The Cormanus Chronicles — 2025 January

[Cormanus]

16 January 2025

Day 8: Boorowa to Denman


Link to homeward map

I slept longer than I intended and was grateful for it. But then I dithered about which way to go. Of course there going to be rain during the day. As I left Boorowa, I decided not to make another trip to Wyangala and headed to Crookwell instead. Leaving Crookwell a couple of drops of rain landed and I stopped to drag on the onesie before pushing on to Oberon where I stopped for coffee.

Getting close


The view from the dashboard




North of Oberon

From Oberon, I returned to Tarana before taking a new road through Byalla, Portland and Cullen Bullen. Not long after that I stopped to address what looked like serious oncoming rain by putting my phone and camera away and pulling on some waterproof gloves. Taking off, I was soon stopped by road works during which time whatever I was listening to stopped playing and the voice in my head told me my mobile phone was disconnected. Strange, I thought. It was only in the top box and the Bluetooth connection should work OK from there. On the other side of the road works I stopped and searched the top box and my clothes. No phone. Clearly I'd dropped it while I was trying to get waterproof.

Remember Douglas Adams: Don’t Panic.

Back I went through the road works and easily found the spot where I'd stopped — there was something memorable about it at the time, but I don't recall now. There was my phone, face down on the ground and unharmed. Phew! Double phew!

Through the road works for the third time — the safety officers and I were best mates by then — and on to Ilford where I was back in familiar territory. I stopped in Rylstone for a cold drink and fuel, took off the wet weather gear again, and headed up the Bylong Valley. Sadly the Bylong General Store — usually good for a cup of tea and fuel — is closed. Maybe for good? Who knows? But happily the Yarrawa Road (which was pretty but slightly treacherous dirt when last I rode it) is now sealed and a fun shortcut to Denman.

I took a room at the Denman Motor Inn, had a pleasant amble to dinner at the Royal Hotel, which has had a makeover since I stayed there once, and plotted my route home the next day.

17 January 2025

Day 9: Denman to Stanthorpe


Link to homeward map

Rain was again forecast (and likely) on the roads over the range that would be my preferred route. I decided to stay west of the range and rode north up a couple of back roads past an enormous coal mine. It's a crap picture, but there's coal to the left and right of me as I ride down this hill.



Just north of Aberdeen I joined the New England Highway and made my way north to Tamworth where Australia's major country music festival was underway. Somewhere along the way I stopped for a fight with the onesie — again — watched by these blokes who were totally indifferent to my plight.


It was windy and hot at Tamworth. There hadn't been much rain and there was no little sign of it. I took off the onesie, ate badly and drank bad coffee before skirting the main part of the town and heading north on the road through Manilla to Bingara where I stopped for more fuel.

Between Tamworth and Bingara


The main street of Bingara


The muffler showing the signs of too many encounters with the rain

It was hot again and I stopped for a cool drink and fuel at Texas. I've written about Texas before. For some reason it appeals to me. It's a tiny town on the Queensland – New South Wales border and always seems to me the antithesis of the US state of Texas, renowned for its size. Does it also remind me of the movie, Paris, Texas? I'm not sure.

I like the road from Texas to Stanthorpe and it's been a good while since I've ridden it, so I set off thinking I'd simply take the main road home once I arrived on the outskirts of Stanthorpe. Of course, unexpected rain got in the way: not much; just enough to make me realize I was tired. Stopping was a smarter thing to do. So I did. Am I getting old?

The Boulevard Motel was clean, reasonably priced and comfortable and I found an OK Italian restaurant a short walk away.

18 January 2025

Day 10: Stanthorpe to Brisbane


Link to homeward map

It was a delightful morning, albeit cool. I set off for home deciding to avoid the Cunningham Highway and take the pretty road through the hills to Fordsdale and Gatton before a run over Mt Glorious and Mt Nebo — the Brisbane recreational motorcycle route.

I took only one photograph: as I pulled into the petrol station in Warwick to refuel, I hit a milestone. Based on the conventional divisor of 1.6, this makes 100,000 miles in the old money. It actually isn't: the number is 160,934.4. But it'll do me for a milestone.


I was home by late morning after another great ride. It will be the last decent time I'll get on the bike for the next three months as other commitments will take me from home and riding.

Thanks AussieFlyer for enticing me out.