The CB1100 Community Forum

The Cormanus Chronicles — Remembering Jake and Elwood

Preface
In early 2018, Pterodactyl, NoRoomtoMove and I managed to entice AussieFlyer to take to the road with us. We introduced him to the Great Alpine Road, the Omeo Valley Highway and the Bogong High Plains Road. The ride didn’t last as long as expected, so we agreed that we’d try again another time. Soon. Aussie Flyer and I had a plan to ride together for a day in 2019, but it was so hot we abandoned the plan and went out to lunch instead. En route to Tasmania in early 2020 I was joined by Pterodactyl for a day or two and then a day or so later by Aussie Flyer and NoRoomtoMove on some of the better local roads to the north of Melbourne.

Then there was covid.

Then I had both knees replaced.

Surely, almost four years later, it was about time to make a valiant attempt to put the band back together?

A note on maps
As usual, I’ve prepared maps of the journey. At the start of whatever nonsense I’ve written about each day there’ll be an image of the portion of the map covering that day. Underneath will be a link to the map from which it is taken. Clicking on that link will take you to Google Maps where you can view the entire portion of the route covered by the map and do all the fun things that Google Maps offers. In this case there are two main maps: [url=https://www.google.com/maps/d/edit?mid=1ABt-HMtcUT7QB20xDoDdA61uMte9GP0&usp=sharing]Map #1, covering most of the journey; and [url=https://www.google.com/maps/d/edit?mid=1TYCxvZiWMQORjl44JNaaO6Lz8Cf3hvo&usp=sharing]Map #2, covering the homeward section.






Chapter One

Warming up
Day 1 — Brisbane to Walcha

[url=https://www.google.com/maps/d/edit?mid=1ABt-HMtcUT7QB20xDoDdA61uMte9GP0&usp=sharing]Master map #1

As mid 2022 was the last time I’d been on a long ride away from home ([url=http://cb1100forum.com/forum/showthread.php?tid=18075]see here), I was concerned about my ‘ride fitness’. First, obviously, I hadn’t ridden much long distance since mid 2022. Secondly, I’ve had new knees fitted. Thirdly, my new year’s present was a first dose of covid with after effects that were lingering a month later. Clearly, before saddling up with the blokes, I needed a warm up ride.

My wife and I had arrangements to visit old friends on the south coast of New South Wales (about 1,600 kms as the CB1100 travels or 1,210 kms by freeway. Mrs C declined to join me on the bike. I figured three or so days in the saddle would either sort me out or I’d have to stop for a rest and be late arriving.

So, it came to pass that at 0600 on 2 February 2024, I pointed the CB south, took the freeway to Grafton in Northern New South Wales to get some easy kms under my belt before taking to the hills and roads worth riding. The freeway’s the freeway, although probably quiet by the standards of more populous countries so 4 hours and one fuel and coffee stop later I was 300 + kms down the road and refuelling again to be sure I’d make it to the next bowser
[url=https://postimages.org/]

[url=https://postimages.org/]
A couple of shots from the freeway. In the second, a recently built bridge climbs nearly to the height of the old lift bridge.

‘Up the hill’ was the Armidale Road from Grafton to Armidale — long a favourite road, badly hit by fire in 2019-20. For a little over 100 kms it winds diagonally up the side of the Great Dividing Range to Ebor, a small town with police, a school, a motel and Fusspots Café. After that the road makes it way another 70 or so kms to Armidale. Since I was last on the stretch to Ebor, a bridge damaged by fire had been replaced and work had been done on the surface. As usual it was a great ride, although hot. Lunch and a cool drink at Fusspots was welcome.
[url=https://postimages.org/]

[url=https://postimages.org/]

[url=https://postimages.org/]
These pictures may give some idea of why I like the road from Grafton to Armidale

[url=https://postimages.org/]
NoRoomtoMove understands this

After lunch I rode the rest of the road to Armidale. It runs across the plateau of the Great Dividing Range and is fast and enjoyable. My right wrist was sore so I stopped at the motorcycle dealer in Armidale and bought a wrist rest. It took some getting used to, but provided considerable relief to my arthritic paw for the rest of the trip.

