Snowy Mountains Ride Part 3

 Day 5

After a great cooked breakfast we were heading across to Adaminaby then onto Kiandra. It was nice and cool this morning in the mountains, but was expected to get into the high 30's today.

I was enjoying the ride on the Snowy Mountains Highway far to much to stop and take photos, just about every corner you come around is something interesting to see. You could literally stop for photos every kilometer. I did stop for the views over the valley, how could I not. It was spectacular. 

We stopped at the usual pull off area at the Kiandra turn off. A quick break and photo stop before we keep going. 

Today we were heading down Elliots way. It's been so long since I'd been down here I couldn't remember the exact route. It's pretty easy though as its left to cabramurra or straight. There was another thousands photo opportunities' but again was having too much fun to stop except the odd spot.

We stopped briefly at a lookout over one of the Snowy Hydros spillways. Such spectacular scenery up here in the snowy mountains. Is it any wonder we keep coming back up here every year.

There's a bridge at the bottom centre of the photo below over the Tumut River. We would drop down there just past Tumut 2 underground power station. The road follows the river gorge along for some time crossing several bridges along the way. I think riding down is better than riding up as you see more of the scenery going down.

After 4 or 5 bridges we start climbing back up the ridge line, with even more spectacular views over the tumut river as it flows into the Talbingo Reservoir. Simply Stunning scenery.

We stop in Tumbarumba for lunch at the bakery. No pies for us as everyone gets a salad roll. It's damn hot again now as its heated up into the mid thirties. After lunch we crack on into the heat along the Rosewood raceway, no pics today and then into Tumut for fuel. We didn't hang around long due to the heat. Most of the guys turned towards Gundagai, Stu and I went via the Brungle road, but instead of turning left and going over the bridge at the murrumbidgee we went straight and along Gobarralong  Rd which was superb riding after about 15km of tar it turned to even more superb gravel road through lush farmlands. 

We came into Jugion via the Bundarbo Bridge and looked for a beer at the Sir George but it was closed so we high tailed it along Mcmahons reef rd on some more backroads to Galong and then Boorowa. It was so hot I was sucking down the water on my camelbak it was now 38°C and we were cruising on about $130 just to get there quicker and out of the heat. The first beer at the Boorowa hotel didn't even touch the sides. It was good to be out of the heat. The Boorowa hotel is always a good stop, good rooms, good food, cold beer and friendly staff. They also now installed Air-conditioning in the rooms so that was a bonus and did we have them cranking. 

DAY 6

After a late one last night everyone was looking a bit second hand, me included. I walked across the road to the bakery for the last breakfast pie and coffee of the tour. We took the road across to Crookwell where half the guys head north on the Goulburn Rd to Bathurst and Scottay and I decided on heading across the Blue Mountains via Shooters Hill. Only took 1 photo today, wasn't my day for it.

 Geoff legged it back up the freeway and with hindsight I should have done the same. Scottay and I continued in the 33°C heat up and over Shooters Hill, the temp dipped back to about 30°C before we came into Cox river road where the temp soared to 35°C and it was only about 11:30am. Yeah it was hot.

Scottay got stuck at some roadworks lights but I didn't stop until Bell where I waited for 10min. When he didn't come I decided to keep going as its too hot to sit here, so continued on then got stuck at more road works. I emptied my camelbak sitting in the sun for 10-15m before the traffic started moving, I could feel my energy levels getting sapped by the heat as I left my jacket completely unzipped now. 

 I decided to stop at Bilpin for an Apple pie & a coffee for a pick me up. I also downed a 600m gatorade in a matter of seconds. I felt dehydrated despite the fact i'd drank 750ml from my camelback, a 600ml gatorade and a coffee(not the best choice as coffee dehydrates you). About 1hr 20m later I got going it was tough going from the air-conditioned cafe out into the heat again. 

Mountain Bells Cafe - Photo from previous ride

As soon as I dropped down the eastern escarpment into the Sydney basin I was blasted with heat, the dash read 39°C and now I was really cooking moving in slow stop/start Sydney traffic, plus the engine heat coming out onto my legs.

