2018 January — February

Day 14: Ebor to Brisbane

It was a glorious, but chilly, morning. There was frost on the bike. I rode the short distance to the Ebor Falls for a look. There wasn’t much water, but it was very pretty and I was pleased I looked.

As always the Armidale Road to Grafton was a great ride. It was appreciably hotter in Grafton than on the range and stayed that way all the way home. The road is pretty enough, but a bit light on for really enjoyable bits of road, with the exception of the stretch between Wiangaree and Rathdowney, which is a cracker of a road. Buoyed by the enjoyment of that ride, I decided to put Noroomtomove’s First Law of Motion and Fuel Consumption to a serious test. When I reached Beaudesert, I was still going strong after 254 kms (around 160 miles) and had another 2 litres in the tank. As a footnote, I feel inadequate beside noroomtomove. At one stage on this trip I had a text from him saying he’d travelled 302 kilometres on a tank and was still going. There’s no way I could get that sort of economy.

When I got home, I’d ridden 5,386 kilometres, used 270 litres of petrol at a cost of AU$382 and averaged 20.25 kilometres/litre. Even better than that, I’d seen little more than a couple of drops of rain and had a great couple of weeks in the saddle. What could be better?

Thanks Pterodactyl, noroomtomove and Aussieflyer for your company. It adds greatly to my riding pleasure to spend time with these CB owners en route to exotic places.

2018 January — February

Day 13: Gloucester too Ebor

After a late breakfast, Pterodactyl headed south. I’d decided to take a new route east (rather than north) from Gloucester which would take me back to the coast, up the slab and give me another go at the 44 kms of bends on the Oxley.

From Gloucester to Taree was a pretty ride through the hills along The Buckett’s Way. I contemplated going via Nabiac where lurks the National Motorcycle Museum of Australia, but abandoned the plan on the basis that I wanted to make a reasonable distance that day and it would involve a detour not to mention time in the museum.

From Taree to just after Herons Creek was freeway. Not unattractive but not interesting riding. At Herons Creek I turned off onto a much more interesting back road that took me to Wauchope and back on to the Oxley Highway. In places it’s beauty and motorcycling appeal were slightly offset by the poor road surface. But then, I suspect all road repair money in this shire is probably spent on the Oxley.

Another wonderful ride up the Oxley to Gingers Creek.

Stopped for lunch at Ginger's Creek

Then I pushed on to Armidale where I stopped at the local Honda dealer to consult a mechanic about what appeared to be a slight leak in the master cylinder for the front brakes. He looked, tightened something, said that if the level dropped further I should replace the diaphragm and suggested I keep an eye on it.

I’d planned to stop at Armidale, but it was early and a pleasant evening, so I decided to head for Dorrigo. I had a great ride across the plateau on a road made for fast cruising. As I rode into the tiny town of Ebor I noticed a motel I must have seen a dozen times before but never noted. I realised I was tired and decided to see whether there was a room. There was and I had a pleasant enough evening doing my bit for climate change.

2018 January — February

Day 12: Abercrombie River to Gloucester

Pterodactyl described the campground at Gloucester as "very civilized".

It was a bit far to the shower block though ...

2018 January — February

Day 11: Gillards Beach to Abercrombie River

I recall it was hot and dry. So was the camp.

2018 January - February

Day 10: Leather Barrel to Gillards Beach

Pterodactyl again:

To the Sea

Cormanus and I headed east. Across the high country and down to the coast. Gillards Beach. I’ve posted about Gillards previously but am still struck by its beauty.

Blitzing the mountain

Our final stop before Gillards Beach was the seaside town of Tathra where we refuelled and bought the odd supply for the camp. We were forced to buy liquid supplies at the local club as the bottle shop had burned down not long before. Tragically, less than two months later in mid-March 2018, a major bushfire tore through the town. 65 houses and 35 caravans and cabins were destroyed, with another 48 houses damaged.

A beach with only your own footprints is good.

A couple of the locals ...

Sadly, the beach was a bit crowded.

