Langers Folly - To Toowoomba and beyond

[Langers]

Yesterday I commenced my ride to Toowoomba. Why so early? I tracked down a mate from Roseworthy Ag College who I hadn't seen for some 35 years and to co-ordinate a catch up I needed to start early (he resides in Bellingen).
I also thought, if I'm going this far, why not Cooktown, Normanton, Longreach, Noccundra and Tibooburra. Other than Tibooburra, I hadn't visited any of those localities. Hence I planned an excellent adventure.
Since then I've discovered that FarRoads have planned a ride to Maude on March 29.
So, back to the start of my adventure.
First night, Manangatang pub, max temp on the ride - 39 by golly that's a bit warm.
2nd night, Narrandera, max temp on the ride 38 - ah, cooling down.
I think the only reason I handled the heat as well as I did is I bought an Alpinestar off road airvest and once the temp got above 30 degrees I took my normal riding jacket off and just had a merino T shirt (for wicking moisture and despite my misgivings it actually worked really well) and the airvest which is mesh and solid ventilated armour. I'll admit, if I had an off the airvest would be an asset until the slide set in.
The ride home from Toowoomba will be decided at Toowoomba. At the moment, and following the two and soon to be three hot days, the Maude ride is looking good. Mid to high 30's is not much fun methinks.

[Williamson]

.... max temp on the ride - 39 by golly that's a bit warm.
2nd night, Narrandera, max temp on the ride 38 - ah, cooling down..... Mid to high 30's is not much fun methinks.

A good excuse to rehydrate with a schooner or three.

[Wild Rose]

Enjoy your adventure it sounds really exciting

[Shillas]

[StinkyPete]

What a great adventure, which we will follow with great interest.  Ride safe.

[Langers]

The ride continues. Yesterday I rode from Narrandera to Ballimore, overnighting at the Hair of the Dog Inn. A pleasant little pub, lovely owners and locals. I can't help but feel concern for our country pubs, what with property sizes increasing hence population sizes shrinking topped with governments who are bleeding small businesses dry, but now is not the time for political statements. The ride was bloody hot, again and the scenery as the past couple of days, somewhat dull and looking seriously like a drought in the making - let's hope not.
Today on the other hand has been completely different.
I left Ballimore heading to Armidale and went via Dunedoo, Leadville (I've been to Leadville in Colorado and seen ski-joring - not likely we'll see it here), Coolah, Premer, Werris Creek, Tamworth (missed any C & W music going on, thank goodness), Bendemeer to Armidale. The temps were 27 to 32 - so much better for travelling.
I highly recommend taking this route - little if any traffic, very little in the way of road works, pretty reasonable road condition AND green pasture knee high in the paddocks and very healthy looking scrub - a sight for sore eyes after the first 3 days.
I've taken Williamson's advice and rehydrated appropriately - with gusto!
Tomorrow I catch up with the mate I haven't seen for years and then head into cyclone country - if there's not too much damage. I'm keen to check out the Lions Road near Rathdowney (I think) - if anyone knows if it's open, id love to hear.

[Shillas]

"I left Ballimore heading to Armidale and went via Dunedoo, Leadville (I've been to Leadville in Colorado and seen ski-joring - not likely we'll see it here), Coolah, Premer, Werris Creek, Tamworth (missed any C & W music going on, thank goodness), Bendemeer to Armidale."

This was the route I'd planned from Dubbo to Armidale on my Wednesday leg of the trip.

[Williamson]

...I'm keen to check out the Lions Road near Rathdowney (I think) - if anyone knows if it's open, id love to hear.

Will "second" Lions Road, it's a "must" for me when in the area.   The Border Loop Lookout is an interesting diversion, a little steep in and out, achievable on the ST1300, V-Strom more than okay, interesting history on the info boards.

https://maps.app.goo.gl/wtoMkaJH41QtsB478

[Wild Rose]

The last time I was down that way the Lions Rd was closed
That was about 3 4 months ago
We then rode up to Woodenbong then onto Killarney which has had a lot of work done to it or you could go Woodenbong to Rathdowney then Boonah

[Williamson]

The last time I was down that way the Lions Rd was closed
That was about 3 4 months ago
We then rode up to Woodenbong then onto Killarney which has had a lot of work done to it or you could go Woodenbong to Rathdowney then Boonah

Local news report from 16 December 2024:

Two new bridges and Lions Road open to traffic

Kyogle Council has delivered motorists an early Christmas gift with the reopening of Lions Road and the completion of two new bridges.   Lions Road had been closed since mid-June to allow for the construction of the new Lamonds Bridge.

Details in link.
https://www.kyogle.nsw.gov.au/two-new-bridges-and-lions-road-open-to-traffic/#:~:text=Lions%20Road%20had%20been%20closed,old%20one%2Dlane%20wooden%20structure.

Of course, not sure how it fared due to TC Alfred.  I'll be checking with locals before Nigel & I ride it (as currently planned) before heading that way next Friday.

[ruSTynutz]

These websites may help...

NSW: https://www.livetraffic.com/

QLD: https://qldtraffic.qld.gov.au/

[Williamson]

These websites may help...

NSW: https://www.livetraffic.com/

QLD: https://qldtraffic.qld.gov.au/

Yes, but only useful to a point as they don’t always (sometimes not at all) indicate if a road is suitable for a motorcycle.

