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Southern Run, 15th July 2007

The forecast was for fine but cloudy weather conditions. How wrong they were, bitterly cold & wet conditions were to be experienced by our band of intrepid riders, when they wended their way along parts of the planned route.

Twenty riders, seduced by Keith Martin’s weather forecast, gathered at the starting point at the Weigh Bridge near the top of Tapley’s Hill. These included my son John, visiting from Darwin & riding my 350cc Ariel, plus the ever reliable Laurie with his backup trailer, & the Jones’s in their car. Bob Gill even turned up on his 1913 BSA just to show other veteran riders how easy it was to participate.

Marshal jackets dispensed & the roll called, we were soon on our way, with our new captain Malcolm Gray overseeing the event. We progressed sedately to our first regroup stop at Aldinga, passing the nudist’s Maslin’s Beach enroute. (No, we did not stop.) Alf Lear was waiting at Aldinga, all rugged up and sitting in his Ford Ute., ready to join the gang. His fears of too colder run on his bike soon evaporated ( is that the right word for such a day) & he headed off to his nearby home to pick up his outfit.

We pressed on through Sellicks to a planned stop at Myponga Reservoir, where I decided to continue rather than stop due to the sloppy looking state of the parking area. This backfired, as the oncoming mob followed some one on to the parking area who had stopped to take photographs.

Meanwhile, the Marshals pressed on towards Carrickalinga in the worst of riding conditions. The low cloud, rain and bitterly cold strong winds did not stop the valiant band of riders and their bucking iron steeds as they pressed ever onwards to their destination.

That is, excepting Bob Gill, who deliberately ran over a nail & finished the run sitting in the warmth of Laurie’s car, with the BSA on the trailer.

We all gathered at the Normanville Car park ready for lunch. Some eating at the nearby caf�, whilst others rode to the bakery in the main street, where we warmed our hands on the pie warmer.

Many pies, pasties & coffees were consumed before gathering for the return trip.

Through to Yankallila, we then proceeded to Inman Valley, past Glacier Rock, (an apt name on this cold day) then turned off on to Swamp Rd., travelling past the Mt. Billy Conservation Park to the Hindmarsh Tiers Rd. The section we rode through is very scenic and it was here that the sun appeared for the first time to warm our bodies. However, the never to be pleased run leader then found it hard to see as the flashes of brilliant sunlight shone through the tree shadows dazzling his old eyes.

Proceeding to Myponga, we stopped for a visit the local Market, then followed much of our outwards route to the Londsdale Highway. Some riders leaving the group on this section for more direct paths to their homes. Run finish was at the Tafe College car park at O’Halloran Hill, where, many expressions of thanks made at the completion for a good day’s, indicated what sterling some of our club members are made of.

Special thanks to the Marshals and to Laurie for their efforts.

Codlab Nai.

Those who participated were:

Peter Arriola, 1974 Honda Solo
Richard Buckland, 1956 Triumph Solo
Bryan Dunn, 1952 AJS Solo First time out
Ray Collins, 1936 Ivory Calthorpe Solo
Malcolm Gray, 1956 Maico Solo
Paul Knapp, 1947 Ariel VB Outfit
Rob Smythe, 1929 AJS Solo
Roger O’loughlin, 1982 Suzuki Solo
Daryl Rosser, 1963 BSA Gold Star Solo
Denis Saunders, 2004 BMW Solo
Ian Baldock, 1950 Ariel RH Solo
Don Cellier, 1974 BMW Solo
Bob Frankham, 1939 Ariel Solo
Bob Gill, 1913 BSA Solo
Peter Van Kruyssen, 1979 BSA Solo First time out
Alf Lear, 1948 Ariel RH Outfit
Tony Morisset, 1952 Vincent Solo
Harry Richards, 1937 Ariel Solo
Don Tonkin, 1958 Velocette Solo
Alan J. Thompson, 1949 Triumph Solo
John Baldock 1947, Ariel Solo Visitor
Laurie Leibhardt Back up trailer

Last updated 9 August 2007