River Rampage 08
#1
Well the 08 River Rampage is done and dusted.
I had a ball this year, both on the road and in the company of other great members.
Here are some snaps. If you click on them, you will get full size.
The majority of the Newcastle crew travelled via the Buckett's Way up to Gloucester and then the Thunderbolt's Way up to Walcha.
This is at the Casson's Lookout on Thunderbolt's Way
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We had a fast food lunch (after a fast transit) in Armidale and then zipped off down Waterfall Way to the Motel in Nymboida where the usual get to know you drinks session got under way.
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Some late leavers from Newcastle and the Northerners started drifting in a couple at a time and by dark, everyone had turned up. A big dinner and drinks followed the period of R & R that everyone enjoyed in their spa rooms and then we hit the road early on Saturday to join up with some Queenslanders in Grafton.
Together we blasted up the Gwyder Hwy in small groups, taking in the great scenery and lack of traffic, that allowed some really spirited riding. By the time we all gathered up in Glen Innes for fuel, the atmosphere was electric with exuberance.
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We waited a short while for Gaz57 (Turtle) to turn up for the ride down to Armidale for the scheduled lunch at the St Kilda Hotel but eagerness got the better of us and we hit the road in a train of about 20 bikes. Not far down the road a lone 99 Red&Black crested the hill towards us and arms waved and lights flashed. Turtle did a uee and joined on to the pack for the run back into Armidale.
As we pulled into the carpark, the unthinkable happened, one of the bikes failed to make the turn into the carpark and was ingloriously shunted up behind a parked 4 x 4.
The bolt that holds the throttle side clip on to the tripple tree had snapped and the whole hand grip fell off, leaving poor Ford and Linda with no control of the front end.
If this had happened anywhere in the previous 300klm it could have been an absolute disaster. As it happened the location and timing could not have been better for such a catastrophe.
We had the local knowledge and the mechanical whizzes to get the bike repaired in about 2 hrs total.
The extra time at the pub gave the crowd a good chance to check out some more locals bikes when Slipstream08 and his partner came to have lunch with us.
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We got back on the road in smaller groups and rode back to Nymboida with a stopoff at Ebor for fuel and to clean visors etc.
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(to be continued)
"If time catches up with you. You're going too slow!"
Regards BUSGO
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#2
Biker(continued)
The ride back into Nymboida gave most of the group the chance to experience the Nymboida twisties for the 1st time and I think that they all were kept on their toes for the entire journey.
A large truck came at us from out of the tight stuff and some riders were lucky to be in the positions that they were to avoid disaster.
Combined with the herd of loose cattle that roam the hills, and the fluctuating quality of the road surface, the ride back to the Hotel was, and always is, a thrill a minute.
Mr Mechanix and Tony and Trix stopped in for a rest, a chat and a wander around the pub gardens before they continued on back to Grafton.
Their bikes parked out front ready to get going again.
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This is the view from the beer garden at the Inn.
How many pubs can boast a situation like this?
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Sunday morning got us all lined up for the traditional group photo session.
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Another beautiful day gave us the opportunity to hit the road in comfort for the trip home in many different directions.
Some bastards are still out there enjoying the freedom.
(They will read this and laugh while the rest of us are back at work).
The group returning to Newcastle stopped for lunch at the Thunderbolt's Cafe in Walcha.
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All up, I did about 1,700 ks over the 3 days and my new bike was a dream ride. The K8 busa is a giant leap forward for the sports tourist with improvements in almost every department.
Now I've just gotta get out in the shed and clean all the road grime off.
6,000 K service is now well and truly due!
OEM tyres still have a few thousand ks on them and are nicely rounded.

It's all on again next year, if you want to be there, you better pencil it in early.
"If time catches up with you. You're going too slow!"
Regards BUSGO
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#3
Awesome report Busgo. Yup Tony and I are definately in early next year. Might even get some Kyaking in!!!
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#4
Thanks to everyone who were so patient when Kermit fell apart. The help was much needed and appreciated. Looking forward to next year and staying in one piece and eating up big blue yammies!
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#5
MrsTonysEvilTwin Wrote:Awesome report Busgo. Yup Tony and I are definately in early next year. Might even get some Kyaking in!!!

+1 Ray! Clap

I'd love to be in next year... probably (depending on dates...) Confused
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#6
Hi aii
Braddo & Marianne are home safe & sound it was GR8 to see every again.
And a BIG THANKS to Ray for a GR8 ride 2300 kms over 6 days
See u all next year
BRADDO

"May the fleas of a thousand camels infest the crotch of the person who screws up your day, and may their arms be too short to scratch." Ghastly
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#7
anyone get a pic of that little pink poof machenx
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#8
kawasuki Wrote:anyone get a pic of that little pink poof machenx

Sure Ray - 3rd pic down from the top, thats him in the pink leather suit on the mobile talking to his dealerCoolrasta

Cheers Ruffy
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#9
Ruffy Wrote:
kawasuki Wrote:anyone get a pic of that little pink poof machenx

Sure Ray - 3rd pic down from the top, thats him in the pink leather suit on the mobile talking to his dealerCoolrasta

Cheers Ruffy

Fark who gives him a leg up to get on his bike.
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#10
The leg over fairies - probably have to help a few at Jindy this year Pi_tongue

Cheers Ruffy
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