2018 January - February Ride

Day 9: Mitta Mitta to Leather Barril Creek

Pterodactyl resumes the narrrative ...

Aussieflyer, after showing us how, next morning said hooray to us and headed for home. Cormanus, positive as usual, said, “Let’s hit the hills”. And we did. After a good day’s riding we found ourselves at Leather Barrel Creek. At 1500m AMSL it sits in the Kosciusko National Park.

Tumut Dam

Alpine scenery

A pristine camp site A hewer of wood

And a drawer of water

The CBs

A fine fire

Cormanus contemplative

2018 January-February Ride

Day 8: Bright to Bruthen to Mitta Mitta

Let's start with AussieFlyer's take on the day ...

Day 2 - Going around the bend

The AM

Well, if I enjoyed the roads on day 1 then the only way for me to describe day 2 is "bloody brilliant".

I had no idea where we were going and just didn't care, it was 'follow the leader' where the aim was to keep Ptero and Cormanus in sight. NoRoToMo was the responsible one keeping an eye on us all from the tail of the group - thanks mate. We rolled around a few hills going through Harrietville then over Mount Hotham on the highest coach road in Australia.

NoRoToMo was cruising up behind us taking in the magnificent scenery.

We're on top of Australia!

The road opens up into some big fast sweepers as we head down the mountain into Dinner Plain and onwards to Omeo. Stopping for a look at the ancient valley, this is where Ptero took that photo of the four helmeted amigos. A quick reconfirmation of where we're going but I didn't care as I'm doing my best impersonation of a dog being offered a joy ride - anywhere will do, let's go!

So how was this place formed?

Aha, that's how

Condition of the roads was really good, in particular the section from Ensay through Tambo Crossing on to Bruthen was just magnificent, great surface and easy to manage corners with no nasty surprises. It was just awesome to be cruising along with the boys soaking up the scenery of this beautiful valley and getting into the rthym of seemingly endless corners. From time to time when the boys knew I couldn't stuff up any of the route, i.e. no intersections to make a wrong turn at, they'd let me have a run in the front seat where the view is even better. It's about now that I kick myself for waiting 17 years to do this again, made a promise to self to do it again next summer.

The PM

Lunch at Bruthen, bid farewell to NoRoToMo then head back up the same road but this time we turn right at Omeo and head to Mitta Mitta. More absolutely stunning scenery and roads that must have been crafted by a crew of hardcore motorcyclists, the road into Mitta Mitta is black top heaven just ask InHouseBob. We're talkin' head turnin', body leanin', peg srapin', fun roads.

A great meal at the Mitta Mitta pub and some very entertaining conversation at the dinner table. Ptero and Cormanus have been touring together for years and it shows when you get them talking over a wine or two. They're a bit like two radio show DJs, they'll keep you entertained the whole night with banter and tales of previous trips.

Now let's turn to Pterodactyl's recollection of events ...

With the aroma of the Garlic Prawn Supreme and good Aussie beer, no, great Aussie beer, filling my Shoei we set sail from Bright. A good ride over the Great Alpine Road to Bruthen, on the east coast.

What good looking roosters are these?

At Bruthen we said “hooray” to Noroomtomove and the three remaining CBers headed back across the Omeo Valley Highway to Mitta Mitta. What a ride, what a great ride. I led the way but became conscious of the howl of Aussieflyer’s PipeMasters beginning to intrude on my peace and quiet. Let him go I thought. Well he did go. Great lines and body movement through 100kms of very twisty road. I had to push it to keep him in sight; Cormanus said, “I’ve never ridden so fast”. With my camping gear on board I trashed another set of feeler pegs to keep up the pace. Good stuff. Thanks Aussieflyer, we loved it and want more. Much more mate, much more.

I've nothing to add but some photos.

Aussieflyer heads to Bruthen on a rare straight stretch of the Omeo Highway.

A rest stop at Anglers Rest on the Omeo Highway. The serious riders compare notes.

Some Omeo Highway scenes

Dinner at the Mitta pub