1 of 2017

[Cormanus]

[url=https://drive.google.com/open?id=1dYLtr9bcd7-FGbizS0qrb0nAH9w&usp=sharing]Google Map Link

GrahamT went away for Christmas and took his bike. We had a conversation about whether I might visit for a ride. So, this morning, knowing he was riding home, I sent him a text message to see whether he'd like company.

He replied saying he'd had to drive a car back and leave the bike behind.

There was some to-ing and fro–ing of texts, but it came to pass that I put on my gear and rode out to pick up GrahamT to take him to collect his bike. I sent a text to Tezza inviting him to join us. He said he was busy working on his T500.

It was a horrible day for a ride. The temperature where we were heading was in excess of 35ºC (95ºF) and the effect of wind at 100 kms was warming. I think Tezza looked out the window and thought 'idiots' and went back to his beer.

But, hey, we're CB1100 riders, so we persevered. And, anyway, Brisbane badly needs rain, so we thought we'd do our civic duty and tempt fate.

I didn't tell GrahamT that I'd packed my wets.

We set off for Ipswich and Toowoomba ...

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... passed the road leading to Ipswich ...
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... and soon came to a quieter, but not all that interesting, country road.
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Time passed and we came to the Wivenhoe Dam. The picture's crap; but, in the mirror, you can see there were two of us on the bike.
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As we crossed the dam I looked up and saw a raptor. I pointed the camera where I thought it was, pressed the button and produced this ridiculous shot.
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We climbed a hill, came to some gravel ...
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... found GrahamT's bike; were given welcome cold water by a kindly man; and set off back down the hill, through the speed-limited corners.
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GrahamT in pursuit ...
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More shots of GrahamT ...
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We rode around the back of Wivenhoe Dam watching storm clouds building to the west, up the Northbrook Parkway over Mounts Glorious and Nebo (about which much has already been written) and back down into Brisbane.

We beat the rain home; but, as I write, it's falling and the temperature is falling. Outside it's now 25.6ºC and falling. Much better.

An agreeable 278 kms (288 according to the CB's odometer) to welcome 2017.

Thanks Graham.

 

[Rocky_imp]

Nice ride, but I would have wilted in those temps.

 

[Stichill]

I enjoyed your colorful prose, Cormanus! Reading your accounts gives one the feeling of being along for the ride. The curvy road areas looked like some fun!

 

[the Ferret]

Always enjoy your reports and pictures Cormanus.

 

[emptysea]

Some nice pics and, as always, a great narrative, Cormanus. Why was GrahamT's bike in need of collecting, though?

 

[Rolls_imp]

Are speed limited corners photo radar or something like that? Great trip report, as usual.

 

[Cormanus]

Some nice pics and, as always, a great narrative, Cormanus. Why was GrahamT's bike in need of collecting, though?

I confess I didn't enquire to deeply into the reason, but his son took ill and had to be driven back to Brisbane. I suspect, had he not been ill, said son would have driven the truck and GrahamT the bike.

I can report that GrahamT's son is recovering.

Are speed limited corners photo radar or something like that? Great trip report, as usual.

Rolls, the short answer is no. Just signs and the possibility of patrols or mobile speed cameras.

There's a longer answer that I'm going to think a bit more about and maybe post elsewhere on the forum.

 

[curlyjoe]

Glad it cooled off a bit at the end of the ride, Cormanus. Thanks for sharing!

 

[Tezza_imp]

I should have come. After finding my Suzuki has done another crank seal the ride might have cheered me up a bit despite the heat.

 

[Cormanus]

Should have. It was agreeably cool over Glorious.

Sorry to hear about the seal.

 

[the Ferret]

One of my water buffalos succumbed to leaking cranks seals

 

[Graham T_imp]

I would like to take this opportunity to thank Cormanus for digging me out of the smelly stuff by offering to take me retrieve my CB, I had no idea how I was going to do it until he offered. And it turned into a great little adventure. I was feeling a bit dusty by the time we got to Mt Glorious having been awake since 3.00am but the first couple of hairpins certainly sorted that out, eyes wide open after that.
Looking forward to more adventures/ missions in the near future, will keep you all posted. Cheer

 

[nhawk7504_imp]

Great story and photos as always Cormanus. I rode my VFR home from the races one summer. Right around 37-40 Celsius including the hot pavement radiation, and stupid humid. Then it rains and my raingear becomes a sauna in stop and go traffic. Aerostich pants don't breathe a whisper. So can appreciate you guys soldiering on in that heat. 5C here today in NE USA.