I had to stop at McGraths Hill at the petrol station as I was not feeling well, light headed I thought I might pass out. I downed 2 bottles of water and another gatorade in no time at all and dumped water all over my head and shirt. I had overheated, I had to get out of my gear so stripped down and put on my shorts and thongs. I spent the next hour standing in the Air conditioned servo trying to cool down. I couldn't finish riding in the heat, as I decided it too unsafe and had to ring my wife to come pick me up, needless to say there was a lot of eye rolling and a bollocking followed by the silent treatment. I left the bike in the servo and came back at 9pm to get it. It was still 29°C at 9pm it was a scorcher of a day.  

Not the graceful finish to the ride I was hoping for and a valuable lesson for me riding in such heat with adventure gear that really doesn't breath and is really made for winter conditions. Make sure to keep your camelbaks fully topped up, not half full like an idiot. Will definitely have to look a bit harder at what gear I have and simply not ride when it's so hot.

Cheers and thanks for reading.

Snowy Mountains Ride Part 2

Day 3

We hit up yet another bakery but too late, as a group of enduro riders were at the bakery before us and they were now out of pies. Lucky they made a pretty mean Bacon & Egg roll.

We filled up and were looking at doing the loop ride over Hotham and back via Falls Creek. Mr Speedy had looked at the Vic roads and found out that the Hotham road was closed this morning due to a sinkhole forming under the road. So plans changed and we took the Omeo Highway then turned onto the Bogong High Plains road and decided to come back via Mitta Mitta.

As the main road was closed this was one of the only roads in the area you could get through on so we took it extra cautious today. Just as we reached the first set of bends on the Omeo highway we came upon a road train carrying sheep heading the same direction we were going. Pure madness to drive that thing on this narrow twisty road. It took quite some time to safely get past him too. He was doing about 20-30kmh taking up both sides of the road. I was hoping that no bikes would be coming the other way, it could have been nasty.

We stopped at the Blue Duck for the others to catch up and regroup after the truck. It took a while.

From here is was a short ride to the Bogong High Plains road turn off. I stopped to direct the traffic up the hill and take a couple of pics, so I went from first in the group to last.

Mr Speedy

I pulled over as Joby had stopped on the side of the road. Apparently he'd been stung by a wasp that went in his jacket. Thoroughly checking it was gone we continued along. Joby riding the T7 was pointing at the beautiful scenery, when next minute he was riding off the road on a corner into the scenery. Luck for him there wasn't a drop off and it was a flat bit on the end of the corner and he quickly re-entered the road without incident. Still scared the shit outta me as I wasn't expecting it, I bet he needed a change of underwear too.

We were soon in Falls Creek where some big mt Bike event was on. There were busses ferrying loads of bikes up the hill. We saw lots of bikes riding up the hill, too much effort in the heat coming up. It was quite pleasant at Falls Creek but as we dropped down to Mt Beauty the heat quickly rose back up to about 35°C again. All the traffic seemed to be going up the mountain, leaving an empty open road in front with a couple of traffic lights. Was an excellent run down the hill.

I stopped quickly in Mt Beauty to fill my camelbak up with water and we kept going across the back roads and around to Mitta Mitta where we arrive at 1:15pm. The temp out on the plains was up in the mid thirties again so a stop at the Mitta Pub was welcomed. Some of the lads got a bite to eat, they said up to 1.5hr wait time so I just had a couple of lemon squashes down by the river. The food came out in about 30m so it wasn't too bad. People were swimming in the river out the back of the pub. 

There were 2 motorcycle cops sitting under the tree across the road from the pub pulling bikes over. As we were about to leave they left before us and went the opposite direction thankfully.

As we climbed up into the High Country on the Omeo Highway the temperature again plummeted from mid thirties down to 25°C which was quite refreshing after riding in the heat. We fueled up before the only servo closed for the day, not sure if it opens on sunday. A couple hours later Stu & Craig come riding in after their trip on some dirt roads. We stay another night in Omeo at the Golden Age Hotel. As I skipped lunch I splurged tonight on the steak, not cheap at $42.

