ha ha ha…….as many times as you want!! that was Karl’s plan. This ride was Karl’s brain child in a small window of opportunity (these don’t come by very often). The seeds were sown and the lonely flower of the group did what she does best, booked some great accommodation while the thorns set about plotting a cunning plan….mwahahaha.
McGraths Hills Macca’s was the start point for this adventure and here we are……Salute!! LOL
You think we’re happy…hell yeah!!
As you can see it wasn’t an early start, but it was still a bit fresh and we were pumped…..”let’s GO”!!
Kimmie has no mogo this morning so I’m happy to run the rear. Haven’t been well all week, but after going to the doctors on Wednesday he told me “there’s nothing wrong with you, go take panadol”. Where do some of these quacks get there qualifications, the cornflake box!! The boys smashed it up the Putty and waited for me after 10mile 🙂 thanks boys xx
Singleton for fuel, then onto Gloucester for lunch. Very busy today but the bakery for pies and I think a sambo for one was the winner. Suns a shining but the wind chill factor is well……attention grabbing. Thunderbolts north of Gloucester is absolute **shite**, rough surface, road works, gravel, road works, windy and chilly, but hey, ya know what – who cares we’re gonna do the Oxley…ner ner ne ner ner!!
The further north we head the windier it gets and the brrrr factor is like ice. My heated grips have stopped working and my hands are frozen stiff, bugger. Thunderbolts does improve though and the servo in Walcha was a welcoming sight and we all dismounted shivering, but the best was yet to come. All except for Pete love a hot cuppa, so I thinks (one of those light bulb moments) “Tim Tam’s” tonight with a cuppa relaxing – noice and I sneakily buy Tim Tam’s from the servo *thumbs up* (the boys don’t know…lol)
The sun is starting to lower it’s head as we hit the straights out of Walcha before hitting the curvaceous and tantalising section into Gingers Creek. The guys have huge smiles on there faces as I pull into Gingers freezing. Have I told you my heated grips stopped working…grrr, I mean brrrrr. Here’s where I earnt my weight in gold, well Tim Tam’s anyways. Quote of the day “you’re a good woman Kimmie – a keeper I’d say”.
a little sumfing for later!!
The Oxley is always a delight to ride despite the road works and the couple of chopped up corners and today was no exception. For me it was cruising down this holy mountain, taking in the sights and the smells while trying to keep focused on not having cold hands and practising my lines as I caress the curves of this mighty road.
As the suns slowly sets, a magical moment. Peace and serenity.
Arriving into Long Flat – Travellers Rest Hotel (our digs for the night) and it’s dusk. Pete & Ben beat me down and it wasn’t long before Karl and Paul arrive. Lap 1 completed.
ducks in a row
We weren’t the only riders staying here tonight. Most of us get settled but Paul has an issue…..
surgery by torch light
something to do with the head stem bearing. I left them to sort it out while I unpacked and attempted to make myself beautiful!..lol Dinner at 6:30pm and the food is good….value for money (huge servings). The guys were surprised I got through 98% of mine.
Mum & Dad
the “Children”
Now what is a ride trip without bike modifications, now really…..yep Pete needs to make some adjustments to his new weapon. Out into the cold night air with tool kits and torches at hand and they discuss the first world problems and how to rectify the suspension. I thought it best to make tea and bring out the Tim Tam’s at this time….LOL…”onya mum!”
It’s an early night for Karl and I but the children decided well they’re not “that old”, “really 9:30pm you can’t be serious! ” So we left them to there own devices. Now the accommodation, it’s basic but when we stay there next time I’ll be requesting another room. There was this smell…oooeee but it was a bed and it was dry and reasonably warm (inside).
Saturday 18th May 13
What a beautiful day! The sun is bursting through and Karl and I are up, dressed, packed, had breakky (which is included in the room rate – awesome) but the boys well, are still in bed.
Ben, Paul & Pete – the little sleeping beauties (ogers)…lol
Come on guys, really it’s after 7 – what’s wrong with you!
the toys all tucked away
Now I can’t go without getting a “bike in front of pub” pic
Travellers Rest Hotel – Long Flat
Finally, there is life
Karl, me & Paul
We leave Ben and Pete in bed and tell them we’ll meet them at Gingers. The plan for the day do as many laps as you want but I was having afternoon tea in Walcha (don’t care what you guys do) and be in Bendemeer by 5ish.
Karl & Paul are gone, so I made my own way up. It’s a beautiful morning, fresh, crisp, birdies flying high and the cows are grazing. Time for some pics.
