A ride - The 4 ferries but something got in the way.

The plan for today was; 

I was to lead a ride for and with the St George Sutherland Branch of the Ulysses Club. It was to be the 4 ferries starting at the 7 Eleven at Berowra.

Ferries, dear reader in this case are boats propelled by cables which cross rivers carrying vehicles.
 
The planned route was down to Berowra Waters and cross on the ferry there onto Sackville and cross on the ferry there little side trip to Ebenezer Church for coffee / tea and scones, jam and cream for the other riders. Back on the motorcycle and on to The Lower Portland Ferry after the crossing left into the The River Road with a little bit of dirt to Wiseman's Ferry and a ferry crossing there and onto Spencer for lunch. That being 4 ferries and so the ride's name.

The advertised details were, departure at 9:30 am with a briefing at 9:15 am.

At 9:00 am I was alone and started a conversation with another rider who was waiting for his friend and informed me the 'Bridge to Bridge' speedboat race was on. I checked Live Traffic and there, found the ferries would be operating intermittently during the day.

Pondering where everybody is?

9:20 am Peter arrived on his Triumph Sprint GT then Greg, on his BMW K100RS who had phoned to say he was running late.

So it would be just us three. It was decided due the speedboat race to head for the Stone Cottage on the Wiseman's Ferry Road for coffee / tea / hot chocolate and see what have been baked. From there we would plan the next stage.

Geared up, engines started, side stands up and away we went, turned off the highway and headed for Berowra Waters. At the second roundabout, I missed the turnoff but fortunately the others didn't so it was just me doing the now required U turn.

Peter had gone ahead and Greg and I caught with him at Berowra Ferry.

I think they are discussing me missing the turnoff.

The gates are about to be closed and we will cross Berowra Waters.

View from the ferry.

Another view from the ferry.

From here to The Old Northern Road at Arcadia then Cattai Ridge Old. The map at the bottom shows the route and the link takes you to the map for you to work out.

Along this part we discovered charity cycle ride was in progress but going the other way.

We turned onto the Wiseman's Ferry road and continued to Maroota and the Stone House. We stopped and discovered it to be closed. We continued to Wiseman's Ferry as there is a koisk there where we could have coffee and food.

We arrived at the ferries and the queue was surprising short but the ferries do like to be going as there were people photographing the race from them.

In the queue waiting to board the ferry. BMW K100RS, Kawsaki 1000 GTR and Triumph Sprint GT.

We stopped at the Kiosk and as we finished, the ferries opened their gates for traffic so we jumped on the bike and boarded ready for the crossing. While we waiting we had a chat the the ferry captain and time slipped by and we were soon underway. The other ferry with the cars looked to be ahead and would land first putting cars in front of us for the trip to Spencer. Somehow, thanks the ferries' crews we were on the road to Spencer first.

The food stop / shop.

The speedboats pass as we have coffee though someone had hot chocolate and ate some food.

Almost ready to board. Another speedboat passing.

On board and ready to depart. No Harley apparel today.

The good old Kawasaki 1000 GTR. Catching its breathe on the ferry crossing.

I spotted moss on the side of the road on parts and Greg later told us at Spencer of the front of his bike slipping on the moss on the road.

We arrived in Spencer for lunch.

The Spencer General store. Great food and worth the stop.

Interesting sign. So, is Spencer?

 

After lunch back to the road and trip continuing north to Central Mangrove then Peat's Ride down the freeway to the Hawkesbury River and the 'Old Road' up to the 'Pie in The Sky'. An enjoyable run around the curves. Having eaten our fill at the Spencer it was time for the farewells and thanks for sharing the ride.

I didn't mention the 'Monkey Bikes' at the Pie in the Sky.

We all then went our own ways and got to see some Gentlemen in Blue doing their job near where the toll booths used to be. We were following a Learner at well below 60 kilometres an hour so they lost interest as we approached and one lower his appliance.

The road we travelled:  

Click on the map to get a Google Map of the trip.

Thanks to Peter and Greg for sharing the ride and some great tales over coffees and food.

The only reasons I can think of for there only being 3 of us.
The Ulysses Club AGM is on in Alice Springs the following week.
Hobbits don't like heading north away from 'The Shire'.
The wet roads and an incorrect forecast of rain had people staying at home.