And I’ve done it again….forgot to reset the camera date after daylight savings……argh!!!
Moving on…. Friday the 13th for the start of a FarRide……what could possibly go wrong J well, one just has to wonder.
Starting from Yass for this one and it was a cool windy trip to the Service Centre where I ordered lunch & my riding staple hot chocolate. Just sat down and Rob & Knave pull in. A chat over our lunch while waiting for the clock to tick over and we had the same plan just a different night stopover and the guys let me tag along with them. Extra layers on and a start docket of 12:37 and we are off. We have a Far Convoy.
As the sun starts its decent it’s a killer on the eyes. Into Gillenbah for fuel, a snack and comfort stop. My mum and dad are visiting in Narrandera and while I felt a little guilty not calling them, we were on the clock (and I didn’t want to hold the guys up).
There’s been a bit of rain in the area and I was ever watchful for wildlife that may have thought drinking near the side of the road was a good idea.
As the sun goes down ….in a western NSW town the bugs come out for the evening. I swear I had half the flying population splattered over my visor. Stopping at South Hay wasn’t on the plan but was necessary and as we rounded the roundabout I see Triple Treat & a new friend Michael….gotta stop now.
Visor clean and off again heading for Hell’s Gate and hopefully a sunset pic. Luckily I didn’t see any wildlife and got a pic.
I was glad to get to the Caltex Roadhouse on the outskirts on Balranald where we all re-grouped and wished each other well before heading off again. Checked in, rang Karl and messaged Frans as I didn’t know if he got acco in town and I had a spare bed. Spotted Michael while I was having dinner and after discussion about docket times, determined that he could have a “Diesel predicament” so he was going to see what he could do about not being a DNF statistic. Well done mate – glad you finished!
Frans and I are out slightly ahead of my plan into the mornings darkness with all lights blazing. Through Tooleybuc and onto the Mallee Highway heading west for South Australia. We pass Rob & Knave before Pinnaroo where we stop for fuel and breakfast. Gaggs arrives, a quick hello and hug (of course) and he is off.
Of what a beautiful morning, oh what a beautiful day….. only 1 bouncer crossed our path earlier in the morning. We all have our own exercise regime on the bike and here’s Frans doing some of his.
Me, I opted for a selfie….lol I’d already done some stretching.
What’s a FarRide without roadworks and the end of the Mallee Hway has some road repairs going on. Here was this massive workhorse on the side of the road, he had some friends helping him.
Tailem Bend comes and goes and I think of Triple Treat and whether he’d be out of bed or still sleeping after his huge ride. Now my GPS had me following the A1 – Princes Hway but as I was planning on going straight ahead, Father Frans waves me in to follow him through Murray Bridge. Glad I did cos the scenery was magnificent but the wind came from nowhere.
Meandering through the lush hills dotted with dairy farms and rolling hills with huge rock formations and gusty winds made for an interesting road to Lobethal. I still had the camera around my neck but alas I couldn’t take my hands off the bars to take any pics 🙁
Arriving in Lobethal, bikes are lined up on both sides of the street and smiles are everywhere.
Time to go check-in at the Bierhaus where Jeffthechef and his team are creating culinary delights for hungry FarRiders.
G’days, hugs, how ya goin’s are going on everywhere before Fatman assembles us for the group photo and we all start to disseminate. Yes, the time goes by too quickly and it’s now time to start heading home. A quick consultation with Rob & Knave (since we are all staying in Tooleybuc for the night) and the guys decide to follow me through the back hills into Sedan. I’m kicking myself now for not having the camera round my neck for my on the fly pics cos the countryside is absolutely gob smackingly, breathtakingly gorgeous! WOW! Somewhere up the road Rob pulls up for a power nap and then Kanve and I pull in so I can take some layers off and have a break.
Into Yamba for “that” pic, fuel and to wait for Rob. Well we didn’t have to wait too long and he rolled on in (sure you had a nap mate?). A snack break and off we go heading for Mildura.
As the sun starts to lower in the sky, we roll into South Merebein where this car starts flashing it lights and people are waving their arms at me. Instant feeling, Mr Plod, but hang about, it’s Ron & Marls 🙂 here to great us. Awesome guys what a wonderful surprise!!! Love that about the riding we do!
Anyhoos, we can’t stop long cos we still have a way to go and I don’t know the roads I’ve planned. Mildura for a fuel stop for the boys but I still have to stop at Robinvale otherwise I won’t be able to leave Tooleybuc in the morning.
