Richard's Report - Sunday, 9 November 2008 4:32:47 PM

Snowy Ride 2008

‘Snowy Ride’ means several things in Thredbo. It means we are into November and it means thousands of motor cycles will be coming to town. It also means that Kosi chair will be closing for maintenance and that any skiing after this weekend will be showing true signs of desperation. Most of all it means that many thousands of people are thinking about children with cancer. The ‘Snowy Ride’ is a wonderful charity event to raise funds and awareness for the research into children’s cancer.

This year broke the record once again with a fantastic 2984 entrants in the ride. A rough estimate of over a quarter of a million dollars will be raised this year. The Snowy Mountains are a classic ride on a motorcycle but November often throws up a taste of winter-past. And without fail we had rain and wind but not snow like last year. There was an amazing 64mm of rain from Friday evening to Saturday morning and then it ceased until later on Saturday night only to be followed by a totally blue sky on Sunday.

So with the knowledge of what was to come over the weekend, Ray, Lynne, Marion and I went out on Friday morning to Summer Drift for what must certainly be our final ski for 2008. Despite the lack of any overnight freezes, the snow pack was quite firm. 350 steps up would provide around 20 turns going back down. I had five runs before having to rush off the slope to meet appointments in Jindabyne. T’was fun and we will miss Kosi chair while out for maintenance until Dec 6th – or so I was told.

Mt Kosciuszko and what looks like tracks on the Club Lake chutes
Mt Kosciuszko and what looks like tracks on the Club Lake chutes

Marion, Lynne and Ray on Friday
Marion, Lynne and Ray on Friday

The scene of the crime – 350 steps up for each set of 20 turns
The scene of the crime – 350 steps up for each set of 20 turns

Trikes are very popular amongst the older generation of bikers
Trikes are very popular amongst the older generation of bikers

Crowded bridge to watch the mass arrival
Crowded bridge to watch the mass arrival

More on 3 wheels
More on 3 wheels

The massive crowd overflowed the Village Square
The massive crowd overflowed the Village Square

Winner of the Honda Gold wing
Winner of the Honda Gold wing

Dirty Deeds – ACDC cover band – they rocked
Dirty Deeds – ACDC cover band – they rocked

The crowd loved it all despite the wind and rain
The crowd loved it all despite the wind and rain

The new snowmaking installation is under way and the slopes are green. The flies are returning and so is summer. I believe several higher walking trails within the resort are closed for maintenance but they should be open soon.

Once again, and I know I speak for everyone in Thredbo when I say that the Snowy Ride entrants, sponsors, organisers, volunteers, police and hanger-ons should all be congratulated and thanked for making one of Thredbo’s special weekend festivals. Well done all.

Grumpy Report: Feeling obligated to pump out another grumpy report ;-)

Telstra Report: 10 days after disconnecting my Thredbo number for the second time, it is reconnected and just as I inherited a personal investigator at the Telecommunications Industry Ombudsman’s office. Meanwhile the number I originally requested be disconnected on August 4th is finally disconnected. Now to get my billing sorted out.

Disclaimer: 
The views and opinions expressed on this page are my own personal observations and in no way represent the views or opinions of the resort or any other person.

Return Home
---Ski Area Boundary---

(439)