After loading the bikes on the trailer we set off from The Isa at 3am for the 1600km drive to Bundaberg. We arrived at Winton and found the town full of bikes, 300 of them, talking to several of the riders we found there where were two separate groups, a social group from the north coast and a group from the Southern Cross Riders on a 7 day ride around the state to raise money for Prostate Cancer research. We were told they had been welcomed in every town by the police doing breathalyser and rego checks, one rider told me he had been tested 4 times in one day!! Wishing them well, we pushed on towards Longreach, about 70kms north of Longreach I was busted for speeding (120 in a 110 zone..........Yep Duds, I’m a one man crime wave), after the obligatory rego check and breathalyser I was asked if we were with the 300 bikes coming from Winton ........ they were expected ......... how nice to know the constabulary are out protecting our communities from the hordes of fund raising bikers loose in the outback.

We arrived in Bundy at 10pm and found a motel for the night. The next morning we awoke to an overcast sky and the promise of rain, after doing some errands and putting Sqwat into a kennel for the night, we headed the 20kms out to Tegege Hall to set up camp and start the party. Friday night brought with it several brief storms but that didn’t stop everyone getting into the spirit and we where made very welcome by Hammer and the all members of the Bundaberg Chapter. During the evening groups arrived from the Central Coast and Tweed Chapters.

Saturday we awoke to a beautiful clear sky, perfect riding weather! Breakfast was at the Globe Hotel where the run was to begin, we set of into town and were greeted by ....... you guessed it, about a dozen of the locals and the dog squad had set up at both entrances to the street. Every rider was breathalysed (without success), licence and rego checked, any patches on vests where recorded and then we and our bikes were photographed, front, rear, left and right profiles. Welcome to Queensland, perfect one day ..................

After a coffee and bacon and eggs at the pub, Glen and the rest of the Sunshine Coast Chapter arrived. We said a quick hello, everyone registered and Hammer read the ride rules .......... it was time to hit the road. 147 bikes lined up in the street for the local TV and headed off in a safe and orderly fashion for what turned out to be an all round excellent day, great roads, great weather and a great bunch of people doing what we love, riding bikes and raising a few scheckles for some kids who really need a bit of a hand. I would like to thank the attending police who generously (between about a dozen of them) donated $5 to our cause.

The ride finished back at the camp site, the bike show was held and the raffles drawn then the locals put on one of the best feeds we have ever had at a rally. After dinner it was time for the charity auction, a number of Bundy businesses had generously donated a great selection of items for this and “encouraged” by the auctioneer (Hammer), over $1700 was raised for The Starlight Foundation. Bundy AMC laid on two bands to entertain us and we all settled into an evening of revelry.

The next morning we packed up, said our goodbyes and where overjoyed to learn the locals had once again set up down the road to see us all safely on our way and of course to see if we had slept off the night before.

I would like to thank Hammer and all of the members of Bundaberg AMC for their hospitality and for organising such a great weekend, it was terrific to catch up with everyone and we will definitely be coming again next year.