2017 NatRally Planning - VICTORIA

[Williamson]

Never too early to plan ...........

I'm not even 100% sure if I'll be attending the 2017 NatRally, as yet.  With a couple of weeks motorcycling and camping in January 2017, and then April and May in the USA and CA, a firm commitment ain't really possible until work leave and bank balances are checked.  This may not be until June 2017, but hey that's only nine oops, 14 months away.

So, here's what I've got in mind:

  *  Leave Sunday or Monday before the rally.
  *  Riding with one or two like minded OzSTOCers - not keen on more.
  *  Ride ~ 400km days, avoiding main highways as much as possible.
  *  A few stops for pics and soaking-up local history.
  *  Meandering either side and sometimes crossing main highways.
  *  Staying in country pubs, hopefully cheap bed and breakfast - more to spend on evening beers.
  *  Arriving Wooli Friday.
  *  Leaving Wooli Monday.
  *  Trip similar theme to the trip there, but another route.

Any Victorians interested in joining me in such broad plans?

[Williamson]

Phil and I leave Monday 16 October, a quick sprint up the Hume Highway will have us at Binalong for the night.  Tuesday will be an indirect route to Mudgee, all on good sealed roads.

However Wednesday's route may take in some gravel roads, as I'm planning to go to Armidale via Gostwyck and Dangars Fall.  I've ridden the ST from Gostwyck to the Dangars turn-off (is that the intersection with the big memorial) on the ride to Toowoomba in 2015, the gravel was okay, but I'm not sure about the quality of the road from the turn-off to Dangars.

Some local input (Chris or others) would be helpful here, please.

Thursday's destination is Woodenbong, also via an indirect route as much as possible.  Google Maps show some indirect roads either side of the New England Highway (via Boorolong, Ben Lomond, Silent Grove), but as best as I can figure out these may not be ST suitable.

Some more local input would be helpful here, please.

I also figure breakfast this day will be at Guyra, and I reckon a recommendation will be forthcoming on a suitable establishment here.

Glen Innes to Tenterfield will most likely be highway (unless there are recommendations to consider otherwise), then the roads via Legume and Urbenville look interesting.

Friday will be another indirect route via Rathdowney, the Lions Road (is it open after maintenance?), Kyogle, Nimbin (pick-up some supplies), East Lismore (lunch with a mate), Maclean and finally Wooli.

[Gadget]

The Lyons Road is still officially closed due to Bridge replacements.
There is a dirt road option via Simes Road and Lynch's Creek road to Wiangaree.
Back Road from Wiangaree into Geneva and Kyogle is dirt at the Wiangaree end and then country lane bitumen and filled potholes but meanders through beautiful farmland. (Watch out for cows crossing roads).

Here's the link to check on the Lions Road (Gradys Creek Rd)
http://northernrivers.myroadinfo.com.au/search.asp


Sent from my SM-G930F using Tapatalk

[Gadget]

Screenshot.

[Williamson]

The Lyons Road is still officially closed due to Bridge replacements......

I thought I had read that somewhere.

There is a dirt road option via Simes Road and Lynch's Creek road to Wiangaree.

You might need to plot that one on GMaps for me.

On the way to Toowoomba 2015, we rode Spring Creek Road, Carneys Creek to Queen Mary Falls.  It was okay, except for the brown trouser moment at a ford creek crossing.  There was some slippery green slime below the surface on the ford deck, which if not for my exceptional riding skills (AKA luck), the Mighty ST might have had a bath. 

Even though there were some pretty views, I think we'll avoid that one.


Might email the Kyogle Shire tomorrow to check when works are to be completed.

[Bodø Glimt]

Nice photo.

[Gadget]

Shared route
From Rathdowney to Wiangaree via Running Creek Rd.

1 hr 3 min (55 km)
1 hr 3 min in current traffic


1. Head east on Hardgrave St towards Prior St
2. Turn right onto Prior St
3. Turn left onto Collins St
4. Turn left onto National Route 13
5. Turn right onto Running Creek Rd
6. Turn right to stay on Running Creek Rd
7. Merge onto Gradys Creek Rd
8. Turn left onto Simes Rd
9. Arrive at location: Simes Rd
10. Head south on Simes Rd towards Forest Rd
11. Turn right onto Lynches Creek Rd
12. Turn right to stay on Lynches Creek Rd
13. Turn left onto Summerland Way/B91
14. Arrive at location: Wiangaree

For the best route in current traffic visit https://goo.gl/maps/hrFhnhYRRST2

Sent from my SM-G930F using Tapatalk

[Williamson]

Couple of queries below, anyone?

Phil and I leave Monday 16 October, a quick sprint up the Hume Highway will have us at Binalong for the night.  Tuesday will be an indirect route to Mudgee, all on good sealed roads.

