2021 - BIGGENDEN. QLD.
11th - 13th of June, 2021
After several COVID-19 lockdowns and restrictions, a lot of VJMC members were keen for a rally but borders opening and closing made interstate travel a risk. Brian Gainsford organised an event in Biggenden in June 2021. It was attended by VJMC members from as far north as Mackay, as far west as Ipswich and as far south as Sydney.
Twelve Brisbane members started off from Bundamba on Friday morning riding to Blackbutt where we met up with members from Toowoomba, North Brisbane, Gold Coast. After a short feed we rode to Goomeri through Nanango where we stopped to refuel and lunch. After lunch we headed north to Ban Ban Springs. It was along this road that Ray's TX750 got a puncture due to some debris left inside the brand new tyre fitted only the day before. Most of the group continued on to Biggenden to meet all the other members coming from far and wide including Sydney, Grafton NSW, Townsville, MacKay, Hervey Bay, Maryborough and Sunshine Coast.
Arriving in the small town of Biggenden was a sight to behold with our members bikes everywhere to be seen. We had booked all the available accommodation at the 2 hotels, motel and caravan park with some members bringing caravans and tents. At the caravan park there was already a wood fire going at the camp kitchen and lots of chinwag underway.
By 6.30 pm on Friday night 44 members and partners assembled at the Grand Hotel for dinner. It was a good feed with lots of the amber fluid needed to keep the vocal cords lubricated. Saturday morning was a cold and early start from the BP servo in town where 37 bikes assembled for the ride to Childers where we joined the local chapter of the Historic Motorcycle Club of Qld to display our bikes for the public to view.
After 2 hours showing our bikes the bulk of our group set off on a ride to Woodgate for lunch and more chewing the fat. After lunch we rode to Paradise Dam with one 20 kilometre stretch being the best bike friendly road I can remember riding on, with sweeping, nicely banked bends. After a short stop there is was back on the bikes returning to Biggenden where once again we were welcomed by a glowing wood fire.
We decided to share the love and by 6.30 pm on Saturday night we were at the Commercial Hotel for dinner. Again the conversation was relentless with more red wine and beer consumed until the weary needed rest. Sadly the weekend Bash was winding down and some were saying their goodbyes as they were leaving early in the morning and heading home in different directions.
The greater SEQ group with 3 bikes from MacKay on a day ride assembled at the motel at 9 am to ride south to Brisbane. It was a good ride back through Goomeri to Widgee where we were met by a friend of John McNair to show us more inland roads we had not ridden before. From there the ride took us through Kenilworth, Maleny, Woodford and Dayboro where the group again split.
It was a most enjoyable weekend and many thanks to all those that attended and a very special thanks to John Ingle and Chris from Sydney and also Peter Voisey from Grafton and John and Raelene Carsley from Townsville who travelled exceptionally long distances to join in. Thanks also to to Peter and Helen Douglas for their help in organising the event and thanks also to John McNair for leading the ride from Brisbane and back.
Story and photos supplied by Brian Gainsford. This article also published on the VJMC Forum.