Blue Mountains & Hunter Valley Tour
by Hosko, H, Darren B, and Phil R
This ride report was originally published in the April 2008 issue of the Motorcycle Tourers club magazine, ‘Chain Lube’.
Day 1 – 11
by Hosko
The 9th inaugural road trip was again a success with 13 riders taking on Victoria and NSW roads for the 9 day trip.
Old records were smashed and new ones were created…. The once prestigious PARRINGTON has finally fallen to the HARRISON. The challenge is now open to all and sundry to take the group on more than 800klm day rides.
Ride participants gathered at Hosko’s Richmond abode on Friday March 7th for a 3.30pm departure. I led the fine group made up of Peter Ha, Phil, Adam, Gary, John M, Brett F, John H and Tim H and the suitcase up to Lilydale to meet Darren B, Peter Ho and Tim L for the trip to Mt Buller and staying at Kate’s BMW lodge. A quick trip to Yea and onto Mansfield for the final stage up the mountain. Dinner at the local Alberg pub with a couple of drinks then saw an early night.Thanks to Kate for your help.
Peter Ha on the fantastically comfortable Agusta lead us to Cowra with many fuel stops along the way…needed to for the 800klm day ride…I’m sure i gave him the right map! Overnight stay at Cowra Motor Inn with cooked(?) breakfast and a dinner at the local Hong Kong chinese(?) with most of the crew making most of the Banquet. Here Peter Ho had to leave the next day for work commitments.
Darren B took the reins on the ZX10R to Bathurst for the obligatory circuit trip (well half way round!) and onto Mudgee with great roads and onto Neath hotel near Singleton for our 3 day stay. Neath was suggested by Nick at one of our earlier meetings as a historically renovated hotel near Hunter Valley and the Blue Mountains. Even the local barman enjoyed us enough to give us a second glance and gave us encouragement by issuing a list of 3 good looking/worthy mention members. Kellie joined the group having rode part of the way for a work meeting from Coffs Harbour and stayed the 3 days.
Day trips once we settled were to Nelson Bay/Port Stephens via Gloucester (thanks Phil) and to Wisemans Ferry via the famous Putty Road (Peter Ha/Darren). We decided to join a tour group (bus) for the 3rd day to rest the saddle sores and see the local wineries.
Neath to Canberra saw the Putty Road again and onto part coastal roads to Moss Vale and onto the Federal Hwy into our Capital city. A stay overnight at Crestwoods Motor Inn with a fine cooked breakfast was in order. The owner obviously infatuated with Elvis Presley! Thanks to Peter Ha and Darren for part day leaders.
Canberra to Cooma for morning tea and Adaminaby/Kiandra/Corryong to Falls Creek for the stay at Nelse Lodge chalet. A fantastic lodge with spa/pool to top off a weeks riding. I believe the owners want us back to try out the road to Omeo in 2009 once made…..Again Peter Ha took the reins on this one, though I do believe that by doing so he can place his Agusta at the right speed not to overheat (130?).
Falls Creek to Mansfield via Whitfield and onto Yea for lunch and final farewell.
Many thanks to lead riders and rear riders and to the others who made this trip worth while.
All up…4000klms with most days often topping the 500klm.
The 10th annual trip will be Tasmania and will be held slightly later in March 2009 and we hope to match the first trip with numbers exceeding 20. The total klms will be around only 3000klm and no Harrisons (maybe the odd Parrington) will be organised intentionally. I intend to have 2 day trips (Maria Island and one semi day walk) somewhere in the trip itinerary.
If you wish to partake on this once in a life time (well we have only done it 3 times so far) start planning your holidays/money/partner problems/bike repairs now as this will have a capped number due to accommodation and boat cruise bookings, it will be first in best dressed…
Hosko
ps i have run out of places to see…so the Tasmania trip will be my last Road trip as organiser…
Day 2
by H.
After a very pleasant night at the BMW Lodge on top of Mt Buller we all seemed to wake early ready to face our first full day of our adventure. Even I was still excited as I hadn’t yet discovered the joys of owning an Italian work of engineering art where form definitely out ways function (more of this later). In fact we were so keen to begin we even settled for a simple continental breaky of cereal and toast rather than a lengthy stop at Marysville for what seems to have become a traditional day 1 breaky at the local café. Right on time at 8.30 we all hit the road for our trip to Cowra, NSW.