However Wednesday's route may take in some gravel roads, as I'm planning to go to Armidale via Gostwyck and Dangars Fall.  I've ridden the ST from Gostwyck to the Dangars turn-off (is that the intersection with the big memorial) on the ride to Toowoomba in 2015, the gravel was okay, but I'm not sure about the quality of the road from the turn-off to Dangars.

Some local input (Chris or others) would be helpful here, please.

Thursday's destination is Woodenbong, also via an indirect route as much as possible.  Google Maps show some indirect roads either side of the New England Highway (via Boorolong, Ben Lomond, Silent Grove), but as best as I can figure out these may not be ST suitable.

Some more local input would be helpful here, please.

I also figure breakfast this day will be at Guyra, and I reckon a recommendation will be forthcoming on a suitable establishment here.

Glen Innes to Tenterfield will most likely be highway (unless there are recommendations to consider otherwise), then the roads via Legume and Urbenville look interesting.

Friday will be another indirect route via Rathdowney, the Lions Road (is it open after maintenance?), Kyogle, Nimbin (pick-up some supplies), East Lismore (lunch with a mate), Maclean and finally Wooli.

[ST2UP]

Phil and I leave Monday 16 October, a quick sprint up the Hume Highway will have us at Binalong for the night.  Tuesday will be an indirect route to Mudgee, all on good sealed roads.

However Wednesday's route may take in some gravel roads, as I'm planning to go to Armidale via Gostwyck and Dangars Fall.  I've ridden the ST from Gostwyck to the Dangars turn-off (is that the intersection with the big memorial) on the ride to Toowoomba in 2015, the gravel was okay, but I'm not sure about the quality of the road from the turn-off to Dangars.

Some local input (Chris or others) would be helpful here, please.

Road into Dangars is only just ST friendly....Dry up here so loose and dusty 

Thursday's destination is Woodenbong, also via an indirect route as much as possible.  Google Maps show some indirect roads either side of the New England Highway (via Boorolong, Ben Lomond, Silent Grove), but as best as I can figure out these may not be ST suitable.

Some more local input would be helpful here, please.

Boorolong is Dirt and not pretty...Ben Lomond is fine but you will need to use Inn Rd back to the N/E Hwy as the Dirt from Ben Lomond through Silent grove has been smashed by the plethora of Semi's moving equipment and supplies for the new Wind farms in this area.


I also figure breakfast this day will be at Guyra, and I reckon a recommendation will be forthcoming on a suitable establishment here.

Jo Jo's in the main St (Bradley St.) would be the pick for coffee and a simple but scrumptious brekkie



Glen Innes to Tenterfield will most likely be highway (unless there are recommendations to consider otherwise), then the roads via Legume and Urbenville look interesting.

Only not good dirt options...

Friday will be another indirect route via Rathdowney, the Lions Road (is it open after maintenance?), Kyogle, Nimbin (pick-up some supplies), East Lismore (lunch with a mate), Maclean and finally Wooli.

[ST2UP]

The best riding roads through this area in general are those that join the New England and the Pacific Hwy's.....

Thunderbolt, Oxley, Waterfall Way, Armidale-Grafton rd, Gwydir Hwy, Bruxner Hwy.....

There are some short little scenic and twisty rides 20k rides off these....Tyringham to Dorrigo would be my pic 

Grafton to Armidale East to West is probably my favourite  with Waterfall Way from Bellingen to Armidale a close second (Except Dorrigo Mtn is now double white lines the entire 15k's length.


 

[Williamson]

Thanks Chris .....

Road into Dangars is only just ST friendly....Dry up here so loose and dusty 

Good to know, if the road gets too unfriendly, we can turn around and get to the pub earlier.

Boorolong is Dirt and not pretty...Ben Lomond is fine but you will need to use Inn Rd back to the N/E Hwy as the Dirt from Ben Lomond through Silent grove has been smashed by the plethora of Semi's moving equipment and supplies for the new Wind farms in this area.

Mmmm.....one to avoid.

Jo Jo's in the main St (Bradley St.) would be the pick for coffee and a simple but scrumptious brekkie

I can smell the coffee, the crispy bacon and soft poached eggs already.

Only not good dirt options...

We'll stick to the highway.

[STroppy]

Hi Michael, Tipto and myself are departing from Sunbury on Monday, 16 Oct, and these are our intended routes, subject to seat comfort.

I need to be at Wooli on the Thursday afternoon.

