Return to Riding – May 2020
Some of the restrictions of the last several weeks have now been lifted and what a relief that is and brings. It has meant that for the first time in, seemingly, forever we can go for a joint motorcycle ride. Our last joint ride was in late February 2020 and at that stage, we were looking at possible options for our 4 weeks leave. Those plans changed dramatically and the world closed up after that.
As restrictions loosened up at midnight on Friday 1 May 2020, we set out before dawn on Saturday morning to see the sunrise. It was worth it. The crack of intense light, in a stream, as the sun breaks the horizon doesn’t last long but it is glorious – the bringing of something new and unique, a new day filled with new opportunities or simply some time to do something at your leisure. Chilly and fresh with a lovely lazy wind, the sunrise was majestic and, as always, a feat of nature. We moseyed from the east of Brisbane to Cleveland then on to Wellington Point where we watched a chap carry his pooch out to a sandbank, then set him/her down so they could scamper along the sandbank – cannot get belly wet when walking out. It was lovely.
Breakfast followed at the delightful K&K Austrian Café – a place we will be going back to when things are open properly and probably for snacks in any event. Their sausage rolls were close to the best I have ever had. The pastries, well, you just have to go and try for yourself. We followed this with a quick run to Ikea for some tea light candles and then home.
By this stage, I was chilled through and could not get warm, even after a lovely shower. Our came a gorgeous thick humper I bought in Denmark which would have little use in Queensland normally. A little early afternoon nap seemed to help ease that dilemma, with light blanket tucked in, and life resumed as usual. We have covered about 120km over the course of 2 hours travelling time.
I am intrigued by the $0.37 price variation in fuel. It is clear that there is price gouging going on, especially when the dollar has not changed much against the American dollar nor has much else changed, other than increased demand (not even 24 hours old) so people can travel a 50km radius from home.
Sunday dawned with another spectacular day. Instead of sewing, it was back on the back. This time out through to Indooroopilly (Stamford Road Bakery) then on through Dinmore, next to the cattle years which still have a unique smell in the air – it is so concentrated and just seems to hang. We pass through Fernvale where the queue was ridiculous at the bakery and up through Wivenhoe Dam then to Mt Glorious where it was wonderful to see the bikers out for a blat, blowing out the cobwebs and generally enjoying the day. As we embarked on the road to Mt Glorious, there was a sign on a tree: This mountain doesn’t take prisoners. And, she doesn’t. She is unforgiving yet amazingly beautiful, winding and challenging.
There is a marked temperature drop as we rise, every bit of 7 degrees. The wind is also still hanging around and bringing the ground temperature down. Stand still, in the shade, and it’s quite chilly. Stand still in the sun and the riding jacket comes off pretty quickly – the quilted liner too, but it remains in place as back on the bike it offers a nice warming layer.
We complete Tourist Drive 9. There are many in Queensland and they are worth the explore. I am pleased to see children climbing trees this weekend – there is something so innocent about their play and the joy they have from scaling the heights. We have travelled a gentle 175km or thereabouts.
We also spend some of our weekend with some lovely friends, both single whom we are not currently allowed to visit due to the restrictions so we have some drinks together at home. It is lovely to see friends again. Soon, hopefully, the restrictions will lift and we will be able to enjoy travel and the ability to visit places again. For now, we are extremely grateful for this window of opportunity to enjoy the fresh air, to breathe in the forest air, to appreciate the cool air, to feel the tarmac, to be out and about and enjoying the simple pleasure of being on a motorbike. It is not about the speed, when we are on the bike. It is about the freedom, the wind in your face, the smells, the heat of the tarmac, the lack of restriction from windows and the metal frame around you. There is nothing but you and nature, the ability to see directly and admire the birds gliding on the thermals. It’s something pretty special and all the more so, as it has been off limits for a couple of months. Here’s to more adventures and reduced restrictions.
