The Old Road

Today I decided that it was time to visit my old knee scraping friend again. There wasn't going to be any of that on this ride though. I decided to head up through Berowra Waters and cross the ferry and up to the old road.
There's been lots said in the past about the 'Old Road' as it is commonly known to local bike riders. It's real name is the Old Pacific Highway in Sydney's north between Berowra and Gosford. Many years ago it used to be the main highway north out of Sydney before they built the F3, a new 3 lane freeway, at which point it became a tourist route with little traffic.

The road itself is a pretty good one with lots of twists and turns. Its the first road that I ever got my knee down on. It's been called many things in its day both good and bad. Magnificent biker heaven comes to mind, but in recent times sadly it has been policed to the death. The road is only about 25km's long but is nearly all bends. I haven't been up this road for a few years because of the heavy handed policing not to mention the now ridiculously low speed limit of 60kmh. Last time we came up here we were pulled over for a random breath test. Yeah right as if we would be riding a highly technical road like this on sports bikes and pissed. That's just an excuse so they can then check you for other things like illegal loud pipes, rego etc

Yet another Ferry Crossing - Berowra Waters

 I decided to stop in at Pie in the Sky for some breakfast. Looks like I wasn't the only one as there must have been 80 bikes here this morning. Even with the heavy handed policing it proves you can't keep bikers down. I tried the pepper steak pie and was going to get a coffee but the line was huge. I would have to wait about 15 minutes so I decided on a double espresso milk instead. That pie hit the spot just right. I can really recommend the pepper steak pie. I almost got another.
It was great just to sit there and relax on a Sunday morning and watch all the bikes coming and going.



After a half hour break it was time to head off north over the Hawksbury and enjoy some of the twisties. The section down to the calga interchange is only 60 kmh which ruins it really as I looked down a couple of times to see 100-110 on the dial whilst in the middle of some bends, oops better slow down just in case. The short straights are a bit of a chore at 60kmh.

 There sure were a lot of bikes out today as the Autumn weather was superb at 22°C. I saw lots of bikes come past when I stopped to take these pictures. There were even a few women riders out today.









This road definetly has some of the best curves you will find anywhere around, but it can also be pretty dangerous as well because a lot of them are blind and there were lots of cyclists out on it today. Some of them were 2 abreast leaving only enough room for a bike in the right hand wheel track.

The last section that winds its way down to Mooney Mooney creek is one of my favourite parts. I also like the look of the scenery here as there are lots of ferns, kind of a sub tropical look. Got to look out for water on the road in the shadows at this time of year. There was also some moss growing on one of the bends near the photo above.

The road warriors cafe has been closed down. I wonder how long ago that closed. Looks like all the bikes that used to stop there are now stopping at Pie in the Sky.

I noticed that they have fixed the road surface where they used to have the small flat lines of tar running through the curves to join or cover cracks in the surface. Most of that is now gone to all bikers joy, they were deadly in the wet and unsettling if you hit them in the dry.










Heading south back over the Brooklyn Bridge towards the Pie in the sky and Home.

On the way home I thought that I might make a detour and take the Galston Gorge rather than ride down Pennant Hills road which can be quite busy. I'd prefer to stay away from crazy Sydney traffic. I tried out the Go Pro mounted to my helmet and was quite pleased with the results. Galston Gorge has the tightest corners I have ever seen. The sign postings say 5 kmh which wouldn't be far off. Trucks, Buses and caravans are banned from driving here as you can see from the video.

All in all a good days riding, any day I can get out for a ride is always a good day. I just prefer to go on a ride where you are not constantly watching the speedo fearful of being pinged. This road has that reputation attached to it, even though it is a good ride.

Blue Cow

It's been pretty hectic around here lately, I've been very busy at work and even working weekends so there hasn't been much riding. During my duties for work this week I had to go down to Perisher which is in the heart of the NSW Snowy Mountains ski fields. The destination was Blue Cow Terminal @ 1,890m / 6,201ft which during the winter is a ski resort, but the other 6 months of the year is deserted.

