North to Mango Hill.

[Pterodactyl_imp]

After the run to the WSBK in February I contented myself with some local riding but, by early April, my "itchy-feet" syndrome asserted itself and it was time for another ride. A real ride, that is. Reading Cormanus' posts on the joys of riding the roads of SE Queensland I decided to pay him a visit (and, of course, deliver the Hubris Omni Grade Motorcycle (CB1100) Oil he so wisely ordered ).

The basic plan was to ride some of the best motorcycle roads in New South Wales while camping out, visit my son in Minnie Water, visit friends in the Brisbane area and then meet Cormanus and ride with him for a couple of days.

I prepared and packed up Last Blast. Preparation was simplicity itself; the oil and filter were good for at least another 3000kms so all that was required was a chain clean, lube and adjustment, a tyre and brake check (the RP3s were at the tail end of their useful life, especially the rear, but would last the distance) and a check of the lights and suspension settings. Packing? The usual for a touring-camping trip. I quote from another post: Quote:My gear? Well I keep it simple; camping essentials such as tent, sleeping bag, ground sheet, camp stool; Trangia spirit stove, fuel for same and means of ignition; food for three days (I'll replenish en-route), mainly canned of the beans and bacon, chunky soup or beef stew variety; tea, coffee, UHT milk capsules; a two litre water bottle that I can refill along the way; eating irons and a mug; jeans, one good polo shirt and enough t-shirts, underwear, socks to last and a pair of sandals; toilet kit; wet weather gear, spare gloves with water resistant inserts, thermals (just in case summer turns to winter); lastly, a puncture kit and chain lube - the CB already has an adequate Honda tool kit. Thats it. Oh, I almost forgot! A first aid kit and a large bottle of Bundy rum. Both purely for emergency or medicinal purposes of course.
My plan for day 1 was to leave Sydney heading north along the Wollombi Rd, the Singleton to Dungog Road, then onto Thunderbolts Way to Walcha, where I would head east along the Oxley Highway to make camp near Apsley Falls. A ride of about 640kms (397miles) and six hours in the saddle. If you need a map, [url=https://goo.gl/maps/bbDF3]here it is. I hit the road early in the morning. The weather was perfect, blue sky with a little high stratus, light wind, and a temperature of around 25deg C. I have described most of the above roads in other posts so I won't go to too much detail except to say that all the roads are good motorcycle roads and these signs abound.



It is entirely possible these signs mean that motorcycles must proceed at high speed and endeavour to slide around corners in the manner of a GP racer. That is beyond my skill level so I just enjoyed myself at my usual sedate pace. I stopped at the Wollombi Tavern for a coffee.



Around 4pm, twenty kilometres to the east of Walcha, I found my camping spot on the edge of the Wild Rivers National Park. The campground is relatively undeveloped. About fifteen places for tents or vans where the Parks have provided a handful of fireplaces and tables, a "long drop thunder box" and a water point. There is an honesty-box to leave $10 for upkeep and maintenance. It is well spent as Parks do a good job. The sites are grassy and clean. At a central point cut firewood is kept under a basic shelter and the thunder boxes are clean and well provided - always. As I rolled in I noticed a van in one of the spots but otherwise the ground was deserted. I parked Last Blast and went and made myself known to the caravaners, a pleasant middle aged couple who invited me to join them at their campfire later in the evening, if I wished.



While remaining fine there had been a noticeable drop in temperature and during the night I expected it to fall to about 3deg C. I set up camp and built my own fire to cook my meal and keep my hands warm while I did so. A previous camper had, very kindly, left a good supply of firewood so apart from raking up a little kindling there was little effort involved. Internal temperature was taken care of by a nip of my Emergency Bundy Rum (EBR).



Just before dark I heard another motorcycle approaching. Into view came a very neat, and fully loaded, white Viffer 800. The rider waved as he passed and I heard him stop about a hundred meters away, out of sight. Shortly after that the rider appeared, introduced himself, and invited me to join him after dinner to have a yarn and toast some marshmallows. The invitations were beginning to arrive thick and fast and I was beginning to think I should have brought along my social secretary. You meet the nicest people on a Honda, especially in a bush camp!

Night had fallen, I had finished my meal and was cleaning up when I was visited by an Australian Effen Magpie. The Effen Magpie does have a more precise scientific name, Cracticus Tibicen, I believe, but I call them by the common name because they have the habit of fearlessly raiding camps for anything edible. Funnily enough they also have a reputation for being attracted to any small shiny objects that they can can carry away. So, ladies, don't leave a three carat diamond ring unattended in the Australian bush. During nesting they are fiercely territorial, so watch your six o'clock or you will be on the receiving end of a high speed peck to the head that can open a nasty wound.



The most appealing thing about this bird is its song. With these boys and girls around you don't need an alarm clock. The "Dawn Chorus" is truly a wonder to hear. Here is small sample of the Magpie's song:





(Boring huh?)

Before going to my sleeping bag I joined the caravaners and the Viffer rider around a warm fire for a yarn, some toasted marshmallows and a nip or two of EBR.

Ready for bed and don't those Oxford saddlebags throw a good reflection.


