The last Sunday of the month is Illawarra Riders Breakfast Ride. This is a tradition that goes back quite a few years and it happens all year round, So yesterday we, of the Northern Contingent, met at Hungry Jacks at Yallah in preparation for riding to Angels Cafe at Huskisson. Perhaps I should explain. Most of our number live in and around the Wollongong area so breakfast rides normally take place in and around the Illawarra but quite a few of our number live in and around the Nowra area as well, so we always schedule a few breakfasts at a cafe in that area as well so that they don’t miss out.
And the term “Northern Contingent” rang a bit hollow yesterday when the total number of its representatives at the set-out point was 2; yes, 2. Quite a few others had said they were coming but, at the last minute, as the good book says, “..they all with one consent began to make excuses.” So, in the end it was just Paul and me. Another rider did turn up but he wasn’t an IRA member yet and was doing his own quick ride before heading home to get his head into the books (school teacher). Pity, as he also is a VFR owner, causing Wombat to remark that VFRs are taking over the club by stealth!
John and Harry were also coming to breakfast but bike woes meant that they were “caging” it. Above we see Harry refereeing the argument between Paul and me as to who would be lead rider in the group and who would ride sweep.
A few local car enthusiasts were there as well, getting ready to head out on their own breakfast drive.
Now I need to explain that one of the main reasons for having Brekkie Rides is so that we can ride. We could just as easily have breakfast locally but the emphasis is firmly on the “ride” section of the name rather than the “breakfast” part. So, even if the destination is close by, we always contrive to find the most convoluted and enjoyable way of getting to it. And yesterday was no exception.
Huskisson, that lovely little town on the edge of Jervis Bay, is about 90kms from the start point and it would be very easy to get there by riding straight down the Princes Highway, as Yallah is on the road. Instead, however, our route goes somewhat like this. From Yallah we head along the Old Illawarra Highway to Albion Park, then along the Jamberoo Road to Kiama (wonderful twisties all along the way). At the top of the hill we cut left through the quarry and back onto the Princes, taking in the famous Kiama Bends before slipping off into Gerringong, through Gerroa and down the old road that parallels Seven Mile Beach and ultimately emerges back on the highway again just north of Nowra. Fortunately it was totally deserted yesterday morning so we had a great run. After entering Nowra, we cut east again along some “C” roads through the picturesque dairy farming towns along the floodplain of the Shoalhaven River. The road takes many twists and turns and finishes up on Forest Road that leads, through some wonderful sweeping bends, back to the highway again south of the town.
Another transport stage along the highway until the turn off, east towards Jervis Bay onto the road to Huskisson, a left turn soon after to get there via some wonderful sweepers and the little town of Woollamia, popping out at the town just opposite the oval. And this was what awaited.
Nothing like a good, healthy breakfast! Our two “cagers” were already there as well as our Southern Contingent members and the sun was shining. The appetite was sharpened, breakfast was great, the conversation sparkling and the effort of getting there was well and truly rewarded. AND, we got to go home along the same entertaining roads when we were done. Win-win.
Incidentally, quite how the town of Huskisson got to be named after the first person ever to be killed in a train accident, I don’t really know.
The tragic death of William Huskisson
It is, indeed, a long way to the shop, but we have a way of making it worthwhile.