Getting to know my ST

[Smokeguy]

I took the plunge and finally decided to take 3 weeks off from work. So come the 16th June, I'm off to Cairns via Brisbane.  I am really hoping for some half decent weather to enjoy the ride in, if not no biggie. Google maps is the bees knees when it comes to planning a trip and I have been driving my wife nuts by saying " Pity your not coming with me hun "    Every 5 minutes or so .  It's amazing how a 54 year old male can get all excited over the thought of spending nearly 3 weeks riding around the countryside each day. Just hope I don't have to pull the umm back brace outa the top box.

Was wondering if any of you guys living on the east coast could tell me what the road conditions are like - it's been about 16 years or so since I was last over that way and about 30 years since I rode on the big H1 and it would be nice to know before hand where not to go. I'm planning at this stage:

Berri to Dubbo - Dubbo to Brisbane - then follow the coast road up to Cairns and beyond. Spend some time there and then work my way back to Sydney, then follow the coast around the bottom to Mt Gambier then up to home again.

I think by then my ST and I will love each other dearly. 

Any thoughts on this would be appreciated.

[ST2UP]

New England is not to bad....the road was a real mess a few months ago post floods on the coast and out west with their Hwys closed and rain here it was a riders nightmare with herendous potholes, mostly all fixed now.

If your taking your time and want to break the Hwy stretches up with some hills and twisties there are some good roads that link the New England and Pacific Hwys......Oxley Hwy Port Macquarie to Uralla via gingers creek (one of the best twisties in NSW).....Waterfall Way Urunga to Armidale.....Gwydir Hwy Grafton to Glen Innes.....Bruxner Hwy Tenterfeild to Tabulum then up through Bonalbo, Woodenbong and into QLD.

On the Bruxner Hwy between Tenterfeild and Tabulum near Drake there is Bike friendly Accommodation called "Riders Rest"........be a good spot for a east OzSToc meet in the future.....can cater for upto about 30 bikes.

Be prepared for cold temps on the New England.....early starts can be an issue on the shady corners.

Enjoy your ride

[terrydj]

Well from heaps of riding them roads, I would suggest if you want to get the most out of it and have something to talk about, I'd do the whole trip at least to Townsville via the inland route  Link: http://goo.gl/maps/yjpQ
I work up North at the mines and that inland route just has heaps to see if you take the time too look.
As for the roads, well they have pot holes and maybe some dirt, but who cares as you rides to what the road is. Oh yeah theirs Road Trains and cockys in all kinds of tractors with gear on behind and heaps of fools and critters to hit but that all part of the deal?
That road from Townsville to Cairns is just like out of a postcard and I always try and make Cardwell, maybe half way between Townsville and Cairns for Breakfast as I just dig sitting on the jetty looking out over the islands Cairns sucks and we'll leave it at that.
The ride back on the Bruce hyway to Brisbane is not a problem no matter how fast or slow you do it. Could probably stop off at Bundaburg to see how they make the rum and their a few other detours like that as well. Oh yeah, on the way back when you get around Byron Bay head over the hills to tenterfield, just a bloody good bit of road and when you get their you can drop into the Saddelery shop that peter Allan bloke sang about.
Forgot to say that out West and up North this time of year you could freeze the proverbials off but during the day maybe only a jumper on under the jacket should do.

[Streak]

Terry Makes some very good points, there are some great bits of road up there.

the other thing you can do as well, is look up who is up that way.

if your going up the coast road there is a line of OzSTOC members up that way to, so i am sure there will be plenty of people who would be happy to catch up for a coffee/dinner/beer along your trip, click on the member map and take a look: http://ozstoc.com/index.php?action=googlemap

obviously around Brisbane there is a small army so if you let us know if your overnighting we might be able to put together a little impromptu dinner or something, Depending on what way you are coming through Toowoomba there is a few of us here to. but there are also people right up through Bundaberg there is Jinxy and Des, Townsville is Rendog, Chris & Tackleberry, I caught up with Bikebear in Cairns last time i was there, and he a bloody nice bloke.

so don't hesitate in sending them a message to see what they are up to.

[saaz]

You might want to ask Biggles and others who came down through Roma recently about road conditions.  There were many kms of roadworks, and Biggle's bike looked like he had been riding offroad.  It might be best to bypass that road and go on another one.  Some great riding roads mentioned by ST2UP that would make going between the coast and inland very enjoyable, and good to fill in a few days of quality riding time.  The Oxley Highway is definitely one not to miss, and the other Roads like Waterfall Way and Thunderbolts are scenic if a little on the rough side but enjoyable to ride nevertheless.

[Smokeguy]

Wow thanks guys for the feedback - way more than I really expected. I'm just totally gobsmacked at the offers for meets and places to stay if needed. To be truthful I had planned the trip before joining OZTOC and had the route all done with timings, klm, overnight stays etc all ready to go.

I see I might have to re-plan now and meet some of you blokes. If i can I will, I do have relly's all the way up the coast as I originally come from Cairns so I am not short of a couch to bunk on when needed. That's really the purpose of the whole trip, to see family I haven't seen for dogs years. I'm doing the family Tree thing so I have a lot of brain picking to do.

Thanks for the inland route terrydj but I do have to get to Brisbane first, I remember that road from years ago - mostly seen out the back of an Army Unimog. Again relly's  up the coast from Brisbane stop me from taking that route. Time permitting I will look at it coming back.

Again people thanks for all the replies so far - you have given me a lot of rethinking to do. It seems a re-plan of the route up would be appropriate to get a few coffee stops happening :)
Only problem I see is it will be during the week and most of you may be working by the time i get in and out of town.

[Desty]

Having done the north/south and south/north trip *many* times on my bike...  This is my favourite route...

http://tinyurl.com/Destys-route