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The next morning I was up and on the road by 8:30. I headed east while my new found friend on the Viffer went west to continue his journey. I planned to ride the Oxley Highway then proceed up the Pacific Highway to ride the Waterfall Way up on to the Dorrigo Plateau. From there I would then join the Armidale to Grafton Road and then ride on to my son's place at Minnie Water. [url=https://goo.gl/maps/8jKXX]The Plan - 486kms.

The Oxley, the Waterfall, and the Armidale to Grafton are beaut motorcycle roads that connect the coastal strip to the highlands and plateaus of the Great Dividing range. They were all originally surveyed in the nineteenth century when roads took turns and twists and followed the best contours instead of cuttings, bridges and overpasses. In other words, made for motorcyclists. The surfaces can be variable but are, in general, good, with local councils and state road authorities continually at work on repairs and upgrades. Here are some of our taxes at work on the Oxley.



You can see that the Oxley is a "Highway" in name only. It is, in reality, a two lane road with, mostly, a dividing line. It follows ridge lines through heavily timbered country until it opens out above and then drops into the Hastings River Valley. It is very twisty and a delight to ride. I have ridden it many times. The last time previous to this was with Cormanus but rain took the edge off our experience. See [url=http://cb1100forum.com/forum/showthread.php?tid=3809&highlight=oxley]this thread from Cormanus.
At eighty kilometers to go to Wauchope sits, in the heavily timbered high country, Gingers Creek Roadhouse. Café, restaurant and accommodation (bunk houses and tent sites) make this a good stop for both transient motorcyclists and those who want to stay a few days and enjoy the nearby National Parks. Bush walking, white water rafting, fishing, rock climbing, horse riding and dirt biking - it's all there. Or, if you wish, stay for a day or two and do a few runs up and down the Oxley.



Last Blast was joined by some very fancy machinery of the CBR and Hayabusa variety.



Note the two bowsers in the background. Don't count on a refuel as supplies are, well, "irregular".

After coffee I was on the road. This photos was taken where the Oxley opens out above the Hastings River Valley. Timber, dairy and National Park.



There was a long day ahead of me so I pushed on through the traffic of the Pacific Highway. The Pacific is a true highway that carries a substantial amount of interstate traffic and coastal holiday makers. I was disappointed with the ride up the Waterfall Way. This superb road twists its way up to the Dorrigo plateau. A great motorcycle road. Alas, I had to twist my way up at a heady average of 40kph or less, trapped behind two big-rigs, five caravans and about twenty cars. Hardly any overtaking opportunities for about 40kms so I just had to live with it. At Dorrigo the traffic continued on the Waterfall while I took the back road to Tyringham and onto the Armidale Grafton Road. Great riding and by the time I had reached Grafton (no time for photographs) I had had my fill of being on the edge of my tyres. Keeping a good lookout for 'roos and emus (it is a very "wildlife active" road) I rode on to Minnie Water where I pulled into my son's driveway just after 5pm. He stood there, arm around his partner, with a big smile on his dial and a cold beer in his hand. A good day and getting better.

I have given a brief description of Minnie Water in a previous post. Quote:Minnie is a lovely, if somewhat isolated place. Population about 150 to 200, no traffic lights, no parking signs, no supermarket, just a general store with food basics, fishing tackle and two fuel bowsers, one premium and the other diesel. It's surrounded by National Park and State Forest and therefore has defied development. The nearest town of any size is Grafton, about 50kms away. I love it 'cause it is the kind of place that reminds you that don't really need much "stuff". Photos are [url=http://cb1100forum.com/forum/showthread.php?tid=3700&pid=55774#pid55774]in this post. But here is a teaser:


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Sorry son, places to go, people to see, things to do!

I left mid-morning after a swim, the water temp was 22deg C and I didn't see any Great Whites. A good breakfast also saw me on my way (thanks Sue). The plan for the day was to ride the Kyogle to Murwillumbah Road and then on to Main beach, on the [url=http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gold_Coast,_Queensland]Gold Coast, where I would stay the weekend with a good mate from my working days, Steve. Here's [url=https://goo.gl/maps/qT9R9]The Plan for the day.

Minnie water to Kyogle is a straight forward ride of no note along the Summerland Way. On the other hand the Kyogle to Murwillumbah Road is a beauty and Cormanus reports on it in [url=http://cb1100forum.com/forum/showthread.php?tid=4373&pid=65610#pid65610]this post. The hill climb and descent of about 15kms at the beginning of this twisty piece of tar was a great ride. I chased a little fast four hatch. For the politically correct, definitely not a road race, just a "spirited ride". The driver was a young woman who pulled up at farm gate where we exchanged pleasantries. She has driven that road countless times so I guess thats why her (driving) lines were so good. All the other pertinent lines were also well placed. I continued on to Murwillumbah and rolled into Steve's place late in the afternoon still in fine weather. Steve holds a rider's licence and in his garage is an early noughties KLR thumper and a GSX1400 that he bought wrecked. He and his son intent to café the GSX. To me it looks like one on those "gunner" projects! Steve has seen Last Blast on a few occasions and is obviously impressed by it as he is actively looking at CB1100s on bike sale sites. For example, on BikeSales.com.au, [url=http://www.bikesales.com.au/bikes?Make=Honda&Model=CB1100F&Price_Min=0&Price_Max=&State=QLD&SiloType=all&BikeAll=]this one. A 2010 with 4300kms in black at AUD9800? In my opinion a good machine but way overpriced, unless the CB is already achieving rare and potentially classic status here in OZ, and I doubt that. If he buys and joins the forum I will be applying to Guth for the usual spotter's fee.

