After the disappointment of arriving at Oran Park and not getting to ride around it, it was time to throw a leg over the blue and silver beast and head back home. There was an opportunity to deliver my son to my wife who was in Sydney shopping if he didn't want to continue to brave the weather on the back of the bike but there was no question that he wanted to see this one out. So off we went.
On to Camden Valley Way (the long way I found out) and then on to the M7 Motorway to Thornleigh where we got fuel ($16.06). The on to the freeway going north and we were on our way. The rain eased somewhat as we headed through the Central Coast and we made a stop at a roadhouse for a warm drink and a stretch. The photo shows the bike there, looking dirty and that's me headlessly modelling my wet wet weather gear.
Back on the bike for the last part of the trip and just to add a little insult to injury the weather gods decided to turn the rain dial up a couple of notches to give me some more practice with water running across the road and limited visibility. It was the hardest rain of the trip.
We arrived home and surveyed the leaks. The wet weather pants held out, a touch of water got into my jacket, not sure where from, but insignificant in the scheme of things. My gloves were appropriately soaked and I finally managed to get a really good black stain on my hands from the leather dye leaching. The rebel boots that I'd dutifully dubbin'd allowed a little water in through the side seams but I didn't notice that until I took them off. So all up I'd say I was close enough to being dry or at the very least I wasn't feeling wet.
My son complained that a bit of water went up the inside of his visor when he had it open trying to stuff minties in his mouth. Other than that, perfectly dry.
The bike however is in need of some significant washing and polishing as the second picture shows. A job for the weekend I suppose. Another first coming up.
Special Note: I dubbin'd the leather panniers and top box last weekend for something to do and I would consider the last two days a reasonable chunk of wet weather riding and cruising at 110 - 120ks was probably a worst case scenario for luggage. I was very surprised and very pleased that the contents of the panniers and top box stayed perfectly dry.
Total kilometres for the two days: 430.
