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The warmth of far north Queensland had been getting me down so about 6.00pm one night I made a decision screw it, I’m going for a journey.
4.30am in Townsville and it’s nonetheless stinking sizzling. I load up the bike then need to go and alter my garments that are moist by with perspiration. Clearing city I cease to get gasoline and a espresso at first mild. I’m so excited to be again motorbike touring I can barely stand nonetheless.
The final motorbike tour I did was in Japan 2021. Since then plenty of water has handed underneath the bridge. My current PET scan was principally okay… I’ve been working arduous since my chemotherapy to recuperate my energy. I’ve a couple of dust roads I wish to journey, however I’ll simply see how I’m going not reserving greater than 1 night time upfront as I’m not positive I’m prepared for an enormous tour but.
Common readers may recall I fitted a Carplay navigation system to my BMW G310GS. Seen right here in operation nevertheless it sadly didn’t final lengthy and was damaged by finish of day. (authentic put up up to date)
Aussie’s love the large ‘factor’ roadside points of interest. Bowen has the large mango. Field ticked 🙂
I ended in Mackay to purchase some heat climate gloves. I believed my very good Tough and Highway summer season gloves had made it to Australia however alas they have been within the containers stolen by Australia put up. Not assured concerning the Dryrider model pair I acquired however seemed one of the best of a poor choice at AMX Superstore.
I almost ran out of gasoline forgetting I’m not on my FJR1300 with its 500km vary. I arrived St Lawrence with mind fade and uncover simply 250ml of gasoline was left in tank. Silly.
I made a decision to journey to Rockhampton which is about 700km and too far. There’s nothing a lot besides boring freeway till you attain Brisbane so the temptation is to essentially push the mileage out.
If in case you have learn any of my Japan motorbike excursions you’ll know I used to jest concerning the merchandising machine espresso tins. Properly now they’re right here in Australia however at 5 instances the worth. Trivia – the unique Boss Espresso man has a pipe, however guess that was eliminated for right here.
I’m staying on the Heritage resort tonight. I like staying in previous pubs and they’re cheaper than motels.
On a motorbike tour I at all times carry febreze. Finish of journey day apply liberally to inside your helmet, jacket, rider pants, boots and any Buffs you might be utilizing to maintain every thing contemporary.
Nothing actually to report on day 2 besides my carplay unit wouldn’t energy up, the cradle energy connection is a flawed design and bumpy roads killed it. I made it to buddies home in Brisbane for beers.
One other factor I at all times carry is an influence financial institution. This novelty design appears like a cassette tape however packs 10,000mAh. Lends plenty of flexibility to how and once I cost objects. (Aliexpress)
A late night time leads right into a late begin subsequent day. I revisit some previous stomping grounds. Tallebudgera valley, Currumbin Valley nearly appear to be new roads to me. Then lunch on the Uki pub which I’ve by no means seen because it burnt down. I miss the previous place, new one is loopy busy, took 45 minutes to get lunch which was then poor high quality meals.
I misplaced lot’s of time in the present day and feeling shattered after two excessive mileage days I made a decision to skip driving the border ranges street (Tweed Ranges scenic drive) and go on to my mates place at Alstonville.
Was nice to revisit this area which I beforehand used to journey on any positive Sunday. Possibly I’ll transfer down right here for awhile in future because the Northern Rivers shire is one in all my favorite elements of Australia.
It appeared like I’d get moist the following day however I rode clear by Grafton the place I took the Previous Glen Innes street, a route I’ve been ready to have an acceptable bike to journey.
This may occasionally upset some ADV people however I simply discovered the street bumpy as hell and bit boring.
There is no such thing as a companies however I carried some refreshments and this spot was a pleasant relaxation from the corrugations and potholes.
I did benefit from the sealed ascent from the valley again to the Gwydir freeway with attention-grabbing granite rock options, however truthfully the Gwydir is best, particularly with the wonderful Raspberry lookout.
I like the New England highlands this time of 12 months. The sky is impossibly clear crammed with cool autumn air and the timber are in color.
At a former favorite on this area. The Nice Central resort, Glen Innes.
Huge sky nation. Overlooking Bingara. A lot greener out this fashion that I’ve seen beforehand.
Good journey out to Narrabri through Killarney Hole street – which because the title implies is a small mountain vary however none of my photographs there are price publishing. As an alternative right here is a few extra huge sky nation.
I’ve no navigation and no telephone sign being with vodafone so I navigate the old fashioned method, cease and ask instructions on the fuel station. Quickly I discover my method driving in the direction of the goal of this journey – Mt Kaputa.
The street out to the bottom is sealed and moderately good flowing curves. Then you may have a couple of kilometres of tooth jarring corrugations on the dust part that shook my mirror unfastened adopted by a higher one lane sealed street.
Mt Kaputa exceeded my expectations. It was well worth the wait of some years since seeing it on Google maps and getting right here. At 1510m it’s fairly excessive for Australia too.
Tonight’s pub in Narrabri has easy rooms however they’re ensuite with lined parking.
I’d have appreciated to proceed immediately south from right here however this journey is the primary check of all my new motorbike driving gear and a few of it isn’t working for me.
The Shark Metropolis Cruiser helmet has strain factors on my head because of a poorly designed inside foam shell. It’s beginning to actually trouble me and might get painful by days finish.
Dryrider Stealth heat climate gloves I acquired when beginning this journey have actually began to collapse after a couple of days. Their high quality is simply woeful and so they weren’t an inexpensive! Evaluation coming as soon as I see how Dryrider reply (up to now no reply).
I don’t wish to purchase one other pair of Aussie model gloves sometimes present in rural bike outlets on this tour. I’ll order an excellent pair on-line when again house and do the remainder of the journey with my Tough and Highway mid season Gore-tex gloves.
The bamboo socks a mate advisable are awful for touring. They’re like sponges and won’t dry in a single day and even two nights hanging up. I’m throwing them out alongside the best way as soon as worn. I acquired some tradie socks from Coles and Woolworths that are too brief and permit my boot higher edge to rub my legs. I must order correct driving boot socks.
My Carplay navigation system is cactus. No telephone sign (Vodafone) so even offline routes are usually not working from telephone to helmet audio system. None are dealbreakers however all the identical I’m nonetheless not full well being so I’ll maintain this tour pretty brief.
On the plus facet my new Gaerne G-Air GTX boots are going nicely. My new Merlin jacket is great and my new Resurgence Gear cargos are principally OK… evaluations of each after this journey.
Painted silo excursions are bringing in a vacationer greenback to some cities of late. It’s an incredible initiative I feel. This one is in Gunnedah.
Quiet viewpoint above the city of Quirindi known as “Who’d A Thought It Lookout” was a spot I took time to lube the chain. Miss having a shaft drive (and electrical display and cruise management and every thing of my FJR1300) If I keep dwelling in Australia I’ll open the purse to purchase a much bigger bike and it should have that stage of consolation.
Quirindi has painted silos too however frankly the paintings on them is poor so I’m not posting it. Nevertheless the bakery has this neat house to take pleasure in their meals and take a while out.
I’m driving the sealed western part of the street to Barrington Tops (Hunter Highway). It’s each scenic and good curves.
The gravel ascent from the west climbs sharply. The floor is in good situation. There are some good views behind you which of them I did {photograph} however really feel my photos don’t do the surroundings justice. On the prime is a gate, then a excessive plateau with glorious gravel street that may be ridden at freeway velocity, which I did since it’s a bit boring all closely wooded with no views.
Thunderbolts different lookout. This outlaw positive had some nice spots. I visited his very good lookout at Torrington beforehand and this one while not as grand was nonetheless an fulfilling interlude and likelihood to heat up on the stroll there as it is extremely chilly up right here.
Cobark lookout is far decrease however solely 500m or so earlier than you rejoin the sealed street. From Gloucester you may journey to this viewpoint on any model of bike and the street by the valley to right here is great. Find time for a detour.
