What was supposed to be a morning ride turned into an afternoon ride and it didn’t quite work out as planned. In my defence, I haven’t been any more than around the block on the VFR since early March and some of the basics have sorta been forgotten in the interval. Originally we were going north though not as far as the Putty in deference to my distinct lack of ride fitness.
However, what with one thing and another, we didn’t end up heading out of here until about 1400 and it didn’t take long for it to become *clear* that this wasn’t a good idea. It wasn’t the cold that was the problem, I’d dressed warmly enough. No, it was the fact that, once we were up Mt Keira and heading west, we were riding straight into the late-afternoon sun. My helmet has a built-in visor but I could have also used my prescription sunglasses IF I had remembered to pack them.
So the decision was made that we’d only go as far as Mulgoa, have a cuppa at Peppercorn and head home, this plan hopefully getting us home before dark and before the evening cold started to descend.
Part 1 of the plan went well, very little traffic on the road, especially for a Friday afternoon and we got to Mulgoa in time to catch the cafe before their usual early winter close. As you can see from the photo in the car park, the shadows were already lengthening so it was drinks in a take-away cup, quick pit stop and back on the bikes heading home.
And it was here that the second flaw in our plan made itself apparent. Happy that we wouldn’t be riding INTO the sunset, we totally forgot to factor in that we would be riding directly AWAY from the sunset on the return leg. See, I told you I was out of practice. All the way home we fought the setting sun in our rear-view mirrors effectively blinding us to what was behind us as well as making lane changing a real hazard.
Nevertheless we made it home before dark and safely and just before it started to get really cold. I’d like to say that we planned it well, but we didn’t. In fact, it was a lousy plan and I have made a mental note to make sure that we don’t do that again.
It was great to be out on the bike again and it never ceases to amaze me just what a fabulous bike the VFR is. Maybe that’s the reason why I have had 7 of them in the last 18 years! Catch you tomorrow.