Dorrigo Mid-Week Run

22 November 2017 / Text by Greg Cox, Photos by Greg Cox & Graham Rochester

It was under threatening skies that two Mid North Coast Chapter cars departed the Rivermark Café in Port Macquarie for our midweek run to Dorrigo.

Heading north on the M1 freeway we entered the recently opened section of freeway crossing the new Dennis Bridge over the Hastings River, a significant improvement after years of road works. We soon reached Kempsey where Wayne Lang joined us, before proceeding North to the Waterfall Way turn off to our morning tea stop at the Old Butter Factory at Bellingen. Here we met new members Rob Partridge from Coffs Harbour and Warren Shipway from Safety Beach.

After a coffee and chat, our now five car group set off up the mountain to Dorrigo. Here we stopped at the Rainforest Centre for a few photos, and to enjoy the view from the lookout. Graham departed the run here to return home.

With the rain still holding off we travelled through Dorrigo and North along the corkscrew to Nymboida, where after a brief stop we started our return to Dorrigo for lunch. It was on this section that Warren received a puncture which destroyed his tyre. Fortunately he carried a space-saver spare that allowed him to limp back to Dorrigo, and then down the mountain to buy a new tyre. Unfortunately, by the time we reached Dorrigo we missed lunch at the hotel, so settled for a quick refreshment then made our separate ways down the mountain and home.

Thanks to Warren and Rob for joining us, and we look forward to seeing them on future runs. Apart from Warren's tyre problem, we all enjoyed the drive on some great north coast roads. Thanks to members attending the Run, Greg Cox, Graham Rochester, Wayne Lang, Warren Shipway and Robert Partridge.