Australian FJ Anniversary Rally; March 8, 2014

[racerrad8]

We are back in the USA.

We left at 6:00am on Monday morning and arrived back in LA at 6:30am Monday morning. We flew from darkness into daylight and back into darkness.

More to come on the horizon, have to get back on the correct clock and get everything unpack & sorted first though.

Randy - RPM

[Harvy]

We are back in the USA.

We left at 6:00am on Monday morning and arrived back in LA at 6:30am Monday morning. We flew from darkness into daylight and back into darkness.

More to come on the horizon, have to get back on the correct clock and get everything unpack & sorted first though.

Randy - RPM

How was "cannes" mate?.....lol

Working on finding a new owner for the Zeal as the step-son has decided he needs something a little physically bigger...... Tell Chandra the price will be as discussed - I don't think there will be a problem selling it.

Cheers
Harvy

[X-Ray]

Ok, here we go, just a small write up.  

WHAT AN EPIC ADVENTURE! Loved it.I covered around 3370kms for the round trip, I think Timbo can add another 1000kms on top of that for his run. I still haven't sat down to add up my fuel dockets showing where we stopped etc, its a bit hazy, lol. But we did --

Thursday -- Brisbane to Glens uncles place at Wollongong, 1045kms. With Glen, Harvy, Stu and Garth and Graeme.
Friday --- rest of the way to Jindabyne, around 440kms? via Queanbeyan where we met Baldy, Randy, Chandra and more.
Saturday, The great ride around Kosciusko National Park, Around 500kms?
Sunday ----  Left Jindabyne, got to Wellington, Glens other Uncles place between Bathurst and Dubbo at late Sunday arvo.
Monday.---  hit the road around 6.30am, did the remaining 850kms to Brisbane got home around 7.30pm

I'll say it again, what an adventure. You went above and beyond organising this General, ( as well as Baldy and Pete). Friday afternoon having some of those exquisite Kosciusko Pale Ales, wow, I think I know now where my money went that night. Having one of those lovely ales and the General is talking and says something about speaking with Charley Boorman. I sort of spluttered into my ale and said F%^kin WHAT? I tell ya, gift of the gab General, you have it. How you got Charley to drop in to see us on the Sat morning I'll never know, but it was probably for me, THE highlight of the whole trip.  


The other highlight was of course catching up with everyone, saying hello to new faces, meeting our overseas guests, just tops. Few little incidents along the way, for instance how does my back brake bleeder suddenly after 4 years decide to loosen a couple of turns and spray brake fluid over my back wheel. Its been tight for 4 years!! Thanks to Baldy for going to Suzuki to get me a new bleeder, although Randy tightened the original back up again and so far has fixed it. Time for a caliper overhaul anyway.

It didn't feel right going on the ride on Saturday and leaving The General and Dena behind, these things happen I guess don't they. Hopefully the XS is running again soon. Our beloved CanDMan was having a ball, first trying to see if he could get 400kms to a tank of juice on the FJ, (and failing), and then later deciding to step off the FJ mid way through a corner and fly/walk instead. Both the FJ and Kevin were a little worse for wear after this exercise, although I nearly joined him after I came too hot into the same turn watching him and Richard wave to us as we went past.

Theres a few people I didn't get to say bye to on the Sunday morn, sorry the time just disappeared. The scenery on the way home was fantastic, and even though we thought MT Panorama was closed for the day due to a car show, it was only the start/finish straight fenced off. So Glen ,Stu and I rode around the great track , took some photos and for me as my first visit, it was unreal. It doesn't look that steep through the turns on TV let me tell ya. Stayed with more of Glens relatives on Sunday night, and had an unreal roast hogget meal, washed down with a 6 pack of beer, yummo. Unfortunately we had to leave first thing the next morning, and couldn't stay around for brekky. We stopped at Coonabarabran later for a quick brekky with coffee, where Stu decided to leave us to go a different way home, and stay another night doing so. Glen and I pushed on through to Narrabri-Moree-Goondiwindi-Warwick and arrived home around 7.30pm. Thoroughly stuffed and with my rear tyre now having a somewhat square profile. Sorry not everyone could get there this time, especially missed meeting RIBBERT!

But it was all worth it, I think this picture summed up the whole adventure for me anyway ---



I've got all my photos here --   https://www.facebook.com/ray.wise.16/media_set?set=a.10202184186500283.1073741827.1057784709&type=3  feel free to copy any you want to keep.  

