minutes to spare, I was first to arrive. I refueled the bike while I waited. I had just finished when Steve "Bigglesworth", the Flying Pom, pulled in. He also refueled and we chatted while we waited for the rest to arrive. About 5 minutes later I spotted Errol motoring down the road, no sign of Masterminder. Errol pulled in and parked beside me.

"What happened to Muzz?" I asked.

"Too cold for him, he pulled out" replied Errol.

I admit it was a little cold - I had on my warmest gloves and my hands had still got a bit stiff but it was not painful.

"Wimp" I sad.

Errol went to refuel.

We waited until 09:30 in case herbalist was coming and then hit the road.



A leisurely climb up Old Bathurst Road through the hairpins behind a 4x4 (which was probably a good thing because the road was a little wet) saw us quickly to the highway at Blaxland. From there it was a smooth highway run to Katoomba where we turned off and stopped for coffee and second breakfast in a nice wood-fire warmed cafe.







It was then on to Echo Point where you can see the Three Sisters rock formation - unfortunately there was no where handy to park (except on the pavement next to a no stopping sign) so I didn't take any pics of the landmark - Google is your friend if you are interested.





We returned to the highway and on to Blackheath where we took hte side trip down to Megalong Valley. This is a very nice narrow twisty run down through some very pretty treefern gullies and temperate rainforest - the problem with this sort of road is there is almost nowhere to stop to get a photo of the really good bits and when there is you are having way too much fun to even consider stopping so, sorry, until I fix up a video mount there are no pics of this road.



At the bottom of the valley the road straightens out and we start to see some farms. Pleasingly it also warms up a little down there.



Back up the road, even more fun up hill, so no, no pics again. At the top we stop for lunch. Errol gets a spring roll and chips - what was he thinking?!? Steve and I both opt for the safer (and very tasty) hamburgers.



After lunch, with some ominous clouds forming to the south-east, we decide not to waste any time and head off west bound for Mt Victoria where we will turn right and head north for Bell along the Darling Causeway. This is a roller-coaster road with sweeping turns and smooth undulations. At Bell we turn right again onto Bell's Line of Road and head east along the top of the world.



Don't look now but we are being followed by those pesky clouds - Australia, driest continent on the planet and we still can't get a dry ride day.



Bell's Line is a better version of the Causeway with a series of fast sweeping turns through undulations, banking climbs, and cuttings - great fun and no, still no pics.

Finally we get to Kurajong and start the steep descent off the mountains to Richmond, bloody cops everywhere so it was a fairly gentle descent. Upon reaching the bottom we cross the Nepean River and come to Richmond, the end of our group ride. After the mountains, the sun in Richmond makes it feel like the tropics in comparison - "a balmy 16^o C" to quote young Bigglesworth.



From Richmond we say our farewells and part company and head for home. Sure enough those damned clouds catch up to me. The temperature plumets and I smell the ions in the air, I start to hear those little "pinks" on my helmet, and the road gets a glossy look - oh well it was worth it. Fortunately its not too heavy and I'm still reasonably dry when I get home. Give the bike a quick suds and then inside and out of the wet gear.