Author Topic: Maryborough QLD - Crookwell NSW (Read 8274 times)

Rodd · « **on:** February 11, 2014, 11:03:49 PM »

I'm heading off tomorrow morning on my trip from Maryborough QLD to Crookwell, NSW.
It's just me on my black ST1100.

My trip will most likely be via.. Gympie, Kenilworth, Maleny Kilcoy and through Esk onward to the Lions Rd in NSW, then toward the New England highway down to the turn off just before Muswellbrook (sandy Hollow), Bylong Valley way.. on through Bathurst, Oberon, Taralga to Crookwell.

Once I have settled in at Crookwell I hope to head towards Shellharbour by Sunday night (if all goes well).

My first night stop will likely be either at ESK or hopefully I can make it to the beaut camp area on the Lions (Lyons) Road.

Biggles · « **Reply #1 on:** February 12, 2014, 12:14:02 AM »

You were right the first time- it's Lions Road (because the Lions Club built a section of it).

It looks like you will manage to avoid highways pretty effectively. Enjoy the ride!

tj189 · « **Reply #2 on:** February 12, 2014, 05:11:15 AM »

sounds like a nice trip, enjoy

Wild Rose · « **Reply #3 on:** February 12, 2014, 07:45:22 AM »

Sounds good, Have a great ride

Diesel · « **Reply #4 on:** February 12, 2014, 09:16:45 AM »

Good onya Rodd. This is a perfect time to let the OzSTOC RAN Co-Ordinators know of your trip too, so that there is an extra set of eyes making sure everything goes well.

Same goes for any OzSTOC Member planning a trip for that matter....

http://ozstoc.com/index.php?topic=4584.0

Enjoy the ride mate.

Cheers, Diesel

Rodd · « **Reply #5 on:** February 12, 2014, 10:40:48 AM »

Coffee stop at The Edge cafe near Mapleton. I decided to take the highway to Nambour turn off to Mapleton.

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saaz · « **Reply #6 on:** February 12, 2014, 01:05:03 PM »

Where abouts are you staying? I might be able to meet up and show you a few ways to get down the coast - a few options.

ST2UP · « **Reply #7 on:** February 12, 2014, 01:12:49 PM »

Enjoy Rodd.......warm and dry up here in the New England

Rodd · « **Reply #8 on:** February 12, 2014, 02:31:17 PM »

Afternoon coffee at Boonah. I'm stopping at a free camping spot on the Lions Road, Saaz. Looking forward to the end of riding for today.

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Rodd · « **Reply #9 on:** February 12, 2014, 02:41:46 PM »

I've been using the Drift Ghost still camera function while riding. Hoping i get some good snaps. I'll use video mode as I cross the border, and at places along Lions Road. I think I passed some STs near Woodford, too.

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Rodd · « **Reply #10 on:** February 13, 2014, 02:40:24 PM »

Turns out that the camping spot on the Lions Road is not free but $6. My previous fuel stop didnt allow cash out, so no change. Now at Armidale for rest and aim to stop at the beaut camp spot half way on the Bylong Valler way.

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Rodd · « **Reply #11 on:** February 14, 2014, 09:23:03 AM »

I stayed at the free camp area at Bylong last night. I extended my ride into the night to stay there. Lots of camping room there.. modern clean toilets/ shower block. There was a light rain so i put up my tent unfer cover on flat cement. :) right beside the ST. There's a fuel stop, cafe, convenience shop acrosd the road. This is such a good place to stop for the night.

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ST2UP · « **Reply #12 on:** February 14, 2014, 09:33:58 AM »

Well done Rodd....great touring through the Bylong Valley

Diesel · « **Reply #13 on:** February 14, 2014, 10:44:16 AM »

Rodd's gunna be riding it the morning sunlight - lucky so and so!

Should be great timing to stop in Rylestone for YB (Yummy Brekky)

Thanks for the updates mate.

Cheers, Diesel

Rodd · « **Reply #14 on:** February 14, 2014, 12:36:29 PM »

After a morning tea and refuel at Bathurst, i rode on through Oberon.. on to Taralga and the the turn off on the south side of Taralga towards Crookwell. There's still sone dirt road on this bit, but it's about as good as a non-surfaced road gets. I love the different look of the countryside around here.. the light us different too. They need rain.. safely arrived at safe house at 12:15 (Qld time).

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Rodd · « **Reply #15 on:** February 14, 2014, 12:39:36 PM »

Not so much morning sunlight, Diesel... overcast with some light sprinkle.. still perfect for riding.. always forget how cool it gets Oberon to Taralga... i stopped half way at Porters Retreat to put the jacket liner in and was kucky to meet old family friends at Old Robinsons servo..

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Rodd · « **Reply #16 on:** February 14, 2014, 12:43:28 PM »

There was a bikers cafe at Kandos last time i was in the area. Good coffee there and lots of biker patches and i think there is a bike display that you cab look through.

