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| surfing72 | | Set |  |  | | Reg. Date | : | 20/03/2012 | | Posts | : | 483 | | Location | : | Nth, New South Wales, Australia |
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| | Posted : 18 Sep 2012 - 10:30 Post title : National Police Wall to Wall Ride Canberra Australia 2012 | | | National Police Wall to Wall Ride Saturday, 15 September 2012
2400km's in 5 days travelling from NSW / QLD border to Canberra and back again.
Day 1 we travelled from the border to Tamworth and experienced a great ride travelling through beautiful country side with long winding roads. We stopped at the Nymboida Pub. This is a great destination for those travelling around Nth NSW. The roads are great and there is accommodation there for an over night stay if required. Eventually we arrived in Tamworth with a brief thunderstorm. This is the first rain I have seen in two months and it just happened to find us. A few beers and a feed were had at the Pirates Rugby Club that night.
Day 2 we headed south to Surry Hills in Sydney. The first half of the ride was brilliant however the second half was average due to CBD congestion, however it was a great to open up the throttle going through the Sydney harbor tunnel and hear the bird roar. A few more beers and a feed at a pub in Sydney but a early night for me and the Mrs after a couple of days on the road.
Day 3 Surry Hills Police Station to The Domian where we met with NSW police at their Memorial Wall. After a brief Ceremony we all headed down the Hume Highway the AFP International Deployment Base just outside of Canberra. From there we travelled into Canberra with the entire registered motorcyclist, numbering approximately 1251 riders. It was an awesome experience riding with such a large number of motorcyclist. There were local residents with there children waiving and cheering us on as we rode through town. One of the local women even got a bit excited and removed her shirt waiving it above her head showing us her assets. Unfortunately they were a little further south than I like but all good fun anyway. More beers and food at several different locations throughout Canberra that night.
Day 4 we left Canberra in thick fog early in the morning and headed to the Central Coast. To say I was freezing would be an understatement. I don't know how you southerners ride bikes down there. You must be bred tough. With the open face helmet I had snot everywhere and couldn't feel my hands – get me home.
Day 5 we left the Central Coast and returned home. This day was the longest with about an 8hr ride including stops. We managed to dodge a thunderstorm just north of Grafton and remained dry the hole way. Once I got home I cracked a stubbie and gave the Bird a long awaited bath. The hole ride was absolutely brilliant and well organized. I highly recommend to any like minded person to register and come along for the ride next year. I know the bride and I will be there again. Check out photos attached to my photo album
Thanks to Simon for the advice of setting up the Bird for the trip and a big thank you to Fast Eddy for sorting out my Corbin and Harstreets. They were great and I couldn't have done the trip without them.
Back ground on the ride:
In 2009, two mates, both police officers and both keen motorcyclist, started a conversation over a beer or two. "How about we organise some mates to ride to Canberra and meet at our National Memorial?"
This idea was ignited from the popularity of an American police motorcycle and charity event held in Austin, Texas.
Known as the "Ride for the Fallen", the ride is a special tribute that honours the service and sacrifices of the many law enforcement officers killed in the service of Texas over its long and proud history.
Each of the Australian Police Forces has a dedicated place of remembrance and reflection, where they pay homage to and remember their police officers who have died as a result of their service to the community. From these sites a very special journey begins with the intention of arriving at the outskirts of our national capital to meet and join the other contingents of riders from across Australia.
In a final gesture of police solidarity and remembrance, the ride travels through Canberra to the National Police Memorial for a short, but poignant ceremony to commence the week in honour of our colleagues and mates; their names recorded on the touch stones of the memorial wall.
Open to serving and retired members (sworn and unsworn) and all other friends, family and proud supporters of policing, the ride is not only a wonderful commemoration of service and sacrifice , but also a fantastic social event for enthusiastic motor cyclists across Australia in celebration of the police family.  
| Dan
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| magpie | | Jupiter | |  | | Reg. Date | : | 12/02/2011 | | Posts | : | 1,507 | | Location | : | NSW, Australia |
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| | Posted : 18 Sep 2012 - 12:48 Post title : Re: National Police Wall to Wall Ride Canberra Australia 2012 (Re: surfing72) | | |
Dan,
You should have contacted me , I live in Tamworth.
Great ride , great cause .