Off we go into the deep dark night with lights again blazing. Rob stopped with me in Robinvale while Knave kept on going. Now my plan had me turning left at Robinvale and following the river, however, Rob offered to lead and his lights are fabulous and his GPS had us going straight ahead. A bit down the road and we stop, both our GPS’s are having conniptions but I was about 40% certain that this road would lead us to some town starting with Mantanganbang or something like that. Now this isn’t the greatest road at night, it’s narrow, blind corners, no road markings and plenty of flora and who knew how much fauna. We stop a couple more times to consult and I assure Rob this will lead us to the right place. It’s here I reset my route and aloe and behold it told me we were going the right way….PHEW!! Taking a little detour (which I know I’m famous for) wasn’t on the cards for tonight. Finally we hit the Mallee Hway at Manangatang turn L and head to Tooleybuc.
Exhausted, hungry and tired, I checked in and Ron (motel manager) had already rung the pub and asked them to keep the kitchen open cos the riders had all just arrived. How lovely!!! Only in a country town.
Feed and watered, we discussed our plans for Sundays ride home and said our goodnights.
I decided to just sleep until I woke (hoping for a bit of a sleep in) but was awake at 5:30am just before Rob & Knaves bikes spurred to life for the morning and they headed home.
Home today and to my Sweety and via a road that I have wanted to travel for 6 years. I first learned of this road from Lady Mel & Chicky on my very first FarRide to Euston….. the Kyalite-Moulamein Rd. It’s a beautiful warm, clear night (well dark morning) and I’m looking forward to heading home.
How can you not enjoy riding / discovering new roads when you have views like this…..
Ever watchful for wildlife at this time and not long afterwards a mid size grey macropod bounds across in front of me….fist full of break and I just miss his tail…phew!!
There’s nothing like watching the day come to life…..with long roads and magnificent skies how can you go wrong?
Just before Pretty Pine the farmers have their herds out grazing the verges…….hundreds and hundreds of cows crossing the road or wait, stopped in the middle of the road. Think they are just as curious in me as I am with them.
Into Deniliquin for the breaky of champions…well weary homesick motorcyclists anyway. A quick stop for “things on poles” pic before heading off.
I’d discussed with Karl and debated with myself about stopping to visit Lady Mel on the way through. I wanted to be home at a reasonable time and knew the visit could add upto 2 hrs to the trip. But whatha heck!! How often do I get to see Mel and how many visitors does she get….besides I couldn’t live with the guilt that I’d not said hello when I was only 1 street from her. Next stop Urana.
A phone call and message to Lady Mel and in no time her and Star had come out to say g’day and the take-away shop. An hour went by so quickly and Mel understood that I had to get going. Hugs and good byes and I was on the road again.
Blue skies, a slight breeze and lovely riding temperature, what more could you ask for! Wagga Wagga comes into view and a debate whether to stop for fuel or chance making it to Gundagai. Let’s live on the wild side…..lol. The reserve light starts flashing 22km from Gundagai (and I’m not real sure if I’m going to make it). The service centre sign put a smile on my face and the fears on running out of fuel dissipate as I pull up next to a pump.
Now that Dudley has a full tummy, I need one. Armed with a sandwich and water, I find a nice spot in the shade to sit, have lunch and a bit of a rest. Probably stopped longer that I should’ve but just needed a break.
The long highway stretch home is never something I enjoy….it seems to take forever, but then there is also that edge of anticipation about seeing my Sweety again. A few Mr Plods are sitting along the way but none have any reason to be interested in me.
Pheasants Nests and the final stop before home. Can’t wait to get off, my butt is seriously screaming at me (Dudleys seat even with the airhawk, I’m still not finding that happy toochey place).
Of course you cannot finish a ride without the Cherry Ripe. Unfortunately, I was soooo hungry it didn’t all didn’t quite make the photo….lol
Riding into a setting sun and Sydney Sunday traffic – fabulous! NOT. Drivers I’m sure take stoopid pills at this bewitching hour (as the light starts to fade and the darkness creeps in) cos seriously they cannot drive. Speed limits and road rules become a “what-ev-er” by the “who gives a drivers” so taking the normal route tonight wasn’t on the cards, so I stuck to the M7/M2. Not that I think it was any better but at least I didn’t have to worry about some bugger not seeing me stopped at lights or in traffic.
Into the drive after a very long day @ just after 6pm – YAY!!! Hi Sweety I’m HOME!!
A total of 2946.5 km for the 3 days riding…not a bad effort. Dudley is now due for his next service @ 21,500 km and hopefully his new parts have arrived ready to be installed for his next adventure.
God I love riding!!!