Just under 60 kms further down the road, and 587 kms from home, I stopped for the night at the Apsley Arms Hotel in Walcha.

Not bad for a first day back.

So fun to pore over the maps and see the details of your ride. And on new knees no less!

Day 2 — Walcha to Oberon
[url=https://postimages.org/]
[url=https://www.google.com/maps/d/edit?mid=1ABt-HMtcUT7QB20xDoDdA61uMte9GP0&usp=sharing]Master map #1

I nearly always travel south through Walcha. It’s on the New England Plateau and is the starting point of many a fine ride, including the Oxley Highway, regarded by many as the best riding road in Australia. My path usually takes me down Thunderbolts Way (named after an Australian Bush Ranger) to Gloucester and Dungog. Not today. I wanted to find other interesting ways to avoid Sydney.

After half an hour or so, I turned right off Thunderbolts Way and rode west along Topdale Road and descended the Port Stephens Cutting, a narrow, twisting and steep descent to the valley below. From there it’s a pretty ride through hilly agricultural country to Dungowan where the country starts to open out onto the Macquarie Plain. Turning left I rode past the Chaffey Dam and then further west to Wallabadah where I stopped for fuel for both me and the CB. All good riding. These are old but reasonably well-maintained country roads with more than enough undulation and good sweeping corners to be interesting and fun for a motorcyclist.
[url=https://postimages.org/]

[url=https://postimages.org/]
A couple of sections of the Port Stephens Cutting

[url=https://postimages.org/]
The CB at Dungowan

As an aside, it was summer in Australia and the days were hot — north of 30ºC. So it was strange to have left Walcha wearing the inner thermal lining of my jacket and winter gloves to ward off the early morning chill. By Wallabadah, the need for them was well and truly over.
[url=https://postimages.org/]
Heading south from Dungowan

[url=https://postimages.org/]

[url=https://postimages.org/]
Chaffey Dam

For the next 70 kms or so I rode along the New England Highway: pretty enough, but a major road with all the joys of cars, trucks and traffic. I turned west on the outskirts of Scone, bound to Merriwah. I refuelled there before riding on to Mudgee, where I stopped to rehydrate and eat. Did I mention it was hot? The afternoon took me along some new and some familiar roads to the city of Bathurst.

For those in whose veins runs the fuel of the internal combustion engine, Bathurst is a mecca for its Mount Panorama motor racing circuit. While I was on this trip it would host a [url=https://www.bathurst12hour.com.au]12-hour endurance race. On the first weekend of October it is home to the [url=https://www.supercars.com/events/2023-bathurst-1000]Bathurst 1000, a major event on the Australian motorsport calendar.

I mention this because when it’s not being used for racing the circuit is a public road and I’ve always wondered about riding around it. Today was the day.

[url=https://postimages.org/]
You can zoom in on it on the [url=https://www.google.com/maps/d/edit?mid=1ABt-%20HMtcUT7QB20xDoDdA61uMte9GP0&usp=sharing]Master map #1 towards the end of Day 2, and [url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9iGW7YbGvuw]here’s a video of a lap through the window of a cage.

I did a couple of careful laps at the posted speed limit of 60 kph and realised you’d want lots of practice before hurtling around it at high speed.
[url=https://postimages.org/]
Near the top of Mount Panorama.

[url=https://postimages.org/]
Con Rod straight. There were more photos of the track, but lanyard cam malfunctioned and the lens cover didn’t open properly.

A soccer carnival meant every venue in Bathurst was fully booked so I rode on to Oberon and the Big Trout Motor Inn.

After 644 kms over the day, I was still feeling pretty good about my riding fitness.

Thank you, Cormanus. Very nice and encouraging for this old Geezer contemplating getting back on the CB. Beautiful scenery, as well.

