The day started well with me making perfect oats for breakfast. Then it was a leisurely ride along a quite road running north beside the Clarence River. All rides were to have lunch at Ulmarra which was the other side of the river and we were to take a ferry over the river.
When we arrived at the ferry we could see it parked in a little cutting at the river's edge but we had to wait for nearly 20 minutes before we were able to load. Actually we had to wait for the ferry to fill up with cars then we were allowed to to pack our bikes around them. It was a really small chain operated ferry. Later we found that as an employee of the NSW Transport Authority the ferryman was entitled to a 20 minute tea break about this time.
That's the ferry down the hill in its cutting.
Waiting for the ferryman to let us on board.
That's Margaret Day finding space for her bike.
She has found a nice spot but it's a normal bike!
It was a tight squeeze but we all got on,
and we were on our way.
Half way across.
Once over the river it was a short ride Ulmarra which is just off the main Pacific Highway. It is a pretty little river and appears to exist for second hand and antique shops. Most importantly it has a pub and beer garden. They opened the kitchen early - that's what happens when you tell them that they have 90 plus cyclists arriving ove the next couple of hours.
After a light lunch and a beer we sat for a while chatting and looking at the river berfore riding back to the ferry to retrace our route home.
The view from the beer garden. The dot is the ferry bringing more riders to the pub.
I rode home with Margaret and Graham Day together with a Canadian called Dave. We stopped a little way from the camp site to have a drink before arrivung back at 2.00pm
I had a shower and then had a brief nap in my tent. That evening was the official dinner so later I changed into nice shirt, long trousers and proper shoes. I drove the Grafton District Services Club where we all met for a nice meal at 6.30pm. The first activity during the meal was the formal meeting of the ABFC where there was a heated discussion about doubling the annual subscription. I think we actually carried a motion trebling of the subscription in the end. As the 2011 subscription had been $0.00 nobody appeared to mind.The main activity was an aution of donated items. They ranged from second hand bike tires to framed prints. The bidding was spirited and some items went for over $200.00. It was all in good fun except when one member's wife outbid him for some useless item. Divorce was mentioned. We packed in about 10.00pm and raised about $3000 for the Victorian Guide Dogs Association.
Another good day.
End of Part 4.
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