you wont hear this on the news The day the bikies came through « on: Today at 10:19:45 AM » ReplyQuote WHEN they return from their epic 4500 kilometre journey across Australia just ask local cyclists Tim Dowling and John Coulter what the highlight moment was of their trip. The story is the stuff of legends. To be passed down through generations of little listeners. It was the day these self confessed middle aged men dressed to the nines in neck to knee lycra and little flourescent booties, came face-to-face with the Rebel Motorcycle Club. Yes, just last week they were pedalling their way merrily across the Nullarbor when they were told of the Other Riders on the highway. The Other Riders being the Rebels who were returning from their annual get together in Perth. Word was 300 bikies were bearing down on John, Tim and support man Shaun O’Sullivan. Fast. It put more wind up Coulter and Dowling than the prevailing 45 kilometre an hour tailwinds. Coulter maintains he was concerned about accommodation. “We were a bit apprehensive, not so much about the 300 bikies but because they would book out accommodation,” he said, forgetting he also told The Witness they were constantly looking over their shoulders. So they hatched a plan to strike ahead of Eucla - which was already booked by the bikies - and press on to the Nullarbor Roadhouse. Ditching their bikes in the bush, the trio travelled by car to the roadhouse. “And there we were glowing in our lycra and come face to face with these men in black,” John said. “And then this guy with the best mullet I have ever seen was asking us what we were raising money for. “They asked us if we had a bucket to pass around,” John said. “So we gave them this bucket which neither I or the three bikies could get the lid off, and told them to leave it at the roadhouse because we still had to go back and get our bikes and we’d be two or three hours behind them,” he said. The bikies were dubious about leaving the cash behind. But it was the plan. Wednesday morning came, the cyclists geared up and drove the 80 kilometres back west to their awaiting bikes. “As we were driving, there coming in the other direction (east) were the 300 bikies - complete with police escort and entourage - it was perfect timing. “We thought, yes, we’ve beaten the traffic,” John said, punching the air. So it was back on the bikes bound for Bribbaree and Beyond when, 10 kilometres down the track, bikies were sighted. “They did a u-turn and waited for us on the road,” John said, “I thought oh no the game’s up - we’re dead.” John wouldn’t elaborate on that remark. But, he said, it turned out to be old mate from the room next door at the roadhouse. Midnight. Ricky. He’s not sure of his name. They were told the bikies didn’t want to leave the money they raised at the roadhouse and decided to bring it back to them. The whole 70 kilometres. And then they handed over the bucket carrying $600. “It was humbling - a beautiful moment -we shook their hands and hugged them,” John said. Apparently the moment was so glorious Tim asked if he could sit on one of the Harleys - sacred turf to the Rebels. He lived. As of Friday, the local crew stopped off in Wudinna and were then heading onto Iron Knob in South Australia. Their next major destination will be Adelaide where two days rest await and local man Jack Stratford will swap the baton with Tim to join John. If you want to support the Bunbury to Bribbaree and Beyond for Blues, Boobs and Bubs go to their website at: bunburytobribbaree.au/Bunbury_to_Bribbaree_Welcome.html or buy some raffle tickets at participating outlets: The Young Witness, Gordon, Garling Moffit Solicitors, Keith Simmons Engineering, Wilders Motorcycles, The Providore, Art of Espresso, MA Steel, Delta and the Empire Hotel. youngwitness.au/story/1794750/the-day-the-bikies-came-through/?cs=1288
Posted on: Tue, 24 Sep 2013 07:57:20 +0000
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