When Hosko and I pre-rode the trip in the local Vietnamese Café in downtown Glenroy this leg of the trip looked very achievable and was to be a comfortable distance of around 600 km. Somehow or other (I think Hosko’s map had a reduced scale) we ended up just over 850 km for most of us and a bit more for 2 (also more of this one later as well!!!) We set off down the mountain, through Mansfield and on to Whitfield. This was just the beginning of the journey, but it was fantastic part of the trip and really set the tone for the whole adventure. We had perfect temperature, perfect weather, perfect traffic (none), perfect roads and …… well you get the picture!
As we had a fair distance to cover I had to suffer and keep the pace up a bit on some of the best roads in the state. Darren and I also had to stay ahead of those scooters (at times this was quite difficult to achieve!!!!) so the public didn’t get the wrong idea about MV and Kawasaki riders. A quick regroup at Whitfield and we were off again towards Myrtleford. I really hate the stretch of road from Wangaratta to Myrtleford as it is very heavily policed with a number of small towns where you drop down to 80 and 60 K. I hate it even more when you do the right thing, obey to the letter the speed limit and see not a sign of the law!!! It was on this stretch of slow road that I began to notice something about form over function. As I would slow the MV to more respectable speeds the temperature would increase in direct proportion to the speed reduction. Interesting, I thought, and increased back to the 100 K limit. (more thoughts later).
The obligatory Latte and Chino stop at Myrtleford in mid morning set the tone for all our days. It seems none of us survive very well without a good coffee in the morning. From Myrtleford we again had to find some testing, winding roads to get us to the Wodonga road. We still couldn’t believe the conditions we were riding in, just perfect and hardly a car in sight. It was while waiting at one of the corners that I had another observation. While riding along winding roads the MV held a constant 86C regardless of how hard I treated it. When I stop and wait the temperature goes from 86 to 100 in about 30 seconds. I switch the engine off and wait for the next rider, then head off again. Interesting the temperature doesn’t fall back to 86 but stays at 95, but then the air temp is now up to about 30. On the map I had also noticed a “C” road running parallel to the main road through this farming area so I decided on an adventure into the unknown. This path took us through the small town of Gundowring. I think I saw 1 car on this 40 K stretch of road. Along this road I really began to think about the MV, the heat and my backside. After all the stopping and looking at maps I came to the following relationship between engine temp and speed – 100kph = 105oC; 110kph = 100oC; 120 kph = 95oC; 130kph = 90oC; 140+kph = <90oC cool feet and ass!!! People often tell me the MV looks HOT and now I really believe them, IT IS F#@*EN HOT!!!
It was at this stage I was beginning to sweat (literally and figuratively) about the rest of the trip if the weather stayed hot (it did by the way). My solution ….. stop whinging about it, while it’s hot it still looks cool, and go fast!!! From Gundowring we rode straight past Tallangatta to Granya Gap. We had planned on the route directly to Corryong, but I just couldn’t resist the run through the Granya Gap to Burrowye, Walwa and Tintaldra. This is one of my favourite pieces of road and I couldn’t miss it even if it did add a couple of extra Ks to the day. As it was about 2.00 by this stage we decided to stop a Walwa for a refuel and quick bite for lunch. With only 1 petrol pump and 1 cook in the small country shop our quick bite became a lengthy stay, but who worried, we were on holidays after all. For those of you who can read a map you would now notice that we weren’t at the half way point on the days ride yet and it was almost 3.00 by the time we left. Anyway we all took off and headed into the Snowy Mountains through Towong, Tooma, Tumbarumba and Tumut.
Remember at the start of the story that 2 riders covered a bit more distance than the rest of us???? Well it took John and his Suzuki probably around 60 Ks to notice that the big black tank bag that is normally right between his legs and that his chin rests on was kind of missing!!!! Yes it was still in Walwa next to the only petrol pump in town. John and Brett had to turn around and head back to Walwa while the rest of us waited in Tumut (sipping Lattes of course) for them to catch up. They managed to hold us up for only an hour, covering an extra 120 Ks in the process. No wonder John was excited to tell me that he too now realises the advisory speed signs don’t mean the actual speed you can go round a corner at. Needless to say I was impressed with both of them averaging 120kph for an hour!!!!
