So much for the ride calendar this year but thanks to relaxing of some restrictions we were able to still proceed with a slightly modified FRE #65 to Tooleybuc.
Simple plan, leave the local Shell servo @ 12:02pm Fri 6th Nov, head out through Lithgow via Bells Line of Road, onto Bathurst (no stopping at Mount Panorama this time)…traffic was terrible before cruising into Cowra. A quick stop at the Cowra Shell for fuel and on the way outta town, nearly got t-boned by some numpty not giving way to me….certainly got the heart rate going and gave Dudley horn a good work out.
It’s so picturesque and green at the moment and the tantalising smell of clean air danced in my nostrils. Bit of a different route today, going through Gooloogong where I naturally had to get a pic in front of the pub.
Then into Eugowra a lovely quiet little town full of amazing murals. Would’ve liked to take more photos of them but time was ticking and a comfort stop was resting heavily on me…lol
Continuing onto Parkes through the greens fields and thought about stopping for dinner which was my original plan but decided to push on through to West Wyalong. The sun is starting its decent where visibility becomes challenging. Fuel and dinner (cheese and tomato sandwich) in West Wyalong. Heading out to Dudley and Squeeky has just fuelled up. Asked his plan and he was staying there the night while I still had 2.5hrs to go.
Out into the lowering sun which at times is blinding and before long Weethalle is upon me and the necessary sunset and silo photo. Temps are starting to drop but as usual I’m layered up and at the turn of a dial the heated suits will fire into action.
Exit stage left onto Kolkilbertoo Rd in search for the Big Tennis Racquet in Barellan. The sun has now set and lights blazing I head off on a very desolate road. Not much happening in Barellan tonight and the tennis racquet was pretty easy to find…..even in the dark – you’d have to be blind to miss it. LOL
Next stop Griffith for fuel and it’s proper dark now. The only wildlife I saw were bunnies…..lots and lots of bunnies. Starting to get weary and wondering why I didn’t plan to stop in West Wyalong…..ride fitness just isn’t what it used to be. About 40 minutes to go and the body is protesting. Much more traffic on the Kidman Way both north and south bound. So many oncoming vehicles refusing to dip their lights on my approach almost blinding me in some cases….at a minimum leaving little white spots in my vision.
Finally into Goolgowi Motor Inn for the night after 750km for the day. As per my last stop over here, the room was spotless and the bed comfortable and beckoning me.
Beautiful morning out on the Mid Western Highway as the sun rises and I bop along heading for Hay. Ya gotta love it when you have the road to yourself, the smell of a fresh new day and peacefulness all around you. Through Hay and onto the plains…that long vast stretch where the horizon never ends. I decided to stop and see cousin Sheila and Reg on their little stretch of land 49km east of Balranald at Hells Gate….how do cousin!
Balranald for a scheduled stop for fuel and food. Decided to try out the Discovery Café Justin the right hand side as you come into town. Lovely café with good coffee and friendly service. I recommend a stop here if you need a coffee and food. Have plenty of time since I left earlier than planned this morning so decide to relax a little.
Outta town and onto Yanga Way heading for Tooleybuc. Lots of signs advising of the COVID checking stations at both Swan Hill and Tooleybuc…luckily I don’t require any passes to get there. Very uneventful but noticed fields of new plantings and one adventurous fox. Like a few others we are early and enjoy the time playing catch up. I decided to go and say hello to the officials man and womaning the check point. Quite a friendly bunch who were happy to oblige me with a photo.
The gravel carpark of the Tooleybuc Sporting Club is where we convene today under the shade of the gum trees. My ride is done and dusted at 1072km. A good gathering for the first ride in a while and even a few crossed the border to say hello. Lovely to see friendly faces and chinwag at a safe distance with everyone. Big thanks to Reader57 for conducting both checkins.
Time to turn back and start the trip home. Depending on how I’m feeling I have a Plan A and B. Plan A Deniliquin for the night, Plan B Wagga Wagga. It’s getting warmer and I’m hungry, should’ve had my sandwich I bought in Balranald while I was in Tooleybuc…never mind. The roads to Kyalite and Moulamein are deserted but peaceful in that “love riding” kinda of way. I find a nice big tree in Moulamein and park under it, find a park bench and take a few minutes to have my sambo and check in with Sweety. Shoulder is starting to get really sore and I decide to reassess in Deni. Fuel In Deni and ask directions for the Deni Painted Water Tower. After a few wrong turns I eventually find it and get a pic.
Seems too early to pull up so I decide to push on through the pain and the next 250km and head to Wagga Wagga. Had plans to get pics in Urana of the Giant Spider and then the Lockhart Water Tower but my butt is sore and I just want to get to where I need to be. Room booked at lunch time at the Club Motel and am extremely pleased to pull into the carpark, get off, unpack and get some dinner. Old mate 2 rooms down recommend the fish & chip shop a short walk away and he was dead on the money. Awesome hamburger…thanks man.
Check in with Sweety, full tummy, hot shower and it’s into bed for a not very good nights sleep. Woke at 4:30am, thought about getting going but my shoulder decided it needed more rest time. Ended up leaving at 6:30am instead. The plan was to go through Junee, Boorowa, Crookwell, Goulburn then home…but ya know what plans don’t always go to plan.
A farmer moving sheep just out of Junee had me stopped for 10-15 minutes while they made the next paddock. It’s a very very windy morning 9 degrees, heated gear working nicely and 12 degrees when I pull into Boorowa for a coffee at Chelle’s Kitchen. So far all is going to plan, that is until I leave Boorowa. Firstly I head out in the wrong direction – uey and back into town. Take the correct turn, then the next but not the next (so it turned out). GPS tells me to go straight ahead and the sign says “Crookwell Alternate Route”……so I followed the GPS.
I don’t know this area so follow the GPS into Rye Park but after that….well I should’ve taken the alternate route back in Boorowa. The road turns to gravel…yep and I have no idea for how long its going to be like this. It’s gravel isn’t too bad and I even manage to keep decent speed (very unusual) and just mosey along. Off camber corners on back country roads..gravel roads not my favourite. Use the back brake and the gears….don’t touch the front…had to keep reminding myself. Blakney Creek and I thought the road was going to change but no and now I’m doing calculations and am not sure if I will make it with fuel…..oops, should’ve taken that other turn.
A sign says Dalton but no fuel and the road eventually turns back to tarmac and with a sigh of relief I ride into Gunning. Decide not to test the fuel gods and fill up at the Mobil take a break, have a stretch….and suck up the shoulder pain.
From here’s it’s like auto-pilot…onto the freeway and the slab home. Still windy and cool, an easy but uncomfortable run. Not a lot of traffic until you near Campbelltown and then the jostling for road space begins. King Georges road, Homebush Bay Drive, Ryde Rd and home is not far.
Into the drive just after 1pm having completed 2027km for the 3 days….a tad sore and Dudley’s very dirty and needs a bath.
Thanks for reading….until the next time…..rubber side down.