(02-25-2024, 10:20 PM)Cormanus_imp Wrote: [ -> ]Day 2 — Walcha to Oberon

[url=https://www.google.com/maps/d/edit?mid=1ABt-HMtcUT7QB20xDoDdA61uMte9GP0&usp=sharing]Master map #1

I nearly always travel south through Walcha. It’s on the New England Plateau and is the starting point of many a fine ride, including the Oxley Highway, regarded by many as the best riding road in Australia. My path usually takes me down Thunderbolts Way (named after an Australian Bush Ranger) to Gloucester and Dungog. Not today. I wanted to find other interesting ways to avoid Sydney.

After half an hour or so, I turned right off Thunderbolts Way and rode west along Topdale Road and descended the Port Stephens Cutting, a narrow, twisting and steep descent to the valley below. From there it’s a pretty ride through hilly agricultural country to Dungowan where the country starts to open out onto the Macquarie Plain. Turning left I rode past the Chaffey Dam and then further west to Wallabadah where I stopped for fuel for both me and the CB. All good riding. These are old but reasonably well-maintained country roads with more than enough undulation and good sweeping corners to be interesting and fun for a motorcyclist.
[url=https://postimages.org/]

[url=https://postimages.org/]
A couple of sections of the Port Stephens Cutting

[url=https://postimages.org/]
The CB at Dungowan

As an aside, it was summer in Australia and the days were hot — north of 30ºC. So it was strange to have left Walcha wearing the inner thermal lining of my jacket and winter gloves to ward off the early morning chill. By Wallabadah, the need for them was well and truly over.
[url=https://postimages.org/]
Heading south from Dungowan

[url=https://postimages.org/]

[url=https://postimages.org/]
Chaffey Dam

For the next 70 kms or so I rode along the New England Highway: pretty enough, but a major road with all the joys of cars, trucks and traffic. I turned west on the outskirts of Scone, bound to Merriwah. I refuelled there before riding on to Mudgee, where I stopped to rehydrate and eat. Did I mention it was hot? The afternoon took me along some new and some familiar roads to the city of Bathurst.

For those in whose veins runs the fuel of the internal combustion engine, Bathurst is a mecca for its Mount Panorama motor racing circuit. While I was on this trip it would host a [url=https://www.bathurst12hour.com.au]12-hour endurance race. On the first weekend of October it is home to the [url=https://www.supercars.com/events/2023-bathurst-1000]Bathurst 1000, a major event on the Australian motorsport calendar.

I mention this because when it’s not being used for racing the circuit is a public road and I’ve always wondered about riding around it. Today was the day.

[url=https://postimages.org/]
You can zoom in on it on the [url=https://www.google.com/maps/d/edit?mid=1ABt-%20HMtcUT7QB20xDoDdA61uMte9GP0&usp=sharing]Master map #1 towards the end of Day 2, and [url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9iGW7YbGvuw]here’s a video of a lap through the window of a cage.

I did a couple of careful laps at the posted speed limit of 60 kph and realised you’d want lots of practice before hurtling around it at high speed.
[url=https://postimages.org/]
Near the top of Mount Panorama.

[url=https://postimages.org/]
Con Rod straight. There were more photos of the track, but lanyard cam malfunctioned and the lens cover didn’t open properly.

A soccer carnival meant every venue in Bathurst was fully booked so I rode on to Oberon and the Big Trout Motor Inn.

After 644 kms over the day, I was still feeling pretty good about my riding fitness.

I think I have made a similar comment in your other ride reports, but it's so fun to read the strange 'sounding' names. Not sure if all the above are examples of an internet search regarding the use of Aboriginal names for geographical sites in Australia, but here's the link that explains the short of it:

[url=https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Australian_place_names_of_Aboriginal_origin#:~:text=Place%20names%20in%2​0Australia%20have,the%20place%20was%20so%2Dnamed.]https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Australian_place_names_of_Aboriginal_origin#:~:text=Place%20names%20in%2​0Australia%20have,the%20place%20was%20so%2Dnamed.

These, juxtaposed with 'English sounding' names, create quite the contrast.