It was now back on the bikes and off to Gundagai and a meeting with the dog on the tucker box for refuelling. At this stage I tried very hard to loose Hosko with a very clever switch the servo at the round-a-bout routine when servo 1 had no premium. Cunning Hosko saw through this plan (eventually) and found us further up the freeway filling up. By now we could see dusk approaching and we still had 178 km to cover before finding our hotel for the night in Cowra. It was looking like it would be a night ride with the kangaroos, wombats and bugs all the way. The road from Gundagai, Jugiong, Harden and Young was another great stretch of road and I took advantage here to set a blistering pace. (Yes the MV was still F#@*EN HOT!!!! At one of the many corners on this part of the trip we had our one and only oops. John missed the corner marker (black scooters with riders dressed in black are hard to spot off the side of the road at dusk), turned around and pulled up at the intersection. Unfortunately he didn’t notice the gravel on this corner, resulting in lost footing and stationary drop. By the time we got to Young it was dusk so the ride up the Olympic Way was going to be Dark. I found a car with good lights so I sat on his bumper all the way, others found each other and shared the experience and others took it carefully all the way. By the time we found our beds it was after 8.00 pm, over 800 kms and about 13 hours in the saddle.
This fantastic first day was going to be a tough one to follow. It proved to be just one of the great days we had on the annual trip away that Hosko is so expert at organising. I’m already excited about Tassie 2009 as the climate is cooler and my ass deserves a break from the heat.
H and the F#@*EN HOT MV
Day 3 – What day did I lead again?
by Darren B
As usual when leading a ride, I go much slower than expected and manage to keep my followers of Tangerine not far from the rear vision mirrors. I know its hard to believe but not much speeding is necessary to be close by.
On the great 2008 trip I lead a few small sections plus the day we travelled from Cowra to Neath. Fortunately I happened to notice a sign out of Cowra in order to make our way, so it looked like I knew where we were going.
The day started with a small embarrassment on my part, after revving up the riders with a rider briefing, scrutineering and a call to ‘start your engines’ I proceeded to almost have an incident. I stood next to the bike and slipped it into neutral to start the engine when she rolled forward off the stand and started to fall over. Luckily it was behind Hosko’s R6 so he quickly helped me get it upright, whilst at the same time I rescued my glasses falling off the seat with one hand. My knee helped hold the bike and a screw seemed to aggravate my floating patella. This chain of events had an uncanny silver lining, as what dug into my knee was actually a loose screw about to fall out of the faring, which I otherwise would not have noticed. Whilst the revved up bikers were all ready to go, after my own gee-up, I quickly had to remove all luggage, get out the comprehensive Kawasaki tool kit, tighten the screw and put it all back. After what seemed like ages we were off!
Gentle country roads started the day in perfect conditions. I breathed the fresh air as we got under way thinking how wonderful this was. I was also thinking how good a Gold Wing might be and how much my mother would enjoy that. We ended up on some highway heading toward Bathhurst, so H could have a taste of the comfort of the MV whist not speeded excessively. At Bathhurst it was a little disappointing to find that we could not get all the way around, but went half way and took some good pics anyway. Is there a record for the time of a flying suitcase? And is there some penalty for scooter riders that get overtaken by a pushbike?
We headed into town along some scenic route involving a U-turn by which time it was pretty hot and sticky. Brunch, which turned into lunch, seemed to be a bit of a drawn out a-la-carte affair and after some time we were on our way again. We refuelled, which took at least 20 min, together with a guy in a wheelchair on a three-wheel bike thing.
Heading out we toured through some more gently winding roads until another small section of highway. It was time to refuel again and the pressure of some caffeine addicts together with an earlier suggestion of Brunch II meant that a stop was in order. This occurred at some small town called Dacrim (Darren can’t remember its name). Oh, no I think it was Denman. We partook in a drink whilst I keep an eye on our treasured bikes parked in front of the pub containing local ferrals and one hot talent. I am surprised we did not get arrested after me and Hosko were standing on a street corner admiring two boys, stating which one we each preferred, when the voice of some local bush pig says, ‘what are ya lookin for mate’, from immediately behind us. I still don’t know where he came from, nor where he went to.