Glad it went well .
Magpie
| Magpie - "I dream of a better world.....where chickens can cross the road without having their motives questioned "
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| surfing72 | | Set | | | | Reg. Date | : | 20/03/2012 | | Posts | : | 483 | | Location | : | Nth, New South Wales, Australia |
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| | Posted : 18 Sep 2012 - 20:44 Post title : Re: National Police Wall to Wall Ride Canberra Australia 2012 (Re: magpie) | | | Magpie,
Mate I'll be sure to look you up next year. We'd stayed at The Oasis on the way into town - interesting.... bloody hell its cold in Tamworth early in the morning. I was even thinking of bringing the family down for the music festival next year. My young bloke and I are mad guitarist so I reckon it would be a great week.
Dan
| Dan
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| Leethal | | Zeus | |  | | Reg. Date | : | 24/01/2011 | | Posts | : | 6,407 | | Location | : | Australia |
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| | Posted : 19 Sep 2012 - 03:09 Post title : Re: National Police Wall to Wall Ride Canberra Australia 2012 (Re: magpie) | | |
magpie wrote:
Dan,
You should have contacted me , I live in Tamworth.
Great ride , great cause .
Glad it went well .
Magpie
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He knows mate, I warned him! 
| Experience is something you get just after you needed it 
1600,Foran Razorbacks, Meerkat bypass, Dyno tune, real headlight,plenty of chrome,switchblade pegs, Hagon Nitro shocks & Ikon progressive fork springs etc. Scorpion Western Low handlebars. PH adjustable fork caps.
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| dribt | | Set | |  | | Reg. Date | : | 31/01/2011 | | Posts | : | 382 | | Location | : | Maitland, NSW, Australia |
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| | Posted : 31 Oct 2012 - 11:09 Post title : Re: National Police Wall to Wall Ride Canberra Australia 2012 (Re: Leethal) | | |
Leethal wrote:
magpie wrote:
Dan,
You should have contacted me , I live in Tamworth.
Great ride , great cause .
Glad it went well .
Magpie
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He knows mate, I warned him! |
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Beat me to it Lee
Cuddle Rob 
| Cheers, Max
________________________________________________
It's about bikes; riding bikes, talking about riding bikes, talking about bikes you ride and talking about rides you've biked...
The young man knows the rules, but the old man knows the exceptions...
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| dribt | | Set | | | | Reg. Date | : | 31/01/2011 | | Posts | : | 382 | | Location | : | Maitland, NSW, Australia |
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| | Posted : 31 Oct 2012 - 11:13 Post title : Re: National Police Wall to Wall Ride Canberra Australia 2012 (Re: surfing72) | | | Sounds like a great event Dan, has the date been set for the 2013 ride yet? I have a son-in-law who is a copper and it sounds like a good way to support him and those who have gone before him and particularly those who have made the ultimate sacrifice for us.
| Cheers, Max
________________________________________________
It's about bikes; riding bikes, talking about riding bikes, talking about bikes you ride and talking about rides you've biked...
The young man knows the rules, but the old man knows the exceptions...
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| simons_thunder | | Set | |  | | Reg. Date | : | 20/07/2010 | | Posts | : | 248 | | Location | : | Melbourne, Victoria, Australia |
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| | Posted : 31 Oct 2012 - 11:32 Post title : Re: National Police Wall to Wall Ride Canberra Australia 2012 (Re: magpie) | | | Glad the trip went well Dan. The multi day ones are awesome. Have you gained some kudos for providing a decent seat?
I need to get a gripper for the pillion part. Shaz uses a piece of drawer liner material at the moment which works well to stop her sliding, especially forward.
Just in the throws of making up a bracket to fit my Iron Horse Overnight bag on to the Corbin backrest.
Will let you know how it goes.
My nephew Cam Pevitt (14 years old) was in the lead Harley sidecar for the coppers run to Canberra and left from Melbourne.
Said it was cold but his dad didn't dress him properley as he's not a biker himself. I was thinking I might do it next year but I would like to do that Black Dog ride too.
I really just want to ride all the time!
Simon
| Heated grips, heated seats, electric screen...etc...etc..