(02-25-2024, 10:20 PM)Cormanus_imp Wrote: [ -> ]Day 2 — Walcha to Oberon
[url=https://postimages.org/]
[url=https://www.google.com/maps/d/edit?mid=1ABt-HMtcUT7QB20xDoDdA61uMte9GP0&usp=sharing]Master map #1

I nearly always travel south through Walcha. It’s on the New England Plateau and is the starting point of many a fine ride, including the Oxley Highway, regarded by many as the best riding road in Australia. My path usually takes me down Thunderbolts Way (named after an Australian Bush Ranger) to Gloucester and Dungog. Not today. I wanted to find other interesting ways to avoid Sydney.

After half an hour or so, I turned right off Thunderbolts Way and rode west along Topdale Road and descended the Port Stephens Cutting, a narrow, twisting and steep descent to the valley below. From there it’s a pretty ride through hilly agricultural country to Dungowan where the country starts to open out onto the Macquarie Plain. Turning left I rode past the Chaffey Dam and then further west to Wallabadah where I stopped for fuel for both me and the CB. All good riding. These are old but reasonably well-maintained country roads with more than enough undulation and good sweeping corners to be interesting and fun for a motorcyclist.
[url=https://postimages.org/]

[url=https://postimages.org/]
A couple of sections of the Port Stephens Cutting

[url=https://postimages.org/]
The CB at Dungowan

As an aside, it was summer in Australia and the days were hot — north of 30ºC. So it was strange to have left Walcha wearing the inner thermal lining of my jacket and winter gloves to ward off the early morning chill. By Wallabadah, the need for them was well and truly over.
[url=https://postimages.org/]
Heading south from Dungowan

[url=https://postimages.org/]

[url=https://postimages.org/]
Chaffey Dam

For the next 70 kms or so I rode along the New England Highway: pretty enough, but a major road with all the joys of cars, trucks and traffic. I turned west on the outskirts of Scone, bound to Merriwah. I refuelled there before riding on to Mudgee, where I stopped to rehydrate and eat. Did I mention it was hot? The afternoon took me along some new and some familiar roads to the city of Bathurst.

For those in whose veins runs the fuel of the internal combustion engine, Bathurst is a mecca for its Mount Panorama motor racing circuit. While I was on this trip it would host a [url=https://www.bathurst12hour.com.au]12-hour endurance race. On the first weekend of October it is home to the [url=https://www.supercars.com/events/2023-bathurst-1000]Bathurst 1000, a major event on the Australian motorsport calendar.

I mention this because when it’s not being used for racing the circuit is a public road and I’ve always wondered about riding around it. Today was the day.

[url=https://postimages.org/]
You can zoom in on it on the [url=https://www.google.com/maps/d/edit?mid=1ABt-%20HMtcUT7QB20xDoDdA61uMte9GP0&usp=sharing]Master map #1 towards the end of Day 2, and [url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9iGW7YbGvuw]here’s a video of a lap through the window of a cage.

I did a couple of careful laps at the posted speed limit of 60 kph and realised you’d want lots of practice before hurtling around it at high speed.
[url=https://postimages.org/]
Near the top of Mount Panorama.

[url=https://postimages.org/]
Con Rod straight. There were more photos of the track, but lanyard cam malfunctioned and the lens cover didn’t open properly.

A soccer carnival meant every venue in Bathurst was fully booked so I rode on to Oberon and the Big Trout Motor Inn.

After 644 kms over the day, I was still feeling pretty good about my riding fitness.

60kph? So a mostly public road has that limit, but at times is a racing route! If one got pulled over for speeding on that road, I don't know...an arg! moment.

(02-25-2024, 10:20 PM)Cormanus_imp Wrote: [ -> ]Day 2 — Walcha to Oberon
[url=https://postimages.org/]
[url=https://www.google.com/maps/d/edit?mid=1ABt-HMtcUT7QB20xDoDdA61uMte9GP0&usp=sharing]Master map #1

I nearly always travel south through Walcha. It’s on the New England Plateau and is the starting point of many a fine ride, including the Oxley Highway, regarded by many as the best riding road in Australia. My path usually takes me down Thunderbolts Way (named after an Australian Bush Ranger) to Gloucester and Dungog. Not today. I wanted to find other interesting ways to avoid Sydney.