It was time for the home leg toward this mystery place called Neath which we had now located by some high tech device, probably carried by a scooter. Further along the highway we headed, finally turning at Cesspit (or Cessnock on the map) toward Neath. It was a nice feeling to arrive at our location for 4 nights, where we did not have to repack luggage every day (not that I had much on such an economical machine).
We were greeted at the pub door by a guy called Jamie (no, not James) who said, ‘the bedroomsss are up the sstrairsss’. Oh, hello! Anyway my ride report ends there, as the rest of the night cannot be told here!!
Oh, I also led a few other snippets of ride, back along the Putty Road in search of an asphalt truck (not forgotten), only to find a Volvo against a pole. And also from Old Adaminaby to Corryong which took us into a heat wave and along some interesting roads and mostly empty dams. It was cooler inside my helmet than with the visor cracked open!
Day 4: Dungog Day Ride
by Phil
The drinks the night before had been somewhat too many and varied and leading a ride was the last thing I felt like doing. I wish I could remember who made me drink so much! However, as it was for every other day of our trip, the weather was glorious and it shouldn’t be wasted. Hosko suggested a ride up to Dungog, Gloucester and back down the coast via Nelson Bay.
Some stayed back to be washer women and enjoy a day off the bikes while the rest of us left at about 10am. We had to ride through the built up areas of Kurri Kurri and Maitland for quite a while before we emerged into the countryside. What were all these lovely green paddocks and full dams? It was a real change of scenery for most of us, except perhaps Kellie from Coffs.
Having checked to see how much fuel everyone else had, I forgot my own tank and soon after we left Maitland my fuel light came on. A quick glance at the next sign for Dungog and I knew I didn’t have enough to make it, so it was a quick stop at Woodville for me to top up.
I don’t think I’m exaggerating to say that the road to Dungog would be one of the worst any of us had ridden on. The whole ‘road’ for mile after mile up hill and down dale was just potholes! As much of the road was through forested countryside the road was in shadow which made it impossible to navigate a smoother course. After all nearly being shaken (but not stirred) to bits, we finally arrived in Dungog – although the main street of Dungog is as bad as any other part of the road and consists solely of patched potholes. When I got off my bike at the petrol bowsers and complained about the roads, an old local inhabitant retorted “they’re not called roads, they’re just potholes!” How right she was. A work colleague of mine from there said they all knew where the major potholes were so they could brace themselves while travelling on the school bus.
After filling up at Dungog we rode up Stroud Hill Road and continued on the much improved Bucketts Way to Gloucester. We know it was improved because there were signs every few kms telling us so. This road was much more enjoyable, wending its way through green and hilly farming country. We stopped at a café we’d been to before in Gloucester’s main street for a latté and a perve at the locals before continuing on. The road from Gloucester down to the Pacific Highway was fantastic, lovely surface and long sweeping curves surrounded by glorious lush green countryside.
We turned right at the Pacific Highway and rode south for a few kilometres before taking the old highway from Wootton. It was a strange sort of road – long sweeping bends with much of it signposted at 60 or 80 kmh – but much more interesting than the highway.
It was a fairly long and flat ride down the highway and over to Nelson’s Bay which seemed to take forever. The day was fairly warm by then and we were all keen to stop and have a rest. Eventually we got to Nelson’s Bay and with only one turn around, we found a café by the water. It was difficult though to actually see much of the bay due to all the massive boats in the marina.
The ride back to Neath took us through Raymond’s Terrace and Maitland and we unfortunately got caught in the peak hour traffic – which was as bad, if not worse than anything in Melbourne. Although I missed the road I meant to take, I somehow managed to navigate our way back to our pub.
Although it wasn’t all that long a ride, I think the heat and bumpy roads took their toll. I actually felt worse at the end of the day than at the beginning and was in bed (alone) by 9.30pm!
Ride Photos:
