Lunch atop Mt Victoria
We've discussed before how I'm just a big girl, and how it is completely appropriate that I go on rides with Girls Ride Out. Well Laura got an email about a ride to Mt Victoria so we decided it could be fun and would go.
We hit an early snag when we woke up after 8:00am and didn't get moving until almost 9:30. The first meeting point was at Rose Hill some 30-odd minutes away, and was set at 8:30 for a 9:00am departure. Hoping to catch the group at the second meeting point (Richmond Airforce base at 10:00 for a 10:30 departure), we lead-wristed it in what I hoped was the right direction.
Laura's riding is really good, we were able to make time along the way (we needed to, I was certain we would miss the group). We got to the outskirts of Parramatta where the directions got a bit hazy - I decided to follow the signs to Richmond but think we got taken the long way.
Happily we made it with minutes to spare, got separated into groups (I ride with the L and P platers, where some of my nastier friends would suggest I belong), and rode out. It was a little tricky with getting through the traffic with such a big group to begin with, but we were so far out west it thinned out pretty quickly.
Turning to the map
We got to the pub (is it called the Imperial? Quick look on the web, yes it is, Hotel Imperial) right on lunch-time - a nice change as quite a number of Laura and my rides result in either late or no lunch. The gents at the hotel had a strange attraction - what they claim as one of the oldest working flush-loos. Curiously it still rests in its original cubicle, though the cubicle door is now full-height glass with some (interesting) historic facts printed on signs next to the bowl, including a challenge to find an older working model (a challenge I declined). I haven't got a photo of it because, well, when I was going to the bathroom I hadn't considered that there might be something worth photographing.
After lunch (the world's most expensive steak sandwich) we kept the yap going with our riding friends when Isabella (Isabella necessary on a bike yeah yeah heard it before) pulled out her iridology equipment and, well, started performing iridology. A believer I am not, but the girls all seemed to love it, as did Paul, and even Laura got her turn. I think the recommendation for Laura was to eat more schnitzel and pork-bellies, but I could be mistaken.
It was time to head home and like a genius I did a u-turn over double white lines right in front of a clearly-marked and very conspicuous police car (with Laura copying me). I think in this stupid-nazi-police-state that means a mandatory $22,000 fine and automatic 6 months imprisonment and a 5 year driving ban and your vehicle destroyed. As overzealous as most plods are when it comes to traffic violations, this guy seemed to miss us. I didn't stick around too long to enjoy my good fortune - Laura and I left the rest of the group behind and headed home sharpishly before John Q Law realised what we had just done and had a chance to change his mind.
The ride home seemed quite a bit quicker than the ride there, although it was still quite a long way for my bacon on such a narrow seat, and for Laura who is still a novice (though a very competent one). We got home after the footy started and I was tired and sore so the promised washing of the bikes didn't eventuate. Maybe next weekend.