Date with Fate

[Pelly]

 
A date with fate
Sorry it's taken me a while to get set up on the forum, Julie and I have been burning the candle at both ends since the Rally weekend.
Firstly I have to thank the General for talking to strangers.  General, I'm not sure if you're in the habit of pulling over strange men on the highway, but in this case I'm glad you pulled over for me.     

You see, I reckon that fate had a lot to do with me meeting this great group of FJ owners and spending an amazing day with them and their awesome bikes.

On the Thursday night prior to the FJ rally, I was riding my trusty old girl to work. As I pulled up at the traffic lights, a guy on an R1 pulled up beside me. The rider obviously an FJ fan, whipped up his visor and asked me if I were in town for the FJ Rally?

At this stage I had no idea that an FJ riders group existed and certainly had no idea they planned on meeting in Bello this very weekend! I was beside myself with excitement at the thought of seeing other beauties just like the one throbbing between my legs! Needless to say I asked the R1 rider how I could find out more details. He told me to Google the FJ Rally in Bellingen.

After work I raced home and Goggled hard until I found a link to this website.

The website looked very American, and for the life of me I couldn't find any relevant information on Australian topics. I eventually found some banter on the forum from a bloke called Arnie. It may have been the 6 or so beers fogging my ability to find details about the Rally, but I didn't have much luck.  That's my excuse anyhow.

Come Friday afternoon I'd almost given up on contacting someone from the FJ group and figured that it must be a private function. Then it happened!

Driving my work vehicle through the main part of town, I hear a familiar roar. Next thing I see a fully loaded FJ. The chase was on!

I speed up to catch this guy, but he's being elusive. I had to reach for all my defensive driving skills to catch him, and managed to pull alongside his beautiful beast. I wind my window down and the rider, not looking too impressed with my driving skills after I zipped up into the lane he wanted to turn in, gave me a snarly look of stern regard! Nonetheless I shout out to him 'mate where you headed, are you with the FJ Rally'? 

I have to say, I have never seen a growling snarl turn into a beaming smile so quickly. The rider indicates for me to pull over.

The General had arrived. We chatted for some time, and after I inform him that not only do I have a FJ but my good mate Pete has a very tidy 88, he proceeds to extend a very kind invitation to join the group at 8:30 sharp at the Lodge.

With great enthusiasm, I stop off to invite Pete and get home to explain to my beautiful wife Julie that we have a date with the FJ owners club.

Come the morning, the weather was not that favourable for winding turns up a mountain, and Julzie not being confident of my wet weather windy road riding ability, opts out!

I explain to Julie that nothing on earth could keep me away from seeing so many FJ's in one place and abandon her. We arrived to a warm welcome at the lodge from a great bunch of friendly people, all of whom had FJ in their blood!

Soon after, a photo shoot, and I'm texting my girl some pictures. She's very upset with her decision to stay home, so I offer to pick her up on the way through to Coffs, assuring her that we could catch up with the group. She agrees, having no idea that the whole Rally would arrive to pick her up!

The surprise on her face said it all, and taking full advantage of the situation I reminded her that romance is well and truly alive! Oh and don't worry the feedback from the neighbours was all positive!

Bloody gold!

To top it all off Julz and I got to lead the pack, an experience in itself and a great honour. Thank you.

Also thanks for an absolutely awesome day. It was great to meet you all, and ride with so many FJ's and FJ owners.

We sincerely hope to do it again.

Jason & Julie

[X-Ray]

Isn't just amazing Jason how things just happen for a reason, what are the chances eh?
It was a great weekend, I'm hoping to get back down there when THE SUN IS OUT, still it was nice even with the rain. Which reminds me, I have been extremely slack, still haven't uploaded any pics, will have to do that this weekend, linky will be in the rally thread when I do them,  

[craigo]

Man, what a great story. Thanks for sharing that and welcome to the club.

CraigO

[Steve_in_Florida]

Oh, GREAT!!!

*MORE CONVICTS*!!!  (rolls eyes skyward...)

...jes' kiddin'.

Seriously...

"I'd like to extend a laural, and hardy handshake to the forums' new...  "

...members!

Welcome, Jason & Julie. Enjoy your stay.

Cheers from "Up Over".   

Steve

[oldktmdude]

   G'day Jason and welcome. I was one of the many who had great pleasure in following your lead around Coffs. Thanks for the great job you did in keeping a bunch of throttle happy middle aged FJ riders under control. Hope to see you at next years Rally.     Pete.

[The General]

Wow what an intro! Truly awesome bumping into you guys. Shame you couldn`t make it to tha chook raffle, Julie would have loved the coffee. (Majic stuff, made the legs on a couple of the ladies disappear!). Any chance of leading the FJ parade on the great Alpine Way? (Snowy Mountains) next March? (Date with Mate?) Pete? How far north or west do you get on that FJ? cheers   

[oldktmdude]

Pete? How far north or west do you get on that FJ? cheers   

Heading out to Broken Hill in May. At this stage going via Mildura and returning through Cobar , then on to Parkes, then south to home.

[fj11.5]

welcome mate, you couldnt of ran into a better bunch of blokes

[FJmonkey]

Great story, welcome to the club mate.

[rktmanfj]

Nice intro, Jason!   

Love it when things turn out like this.

[baldy3853]

Welcome aboard Jason was our pleasure I can assure you everyone of was only to happy to accommodate you, thankyou for showing us around and taking us to a great spot for an ocean photo opportunity.
It was a pity you had to work Saturday night as everyone had a ball lots of tall stories and special coffee was drunk, amazing tho most of us were fit to ride home on Sunday  
Baldy

[The General]

Pete? How far north or west do you get on that FJ? cheers   

Heading out to Broken Hill in May. At this stage going via Mildura and returning through Cobar , then on to Parkes, then south to home.

Mate, I love that country out west - there`s somethin about it I find difficult to describe. We even have an FJ Forum member in Broken Hill. (Carthage warrior). Don`t forget tha pics. 

[1tinindian]

I love reading stories like this.
Welcome to the group!
I'm sure you will enjoy getting to know the rest of us.

Leon

[aviationfred]

Great story Jason, Welcome to the group.   I understand what George is talking about. All these new members in Australia, there has to be a very well hidden FJ Factory that none of you all will tell us about.

Fred

[Firehawk068]

Great story indeed!
I was excited reading it!