Day 4

We were looking at going across Limestone road and heading up Barry Way to Jindabyne which is all dirt. Checking the weather radar there was a large band of heavy looking rain coming over that would cross our path at some stage. I was hesitant to go Barry Way if it was going to rain, my rear tyre was nearly shot. I should have replaced it before leaving. Thinking a near worn-out tyre will make it might work but it also changes your mindset of where you can ride also. False economy, I'll have to not do that again.

Stu, Scotty, Zammo & Joby took the Barry Way route while the rest of us went back up Omeo Highway, because it was just awful having to do another 105km of twisty mountain road. We again came across a road train filled with sheep on the exact same section heading up the mountain again. Same as yesterday took awhile to get past safely, I was worried for the bikes coming the opposite direction as he was also using all the road. He shouldn't be driving a semi up this road. It was much cooler today at 18°C. About 2/3rds of the way along we got a couple of spots of rain on the visors but that was it. The rain seemed to be to the south below us and heading east.

We stopped at Mitta Pub again to regroup. As we pulled in under the tree, two police Highway patrol officers asked us for our licenses. Yeah they were 2 different guys than yesterday.

We continue our way to Tallangatta for a refuel and then take the granya gap road again a lot of fun before we take the Murray River Road. I stopped for a quick photo at this lookout, I didn't know there was this cool wedge tail eagle statue here as we've always gone past.

It's another warm 30°C day today, not as bad as the previous two days though. The camelbak is a god send on these rides. Continuing along we pass Tintaldra and then all the way into Khancoban where we stop for a bite to eat.  

Lunch stop in Khancoban

The weather was holding out and appeared to be going far to the south of us. Looks like we could have done the Barry Way without any issues. Oh well, we have had some great riding on some of this country's best motorcycle roads so there's always next time. 

We left via the Alpine Way another great motorcycle road. We came upon a Harley that was taking up the whole road. This sparked something in Joffrey's head and he immediately had to overtake him under any circumstances. He really does hate those harleys. We blew by and took off leaving the harley rider far behind. When we came back up the range to Dead Horse Gap we pulled over to regroup and take a snap. The last leg into Jindabyne is only about 40 minutes, then its beer o'clock.

Our accomodation for the night was the Banjo Paterson Inn. Fantastic food with cooked breakfast, 4 star hotel rooms and it's a nice spot for a beer out the front overlooking the lake. Everyone was enjoying a chat and the icy cold beer. Yep this is what it's all about.

Snowy Mountains Ride Part 1

In November we had our annual Victorian Alps & Snowy Mountains ride on again. Rick and recently moved Dave had ridden down from Queensland to meet us at the starting point in Sydney an extra 2-3 day trip for them on top of the 6 Day trip that the alpine ride is.

We had a couple of potential meet up points, Stu's house at 7am or Trappers Bakery Goulburn  at 9am. I decided on meeting everyone in Goulburn, so put on some tunes and headed off.

The pie and coffee was nice as usual and we were back on the road just after 10am. Yeah it takes awhile on big group rides.

The group split up in Braidwood where the road bikes went down Clyde Mountain to Batemans Bay and the south coast, whilst the adventure bikes went down via the Araluen road to Moruya.

The Araluen road was surprisingly good. Fairly easy gravel road riding with spectacular viewing over river gorges and surrounding mountains.

Somewhere along here on one of the slower gravel corners Rick dropped his new Guzzi, lost the front end. Nothing damaged but his pride.

Scottay

Braidwood to Moruya via the Araluen Road is only 85km and there's probably only 50km of gravel so was easy going. We arrived in Narooma very early so decided to have an early lunch as the others would probably have lunch in Nelligen. The typical stop at the Hotel with the Million dollar views.

I wasn't super hungry so Joffrey and I decided to share a Nacho bowl. Everything else on the menu looked big and at nearly $30 so the Nachos were good and easy.

From here we took the back road into Central Tilba where we stopped at the Dromedary for a beer. We haven't been here for many a year so was good for a quick stop and reminisce. They sure do have a steep slope outside the pub, gotta be careful parking here or one could easily take a tumble.

