Day out

[Cormanus]

It was an OK day Down Under yesterday. Temperatures in the high 20°-low 30°s Celsius with threats of rain that never really materialised—at least where I happened to be. I did see evidence from time to time that I'd just missed a fall. I was jealous of Pterodactyl heading south to Phillip Island as I'd been unable to make the trek south to join him. So, by way of consolation, I thought to take myself for a ride.

[url=https://www.google.com/maps/d/edit?mid=zwzS5Q1Lo7Yk.k0H4SXFTqZJc]

Point E on the map (which you see in all its exquisite detail by clicking on it) is also Point A and, therefore, start and finish point. I did the ride anticlockwise, thereby starting along one of my favourite roads to Kin Kin and from there to Gympie. From Gympie it's a pleasant ride through Glastonbury and Widgee until you join the Wide Bay Highway (route 49). It's then pretty straight and not all that interesting a ride to Kilkivan.

I don't know what it is about Kilkivan, but I never find it very enjoyable. It doesn't look it in this photo, but it's usually hot and dry and altogether unappetising. As it was yesterday when I made a comfort stop.



From Kilkivan, the road took me to Goomeri where I turned south. It was interesting to me that, although I was not all that far inland, the landscape was a great deal drier than on the coast.

On the way I passed one of those palindromic and symmetrical milestones.



I had planned to cut off the south-west corner of the ride by taking a road through Jimna, but when I got onto it the sign told me there was 88 kms of gravel to be dealt with. I'm not averse to gravel, but it was near to lunch time; my blood sugar was down and I wasn't sure where I'd get a meal or fuel on the way through; and the prospect of having to travel as slowly as the gravel would require put me off. I turned around at point C resolved to make an earlier start and ride the road some time as it looked attractive enough and I'm hoping the southern stretch will be sealed and an OK ride. Perhaps the trick will be to approach Jimna from the south one day and see how it looks.

Seduced by a sign, I then took a detour into Lake Barambah (no point letter—how did that happen) which promised food. The kiosk/bait shop at the lake very dreary. My low blood sugar was making me so cranky. So I pushed on. The trip to Nanango was given extra spice by not being completely certain I'd have enough fuel to get there. Of course, the CB always goes a bit further on a tank than I expect.

At Nanango I filled up with petrol and found a bakery where I could find coffee and that great Australian delicacy—the meat pie slathered with tomato sauce (ketchup). No one could see me so I had an entirely unnecessary apple turnover. A bakery whose wall looks like this has to appeal to a rider.



There are some nice bits of road from Nanango to Kilcoy, although by the standards of the Sunshine Coast hinterland they're not spectacular. From Kilcoy to just after Stanmore is also fairly ordinary, although it's quick and could be fun if you were prepared to risk a speeding ticket. At the end of the flat, the road twists delightfully up the hill until you turn left onto the Maleney-Stanley River Road, about which I've written before. It twists happily up hill and I love it.

At the top, I turned left down the narrow, windy, slow Postman's Track. It has these marvellous signposted 'Dips' from in you could easily bottom out the suspension before becoming airborne were you so inclined. I'm not. So they work well to keep my speed low. But they're worth negotiating because at the bottom of the hill, where it becomes Ahern's Road, the road's well sealed, narrow, largely traffic free and good fun. Every now and again I find a bit which punctures the bubble of my illusion that I'm Marc Marquez. Most definitely I'm not.

My route then took me through a glorious twisty stretch into Kennilworth, another glorious (but too short) twisty stretch on the other side and through attractive country side back to the main highway. At one point, on the Tuchekoi Road I actually saw cattle grazing in grass so long I could just see the top of their backs.

I'd hoped to avoid the main highway, but I was again pushing the fuel envelope and decided on a route that would get me home without risk. The reward is the delightful (but short) set of twisties immediately off the main highway and up and over the hill to Pomona.

440 kms or therebaouts and a pleasant day out. I'm glad I remembered to put the AirHawk on; dang* that seat's uncomfortable after a while.


*Almost no self-respecting Australian would say 'dang'; we'd go for 'd#mn' or 'bloody he#l...or ... never mind ... but I keep getting caught by the forum unacceptable language detector.

[metallyguitarded_imp]

Another great write-up and long overdue! I'm glad you were able to escape for a bit and even more pleased that you decided to share the ride with all of us. I have decided that as a crime partner, you simply won't do. Having successfully consumed an apple turnover without detection, you succumbed to your conscience and confessed your transgression here. It appears that Pterodactyl has the more appropriate criminal mindset - so long as his lips are not seduced by the taste of rum.

[the Ferret]

Hmm 70 low 90 high... 275 miles? I'd definitely take that right about now.

Nice report as usual Cormanus. Bike sure looks good. Love the wall in the restaurant especially since I rode the mother road last year... Has some meaning for me now. And I do love an apple turnover almost as much as warm peach cobbler ( which I simply must buy if it's on the menu).

Do you do most of your riding alone?

[Cormanus]

MG, you may be right, but you also don't know what I DON'T tell you. Besides your Mustang confession was pretty good.

Ferret, the bike is looking OK, thank you—particularly as it got a long-overdue clean on Monday afternoon.

The answer to your other question is yes, I do most of my riding alone. Mostly because it suits my nature, but also because I've lived here only for 7 or 8 years and haven't made many friends. I've found a nearly local group of agreeable chaps and been for ride with them once, but nothing much has come of it. I need to get off my backside and chase them up as the odd ride with one or two agreeable souls is good fun. I've been very lucky to meet Pterodactyl through this forum. Bit of a risk riding off into the sunrise to meet a perfect stranger, but we get on very well. I think that; he may have a different view. I've had three or four really good rides with him now and we enjoy ourselves. I'm looking forward to another when we can swing it—I hope before we get to the US.

There's a whole, long discussion about the issues involved in moving to a new place later in life, but this is probably not the forum to have it on.

[the Ferret]

I really like the black with silver motor and wheels, but afraid I'd have to spring for black side covers though.

Finding some one who rides at your pace, likes to take off when you do, like to eat similarly, likes to put in as many miles as you do, etc is tough to do.

[Cormanus]

I'm very tempted to spring for black side covers, but there are other more important things on my spending list at the moment.

[redbirds_imp]

Thanks for the ride report Cormanus. Love those maps you include.

[Motogeezer1949_imp]

Could have waited til 12:34
Or gotten there earlier, say at 11:11
Or some such LOL

[emptysea]

Thanks for the glimpse into the warmth... I'm getting CBin Fever about now.

[Cormanus]

Could have waited til 12:34
Or gotten there earlier, say at 11:11
Or some such LOL

Nice pick. I didn't even think of it.

On reflection 12:21 would have been the one, but I couldn't have survived the boring wait beside the road!