Arrived in Brisbane, planes delayed, torrential downpour and all my luggage got wet! We taxied out to the ferry to get to Tangalooma Resort on Moreton Island and it was delayed….. Upon arrival we were advised to take shoes & socks off roll up pants and wade through the water to our rooms. Not a great start to a motorcycle adventure! Harley Davidson Australia loaned us bikes for the trip.
The practice bike day on the race track for the next day was cancelled (it was under water and 100k winds) and we had our first briefing. 40 women all having had treatment, or still undergoing treatment for breast cancer ( some living or as we have decided thriving with metastatic cancer) from Australia, USA, NZ, South Africa & Hong Kong aged from 30s to late 50s, 31 bikes and 3 support vans. Some had learnt to ride a motorcycle just to go on the ride, some rode every day and others like me hadn’t ridden for 20 years. We also had a researcher travelling with us. That night a few wines & karaoke broke the ice and those of us who hadn’t met before became friends. As we didn’t have to ride the next day and the sun came out we were offered options including quad biking, kayaking, sand tobogganing, 4 wheel driving or just lazing around. Mingi from Hong Kong & I went kayaking, tobogganing & swimming (it was a bit cool…). That night we got to hand feed wild (well almost) dolphins.
The next day we headed out to Morgan & Wacker a Harley Davidson dealer in Brisbane, to start the ride. Having never ridden a Harley before, and with no practice it was an adventure just getting out of the dealers! I was allocated a Fat Bob (who I loved and called BOB) which was about twice the engine size of my Suzuki 650. We had a police escort for the first part & managed to safely leave Brisbane, through traffic, in state patrol formation - not a bad effort. A lot of time & effort had gone into the ride and we were in small groups within the large group keeping our international riders on the left side of the road. Our first night was Warwick.
We left Warwick and it rained, and rained and rained. We rode through a natural disaster that we didn’t create! Harleys are traditionally (so we thought) ridden in good weather….. we rode through mud, river crossings, road works and got re routed a lot, roads closed, flooded, bridges washed away. We missed our media stops, food stops and sometimes our turn offs. The highlight of the day was the Woodenbong CWAs biggest morning tea for cancer. I assumed that we had been invited to it but we actually crashed it .It was a welcome sight, dry, hot teat/coffee & lots of food. The ladies went and restocked for us. Then the locals all came out to wave us off. Apparently each year someone crashes it! There was some urgency to get out of town as the only road out was starting to go under… we rode through about 10cm of water. The day continued more of the same viz was appalling, and we missed Byron Bay but safely made Lennox Head for the night.
The next day- yea no downpours just drizzle. Still roads were closed and our way into Coffs Harbor was changed. We had 2 bikes broken down by now, but there was plenty of room in the dry support vans.
Breakfast at Coffs Harbour Harley dealers I was greeted by one of our own Breast Intentions Support group members Jenny, who had moved north. Our route again changed and we headed through some fantastic roads through rain forests and mountains toward Armidale. It was the best morning of riding we had clear skies and dry roads. Our overseas visitors were thrilled to see lots of kangaroos in the paddocks. One got up close & personal with Sandra and she wasn’t too pleased. Alas after missing a turn and back tracking we had to ride on into the night. This was a hard long day; luckily we had 2 spare riders as the ride was taking its toll on some of the women. We reached Walcha in the dark, cold & after a group dinner we fell into bed.
But the next day up and at ‘em again. A beautiful day riding of through the hills, encountering log trucks and introducing the visitors to droving cattle feeding on the side of the road. The older cows, happy and ignoring us, but the young heifers were not too keen on 29 loud Harleys. One broke away from the mob and of course decided to get up close with a member of our group. We were all expecting it to run through us and it did! Evasive action taken and no dramas. We made a lunch put on by the local breast cancer support group and the local Ulysses group met us as well. Newcastle awaited, and we headed out for dinner.
Breakfast at Frasers Harley dealers and we headed out to Wollombi pub - a great ride and a great lunch. We followed the Hawkesbury River and got to do several ferry crossings, arriving at Wisemans Ferry for the night. Finally I felt up to a night of partying, singing & dancing. We had the place to ourselves (which was not a bad thing as those of you who have heard me sing will agree to!)
The next day ferries, good weather and a fabulous ride along Bells Line of Road with amazing views of the Blue Mountains. A quick visit to the Three Sisters Lookout for a photo shoot before dinner, our last as a group.
Last day on to Springwood at Oriental Hotel for an organized lunch. The last couple of days were much more civilized riding and how I expected most of the ride to be. We made it through Sydney in formation, over the Harbour Bridge an awesome sight. We finished at Frasers Harley dealers at Concord where I sadly had to give back my keys to Bob back. My mate Heyzie who couldn’t make the ride flew up for the finish and after party. This ride was for both of us.
The ride was exceptionally well organized and executed. The women were all different and all amazing in their own ways. We came from varied backgrounds but all gelled together to work together as a group. People shared their lives, laughs and tears as well as their Harleys! Together we raised over $95,000 for breast cancer, and rode over 2000ks. I have made friends that will stay with me forever. It was not the ride I was expecting but definitely the ride of my life.