Joffrey was in his element!

After a quick beer and chat it was time to head off. Remember that steep slope out the front of the pub I mentioned that could be hazardous? So for the second time today Rick had dropped his bike this time right outside the pub. Lucky a couple of the boys were still there to help him pick it up as it went over down the hill. Picking it up would have been a struggle against the slope.

From here we went down via Bermagui and on into Tathra where we were staying at the Tathra Hotel for the night. I decided to have a quick shower and then head up to the bottlo and get a 4 pack of Jamesons before we went to diner. Standing on the balcony with an Icey cold Jamesons I notice a couple of whales swimming by only about 100m offshore.  

Day 2 and I was feeling ok despite turning in after 11:30pm and I'd forgotten to pack the power lead for my cpap machine. The look of disappointment on Joffrey's face was priceless. Opening the door and I was greeted by Skip and his mates. He wouldn't come any closer the to Africa Twin, the kanga killer.

We headed down to the bakery for breakfast, I decided to take a look at the Tathra wharf. There were a few people out fishing this morning.

After demolishing a toasted ham/cheese/tomato sammich for breaky we headed out the normal route towards Bega then down through Wyndham and Cathcart on our way to Bombala where we refueled. We grabbed some lunch to go here as we would be turning down McKillops Bridge Road up into the high country. Plan was to stop at McKillops Bridge for lunch and then keep going via Limestone road to Benambra. The road bikes would continue down the Bonang to Orbost and then head back up to Omeo and meet us there.

I stopped just out by the pine forests outside of Bombala just after a kamikaze magpie dived across the road only to hit me in the left boot. He would have been fine if he just stayed where he was. I stopped for a photo of the bikes from a hilltop in between the forests. 

Heading down the Bonang you could feel the temperature starting to rise. Then we turned off down towards McKillops bridge. It wasn't far probably about 50kms or so, it took about an hour and we arrived around 1pm. Stopping at the foot of the bridge we had some lunch, standing under whatever shade we could find. The temp had risen to 35°C and was getting quite uncomfortable in all our gear, I could feel the heat sapping my energy, I'd been unwell in the lead up to this ride.

A group of kayakers had stopped underneath the bridge for some lunch. It's a beautiful spot for a lunch stop here along the shore of the Snowy River. A couple of cars crossed the bridge. It made the whole bridge rattle and shake.

We discussed  heading down to Buchan and around as riding in the 35°C heat at 50kmh wasn't ideal. Stu decided no matter what he was doing limestone road to Benambra. As we ascended the hill out of McKillops bridge and got to the top of the range the temp had dropped back down to 28°C and was quite tolerable again. We stopped at the Barry way intersection waiting for everyone where we decided that it would actually be better to ride to Benabara in the cool rather than go back down into the heat towards Buchan. It was 200km to Omeo that way and only 110km via Limestone Rd. Stu had already blasted off not to be seen again like he tends to do.

As we went along Limestone road it crested the range at 4500ft and the temp had dropped to a pleasant 23°C, felt like the AC was turned on, so good. I didn't stop along here at all keeping the pace up trying to see if I could catch Stu if possible at Benambra pub but wasn't to be as he blasted along to Omeo.

I stopped at Benambra pub as I was definitely going to have a beer. Then got a call from Joffrey. Looking at my phone I thought that's odd, why would he be calling? Turns out he got a flat rear tyre about 30km out of town. He rode it into town and parked up at the pub where we proceeded to change the tube. The tube had a little cut in it but couldn't see anything wrong with the tyre. Lucky I had a spare tube. Then we had a well earned beer or two.

It was only a short 20km ride into Omeo from here so was over with pretty quickly. We were the last in due to the extra time it took to change the tyre. So we relaxed into an evening of beers and good company. Life doesn't get much better than this.

The Omeo Hotel was again busy for dinner but it emptied quickly after that and we relaxed into beers out the front for the next couple of hours until they closed at 10pm. It made for a hangover free day the next day which was a win.