[Langers]

Thanks everyone for your comments, they are very welcome and most helpful.
Today I rode down Waterfall Way through Ebor and Dorrigo. A lovely ride until the serious drop down to Bellingen. The ride was married by roadworks (can't be helped) and the safety conscious good Samaritan who decided to help the community by keeping us all to 30 - 40kph in an 80 zone. Fair dinkum.
Great catch up with old mate and looking forward to tomorrow heading back up the hill to Dorrigo, Nymboida via less travelled roads, Waterview Heights and Glen Innes.
Cheers for now.

[Cerebral Knievel]

They got Waterfall Way open nice and quickly. It was shut because of damage related to TC Alfred.

[Langers]

Today I retraced my ride back up to Dorrigo and then branched off to Nymboida with the idea of taking Glens Creek road and Old Glen Innes road through National Park and Forestry land to Waterview Heights. Sadly this was not to be as the road was closed out of Nymboida. I continued up the road to Grafton and it was a very pleasant ride but one had to be ever vigilant regarding potholes. There was ample opportunity to lean the bike through corners and was really good fun.
Lunch was some health food at Macca's (I needed carbs after all that exercise - and a good thing too because it was even more fun on the Gwydir highway across to Glen Innes.
I'm sorry to be sounding like a child in a lollie shop but in SA we don't have quite the extent of twisty roads and to be honest the road quality is pretty darn good.
Tomorrow will be finishing at Glenlyon Dam and I'll have no choice but to get out the despised tent and all that goes with it.
Speaking of accommodation, let me put a plug in for the Great Central Hotel, Glen Innes. Very reasonably priced, very comfy beds and under cover parking for the bike.

[Langers]

Well, lady luck was shining on me today. Glenlyon Dam tourist park had one cabin left (I had to ask). Luckily I'm carrying bedding with me as the cabins are very basic but it beats setting up in 30+ degrees and packing up a tent covered in dew.
The route was short, GI to Inverell, then onto Ashford and north to the Bruxner Highway to Glenlyon Dam.
The vegetation has changed to green and gold and it was obvious TC Alfred was petering out this far west and over the peak of the Great Divide. Chatting to the Park manager he said the dam was currently only 50% full and the cyclone only dropped about 2 inches of rain.
Tomorrow I'm off to experience the Lions road. When I planned getting there it seemed very simple. The old paper map I've acquired is suggesting different.
More fun route planning.
Safe riding to all on their way now.

[Langers]

Short day today. I rode from Glenlyon Dam to Stanthorpe Qld and successfully missed about 6 suicidal wallabies (they weren't very big). Then onto Woodenbong for lunch. This part of the ride was bucket list stuff. The roads were good in general - some stretches you had to keep an eye out for potholes (and they were nasty) but terrific sweeping bends.
The plan was then to head down towards Kyogle but turn off at Grady's Creek road and head to the iconic Lions road. Well, after some 40 KMs I get to the turn off and there is a FB* sign saying Lions road is closed. *Flamin' Big!!
Luckily the 40km down was a great ride and the 40km back was just as good.
I then rode onto Rathdowney and booked into a motel. I noted the closed road sign at the Rathdowney end so couldn't even have a little taste. On the upside, I'll have to head back another time. I'd bring Julie when I come back, the roads are so enjoyable.
Tomorrow I head to Ipswich and get a new front tyre and then onto Toowoomba for the Ozstoc rally.

[Langers]

The offending sign.

[Shillas]

"I left Ballimore heading to Armidale and went via Dunedoo, Leadville (I've been to Leadville in Colorado and seen ski-joring - not likely we'll see it here), Coolah, Premer, Werris Creek, Tamworth (missed any C & W music going on, thank goodness), Bendemeer to Armidale."

This was the route I'd planned from Dubbo to Armidale on my Wednesday leg of the trip.

Looking at the maps again, while this route sounds great, I may instead head to Armidale via Scone from Dubbo. Looks a curvy road. 

[Dragonstaff]

Any updates to this, Mark? Are you still out there? Or are you lost in the wilds of Queensland?

[Wild Rose]

Langers has turned around in Toowoomba and heading for home. I think he was leaving Monday so could be nearly home

[Langers]

Hi folks, sorry for lack of communication, I'm currently at Barraba listening to the drizzly rain contemplating my next move. The weather has obviously impacted my desire to head to Cooktown & Normanton etc so I decided to do a Far Road ride to Maude starting in Narrabri, Cobar Friday night and Maude by 11.59am.
Well, again the weather has intervened and I've decided it might be smarter not to head off at 5:30am Saturday morning in goodness knows what weather so yet another change of plan.
No Far Road ride, I'll head to Tullamore tomorrow and Maude on Friday hopefully avoiding any ugly torrential downpours and then home via Berri, hopefully dragging some of the rain behind me.
Who knows what tomorrow will bring - possibly another change of plan.

[Dragonstaff]

Call in and say hi on your way through if you want. The kettle will be on.

[Bodø]

Maude NSW or Maude SA?  I'm free tomorrow (still had my annual leave booked) so if you do rendezvous with Dragonstaff I could also meet you there.

[Langers]

Sorry gents (thanks for the offer) but I missed the message and have ridden into Berri to stay with my brother in law and homeward bound tomorrow hopefully in time for lunch. Definitely another time though.
I can report that other than 15 minutes prior to arrival and about 30 minutes following departure from Maude NSW, my trip home was remarkably dry. A bit of spitting here and there but nothing requiring drying of clothes.