After half an hour or so, I turned right off Thunderbolts Way and rode west along Topdale Road and descended the Port Stephens Cutting, a narrow, twisting and steep descent to the valley below. From there it’s a pretty ride through hilly agricultural country to Dungowan where the country starts to open out onto the Macquarie Plain. Turning left I rode past the Chaffey Dam and then further west to Wallabadah where I stopped for fuel for both me and the CB. All good riding. These are old but reasonably well-maintained country roads with more than enough undulation and good sweeping corners to be interesting and fun for a motorcyclist.
[url=https://postimages.org/]

[url=https://postimages.org/]
A couple of sections of the Port Stephens Cutting

[url=https://postimages.org/]
The CB at Dungowan

As an aside, it was summer in Australia and the days were hot — north of 30ºC. So it was strange to have left Walcha wearing the inner thermal lining of my jacket and winter gloves to ward off the early morning chill. By Wallabadah, the need for them was well and truly over.
[url=https://postimages.org/]
Heading south from Dungowan

[url=https://postimages.org/]

[url=https://postimages.org/]
Chaffey Dam

For the next 70 kms or so I rode along the New England Highway: pretty enough, but a major road with all the joys of cars, trucks and traffic. I turned west on the outskirts of Scone, bound to Merriwah. I refuelled there before riding on to Mudgee, where I stopped to rehydrate and eat. Did I mention it was hot? The afternoon took me along some new and some familiar roads to the city of Bathurst.

For those in whose veins runs the fuel of the internal combustion engine, Bathurst is a mecca for its Mount Panorama motor racing circuit. While I was on this trip it would host a [url=https://www.bathurst12hour.com.au]12-hour endurance race. On the first weekend of October it is home to the [url=https://www.supercars.com/events/2023-bathurst-1000]Bathurst 1000, a major event on the Australian motorsport calendar.

I mention this because when it’s not being used for racing the circuit is a public road and I’ve always wondered about riding around it. Today was the day.

[url=https://postimages.org/]
You can zoom in on it on the [url=https://www.google.com/maps/d/edit?mid=1ABt-%20HMtcUT7QB20xDoDdA61uMte9GP0&usp=sharing]Master map #1 towards the end of Day 2, and [url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9iGW7YbGvuw]here’s a video of a lap through the window of a cage.

I did a couple of careful laps at the posted speed limit of 60 kph and realised you’d want lots of practice before hurtling around it at high speed.
[url=https://postimages.org/]
Near the top of Mount Panorama.

[url=https://postimages.org/]
Con Rod straight. There were more photos of the track, but lanyard cam malfunctioned and the lens cover didn’t open properly.

A soccer carnival meant every venue in Bathurst was fully booked so I rode on to Oberon and the Big Trout Motor Inn.

After 644 kms over the day, I was still feeling pretty good about my riding fitness.

That's a good riding day. How did the new bionic knees feel? Does the sustained riding position or maybe the heat affect them?

One question... did you stop and see the Penguin?

Thanks for the fun coverage from Down Under, Cormanus.

pdedse,
[li]Some parts of Australia are having their indigenous names restored. As you say the juxtaposition is great. On a pedantic note, Oberon, is a European word — see A Midsummer’s Night’s Dream.[/li] [li]60 kph is the posted speed limit for many built up areas. Increasingly, it’s being reduced to 50 kph in urban and suburban streets. Freeway speed limits are 100 or 110 kph.[/li] [li]The bionic knees are just terrific. The only inconvenience is in one hip muscle that seems to have been badly weakened by years of compensating for the bad knee. I’m in much better shape now at the end of the day.
[/li]

Ferret



Penguins are way too scary.

... in urban southern Ontario:

Many areas are changing from 60 to 50 km/h.

Proper urban is 40 km/h, and some areas have changed from 40 to 30 km/h with "catalytic converter thieving" speed bumps.

My wife grew up Catholic, the portrayal wasn't far off according to her.

Wonderful read Cormanus.