PS, Randy and Chandra, that Fireball Cinnamon Whiskey is absolutely fantastic. What an unbelievable drop. I will try to keep it after a little taste and bring it to Kyogle next year to share.

[The General]

  Fantastic Pics Ray. Really worth the Wait...You managed to catch the spirit of the Anniversary and I really enjoyed living it again.

I might of missed the Saturday ride but really loved the Alternate Coffee with the latte set within the group. (in fact will recommend a session for next Rally). Sidecar made it home courtesy of RACQ Insurance and old FJ1 is heading for a wreckers auction in Canberra. Nice to see my old (FJ2) make the return trip in the capable hands of it`s new owner. (Glen). So glad no one was badly injured. I can tell you we are not out of pocket and I had the best time ever! Some of those pics are truly classic. How good does that "Ashes" trophy look!...such deserved winners on their 26th Wedding Anniversary....Good on ya Bozo & Izabelle.

Dena gave CanDy, her car for the rest of his stay....less chance of him falling over! (+  managed to get the agreed value increased thru budget Insurance  )...Is it true he makes good pancakes?

My only regret was not getting the opportunity of more time with Randy, Chandra & Bean. (Maybe in 2 years me thinks!) 

[ribbert]

Sorry not everyone could get there this time, especially missed meeting RIBBERT!

Yeah, would have been great to meet you too Ray, and the rest of the motley crew. That's 2 years in a row this has happened. A great shame, most likely won't have another opportunity to meet our international guests either.

I'm staying a night at the Banjo Patterson shortly, on my Autumn ride. It will be sort of weird knowing that only a few weeks earlier the place was bursting at the seams with FJ's, FJ people and FJ talk. Depressing really. I might stay somewhere else!

Is there any risk when they see the FJ parked out front they will turn on the "NO VACANCY'' sign?

Ah well, always next year to look forward to.

Noel

[ribbert]

Was there a trophy for "Best Hair"?  If so, did they win it jointly?

[Arnie]

Ribbert said, Was there a trophy for "Best Hair"?

Jealous, are you?

[The General]

Was there a trophy for "Best Hair"?  If so, did they win it jointly?

Haha...Noel, you really have joined the Fray!......Did you ever play piano?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AI2k6aseNqg

I too never did believe in tha prejudiced notion of not throwing stones just because of the type of house I lived in. (nor it`s lack of roof insulation!)   

[ribbert]

Ribbert said, Was there a trophy for "Best Hair"?

Jealous, are you?

No, if you want to waste hormones growing hair on you head, that's your business.

I understand some blokes are genetically predisposed to retaining a healthy head of hair at a mature age, that is not an issue.
What I really don't understand is how it can emerge from a helmet looking like that, both of you.

There could be money to be made here.

Noel

[CanDman]

Ribbert said, Was there a trophy for "Best Hair"?

Jealous, are you?

No, if you want to waste hormones growing hair on you head, that's your business.

I understand some blokes are genetically predisposed to retaining a healthy head of hair at a mature age, that is not an issue.
What I really don't understand is how it can emerge from a helmet looking like that, both of you.

There could be money to be made here.

Noel

Ahhh Noel.... I am so sorry I didn't have the pleasure......there is a dinner cruise Sunday...trying to get a last goodbye in before I HEAD home Tuesday...mop n all......
Kev

[FJR59]

A few photos from the weekend:

[ribbert]

A few photos from the weekend:

Doug, do you notice any difference with the fork brace?
Noel

[The General]

A few photos from the weekend:

Doug, do you notice any difference with the fork brace?
Noel

Errrr...I was hoping no one noticed my little occerengineering! A great deal of maths went inta that masterpiece! 
And and and, it perfectly corrected the little pull to the left I had! It`s not a Fork Brace it`s called occer counter steering and it`s only understood by advanced sidecar riders...Ludites just wouldn`t get it! (okay,okay...we`re even!  )

[FJR59]

A couple more 

The Line Up (Old to New)


Coming from East Jindabyne

[CanDman]

But it was all worth it, I think this picture summed up the whole adventure for me anyway ---





[/quote]

OK General.......I did find the video you said wasn't allowed on Australian soil........ Here it is.....I am a Wild Party


Kim Mitchell - I Am A Wild Party