Anyway, what do two young lads get up to on a Gold Coast weekend? Well they say that "What goes down on the Gold Coast stays......". However, in brief, on Saturday we went to a football game, Rugby League of course, where we ate meat pies and had a couple of "pig's ears". Had dinner at an Irish pub, a cup of tea or two at Hooters, and to finish the night off, watched the fireworks on the beach.



On Sunday morning I have to admit to not being in "showroom condition". Must have been the Hooter's tea! But a swim and run on Main Beach improved my outlook markedly.
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On Monday morning I took [url=https://goo.gl/maps/HbfTn]this ride to Scarborough. An easy couple of hours of about 148kms. The road wends its way from Nerang up to the Lamington Plateau and on to Canungra. If you want to carve it up go ahead, it's made for it. If you wish the slow and easy looking at the scenery option is available. Take your choice. Either way satisfaction is guaranteed. It is a beautiful part of the world where sea meets dairy cattle country and the road works its way up to [url=http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lamington_National_Park]rainforest wilderness and the Lamington National Park. A light rain was falling but it was not heavy enough for me to either don my wets or dampen my spirit.





I stopped for coffee at a motorcycle oriented café in Canungra, The Outpost. Good coffee and world class pies. Canungra is an interesting town. It services the tourist industry and the Australian Army Jungle Training Centre (JTC). I spent some time at the JTC in the mid sixties. As I passed the gates to the JTC I recalled many days and nights of being in the rainforest in a state of perpetual wetness and weariness, all the while feeding a thousand leeches. I also recalled an especially evil looking Sergeant Major who would scare the wits out of us youngsters by saying "Son, the leeches will be bad. Real bad. If I was you, I would wear a condom." I can tell you, it sure as sugar made me want to work in a bank!

That afternoon I arrived at Scarborough to stay with another mate. A real good bloke. I have known him and his wonderful wife for fifty years and we have shared a few good adventures in that time. He was one of the youngest ever Aussies to qualify as an Army Aviator (Rotary wing). He did his basic and advanced training in Australia and, later, an instructor rating at Fort Rucker, AL. Not only has he an impressive number of rotary wing endorsements he has also flown, as an airline pilot, an equally impressive number of transport aircraft including the DC4, Vickers Viscount, Lockheed Electra, B727, MD80, and many others up to his retirement when he flew the Airbus A340. I'm telling you all this as he is not doing so well at the moment. It is therapy for me anyway.

The view form my mate's apartment. In the background are the Glasshouse Mountains. I will be riding there tomorrow with Cormanus.


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I was up and on the road early next morning. The weather was fine and beaut. Perfect for the short ride to Mango Hill where I was to meet Cormanus, fill his bike with [url=http://cb1100forum.com/forum/showthread.php?tid=5445&pid=84740#pid84740]Dr Dactyl's Omni Grade Motorcycle (CB1100) Oil*, and be shown some good roads.

Cheers, and if you have got this far thank you for your attention. Over to you, Cormanus.

*Marketed by Dactyl Intergalactic, incorporated in Panama and Lichtenstein.

[noroomtomove]

*Marketed by Dactyl Intergalactic, incorporated in Panama and Lichtenstein.

Re the recent Senate Inquiry Pterodactyl do you fund the extra seat time by being "incorporated in Panama and Lichtenstein." Best to keep Joe H at bay.

Regards

[Rocky_imp]

I always love your travel stories and this one was especially good.
Great stuff

[Pterodactyl_imp]

Thanks Rocky. It is a shame you are not here to share the ride.

Cheers mate

[the Ferret]

So far, a good cup and a half of morning tea report. Excellent stuff ( the report and the tea).

[redbirds_imp]

Have to agree with Rocky. Enjoyed this report and being an avid birder, got a kick out of the Magpie video-a delightful way to be wakened.

Looking forward to meeting our Aussie friends in person in North Carolina.

[Chapomis_imp]

Excellent report, beautiful country. It would be a good place for next years rally !

[Django]

Dactyl, I really enjoy your colorful English written reports.

Nice lifestyle doing camping in the wild, too.

Cheers!

[Ack-CB11_imp]

Great report and pictures, Thanks

[noroomtomove]

"It is entirely possible these signs mean that motorcycles must proceed at high speed and endeavour to slide around corners in the manner of a GP racer"

I think i've seen a similar sign on the way to Licola and Dargo here in Gippsland.

Look forward to your Seat time reports, another gooden, however as an Carlton supporter I don't refer to that Black and White team in the AFL in any way in our house they are the Team that shall not be named.
I work with some blokes that also feel this way as well.

I know its a Victorian thing.