The Snowy Mountains is a great place for riding motorcycles but not so much at this time of year if it very cold. I was thinking of riding the bike down until I saw the forecast which predicted a 50% chance of snow on Thursday down to about 1400m. Perisher Valley is at around 1,720m / 5,643ft. So after  that I decided on the nice warm work Ute as I had to take the laptop and some tools as well.

I have never been up to Perisher before so I was looking forward to seeing what the road was like up here. Anyone who has ridden the road from Thredo to Jindabyne will have a good picture of what this road is like. I took a couple of quick pics whilst driving along.

Road to Perisher

I arrived at Smiggins Holes early and it was freezing cold, we had to get a lift up to Blue Cow in a 4wd as the conditions up here can deteriorate rapidly and you will not be able to make it out in a 2wd vehicle. The road up is just a small single lane dirt track up the side of the mountains, it can be steep in places. Once we arrived at the resort I took some time to take in some of the spectacular views.

Blue Cow

The picture below is off the balcony looking back down the valley. You can see the dirt road that leads up to the resort.

Looking out to the west towards Mt Kosciusko(not in picture) there was a bit of snow about, but luckily it didn't snow while I was up here although the temp on the DDC was reading 0.5°C. Not sure what it would have been with wind chill. Brrrrrr.

There were lots of snow guns on these slopes but they have yet to be fired up in anger this winter.It won't be long, about 4 weeks away now.

I will definetly have to come back up here and ride these roads. Just have to pay the fee to get into the national park then let the fun begin. Now to just wait for summer to come around.

New Blogger Interface

Man how crap is this new blogger interface.
They've put all the buttons in different places so you cant fucken find them. There doesn't seem to be anything new, they have just moved everything for the sake of it.

Fucked just like microsoft.

Where does your bike live?

Flyboy at A view from above has sent out a challenge to all us bikers to show where their bikes live when we are not riding them. Post your link up on his site when you have posted yours. So here's a few pics of where my bike lives in my man cave.

It's a bit on the messy side and the bike usually is under a cover so it doesn't get dusty.

Let me point out a few of the features of my man cave. Out the back door of the garage we step out onto the deck which surrounds our small but enjoyable pool. Just have to be careful I don't roar into the garage to fast otherwise it could all end up at the bottom of the pool. On the left we have a futon lounge which folds down into a bed if needed.(Which it hasn't yet thank goodness.)

On the left just past the R1 you can make out the Beer keg's next to the fridge and freezer. On the front of the fridge you'll notice the tap for the beer. Its pretty sweet having your own beer on tap at home. Just past the freezer but hidden from view is my trusty BBQ which gets used 2-3 times a week. Up on top of the fridge is a small 34cm TV so I can watch when I'm cooking on the BBQ whilst having a beer. In fact now that I think about it I could live out here, it's got everything I need except a shower and toilet. I'm sure that when the wife reads that I'll be in the shit!

Georgia wanted to sit on the bike so I lifted her up and onto the seat. Once she was up there she wanted to get off again, something about being scared. She could almost reach the foot pegs but was a long way from reaching the bars.

Stoner Gear

Looks like my merchandise has arrived, wooh hoo this will look great up on the wall in our lounge room.

Kangaroo Valley

Kangaroo Valley is on the list as one of New South Wales best motorcycle rides. I'd find it hard to argue against that as I have ridden here many times in the past and will continue to do so into the future. I had to travel down to St Georges basin down near Jervis Bay during the week for work. I could have chosen the main Hwy down the coast but I'd rather drive a great biking road than go along a boring Highway. So I packed the camera to take some pics for this blog.

Besides the scenery is spectacular when you descend Barrengarry Mountain coming into Kangaroo Valley from the north. The views through the tree's is awesome although there was to much fog down low this morning to see anything. There are about 10 kms of steep winding mountainous road descending down to the valley floor. This is great fun riding.

Once you reach the valley floor you soon come into Kangaroo Valley township. There was much fog about this morning as I came through here. The whole valley floor was covered as you can see from the following pics.