Just out of Long Flat
Check out how blue and clear the sky is.
beautiful
Onto the climb up the Oxley. Shadows are cast over the road with glimmers of sunshine peaking through the trees, warming the road surface and me. Nice and steady, it’s a great morning to be meandering through the mighty mountain and before long into Gingers Creek. Brrr, it’s a bit fresh so a hot chocolate is in order and boys have had coffee. But Karl & Paul have itchy throttle wrists and they decide to head off to Kangaroo Flat Rd while we are waiting for Ben & Pete.
Everyone at Gingers and Ben suggests we should get a group photo at the famous Kangaroo Flat Rd (famous you say….well, yes but that’s another story for someone else to tell). Lap 2 completed and we gather for the group photo (it’s still a bit windy and cool).
the FAMOUS Kangaroo Flat Rd
Back down the hill and we roll into Long Flat – Lap 3 completed and looky me it’s lunch time. The boys wanted lunch at Gingers but I just couldn’t go the stint without food…sorry guys. Fuel for the steads and us (pretty average at the general store) but there ain’t much choice in good old Long Flat.
What’s that, we have to go back up the Oxley…..oh darn..LOL are you kidding me!!! We are having a great day!! We leave in stages and as usual I am last again and get to ride with all my friends…me, me and oh me! The heat of the day was lunch and layers came off but as we are afterall heading into winter the heat doesn’t last long. About time I stopped and got a pic of this sign. It’s the start of the windy section of road that is the mecca of the Oxley Highway…..the reason we all come here.
hi ho, hi ho, it’s up the hill we go!!!
As you can see it’s nearly 2:00pm and I AM having afternoon tea in Walcha. I’ve been dreaming of hot scones with jam and cream all weekend so get a wriggle on Kimmie!
Into Gingers the boys are waiting for me – Lap 4 done, and they are ready for a cuppa. Karl & I get going again headed for Walcha, scones and a hot cuppa. The sun is sinking and I am getting cold again but I love the top section of the Oxley after Gingers and I come alive as we hit Big Sky Country. Long sweepers, you know the scene and the story, I’ve told it many times before.
I pull up outside the Walcha Cafe – a beautifully renovated old pub that is now a 50’s style Cafe with accommodation. Open the door and am greeted with absolute warmth (yeah, they have the fireplace going….it’s bloody cold outside, brrrr).
Walcha Cafe
I order scones, jam and cream and the lady says “sorry love we are out of scones” NOOOOOO you can’t be serious there must be at least one back there! But NO and she offers me a heated double choc chip muffin with a massive serving of cream…disappointed, but OK and I ordered two pots of tea to go with it.
tea and muffin with cream
So, it’s 2nd place with the muffin but you know what it was pretty nice and the tea was good. The children arrive as we are finishing our tea and they order their beverages before we headed off to Bendemeer. Was a shame to leave the warmth of the Cafe I tell you.
I also love this section of road from Walcha to Bendemeer. The boys do some bike whoring and Ben & I are last to leave. The two birds (thems the bikes for those that don’t get it) setting a nice pace, weaving our way through on the ribbon that wraps around this country. It’s cold, no heated grips, nevermind. The sun is slowly sinking into the cloud line but manages to catch my line of sight entering a few corners for which I had to slow down for. Ben & I are having a great ride out $1.50 through here no problem, but it’s over all too soon and we reach Bendemeer pub (where we are staying tonight).
The food here is awesome (as always) and with full bellies and few drinks (for the boys that is) many stories are told and laughed at. Time is ticking away and mum and dad say goodnight. The children however have plans to watch the qualifying round of the Moto GP – which I am told they did before the Tv was promptly turned off by the publican.
Sunday 19th May 13
Eventually we are all together at the cafe had breaky and decide on the route home. Now back in Walcha, Thunderbolts to Gloucester and then lets see.
Bendemeer Cafe – breakfast choice of champions
Have I told you at all this trip how friggin cold it was……well this morning was no different – freeeezing and windy! The road hadn’t changed much since we came up it on Friday so nothing much to report except we all managed to ride reasonably together…shock! A quick stop at Camerons lookout (north of Gloucester) and chat to an old dude on a GS.
still blowing a gale and brrrrr…
Super model material, aren’t I…LOL!
Into Gloucester for fuel (thankfully it’s warmer) and we decide to head to the freeway and Heatherbrae for lunch. The Golden Arches it is, not 5 star dining but hey we wanna get home. It’s here we split up, so say our fare thee wells and we gets going.
Karl & I pull in home about 3-3:30 and happy to be there.
All in all a great weekend was had by all. How many times did we do the Oxley…4!! Were we happy – HELL YEAH!!! Would we do it all again even with the cold weather – In a heart beat!!!
So there you go folks, we motorcycle riders don’t care what the elements throw at us, we are just happy to be out there doin’ what we love to do – ride this great country of ours.
See you on a road somewhere *thumbs up*
