I haven’t had the best year for riding, despite the amount of kilometres I have done. So this FarRide I tried to make sure that other than having Daisy in good condition, my head space was, well, better prepared than in recent times. I think the excitement of seeing my friend Leonie and having a ride with my Dad all helped.
Down to the local Shell to grab my start docket at 12:00pm on the knocker…Yes! I planned an easy route – down the F3 to the Hunter Express Link…wrong ( listened to Bruce…the GPS) and he had me off at Freemans Drive. Nice roads, some road works but I ended up getting a bit lost in the Hunter Valley but eventually I managed to get back on the New England Highway and now heading in the right direction was soon in Muswellbrook for fuel.
Back roads from Muswellbrook to Merriwa had me come across some more of this
10 minute stop on this one
What a great afternoon for a ride. Not to hot, not to cold, sun shining and having a great time. Wave as I pass through Merriwa (I have an Aunt there somewhere) and head towards Coolah. How can you not enjoy a day like today when the scenery is like this…….far and wide, this vast land……
tranquility
Just a little reminder of where I’m heading and how far it is. It’s about breaking the trip up, “baby steps”, assessing the situation and myself as I reach each town and making the decision to continue…..or not
Baby steps
The roads are long and mostly straight but not boring (as most people think). There is so much to look at and WATCH for (skippyroos and the like). There isn’t much traffic about so I pretty much have the roads to myself. Daisy and I are just dawdling along….a country girl (Daisy) at home is these surroundings. Soon enough we were upon “The Black Stump”….naturally we have to have a pic….looking good Daisy.
The Black Stump – Coolah
Now, I’ve never really noticed these before…I mean it’s not like they are tiny landmarks, ya know, but anyway I decided this trip to take a small trip around the universe and see what I could find. I got Uranus and Saturn between Binnaway and Coonabarabran (I think). Saturn was a bit of a bugger to get to as the way in is no longer looked after, luckily Daisy was up for a bit of off roading :)…..lol
Uranus
Saturn
Into Coonabarabran and the local constabulary are waiting, doing RBT – naturally I passed with flying colours, then fuel and off I go.
It’s starting to get to that time of day when the fear factor starts to rise, but when you have views like this…..it kinda makes it worthwhile. Last time I did this road it was pouring rain, lightning everywhere and Angel was having electrical issues. Thankfully this time round all was good!!
Get to Mullaley and WHAT…..more constabulary doing RBT.
I said to the officer – “do I have a sign – pick me”
Officer – “no why?”
Me: “Cos I was just tested back in Coonabarabran”
Officer: “count to 3 love, and have a great night”
There are some nice ones out there.
between Coona and Gunndeah
Somewhere between Coona and Gunnedah a bug decides to fly in my jacket and down my t-shirt—-yik!! I end up having to pull over and try to squish it (double yik) before I continue – first world problems…lol. The road is undergoing repairs, but on Daisy the bumps are minimised. Into Gunnedah for Neptune, ring Karl and tell him everything is going really well and Daisy’s little spotlights are working a treat! Kimmie is a very happy rider!!!
Neptune
From Gunnedah to Tamworth (my stop for the night) is uneventful. The night is stunning, especially as the sun started to set. The air is crisp and clean and I remind myself how blessed I am to be able to ride and have the support of a wonderful man (even though he is at home and not with me on the ride).
As the sun starts to set
The time of the camera is not right it’s over an hour out so these were taken somewhere around 7:30ish pm. Not bad pics from my little point and shoot (even if I do say so myself).
Magnificent
Into Tamworth at 8:50pm, check in @ Motel 359 (very nice), ring Karl – all is good and I miss you, and Charlieb (as my Spotwalla link isn’t working properly) – no apparent problem and then hit the hay for a good nights sleep.
Saturday 8th Nov – It’s FarRide Day!!!!
I can’t help but get excited this morning and was on the road @ 5:50am. It’s a bit cool and the sun isn’t quite up yet but it’s not long and the sun is saying “hello Kimmie & Daisy”
sunrise out of Tamworth
Up the road it starts to get just a tad chilly so at Bendemeer I pulled over to put on the cardi. Right onto the Oxley Highway and into the fog and the sun…..argh! I new this leg was going to take a bit longer as your visibility is reduced so I was happy just to dawdle along until it cleared. I had heaps of time so there was NO stress!! At the start of the fun decent into Gingers….lol
Because I had too!!