As you leave kangaroo valley village the road climbs back up the side of Cambewarra Mountain. There is lots of fun to be had on this twisting section of road. The road winds along for about 12 kms until it comes out at Bomaderry near Nowra. I like the look and feel of the hills here kind of sub tropical rain forest like.

The best part about riding through Kangaroo Valley is that there are many other great bike roads nearby. I like to incorporate the ride up through Macquarie Pass with a stop at Robertson Pie shop for a break and a pie. I also like to do Jamberoo Mountain road and combine all 3 roads together into one pretty sweet ride.

Here's a pic of me on these curves taken about 5 years ago. 

In Loving Memory

This post isn't a motorcycle related post but a tribute to one of my close friends.

After seeing one of my closest mates who I have known now for 10 years, VTR Man yesterday he told me that his dad had passed away the night before. Although I have never met VTR mans parents I am well assured that if the old saying is true 'that like father like son' then he must have been a good man.  From myself and our family we are thinking of you mate.

The following song is by one of my all time favourite bands. It was written by guitarist Mark Tremonti after his mother died. Its called......

IN LOVING MEMORY
by
ALTER BRIDGE

Thanks for all you've done
I've missed you for so long
I can't believe you're gone
You still live in me
I feel you in the wind
You guide me constantly

I've never knew what it was to be alone, no
Cause you were always there for me
You were always there waiting
And ill come home and I miss your face so
Smiling down on me
I close my eyes to see

And I know, you're a part of me
And it's your song that sets me free
I sing it while I feel I can't hold on
I sing tonight cause it comforts me

I carry the things that remind me of you
In loving memory of
The one that was so true
Your were as kind as you could be
And even though you're gone
You still mean the world to me

I've never knew what it was to be alone, no
Cause you were always there for me
You were always there waiting
But now I come home and it's not the same, no
It feels empty and alone
I can't believe you're gone

And I know, you're a part of me
And it's your song that sets me free
I sing it while I feel I can't hold on
I sing tonight cause it comforts me

I'm glad he set you free from sorrow
I'll still love you more tomorrow
And you will be here with me still

And what you did you did with feeling
And You always found the meaning
And you always will
And you always will
And you always will


And I know, you're a part of me
And it's your song that sets me free
I sing it while I feel I can't hold on
I sing tonight cause it comforts me

A Glorious Autumn's Day

It was April fools day today and the second month of Autumn. Well bugger me you would have mistaken it for a nice summers day not Autumn at all. You could not have asked for a better day. Pity there was a bit of a  mix up with the starting time and daylight saving also thrown into the mix. There was the 3 of us on today's ride, perfect.

Wayne had got his Ducati back from the shop after the 'incident' back in November. The bike was repaired and waiting to go for awhile, it was more his foot needed healing up and he was ready to get back into the swing of things. He wanted to go for a ride up the Putty Rd, as soon as I'd heard that I was in. Being one of my favourite rides and all.

There must have been at least 30 bikes at the servo at Wilberforce this morning for our fuel up before heading off. And there was a lot more on the road ahead. Luckily most of them either we passed, or they passed us or they pulled into the Grey Gums Cafe. We continued on without stopping until we got to the 10 Mile section of twisties. When we stopped to set up the camera's I found my 32Gb memory stick on the ground where I had dropped it on the last ride! Still there in the same spot 2 months later.

We stopped at the tav for an early lunch and cool drink, it was only 11:00am by the time we got here. I love sitting out the front of this place and just chillin out and watching all the bikes go by. And there were lots of bikes going by today.

This pub is at the bottom of the Hunter Valley which is renowned for it vineyards and great wines. I like how they have a grape vine growing over the front of the veranda at the pub for shade. There were still grapes on it but they looked a bit past there used by date. The leaves give off some pretty colours when in the right lighting

It was then back down the same way we had come, the run back down was not as good as the run up to lunch as on the way back we got stuck behind some cars for a little while. We then decided to pull into the Grey Gums cafe for a quick break. There were lots of bikes here when we went past about 2 hours before and there was still lots of bikes here.

The Colo heights section of road is another good piece of tarmac on this road. This is filmed from the northern end coming down towards the river.