HOT HOGS ON THE DARLING DOWNS

Dave spends a Sunday with the Gasoline Alley H-D HOGS and a Road King Special.

- David Cohen

“We’d love to have HEAVY DUTY along for a ride,” said Mav, Gasoline Alley’s HOG Chapter Director.

Subsequently I was at the Slack’s Creek dealership for the 7am muster on the following Sunday, keen and ready for the detailed ride briefing. Albeit ever-so-slightly apprehensive about the very high temperatures that were forecast for later in the day.

Around 50 riders and passengers on 40 beautiful Harley-Davidsons were parked in a row out front, with a wide variety of models represented.

The welcome I received was generous, enthusiastic and I was already having a great time – even before I’d ridden very far on the magnificent Road King Special that Gas Alley had loaned me for the event.

THE AGENDA

The plan called for stands-up at 7:45am and making our way west out of Brisbane, beyond Ipswich, to cross the plains to Laidley and a compulsory fuel stop – even for the tourers – because we were ultimately headed far enough west that fuel can be scarce on a Sunday.

After a coffee at the Maccas next door to the Caltex, we left Laidley at 9:45am with the temperature already heading north of 30°C.

By the time we got to the next water stop at Ma Ma Creek, the temp was into the high 30s but the roads soon got a whole lot more interesting.

I rode ahead to get into position for some ride-by photos. After the group passed by, Mav peeled off and lead the way and we caught up to the main group.