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| surfing72 | | Set | | | | Reg. Date | : | 20/03/2012 | | Posts | : | 483 | | Location | : | Nth, New South Wales, Australia |
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| | Posted : 31 Oct 2012 - 22:34 Post title : Re: National Police Wall to Wall Ride Canberra Australia 2012 (Re: dribt) | | | Max,
I'm not aware of a date yet but will submit a post to generate some interest as soon as I find out. Does the son in law ride? If not you might have to tell the daughter to get rid of him and upgrade.
Dan
| Dan
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| surfing72 | | Set | | | | Reg. Date | : | 20/03/2012 | | Posts | : | 483 | | Location | : | Nth, New South Wales, Australia |
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| | Posted : 31 Oct 2012 - 22:47 Post title : Re: National Police Wall to Wall Ride Canberra Australia 2012 (Re: simons_thunder) | | | Simon,
Yeah the corbin is a ripper. Thanks again for putting me onto Fast Eddy. Those slim bags are indeed slim bags. We got buy with them and a small back pack but we wouldn't have wanted to have been gone for more than the 5 days. You can only turn your undies inside out so many times Mate if your nephew was not dressed properly he would have frozen. It was shocking the next morning leaving canberra. You southerners can have it all to yourselves down there. I''m staying up here on the north coast where you a supposed to ride motorbikes.
If any of you guys do the run next year we'll have to meet for a schooner or 10 in canberra. The Black Dog ride is an excellent reason to get on your bike. Plenty of people doing it tough from depression. Maybe they just all need a Tbird in the garage to change things a little. Dan
| Dan
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| surfing72 | | Set | | | | Reg. Date | : | 20/03/2012 | | Posts | : | 483 | | Location | : | Nth, New South Wales, Australia |
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| | Posted : 10 Sep 2014 - 20:50 Post title : Re: National Police Wall to Wall Ride Canberra Australia 2012 (Re: surfing72) | | | Just about to jump on the Bird with the bride and roll down the hill from the QLD/NSW border to Canberra (2500km return 5 days) for the 3rd year in a row. We should have about 1500 bikes on this years trip and the sun is shining. Can't wait to get going. I've got 2 Gopro cameras mounted this year for different angles so will post a youtube link when I get back.
Stay upright,
Dan
| Dan
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| Jimbo | | Jupiter | |  | | Reg. Date | : | 25/01/2010 | | Posts | : | 1,032 | | Location | : | Queanbeyan, N.S.W., Australia |
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| | Posted : 10 Sep 2014 - 22:22 Post title : Re: National Police Wall to Wall Ride Canberra Australia 2012 (Re: surfing72) | | | Hey Dan,
They're a bit more organised this year. Start point/muster point down here will be at Exhibition Park and the ride will go straight down Northbourne Ave, across the Lake, up to the Big House and down over the Lake again to the Memorial Wall.
I'm working so look out for a Ford Territory Ambulance Supervisor's car trying to force you off the road!!
Have a great and safe ride down!
| Cheers
Jimbo (Bishop) 
Keep the black side trackside and the shiny side up!
Veterans MC - Federal Chapter
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| surfing72 | | Set | | | | Reg. Date | : | 20/03/2012 | | Posts | : | 483 | | Location | : | Nth, New South Wales, Australia |
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| | Posted : 25 Sep 2014 - 09:46 Post title : Re: National Police Wall to Wall Ride Canberra Australia 2012 (Re: surfing72) | | | Well here it is! A 20 minute youtube movie of this years 2300km 5 day ride. QLD / NSW border to Canberra. Probably pretty boring for anyone that didn't go on the ride as it is essentially a video of a bloke riding in a straight line for 5 days but have a look anyway. I tried a few different angles with the Gopro. See what you think?? Had a blast this year despite the rain. Can't wait for next year. If you don't like ACDC then hit mute or get some taste in music.......LOL
Link
| Dan
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| GeordieT | | Set | | | Reg. Date | : | 18/01/2014 | | Posts | : | 32 | | Location | : | Ashington, Northumberland, United Kingdom |
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| | Posted : 25 Sep 2014 - 12:32 Post title : Re: National Police Wall to Wall Ride Canberra Australia 2012 (Re: surfing72) | | | What a cracking ride and at least we're not the only ones who get wet
Geordie
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| Dags | | Set | |  | | Reg. Date | : | 01/11/2013 | | Posts | : | 468 | | Location | : | N.S.W, Australia |
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| | Posted : 25 Sep 2014 - 12:37 Post title : Re: National Police Wall to Wall Ride Canberra Australia 2012 (Re: surfing72) | | | Nice vid Dan, was half expecting AC/DC to mute while you went through those tunnels.
