Port Stephens 10-13 November 2022

After securing perfect weather, John Williams and sidekick David Vassey offered four days of riding within the Tomaree Peninsula; 17 riders took up the opportunity, plus a few non-riding partners.

Over the four days we rode an organised 135km N.S.E.W. within the Peninsula including Fingal Bay, Shoal Bay, Nelson Bay, Corlette, Salamander Bay, Soldiers Point, Taylors Beach, Anna Bay and One Mile. The roads were mainly flat and sealed, plus lots of bitumen patches; and road sides had swathes of yellow cosmos flowering, kilometre after kilometre.  Our ride leader John, and newly appointed sweep each day kept the riding group safe, and within the riders’ abilities. We can report a couple of easily fixed mechanicals and only one puncture over four days. For those who have visited the region previously, even out of season it has become notably busier with people and traffic.

Because each day’s ride was over in a few hours, there was ample free time for soaking up many of the attractions that the region offers. Amongst these were the newly opened Koala Sanctuary and the Irukandji Shark and Ray Encounters Lagoon, and for those who remembered to bring their gear, Spring time proved warm enough for swimming in the clear waters of the bays.

A couple of the group climbed Tomaree Head to view the sunrise; most of us were happy enough to look at their pictures on their return. John and David’s venue suggestions for getting together for evening meals worked well  with plenty dishes of seafood on offer. 

An altogether pleasant and fun-filled four days away in good company; it was obvious that the two men had put a lot of preparation into the 2022 Spring Classic. Thank you John and David.

Wendy Jannings