Well the inaugural national BMW Motorrad Rally went off with a bang.
Stepping their toes in the water for the first time, the organisers would have been happy with anything over 20 entrants; they got 80+ in the end. People from the QLD, NSW, ACT, VIC and SA clubs all in attendance. It was quite informal, no bike shows etc. Basically a meet and greet at a nominated pub on the Friday night, a group ride on the Saturday, the dinner/presentations on Saturday night and a final BBQ breakfast on Sunday morning.
Friday night was great, getting to meet mates I haven't seen for years plus new people too. Bikes of all BMW generations from well-travelled rats to shiny K1600s and nobody cared less what you were riding, just that you were there.
Saturdays ride was good overall with a sad note unfortunately. Roughly an hour out to Mt Hope pub for lunch and the same return via a different route. No towns in between, open roads but some wildlife(Kangaroos, Emus, Cattle) about made you keep your eyes open. I found that my sidecar will sit on 157 but it hasn't got anymore left.
Unfortunately one of the riders (a member of my own club-BMWTCNSW) riding on the dirt road option had an Emu run in front of him which he hit. He landed 30 metres on from where his bike stopped. A companion rider went to find phone signal to call help. Picked up by ambulance to transfer to the air ambulance, he went into cardiac arrest and could not be revived. Our club is still coming to terms with his loss, we haven't lost a rider this way since 1978.
The Saturday night event was very social, old friends, new friends etc. Very generous support from Motohansa in Sydney. Once the news about Ian arrived with the police it changed the night for me and my lot obviously.
Sunday mornings BBQ breakfast at the boatramp was a nice way to say goodbye before heading for home:
More Kwality examples of Aussies K series sidecars
I hope that someone picks up the ball and runs with it for another rally in 2016.
On the way home @ Caragabal, we split the run and camped overnight at Carcoar Dam. Starting to get warm, I hate summer.
Al