Is it spring yet or still winter? I can't tell!

With our on going warm winter weather Bushpig and I decided to go for a ride today out to Oberon up in the NSW Central Tablelands. I was a bit hesitant at first picking this location for lunch as it snowed up here 2 weeks ago and riding up through the Blue Mountains in the middle of winter could be freezing cold. I shouldn't have been concerned as it was bright blue sky's and great riding weather, today's max in Oberon was a barmy 10°C it felt more like 15°C. It was a little cool at speed but otherwise a great day.

We headed up bells line of road today, the sun was shining bright which brought out the vibrant colours of the walls of the canyons in the Blue Mountains today, they were quite spectacular. I didn't stop to take photos of them today but I have before and you can find them here.

Bells Line of Road

We cross over from the Bells Line across to Mt Victoria and down through the esses and onto the great western highway. I didn't want to stay on here for long so I decided to turn off at Cox River road and ride the back way out to Oberon. Its a pretty good little back road, but has about 5 kms of dirt, but very good dirt with a great surface. Don't agree that there is such a thing as good dirt, then why would I be doing 100kmh on a dirt road on a sports bike? It soon turned back to tar and we blasted our way to the top of the valley and onto Jenolan Caves road. This little back road put you out right near Hampton. 

Blue Mountains in the distance

It wasn't long before we turned off Jenolan Caves road and then onto Duckmaloi rd for the short 24km blast into Oberon. A brief stop by the road and we could see first hand the amount of logging that goes on around here. The hills were bare for miles, but I guess we need to make guitars out of something. Both myself and Bushpig were famished by now so I suggested we hit the pub for a counter lunch. I had a steak sandwich with bacon and egg which hit the spot.

Duckmaloi Rd 

It wasn't long before we had arrived in Oberon at around 12:30 we refueled. Anyone notice that this must be one of the most expensive places in NSW for premium petrol? We met a couple of guys riding a Blackbird and another bike at the pub,they'd ridden up from Crookwell. They were just leaving as we got there. I think the food at the Royal Hotel is better than at the Tourist Hotel. We left Oberon at about 2pm and it was starting to get noticeably cool, especially in the shade. We pretty much back tracked our route the way we had come with a couple of quick breaks along the way.

Cox River Road

Coming back on the bells line on the way home, I came upon a line of 3 cars in the twisties, it was an 80 zone. There was an overtaking lane coming up and I thought it would be a good spot to get around them. The car in front of me pulled out to overtake the other two cars, I followed him out and as I got to the back of the lead car I noticed it was an unmarked highway patrol, I sat out in the breeze for a bit just behind him I was doing an indicated 85. He waited and watched me. No I'm not going to go past you, look at the other car that is leaving you for dead, do something about that mate. After about another minute he took off like a scalded cat and 2 bends later he had the other car pulled over. Ha I chuckled in my helmet for awhile about that.

Bellbird Hill Lookout

Here's the map of todays ride. Not a big ride at 320kms but a nice winters day riding.