| Dags
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| AleXL4 | | Chaac | | | | Reg. Date | : | 17/09/2012 | | Posts | : | 571 | | Location | : | Gympie, Queensland, Australia |
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| | Posted : 26 Sep 2014 - 00:09 Post title : Re: National Police Wall to Wall Ride Canberra Australia 2012 (Re: surfing72) | | | Hello Dan,
Nice video and a great ride mate.
Cheers Alex
PS. Good taste in music too.
| Enjoying the Journey
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| Beamy | | Set | |  | | Reg. Date | : | 01/01/2014 | | Posts | : | 28 | | Location | : | Mount Gambier, South Australia, Australia |
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| | Posted : 16 Oct 2014 - 00:05 Post title : Re: National Police Wall to Wall Ride Canberra Australia 2012 (Re: AleXL4) | | | Great Acka Dacka and video Dan.. I rode with the SA contingent. The weather was a bit kinder for us; had a ball.
Cheers Scott
| Thunder Down Under
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| surfing72 | | Set | | | | Reg. Date | : | 20/03/2012 | | Posts | : | 483 | | Location | : | Nth, New South Wales, Australia |
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| | Posted : 18 Oct 2014 - 04:31 Post title : Re: National Police Wall to Wall Ride Canberra Australia 2012 (Re: Beamy) | | | Yeah mate top ride. Can't wait for next year. How many KM's / days ride for you SA blokes?
| Dan
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| Beamy | | Set | | | | Reg. Date | : | 01/01/2014 | | Posts | : | 28 | | Location | : | Mount Gambier, South Australia, Australia |
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| | Posted : 19 Oct 2014 - 23:02 Post title : Re: National Police Wall to Wall Ride Canberra Australia 2012 (Re: surfing72) | | | For me, it was a day either side (of the other guys) and 440k to Adelaide. 70 odd riders left on the Wednesday and most would've returned by the following Tuesday. So it was around 3600k all up for me; and 8 nights on the gas. 1st night made Halls Gap.. then a nice trip through Victoria's wine & Kelly country. Night 2 Albury. Then Canberra 2 nights before run home via Griffith, across Hay plains to Mildura and the Riverland.
Only issue was having to stop at Griffith's Trump dealer to check on a minor coolant leak and was only a matter of tightening a hose clamp.. otherwise the 'Bird didn't miss a beat. Only bike to fail and need a trailer was.. you guessed it. A Harley..
But our ride was no where near as adventurous as some though. The week before I left, I entertained some Northern Territory Long Riders who had begun their run in Darwin.. They rode the 'Wall to Wall.. to Wall.. to Wall.. to Wall.. to Wall Tour'!... visited Adelaide's, Melbourne's, Tassie's, Sydney's respective State Police Wall's of Rememberance; before getting to Canberra. Now that's a ride!
| Thunder Down Under
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| surfing72 | | Set | | | | Reg. Date | : | 20/03/2012 | | Posts | : | 483 | | Location | : | Nth, New South Wales, Australia |
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| | Posted : 20 Oct 2014 - 04:20 Post title : Re: National Police Wall to Wall Ride Canberra Australia 2012 (Re: Beamy) | | |
| Dan
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| essbjay | | Set | |  | | Reg. Date | : | 01/02/2012 | | Posts | : | 328 | | Location | : | Melbourne (ex Lowestoft, UK), VIC, Australia |
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| | Posted : 17 Nov 2014 - 13:39 Post title : Re: National Police Wall to Wall Ride Canberra Australia 2012 (Re: surfing72) | | | Bump
| Colin Chapman once said: "If you add horsepower you'll be quick on the straight,...but if you remove weight you'll be quicker everywhere.." ....so why in hell did I buy a Thunderbird...!!!