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Rodd · « **Reply #17 on:** February 21, 2014, 06:17:56 PM »

Still in NSW. I stayed at a free camp site "Bendeela'? It's turnoff is just on the west side of the bridge at Kangaroo Valley. What a great campsite. Gotta watch out for wombats and wallabies while riding at night. I rode down to the hotel at Shellharbour Village and got back to camp at midnight. I laid in my tent listening to the sounds of wombats munching on grass and wallabies hopping around and awoke to the greeting of a group of friendly ducks waddling around. I love the roads around Kangaroo Valley, especially the shortcut to Berry. I have saved some great video of that road. I have stopped at another safe house at Colyton for a night or two and will then need to start heading north again. I haven't been on the Putty Road for a while! :)

Marcus · « **Reply #18 on:** February 21, 2014, 06:35:11 PM »

Sounds like a great trip you're having

Rodd · « **Reply #19 on:** February 24, 2014, 07:31:53 PM »

Finally back home!
I manage to ride on some iconic biker roads while away including The Lions Road (both directions), Kangaroo Valley area including the shortcut to Berry, Putty Road, Esk to Kilcoy via Sommerset Dam, and the road up to Maleny via Bellthorpe and of course through to Mapleton and down to Nambour. Which road was the best.. I can't answer because each road has it's own character and the variety makes each road more interesting. I took video of Lions Road heading south but I think I accidently deleted the section south of where I camped.. so I video'd the whole road on the way north back towards home. The road was wet this trip so made it better. I also took some video of the road to Maleny via Bellthorpe but I took a wrong turn towards the end and I think I ran out of memory card.. hmmm.
The bike never missed a beat the whole way. The rear tyre had a slow leak and maybe (guessing) a dynabead affected the valve. It was a bit unnerving on the trip towards home to check the tyre pressure only to have the air gush back out nearly as quickly as it went in. I managed to get it to stop and hoped that the chrome metal valve cap would help keep the pressure up. It did, but I bought spare valves and extra caps (with the valve removal tool built in.. just in case).
I recorded every fuel stop into my smartphone and know that I averaged 50 mpg on the way down (I know others get better fuel economy but I'm not going to stuff with my bike). I put some fuel cleaner additive in the first tank on the trip home and the bike seemed to run better and get further on fuel and even start a bit better, but I haven't checked the figures.
All up.. great trip.. I intentionally took 3 days to get down, but got home in 2! :)

PS Forgot.. the road from Tenterfield down towards Casino is also a great ride! Also, the Bylong Valley Way through Bylong in NSW!

Abe · « **Reply #20 on:** February 24, 2014, 07:49:26 PM »

Glad your home save and well Rodd.

beer time.

Thanks for the time to post your adventure, great reading.

Diesel · « **Reply #21 on:** February 25, 2014, 12:07:30 PM »

Good onya Rodd.

It wa nice riding along with you from time to time.

I am about to do the Berry/Robertson/Kiama shortcut myself through KV. Then on to the Sea Bridge.

Can you tell me exactly where the Bylong Camp ground is pls mate? Plan to use it myself.

Thanks for the sharing.

Cheers, Diesel

Rodd · « **Reply #22 on:** February 25, 2014, 01:41:24 PM »

https://maps.google.com.au/maps?saddr=Muswellbrook NSW&daddr=Bylong, NSW to:Rylstone, New South Wales&hl=en&ll=-32.632436,150.336914&spn=0.829221,1.674042&sll=-32.525788,150.430751&sspn=0.830206,1.674042&geocode=FTKsE_4dg1_-CCmRjYoLHmALazEAiEOQtAkGBA;FX5oEf4dRZ3yCCnneTPN1BUMazHAXUOQtAkGBA;FQGFC_4dXGLwCCm7qEYGV80NazEga0OQtAkGBA&oq=Bylong, NSW&mra=ls&t=m&z=10

My route from Muswellbrook (A) to Bylong (B) to Rylestone (C) via the Bylong Valley way.

Rodd · « **Reply #23 on:** February 25, 2014, 01:52:14 PM »

If you were after the great campsite near Kangaroo Valley then here it is:

https://maps.google.com.au/maps?q=-34.739823,+150.471185&hl=en&ll=-34.73597,150.496645&spn=0.050573,0.104628&sll=-32.010396,135.119128&sspn=97.186645,214.277344&t=m&z=14

You turn onto Bendeela Rod just on the north side of the bridge (Hampden Bridge) at Kangaroo Valley. Huge very green grassed area. Large areas separated by lines of large boulders. Big toilet block.. watch for wombats and roos when riding at night including inside the camp area.

Rodd · « **Reply #24 on:** February 25, 2014, 02:05:35 PM »

On my way south I stopped at Kyogle (NSW) to withdraw some cash. About to get back on the bike when a man parked in front of me. His lady passenger got out of the car and went into the bank (?) and the male driver approached me to talk about the bike. "Nice bike".. "I used to have bikes.. if I sell my plane I can buy another bike.." at this stage the lady getting back into the car demanded "c'mon lets go".. he stumbled over a few more words and within a matter of seconds she again got out and barked at me "have a nice day".. "let's go" and he obediently got straight back into the car and drove away. LOL..

.. I nearly yelled back at him "maybe you have something else to get rid of before you get another bike!!!"....

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Author Topic: Maryborough QLD - Crookwell NSW (Read 8274 times)