Had the road to myself and had a blast getting to Gingers (which wasn’t open @ 7:55am). Doesn’t matter chat to the one fella also waiting for them to open and order a hot choc and have a comfort stop. Ended up I met this fella some months back at a servo (near you..lol) when I was doing a pre Darwin shake down….I mean there are so many White Blackbirds around how would he pick me out……LOL. Anyway 40 odd minutes later…oops I’m back on the road to Long Flat where I do a turn around and head back up the hill. I am having a really good ride!! But more importantly my head is in a good place today (again) and I am taking the corners with a bit of confidence that I haven’t had for quite a while. No stopping at Gingers this time but I did notice an awful lot of bikes in the carpark and wondered if they were all FarRiders…….guess I’ll never know.
Into Walcha @ 10:40am and get straight into the socialising.
Walcha Cafe – check in
I’m trying to make an effort at each FarRide to meet someone new or a new member and welcome them to the fold, I thinks it’s a good thing. You can’t escape (and you don’t want to) catching up with familiar friendly faces. The familiar faces are the weave that help hold together the canvas of our community and a fine bunch of people that I am proud to call “friends”.
Lynn, Skidooo & Frans
It’s a great turn out and the format of “grab & go” for $10, worked a treat and was fabulous value. Time for check-in and in a flash the queue is heading out the driveway….lol. It’s pretty hot but that doesn’t deter any one today.
the check-in line
What is a woman to do when all these good looking blokes keep turning up and wanting a hug and a kiss…..I mean to say….oblige naturally!!! lol
Gatey
And more…..
Chris & Brookster
But wait more……..lol
Klause
Not staying tonight (for a change) so have a chat to quite a few people and sort out Nam (new member) and his mates. their first FarRide..well done fellas. Meet new members – tick 🙂
Gotta get going and on the way out grab this pic that I’ve been wanting for ages.
on the way out of Walcha
Down Thunderbolts, this road has changed and is still pretty bumpy and pot holey but Daisy seems to take 95% of them in her stride. My SPOT started flashing red so I pulled over under a tree to change the batteries when Hackle approaches. A quick “thumbs up” and he continues. We have a bit of a ride together through the twisty stuff north of Gloucester and then we part ways.
Down through Bucketts Way and before long onto the freeway to Morrisett where I am staying with a friend for the night. My friend Leonie is a fabulous sight for my sun tired eyes. Let the catch up begin!!! Love you Loni xxxx
Sunday 9th November 14
After a fabulous nights sleep and a good breaky, it’s time to say hoo-roo to Leonie as today I’m heading to my Mum and Dads on the other side of the highway at Lake Munmorah. Dad’s had a 12 month hiatus from riding (after a serious off) but has recently convinced Mum that he needs another bike. Anyway, we now has a Honda CB500X…..and what a beauty it is!!
Dad
Stop at the lights I take the opportunity for a pic before we swap and I have a little go of the new ride. It’s pretty impressive and comfy. Easy ride position and the modern bells and whistles, light and low (both feet firmly planted on the ground). Back on the freeway we head to the Old Pacific Highway for an easy run to the Pie in the Sky.
and easy ride down the Old Pac
It’s good to see Dad back on a bike again but I can’t help but be nervous and protective of him….so I follow him to keep his back. He’ll always be the Dad I’ve know but it’s sad (but a little expected) that he is no longer the rider that he used to be. We have a very easy ride to The Pie and the smile when we got there was sooo absolutely worth it. Lunch with Dad before I wave him off for the trip home and back to Mum….Love you both to the moon and back!!
A happy man
Once Dad was safely on his way, I mounted up and Daisy and I are heading home to Karl. It’s an easy ride back home and around 2 o’clock ish I roll into the drive to a barking Ella-Jane and big hugs from the best man in the world and my life Karl.
FarRide #32 done and dusted.
Some 1491 kays completed for the weekend. Overall average 89kph and Moving average 86kph.
