Well the stars aligned, as best they could, and I was able to see an opportunity to get away for the weekend and attend my first muster. I'll admit that I paid prior to busting ribs, booking accommodation, getting time off work and generally planning anything. Accommodation was booked a fortnight prior (or thereabouts) at the Coachman, time off was locked in and then I set about planning the ride. Decisions had to be made - go north? go west? go south? This ride was also going to the first where I was leaving well into daylight and effectively riding the entire night and the muster coincided with the Autumn Equinox (if I was to ride on the Saturday). I settled on a plan - head south to clock up the miles, turn around and do the same, head over the Blue Mountains and onto Parkes - simple right? Well.... then we had a war which sent petrol pricing spiking, people panic buying petrol like it was toilet paper in 2020, rumours of fuel delivery issues and then the main highway across the Blue Mountains got shut down due to a centuries old bridge. Calls were made to check on fuel availability, an alternate route via Bells Line of Road was planned and then I decided to change my starting time to be mid morning. All good right?
Friday morning rolled around, I saw the family out of the house on to their daily plans, got ready and headed off. The run south was relatively uneventful and I was expecting more traffic on the M5 and Hume Motorway/highway/freeway than there was being a weekday. There was a bit of roadworks just south of Marulan but I was quickly through it and thought nothing more of it. A quick stop at Gundagai and before long I was turning around at Euroa retracing my path. Another quick stop at Gundagai tuckerbox service centre (as opposed to my usual stop in South Gundagai) and all was going ok. Heading north and it is around 10pm when hit the roadworks - this time it is slow going but looking to my right at the southbound - it was a parking lot with traffic back up for what seemed like forever. Just before midnight and I make my turn onto the M7 - dreading what I was going to face as the last couple of times I've come there here it has been 40kph speed limits all the way to the M4 due to roadworks. Luckily, some sections had returned to their nominal speed limits and soon I was filling up and before heading for the mountains - somewhat anxious as I hadn't ridden the Bells Line previous and I was expecting lots of traffic, a previously unseen road (with a bit of a reputation) and a fully loaded bike. I cruised through Bells line barely seeing a vehicle popping out at Lithgow, on to Bathurst (deciding to give Mt Panorama a miss this time) before deciding to stop in Orange to get fuel (just in case). Before long I was pulling into Parkes just before 5am and into the BP service station for my final DBR - but wait, it's closed?* (see post-script) I'm sure it was meant to be open and I'd been here only weeks prior on another ride checking it out. Hmm... need a final DBR.... rode around looking for another petrol station open - nothing! Pulled up and asked the bloke operating the speed camera car - he knew nothing. Pulled into Maccas - closed until 5am. Sat around a waited... got a DBR but was dubious as to whether it would pass muster (no pun intended). ATM receipt - I've had those accepted prior. First ATM - receipt was no good - didn't have the required info. Next ATM - it will have to do. Pulled into the hotel looking forward to getting some sleep. Found my room, got off the bike and took a pain killer (this was going to be the first time lying in a bed since breaking 2 ribs) and went looking for the key that was supposed to have been left out for me (having paid for the room for the Friday night). Alas - no key. SMS sent to the operator who I'd arranged the late check-in with. So, the Iron Butt Motel it was. I found a very uncomfortable chair, popped it up against the wall of the room and proceeded to get some sleep (sleeping is much easier sitting up that lying on concrete when broken ribs are involved). A couple of hours later - a key was delivered and I was able to get into my room, get some sleep (missed the breakfast notification) before making my way out for a late breakfast and dealing with the ride submission paperwork before the Muster weekend events began. The muster itself was an eye-opener with a great, diverse group of people with many stories to tell. With thanks, as always, the the OzIBA verification team - the ride certification came through this afternoon.
P.S. I was scratching my head as to how I got this bit wrong. I did a little digging and found that the petrol station in question opens at 6am. Remember how I decided to leave earlier - well.... the original ride plan had me getting into Parkes around 8am, perfect for a DBR at a location that opens at 6am. That little change the day before the ride, and me failing to remember that very small but important detail is what got me where I was. I'm also going to have to ride the bypass one of these days to work out where the 24 petrol is now - but that is for another ride.
Friday morning rolled around, I saw the family out of the house on to their daily plans, got ready and headed off. The run south was relatively uneventful and I was expecting more traffic on the M5 and Hume Motorway/highway/freeway than there was being a weekday. There was a bit of roadworks just south of Marulan but I was quickly through it and thought nothing more of it. A quick stop at Gundagai and before long I was turning around at Euroa retracing my path. Another quick stop at Gundagai tuckerbox service centre (as opposed to my usual stop in South Gundagai) and all was going ok. Heading north and it is around 10pm when hit the roadworks - this time it is slow going but looking to my right at the southbound - it was a parking lot with traffic back up for what seemed like forever. Just before midnight and I make my turn onto the M7 - dreading what I was going to face as the last couple of times I've come there here it has been 40kph speed limits all the way to the M4 due to roadworks. Luckily, some sections had returned to their nominal speed limits and soon I was filling up and before heading for the mountains - somewhat anxious as I hadn't ridden the Bells Line previous and I was expecting lots of traffic, a previously unseen road (with a bit of a reputation) and a fully loaded bike. I cruised through Bells line barely seeing a vehicle popping out at Lithgow, on to Bathurst (deciding to give Mt Panorama a miss this time) before deciding to stop in Orange to get fuel (just in case). Before long I was pulling into Parkes just before 5am and into the BP service station for my final DBR - but wait, it's closed?* (see post-script) I'm sure it was meant to be open and I'd been here only weeks prior on another ride checking it out. Hmm... need a final DBR.... rode around looking for another petrol station open - nothing! Pulled up and asked the bloke operating the speed camera car - he knew nothing. Pulled into Maccas - closed until 5am. Sat around a waited... got a DBR but was dubious as to whether it would pass muster (no pun intended). ATM receipt - I've had those accepted prior. First ATM - receipt was no good - didn't have the required info. Next ATM - it will have to do. Pulled into the hotel looking forward to getting some sleep. Found my room, got off the bike and took a pain killer (this was going to be the first time lying in a bed since breaking 2 ribs) and went looking for the key that was supposed to have been left out for me (having paid for the room for the Friday night). Alas - no key. SMS sent to the operator who I'd arranged the late check-in with. So, the Iron Butt Motel it was. I found a very uncomfortable chair, popped it up against the wall of the room and proceeded to get some sleep (sleeping is much easier sitting up that lying on concrete when broken ribs are involved). A couple of hours later - a key was delivered and I was able to get into my room, get some sleep (missed the breakfast notification) before making my way out for a late breakfast and dealing with the ride submission paperwork before the Muster weekend events began. The muster itself was an eye-opener with a great, diverse group of people with many stories to tell. With thanks, as always, the the OzIBA verification team - the ride certification came through this afternoon.
P.S. I was scratching my head as to how I got this bit wrong. I did a little digging and found that the petrol station in question opens at 6am. Remember how I decided to leave earlier - well.... the original ride plan had me getting into Parkes around 8am, perfect for a DBR at a location that opens at 6am. That little change the day before the ride, and me failing to remember that very small but important detail is what got me where I was. I'm also going to have to ride the bypass one of these days to work out where the 24 petrol is now - but that is for another ride.
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