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| Irish | | Chaac | |  | | Reg. Date | : | 28/10/2013 | | Posts | : | 854 | | Location | : | New England, NSW, Australia |
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| | Posted : 29 Nov 2014 - 10:19 Post title : Re: National Police Wall to Wall Ride Canberra Australia 2012 (Re: AleXL4) | | | just noticed the video Dan and really enjoyed it. looks like you had a great ride. I loved following the whole road, one I have ridden many times, great sound track and I loved the white bull terrier just before you left Canberra
yell out if you are ever coming down the New England
cheers
Dermot
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| surfing72 | | Set | | | | Reg. Date | : | 20/03/2012 | | Posts | : | 483 | | Location | : | Nth, New South Wales, Australia |
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| | Posted : 09 Sep 2015 - 20:29 Post title : Re: National Police Wall to Wall Ride Canberra Australia 2012 (Re: surfing72) | | | OK here we go again for the fourth year in a row on the Tbird. The bride and I are just about to hop on the bike and head down the road to Canberra from the QLD / NSW border for the 2015 Wall to Wall ride. Can't wait! Day 1 home to Tamworth, Day 2 Tamworth to Foresters Beach, Day 3 Forresters Beach to Canberra, Day 4 Canberra to Port Macquarie and then Day 5 Port to home. Even purchased my first full face helmet for the ride this year (Arai Vector 2) must be getting old.........
| Dan
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| Irish | | Chaac | | | | Reg. Date | : | 28/10/2013 | | Posts | : | 854 | | Location | : | New England, NSW, Australia |
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| | Posted : 10 Sep 2015 - 02:19 Post title : Re: National Police Wall to Wall Ride Canberra Australia 2012 (Re: surfing72) | | | Hi dan, I would have loved to hop in for some of the ride with you guys, but have missed you now I think. I live in Uralla on the Highway, and am chucking a sickie tomorrow and heading to tamworth for a new back tyre[michellin commander11 of course}
anyhow,I hope you all have a good trip
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| surfing72 | | Set | | | | Reg. Date | : | 20/03/2012 | | Posts | : | 483 | | Location | : | Nth, New South Wales, Australia |
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| | Posted : 14 Sep 2015 - 07:12 Post title : Re: National Police Wall to Wall Ride Canberra Australia 2015 (Re: Irish) | | |
Irish wrote:
Hi dan, I would have loved to hop in for some of the ride with you guys, but have missed you now I think. I live in Uralla on the Highway, and am chucking a sickie tomorrow and heading to tamworth for a new back tyre[michellin commander11 of course}
anyhow,I hope you all have a good trip |
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Hey Irish we just got back and loved the ride around your neck of the woods. I am planning an over nighter at Uralla for early next year with a few of the boys. It looks like a great little town with a brewery and a couple of pubs. I'll shout out when we are coming your way. What pub would be the best to stay at so I can start organising things??
For the rest of you here a few pics taken. No video this year as it would have been much the same as the one in my previous link for last year. Great time though. Can't wait for next year. Over 2000 riders this year so growing every year.
Some rules are meant to be broken
Nice old Kwaka
Old Nymboida Pub still closed???
| Dan
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| Irish | | Chaac | | | | Reg. Date | : | 28/10/2013 | | Posts | : | 854 | | Location | : | New England, NSW, Australia |
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| | Posted : 14 Sep 2015 - 23:36 Post title : Re: National Police Wall to Wall Ride Canberra Australia 2015 (Re: surfing72) | | |
surfing72 wrote:
Irish wrote:
Hi dan, I would have loved to hop in for some of the ride with you guys, but have missed you now I think. I live in Uralla on the Highway, and am chucking a sickie tomorrow and heading to tamworth for a new back tyre[michellin commander11 of course}
anyhow,I hope you all have a good trip |
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Hey Irish we just got back and loved the ride around your neck of the woods. I am planning an over nighter at Uralla for early next year with a few of the boys. It looks like a great little town with a brewery and a couple of pubs. I'll shout out when we are coming your way. What pub would be the best to stay at so I can start organising things??
For the rest of you here a few pics taken. No video this year as it would have been much the same as the one in my previous link for last year. Great time though. Can't wait for next year. Over 2000 riders this year so growing every year.
Some rules are meant to be broken
Nice old Kwaka
Old Nymboida Pub still closed???
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good stuff,Dan The Top Pub is the best place to stay, and they do special biker rates as well. Link let me know when you are coming down and I will be in for some riding with you guys. loads of great roads to explore up this way.
Dermot
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