Date ride with Dudley

With Karl away for the weekend, and as a reward to myself I went off on a little ride on Dudley. I’d decided that heading south and Jamberoo was going to be the destination – I didn’t even program the GPS, thought I’d just wing it….OMG!

Never been to Woronora Dam, passed the sign heaps but never gone down there. This morning was that day. Not a solitary person around, serenity, early birdies were out twittering & tweeting and the glass-like stillness of the dam was a sight within itself.

Woronora Dam

Arty shot..lol

So peaceful and smooth

When we lowered Dudley we also changed the suspension on him and have since been chasing the front-end. Flighty and wobbly is the best way to describe it and somewhat like a pogo stick on braking and heavily into a corner….not the most confidence inspiring. Anyway, put him back to the “factory setting” with the lowering links in and the seat in the low position and he’s seems to be handling so much better. I may even just increase (harden) up the preload on the forks a tad bit more and go out again and see how that goes. I’m hoping that with these minor adjustments I can avoid having to spend and $$ on re-springing the forks.

Following my nose, found my way to the Sublime Lookout, again another sign passed many many times without venturing in for a look see. Blinker on and up we go. There’s a little cafe up there, the look out of course and so pretty machinery…I’m tipping not all the time.

Sublime Lookout

ah, my pretty

OK, time to keep moving. So far Dudley and I are enjoying the roads and the road conditions aren’t that bad. The heat of the day is starting to set in and I;m almost sorry I didn’t wear my Draggins instead of my touring pants…but AGATT.

Out onto Mt Marshall Rd, through the causeway (Dudley’s first river crossing…lol). I wanted a photo, it was so lush and pretty but the water was running a little quick and the surface leading in a bit slippery…another day. Also no bouncing through the corners….awesome.

Mt Marshall Rd..so green

Mac Pass…Oooo, time to have some fun!! 🙂  For the first time in….I don’t know how long, I had a clear run. Not a single car/bike in front of me..awesome! 2nd & 3rd gear and Dudley just whirs through the twisties at a steady pace and I find flicking him from left to right so much easier. Bout half way up I see Angel (now renamed “Whitebird” by her new owner) and it put a big smile on my face. Quick uey and down the pass & they’ve uey’d too..lol Waiting at bottom of Mac Pass now.

Mac Pass…waiting

To much traffic this time up the hill and glad to stop  at the Pie Shop to re-hydrate and a yak with some new friends.

I’d planned Jamberoo for lunch, so we go in the heat to find some lunch. Not much traffic here either and a road I don’t know so just took it nice and easy and took in the scenery. Through a few twisties and a nice photo op..I thought.

Barren Grounds

Into Jamberoo and lunch…not the healthiest but it was rather tasty!!

lunch

34 degrees according to Dudleys temp gauge and I’m feeling every degree, time to start heading home. Dudley said he wanted to see this coast road and Bald Hill where he insisted we have an ice cream while taking in the view.

Dudley wasn’t quick enough to eat it, so I had to help him…  🙂

Was a little bit blowey and was lucky to keep  my hat on

happy me

Now to head home through the National Park. Unfortunately being early afternoon there was a decent amount of traffic blocking the way. However, we still managed to have a little bit of fun here and there. Had I packed my swimmers, I would’ve stopped at one of the beaches for a quick dip to cool down.

Back home around 2ish, wash Dudley and have a cold shower to cool down myself. Not a big day out, but as I’m not ride fit and in the heat, it was plenty enough and I had a Really Good Day.

Dudley performed great with the luggage and the suspension setting with only one or two skips/wobbles which even on Angel I believe I would’ve experienced the same. Just a tiny bit a diving on braking which as I’ve said I’ll make a slight adjustment and see how we go on the next run out.

Thanks again for staying tuned and I look forward to sharing quite a few more adventures/journeys in the coming weeks/months 🙂