5th Annual State of Origin Ride

[TestPilot]

The venue is found, the ride options are organised, and the date is set for the 5th annual State of Origin get together. The Founding Fathers, Phil and Dave, did their scouting ride in the rain, and crossed Kyogle off the list as the accomodation and eating options are just not up to our (questionable) standard. So we are going to stay 30k's south, in Casino instead:

Venue: Milgate Motel, Casino Tel 02 66621022 Fax 02 66621828 email [email protected] Address: Cnr Centre & North Streets, Casino.

Ride options - these will be posted later, but everbody who has ridden the planned loop has ended the day with a huge smile on their face. Some of the roads are on 'The Bears' list of 'must-ride' roads, others would be if only he knew about them.

Dates: First weekend in April (Friday 4th and Saturday 5th)

The motel has undercover parking outside each room for bikes, a pool and BBQ area, and we will probably BBQ on Friday night, and have the State of Origin dinner at a nearby restaurant on Saturday night.

For info, Casino is 225k's from Brisbane city centre, and 720k's from Sydney CBD.

Also, if anyone gets there before midday on Friday, we will probably take an afternoon ride up to Tenterfield along the Bruxner Highway - another stretch of road in Australia that must be ridden.

Make your own bookings direct with the motel - first come, first served (there is another motel nearby if we need more rooms. This may happen, as I think this is going to be the biggest State of Origin yet).

More details will follow.

 

[madmike2]

Y'mean the organizers aren't going to have the "barbie" fired up and cooking when the participants arrive? And just what are you serving for the evening meal?

 

[TestPilot]

Things are different here is Aussie, MM. We, the 'organisers' - and I use that term very loosely, live in hope (probably a vain hope) that 'someone' with organisational skills will step forward My forte is setting the route and leading the ride

 

[madmike2]

David, I understand, hence my "new" defining expression (that others have been using): Shared Destination.

I'll plan, I'll pick roads, I'll hand out maps....I'll then go enjoy myself, l'll see you at lunch or dinner or even back at the hotel! Now, let's go ride and have fun. :yahoo:

I am looking forward to your pictures. They always include great scenery and owners we don't EVER get to meet.

BTW, Casino looks like its inland a bit. How far? And does that mean you ride the secondary roads (which, on our Pacific Coast, are really fun and twisty in the coastal mountains)?

 

[TestPilot]

If you haven't yet booked, time is running out. This could be the best FJR-specific get-together and ride of the year.

Time to order shirts, for those who want them. Remember that this is the 5th annual State of Origin get together, and the shirts are only available by pre-order. The style selected is:

Men: https://www.auspirit.com/mens/polo/Pinner/index.htm

Ladies: https://www.auspirit.com/ladies/polo/pinner%20lady/index.htm

In both cases the colour is Black-Ashe-White.

The cost per shirt, including the embroidered logo, with your name or nickname, is $35.00 including GST. This gives an idea of what the embroidered logo will look like:

Postage, if required, will be extra. I aim to take the shirts with me, or if there are too many, they will be mailed ahead to the motel.

I need to know quantaties and sizes by Sunday. Please post details here, or PM me with your details. I'll contact you to arrange payment options.

 

[TestPilot]

Hi Everyone - just thought I'd let you know something about our weekend. Highlights - many, but it wouldn't happen and wouldn't be fun unless guys and girls made it that way. It's great riding and 'sharing wisdom' after the rides. Some great riding, and very fun pace, on some great roads. And we even managed to avoid the showers while I was leading

The guys from Sydney arrived Thursday, so they were well rested when the Qld contingent arrived lunch-time Friday (except Swannie, who was finding roads that probably don't even officially exist). Did a quick blast up to Tenterfield and back, and people soon realised why I love that 130k's of road. This taken by pillion-cam:

The coffee shop we found couldn't believe their luck to double their Friday sales just like that (some guys hadn't had time for lunch before we left Casino). Friday dinner was at the local hotel 'test-driven the night before by Karl, Shoey and Wayne. Turned out to be so good we were back there on Saturday too.

Friday evening saw the ceremonial 'handing out of the shirts':

And then Saturday up early for breakfast in the sun:

and the Maccas Courier taking back breakfast in bed for the love of his life (well, I think that is what he said). It was only 2 blocks from the motel:

Then the lineup for the photo.

From left to right: Karl, Rod, Poida, Rico, Peterpan, Shoey, Swannie, David1300, Wayne, Moose (taking piccie - Atlas; joined us later - Phil; missing as he could only make Friday - Glen):

and the girls with their partners bikes (from left: Jodie, Lois, Lou, Zea and Susan):

And the girls with Jodie's Kawasaki:

To allow Jodie to ride along on Saturday we had to make allowances for and call it an orange 'I want to be a FJR when I grow up':

 

[TestPilot]

Then we headed out. Some riders were being mindful of their pillions needs (great move, guys - always do what you can to keep them happy) so they were doing a shorter ride, and we even lost someone at the first roundabout 2 blocks from the start :? Anyway, at the first regroup:

Then a leg stretch and appropriate sign:

And the 'orange Yammy':

At the fuel stop I managed a quick test ride. So much fun I nearly hid it around the corner, and was going to walk back saying I was mugged by some bikie-types and it's gone (for me to collect later):

But there was something going on. Shoey, does the term 'Swap and Go' have any significance, and why was Phil thinking, 'Mate, of all the bikes you could put your topbox on, why choose the black one'?

And then we had a great blast accross to Boonah for lunch. Another pic courtesy of 'pillion cam':

Some people enjoyed lunch so much at Flavours Cafe they went back there for breafast the next day - Moose?

After lunch a lovely ride out to Lake Moogerah, and some country backroads, before a leg-stretch overlooking Mt Barney:

Do these guys have the same Barber?

David and Zea

Zea and Phil

And then another hugely fun bit of road, this time up the Mt Lindesay highway and down the other side, to Kyogle:

A full days riding, but everyone came home with a smile. Dinner that night was at the same hotel. Poida, pity you didn't pop in just to check (I didn't have any contact details to call you), and Atlas was nursing his sore throat, but the rest had a great dinner to round off a great weekend:

There are many, many piccies, and many 'true' stories, but they can come a bit later.

Thanks again, everyone - that was fun. You'll know when the next one is on

 

[Niehart]

Looks like great fun & good folks. Thanks for letting us stateside ride along.

 

[FJRONAMISSION]

I'm new to the forum... so I was checking around to see different group rides... always

wanted to see Aus.... your ride report makes feel like I was tagging along... :beach:

Thanks.... FJRM / Brian