Ninja Days

Tathra Pub for lunch 22 April

ILLAWARRA RIDERS and RATs- Tathra Pub Ride

The last day of the Easter holidays was certainly a day to look forward to. It started early on a patchy morning, which prompted an immediate check of the weather forecast. Not much rain on the radar, but I decided to wear the 'wets', the wet weather gear on my way to Albion Park Maccas. Better safe than wet, starting a whole day's ride to Tathra and back.
Most riders had already arrived by the time the green machine rolled up to the carpark. There were some drops not far from home and then another sprinkle on the highway, but not enough serious discomfort to really justify my 'wets, but I decided to keep wearing them. Unfortunately that did not keep the rain at bay, as it so often does...

7am meet @ Albion Park Maccas

The group took off towards the darkening horizon. The roads were quite deserted for the last day of the NSW holidays and the Kiama bends made a good start to the day. Bewong Roadhouse, Bateman's Bay Caltex, Bermagui, then another 50 km to the Tathra Pub, where we had some nice chats and a fair bistro meal.

Tathra Pub


Unfortunately the further south we came, the more wet roads we had to conquer. Despite that there were some amazing visual moments along the way. Ulladulla's water ways were the most beautiful green colour. Emerald?!
There was that moment of recognition at Wallaga Lake, where we once stayed when the child was still in a pouch. Dromedar Rock by the surf beach on the other side of the road... one way bridges... pelicans on beaches... boats in harbours...

Back to the pub. I was pleased to see that the closest anyone came to alcohol was a 'lemon lime and bitters'. Nobody had anything to prove and so much to experience. I always look at the ride as a personal challenge, getting better at it, achieving the personal best, best line, best angle, speed, control. Those wet roads were quite slippery and I conquered my fear throughout each corner. About 2 1/2 hours into the ride my shoulders, neck, arms and wrist started to get tight and I was getting tired.


Blue and Green should never be seen... NOT!

On our way home we were joined by a silver merc, whose driver also stopped over at the Bateman's Bay Caltex. Apparently he complimented the group on the skills and unity, which was a nice thing to hear for a change!

The Highway was closed at Berry and we had to detour via Gerringong where the torrential rain took its toll on all of us riders and drivers alike. At times there was less than 10 m visibility ahead. In the dark, whith oncoming traffic, drips on glasses and scratches on visor, with little indication as to where the shoulder or centre line may be located I thought of stopping under the very next bridge, but immediately dismissed that idea for fear that someone would run me over. The Moto Guzzi in front of me was like a guiding light. I stuck to him like glue. He was a kind man! (Ironically that particular model Moto Guzzi is named 'dark'...)

Albion Park towards Dapto started to be fairly dry and that was my cue to take off. The thought of arriving HOME made everything bareable... a hot shower and a cold beer...

The Green Machine in front of the Tathra Hotel


It was quite an insight for me to ride so intently all day during daylight hours. Checking the road for hazzards, for dangerous surface, trying to avoid pot holes, patches, bumps, adjusting the line to gain the ideal balance...
At night in that wet weather all there was left to do was to trust that it'll be alright and that the skill and experience would automatically be there when things go wrong.

We were lucky.

Labels: Ride Report

posted by The '95 Ninja ZX6R @ 22.4.07