I thank all of you who supported me in achieving this goal. It is one I will never forget.
(Next holiday Andrew & I will be lounging on a beach snorkeling being fed & watered.)
Cheers Jo
The practice bike day on the race track for the next day was cancelled (it was under water and 100k winds) and we had our first briefing. 40 women all having had treatment, or still undergoing treatment for breast cancer ( some living or as we have decided thriving with metastatic cancer) from Australia, USA, NZ, South Africa & Hong Kong aged from 30s to late 50s, 31 bikes and 3 support vans. Some had learnt to ride a motorcycle just to go on the ride, some rode every day and others like me hadn’t ridden for 20 years. We also had a researcher travelling with us. That night a few wines & karaoke broke the ice and those of us who hadn’t met before became friends. As we didn’t have to ride the next day and the sun came out we were offered options including quad biking, kayaking, sand tobogganing, 4 wheel driving or just lazing around. Mingi from Hong Kong & I went kayaking, tobogganing & swimming (it was a bit cool…). That night we got to hand feed wild (well almost) dolphins.
The next day we headed out to Morgan & Wacker a Harley Davidson dealer in Brisbane, to start the ride. Having never ridden a Harley before, and with no practice it was an adventure just getting out of the dealers! I was allocated a Fat Bob (who I loved and called BOB) which was about twice the engine size of my Suzuki 650. We had a police escort for the first part & managed to safely leave Brisbane, through traffic, in state patrol formation - not a bad effort. A lot of time & effort had gone into the ride and we were in small groups within the large group keeping our international riders on the left side of the road. Our first night was Warwick.
We left Warwick and it rained, and rained and rained. We rode through a natural disaster that we didn’t create! Harleys are traditionally (so we thought) ridden in good weather….. we rode through mud, river crossings, road works and got re routed a lot, roads closed, flooded, bridges washed away. We missed our media stops, food stops and sometimes our turn offs. The highlight of the day was the Woodenbong CWAs biggest morning tea for cancer. I assumed that we had been invited to it but we actually crashed it .It was a welcome sight, dry, hot teat/coffee & lots of food. The ladies went and restocked for us. Then the locals all came out to wave us off. Apparently each year someone crashes it! There was some urgency to get out of town as the only road out was starting to go under… we rode through about 10cm of water. The day continued more of the same viz was appalling, and we missed Byron Bay but safely made Lennox Head for the night.
The next day- yea no downpours just drizzle. Still roads were closed and our way into Coffs Harbor was changed. We had 2 bikes broken down by now, but there was plenty of room in the dry support vans.
Breakfast at Coffs Harbour Harley dealers I was greeted by one of our own Breast Intentions Support group members Jenny, who had moved north. Our route again changed and we headed through some fantastic roads through rain forests and mountains toward Armidale. It was the best morning of riding we had clear skies and dry roads. Our overseas visitors were thrilled to see lots of kangaroos in the paddocks. One got up close & personal with Sandra and she wasn’t too pleased. Alas after missing a turn and back tracking we had to ride on into the night. This was a hard long day; luckily we had 2 spare riders as the ride was taking its toll on some of the women. We reached Walcha in the dark, cold & after a group dinner we fell into bed.
But the next day up and at ‘em again. A beautiful day riding of through the hills, encountering log trucks and introducing the visitors to droving cattle feeding on the side of the road. The older cows, happy and ignoring us, but the young heifers were not too keen on 29 loud Harleys. One broke away from the mob and of course decided to get up close with a member of our group. We were all expecting it to run through us and it did! Evasive action taken and no dramas. We made a lunch put on by the local breast cancer support group and the local Ulysses group met us as well. Newcastle awaited, and we headed out for dinner.
Breakfast at Frasers Harley dealers and we headed out to Wollombi pub - a great ride and a great lunch. We followed the Hawkesbury River and got to do several ferry crossings, arriving at Wisemans Ferry for the night. Finally I felt up to a night of partying, singing & dancing. We had the place to ourselves (which was not a bad thing as those of you who have heard me sing will agree to!)
The next day ferries, good weather and a fabulous ride along Bells Line of Road with amazing views of the Blue Mountains. A quick visit to the Three Sisters Lookout for a photo shoot before dinner, our last as a group.
Last day on to Springwood at Oriental Hotel for an organized lunch. The last couple of days were much more civilized riding and how I expected most of the ride to be. We made it through Sydney in formation, over the Harbour Bridge an awesome sight. We finished at Frasers Harley dealers at Concord where I sadly had to give back my keys to Bob back. My mate Heyzie who couldn’t make the ride flew up for the finish and after party. This ride was for both of us.
The ride was exceptionally well organized and executed. The women were all different and all amazing in their own ways. We came from varied backgrounds but all gelled together to work together as a group. People shared their lives, laughs and tears as well as their Harleys! Together we raised over $95,000 for breast cancer, and rode over 2000ks. I have made friends that will stay with me forever. It was not the ride I was expecting but definitely the ride of my life.
I thank all of you who supported me in achieving this goal. It is one I will never forget.
(Next holiday Andrew & I will be lounging on a beach snorkeling being fed & watered.)
Cheers Jo