Day 1

We will be taking the middle route, not a lot of the M31, passing near Shepparton.  Also we could shorten each day, depends on how we are travelling . .

https://www.google.com.au/maps/dir/Sunbury+VIC+3429/Forbes+NSW/@-35.4883817,146.3602802,7z/data=!4m8!4m7!1m2!1m1!1s0x6ad6f9776c84f27b:0x5045675218cce30!1m2!1m1!1s0x6b1a8ce43c2f826f:0x40609b4904379d0!3e0

Day 2

https://www.google.com.au/maps/dir/Forbes+NSW+2871/Uralla+NSW/@-31.9897756,151.5087304,7z/data=!4m8!4m7!1m2!1m1!1s0x6b1a8ce43c2f826f:0x40609b4904379d0!1m2!1m1!1s0x6b9f8fc43d644613:0x40609b49043b7a0!3e0

Day 3

https://www.google.com.au/maps/dir/Uralla+NSW+2358/Wooli+NSW/@-30.0388638,152.3771537,8z/data=!4m8!4m7!1m2!1m1!1s0x6b9f8fc43d644613:0x40609b49043b7a0!1m2!1m1!1s0x6b9bbfd19504532b:0x40609b490439b60!3e0

[Cerebral Knievel]

Hi Michael, Tipto and myself are departing from Sunbury

Is this just a visit or is someone tagging along 

[STroppy]

My mate, Stephen, aka Tipto, lives in Sunbury, I'm riding down to his place and both of us riding to Woolli from there.

[Cerebral Knievel]

My mate, Stephen, aka Tipto, lives in Sunbury, I'm riding down to his place and both of us riding to Woolli from there.

I thought Dickie might be tagging along 

[STroppy]

He might be flying to GC/TH and riding down from there . .

[Williamson]

Hi Michael, Tipto and myself are departing from Sunbury on Monday, 16 Oct, and these are our intended routes, subject to seat comfort.

I need to be at Wooli on the Thursday afternoon.

Day 1

We will be taking the middle route, not a lot of the M31, passing near Shepparton.  Also we could shorten each day, depends on how we are travelling . .

https://www.google.com.au/maps/dir/Sunbury+VIC+3429/Forbes+NSW/@-35.4883817,146.3602802,7z/data=!4m8!4m7!1m2!1m1!1s0x6ad6f9776c84f27b:0x5045675218cce30!1m2!1m1!1s0x6b1a8ce43c2f826f:0x40609b4904379d0!3e0

Terry,

Phil and I will be taking this route form his house near the Broadford - Wandong Road on Monday 16 October, https://goo.gl/maps/521Uxgcu1J22.



We will be taking the M31, as we want to get a few km under our belt, travelled most of the alternatives quite a few times - the Freeway might a new experience for us.  Probably a couple of planned stops for us, first at the BP / McDonalds Glenrowan North (not the best way to start a road trip, but the Maccas' coffee is good) - this is likely to be the closest our paths will cross.  Second stop at Holbrook, but you'll be heading north on the Olympic Highway by then.

[Williamson]

The best riding roads through this area in general are those that join the New England and the Pacific Hwy's.....

Thunderbolt, Oxley, Waterfall Way, Armidale-Grafton rd, Gwydir Hwy, Bruxner Hwy.....

There are some short little scenic and twisty rides 20k rides off these....Tyringham to Dorrigo would be my pic 

Grafton to Armidale East to West is probably my favourite  with Waterfall Way from Bellingen to Armidale a close second (Except Dorrigo Mtn is now double white lines the entire 15k's length.

Ahh!! So many roads, such little time. 

Have ridden some of those roads and would like to ride them again, but our ride north needs to get us to Woodenbong for the night.  Thus our Day 4 route will be something like this: https://goo.gl/maps/YVYtUydN1WD2


Some of these roads will need to wait until Day 10 on our return ride: https://goo.gl/maps/oNfLsfjpV6B2

[PC]

Hi Williamson the Stanthorpe to woodenbong is a decomposed granite gravel road ,the Warwick Killarney woodenbong is sealed, however this road is a shocker to and I only ride it if I really have to
The best road in terms of condition is to go to Boonah Rathdowney then down the Mt  Lindsay

[Williamson]

Hi Williamson the Stanthorpe to woodenbong is a decomposed granite gravel road ,the Warwick Killarney woodenbong is sealed, however this road is a shocker to and I only ride it if I really have to
The best road in terms of condition is to go to Boonah Rathdowney then down the Mt  Lindsay

Thanks for that, I'll review our Day 4 route.

[Joso]

Williamson if you are in Mudgee on Tuesday night let me know might catch up for a drink

[Joso]

Williamson roadhouse on north side of Guyra was very good maybe st2up knows a bit more about it

[Williamson]

Williamson if you are in Mudgee on Tuesday night let me know might catch up for a drink

Booked in at the Paragon Hotel, we'll be swinging our legs under bar stool, the one closest to the tap that pours dark ale.   Dunno what time we'll arrive, but I expect / hope we're there by 6:00pm.

Williamson roadhouse on north side of Guyra was very good maybe st2up knows a bit more about it

Checked Google Maps, there seem to be a few to choose from.  Who woulda thunk that in a place like Guyra .....
 

[Joso]

All good my daughter in law works at the paragon will stick my head &seeif your there

[Williamson]

All good my daughter in law works at the paragon will stick my head &seeif your there

Mates rates?