Great afternoon journey all the way down to Gloucester from Cobark.
It’s ‘Snitzy’ night time on the Roundabout Inn Gloucester. Finest pub meal I’ve had this journey. Biker pleasant too.
Fog within the Hole, Good day to Comply with. Alberta farmers saying I learnt from a fellow rider. Good morning leaving Gloucester even when my picture doesn’t actually seize it.
Bucket a great deal of potholes on the Bucketts Technique to Wingham however then I wanted for street of that high quality as I made my option to Ellenborough falls on tough gravel with SUV’s showering me in mud. I’ve ridden moto-x and might journey any kind of dust not really feel challenged however I frankly don’t discover it very fulfilling on a loaded up ADV street bike. Now if I used to be sideways bouncing my previous KX two stroker off the rev limiter round each nook that might be completely different however I don’t suppose this ADV model of driving might be long run for me.
Picture really is straight, tough viewpoint angle on the falls. 2nd highest drop in southern hemisphere though the point of view doesn’t seize this sadly. One kilometre of steps to the valley is a tough no from me however look you may blur water with only a telephone digital camera.
the place I’m now. Rated Australia’s finest motorbike street however I like others higher. The hotmix ascent on the japanese facet is nice, however the countless corners you can’t see by (as a result of cuttings) to Gingers Creek I feel are over rated.
From Gingers west I feel is one of the best part. Nonetheless if I lived nearer I’d be there on a regular basis in fact!
Respectable move on the Aspley falls. The climate turned very chilly this afternoon. It was exhibiting 10 levels once I changed into Walcha and spitting a couple of drops of rain.
It clouded over darkish nearly quickly as I arrived making pictures difficult, a disgrace because the timber have been in autumn colors.
Seeing this previous painted signage made me consider a moto blogger I’ve adopted for years Fuzzy Galore who has a group on her weblog. (btw; her weblog might be tough to entry outdoors of USA and not using a VPN for causes no one can work out)
My digs tonight is the Prime Pub Uralla. First time I stayed right here so way back it was $25 an evening, FF to my Aussie tour earlier to this one it was $50 an evening and now in 2023 it’s $80 an evening. Nonetheless okay for bubble land Australia.
My mate in Alstonville offers me a heads up – numerous rain coming. And it’s bit chilly right here for driving in that. I wish to warn some riders I comply with on social media presently touring the area however determine they know what they’re doing so simply concentrate on getting myself out of right here.
It pours all night time however clears within the morning so I skip breakfast and instantly journey north through inland roads. I skirt showers till I cross the border and see the following one will catch me.
Sitting out some rain over lunch at Texas earlier than I push on to Toowoomba within the afternoon.
I’m staying in an actual dive of a resort tonight. I take a look at the following door outlets. I’m propositioned to go play the slot machines with a girl on the road shortly after this however sadly she is obese and unattractive. Toowoomba, my form of city ha-ha 😀
Huge push north in the present day to Rockhampton through the inland to keep away from rain. This silo artwork is at a locality known as Three Moon. By no means seen anybody put up this earlier than as a lot of the grain silos are down south.
The minor inland roads to Rockhampton are method more sensible choice than the Bruce freeway which is countless roadworks and potential velocity traps. I might straightforward cruise at “some velocity” as Jeremy Clarkson put it on the again roads and by no means noticed a cop all day, that actually provides as much as a while saved on the finish of a 650km day and the roads are extra curves and extra scenic besides.
I detour a little bit to go to previous rail stuff in the present day being an ex railway man. I gained’t bore you with all the small print however the previous Mount Morgan station has a really attention-grabbing historical past and nice show of things that I feel anybody would discover well worth the cease.
I’m in a little bit motel out of downtown to help an early getaway for the ultimate day push house however there isn’t any site visitors at 7.00am subsequent day to talk of.
And so I’m again to the cane fields of north Queensland. A profitable first tour since I fell in poor health with most cancers and hopefully the primary of many extra to seem on the weblog.
You don’t want an enormous bike or particular bike or perhaps a plan – simply go. Do it proper now!
