Road to Toowoomba

[Williamson]

Nigel and I are planning a long, winding (where possible), in-direct, interesting ride to Toowoomba, leaving (Melbourne) Monday 17 March, arriving (Toowoomba) Friday 21 March.  Some additional ride & drink company would be welcome.  If you're interested, post here or send a PM.

With only 74 more sleeps until departure, it's time to start planning.  The following GMap links will provide some idea (it ain't set, as yet) of what to expect route wise.  Accommodation will preferably be hotels / motels at around $50 - $60 per head per night, based on sharing rooms.

Monday:
https://maps.app.goo.gl/GgbWVQqe2Aa1zRdPA

Tuesday:
https://maps.app.goo.gl/nkZAXFjjbKs81XpX9

Wednesday:
https://maps.app.goo.gl/ZRL8Uw6uVZvD2zei6

Thursday:
https://maps.app.goo.gl/hhY3F7BAhi7SLyu18

Friday:
https://maps.app.goo.gl/bNc5QZLBFfTqrorc8

If the liver can handle it, there'll a similar (but different roads) ride home.

[Shillas]

If you were going via the coastal routes, I'd probably be in it - but I'm looking at sticking to the coast as much as possible on the way there.

[Williamson]

If you were going via the coastal routes, I'd probably be in it - but I'm looking at sticking to the coast as much as possible on the way there.

Planning on returning via coastal towns. But if there is enough support for a switch-a-roo, plans could could be swapped.  So many combinations and permutations my eye lashes are hurting.

[Cerebral Knievel]

This sounds more fun than my hooting rooting tooting routing which is 124km and includes 3 sets of traffic lights, 2 of which are in Toowoomba.
Might take the inland option, which is the only option

[StinkyPete]

For us it's the short way up, and the long way home.

[Williamson]

This sounds more fun than my hooting rooting tooting routing which is 124km and includes 3 sets of traffic lights, 2 of which are in Toowoomba.
Might take the inland option, which is the only option

 

[Williamson]

For us it's the short way up, and the long way home.

Presuming that is a rough outline of your return route, and that a coupla deviations can be made.  Having returned from a half-lap last year, there are a couple (well many if honest) of suggestions, some won't add much time and / or distance, some would.  I can post some more info if required.

At Camooweal

[StinkyPete]

Presuming that is a rough outline of your return route, and that a coupla deviations can be made.  Having returned from a half-lap last year, there are a couple (well many if honest) of suggestions, some won't add much time and / or distance, some would.  I can post some more info if required.

We can chat at Toowoomba, as the plan and timeline is flexible, and one of the main objectives was to explore the Dinosaur Trail.

[Wild Rose]

It's 16 minutes 9 km for me I will have to stay a few nights to get over it 

[Williamson]

Presuming that is a rough outline of your return route, and that a coupla deviations can be made.  Having returned from a half-lap last year, there are a couple (well many if honest) of suggestions, some won't add much time and / or distance, some would.  I can post some more info if required.

We can chat at Toowoomba, as the plan and timeline is flexible, and one of the main objectives was to explore the Dinosaur Trail.

Of course, but in the meantime I'll send a few of my suggestions thoughts in a PM.

[Shillas]

[/quote]
Planning on returning via coastal towns. But if there is enough support for a switch-a-roo, plans could could be swapped.  So many combinations and permutations my eye lashes are hurting.
[/quote]

Tell me more.

Yes, so many permutations - my eye lashes may not be hurting, but like a Gumby, "My Brain Hurts"

I could be tempted to return via the coastal route, after all, it could be a mirror of my overall route, & to quote a certain middle earth character, "Gandalf, WTF?"

[Joso]

You might want to keep up to date on bylong valley way road not in good shape & don’t think much will get done too soon

[Williamson]

Tell me more.

Possibly

• Via Grafton, Stroud, Moruya, Orbost (subject to suitable hotel / motel accommodation being available) to Melbourne. 
• 450km to 500km days - very little major highways / freeways - winding, scenic B & C roads preferred.
• Accommodation, preferably hotels (walk downstairs for meal and refreshments),$50 to $60 per person, single rooms but some may need to be double (triple) share. 

[Williamson]

You might want to keep up to date on bylong valley way road not in good shape & don’t think much will get done too soon

Yeah, there were some pretty crappy sections from Denman to Wollar when we rode to Mudgee in 2023. And no better when towing the caravan in October 2024.

[Shillas]

Michael, definitely into joining the Fellowship of the Ride on the way back from Toowoomba.

[Williamson]

Only eight more sleeps, and then we are on the road.

[Williamson]

The Road to Toowoomba went basically as planned, overnight at Tallangatta & Grenfell at hotel accommodation that could best be described as cheap & nasty, with the emphasis on nasty.  Accommodation at Scone and Grafton was better.

The obligatory lap of the Mount Panorama race circuit with a pic at the top.

Then a detour at Uralla to visit the Church of All Saints, Gostwyck.  I've visited the Church a number of times (only on the outside), it's beauty and uniqueness is amazing, I never miss an opportunity to take someone there, this time Nigel.

First pic from the web (must get there in the full of autumn, at least once), then mine.  And then a visit to a privately funded & built Great War Memorial at Dangarsleigh.

Good riding weather, no rain, a little chilly second morning, warm to hot each afternoon.

[Williamson]

Except for changing the inland route to a coastal route (from Grafton to Stroud) due to rain forecasts in the hills, the Ride from Toowoomba also went pretty much as planned.

After leaving Nigel at Toowoomba (to get wet on his route), Shillas and I headed to Grafton via Killarney, Carrs Lookout and Woodenbong.

We rode through a very heavy misty drizzle of rain on the way up to ridge to Carrs Lookout.  It was NOT worth the effort, clouded over, no view (1st pic).  On a clear day, the view is different (2nd pic, taken Mar 2015).

The sign board (3rd pic) indicates that this overlooks a very significant spot.  Shillas and I had a twinkle over the edge and he is racing home via the mouth of the Murray River to see how long it takes to reach the sea.

Despite different routes, Nigel rolled into Grafton as Shillas and I were unpacking our bikes.

[Biggles]

2nd pic... 3rd pic?  We woz robbed!

[Williamson]

2nd pic... 3rd pic?  We woz robbed!

In your backyard Bill, surely you know it?