SEQ Willo's Way

[Williamson]

On a cold Monday morn, two travellers well-worn, set forth on a trip.
One astride a BM, the other 'twas on the Mighty ST Flagship.
As the Land of Queens was their destination, they ventured with spirit and little hesitation.
After six days on the road, and five nights of overload, they dropped anchor in Esk, to be united with comrades from the AusTouring Forum
And continue their adventures without fear of boredom.

Monday 16 March

Melbourne to Tumut went something like this:


Our route took us via Yea, Mansfield, Whitfield, Myrtleford (lunch), and Happy Valley, and then somewhere near Dederang where Derek looks for, and finds, a geocache:


I take some photos and have a close encounter with some of the locals:


We continue via Ganya Gap, Jingelic and Tumbarumba, then overnight in Tumut.

Today's tally:
605km
3 - geocaches

[Biggles]

Good photos.
I hadn't previously encountered anyone who played Geocaching, but it looks like fun.
If I have to ride on unsealed roads, that's the kind I like.
Standing by for day 2 (but spare the doggerel    )

[Williamson]

... Geocaching, but it looks like fun.

It was a distraction and put some extra purpose in the ride.

... If I have to ride on unsealed roads, that's the kind I like.

Tuesday's gravel roads were not as good.
 

... doggerel

I had to look that up.

[Pocket STocker]

Great photos Williamson.

Pockey 

[Shiney]

Awesome RR mate, I especially like this photo




Thanks for sharing

[Biggles]

Awesome RR mate, I especially like this photo




Thanks for sharing

Because it's blue or because you love cattle?

[Gadget]

Awesome RR mate, I especially like this photo




Thanks for sharing

Because it's blue or because you love cattle?

For me, as a wannabe photographer, it is the composition.

Are you sure it is Blue? Looks Black on my tablet.

[Williamson]

.... Are you sure it is Blue? Looks Black on my tablet.

It's Black!!!


Some of the photoshop colour enhancements may have confused the issue.

[Williamson]

Tuesday 17 March

Today's route went something like this:



Brungle:



Found a horse trough (Derek wasn't impressed, "it's not a Bills"):



I found a view (the mighty Murrumbidgee is somewhere in that valley):



At Murrumburrah, Derek found another horse trough, "this is a Bills":



Harden:



Wyangala Dam:







Kandos (the motel came with free pussy):



Today's tally:

452km
Geocaches - 5
Horse troughs - 2
Cattle grids- 100's

[Biggles]

As a "Bill" I can't say I've heard of Bills WRT horse troughs.  I deduce it's the embellishment at the back with an inscription.

[Williamson]

As a "Bill" I can't say I've heard of Bills WRT horse troughs.  I deduce it's the embellishment at the back with an inscription.

An explanation here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bills_horse_troughs

[StinkyPete]

As a "Bill" I can't say I've heard of Bills WRT horse troughs.  I deduce it's the embellishment at the back with an inscription.

An explanation here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bills_horse_troughs

Well, fancy that.  It's not a furphy after all....     Our OzSTOC people are a goldmine of most important information.

[Biggles]

That Derrick sounds like a bit of a character, with his Geocaching and horse trough interests.
It's a bit like the FarRally- riding around with a purpose.
Now I'll be inspecting every little town's horse trough.  That's a marvelous way to contribute to society (and incidentally be remembered).

Awaiting Wednesday 18th with interest...   

[Williamson]

.......  Awaiting Wednesday 18th with interest...   

Wednesday 18 March went something like this:


Left Kandos before dawn, roads a bit damp, a few kangaroos, travelled at around 75km/h to 80km/h for the first hour.  Stopped at Bylong for breakfast but store closed, on to Sandy Hollow, Shell roadhouse / store open, good bacon & eggs and pot of tea for breakfast, Mmmmm.....

Back roads to Scone:


Murrurundi, a double "Bills":

The Bills fans think this is pretty special - I suppose it is ......

Wallabadah, Nundle (lunch), 39km of pretty shytty gravel road, Walcha, Walcha Road (that's a place, not a road), Kentucky and Uralla.

We turned right at Uralla to check out the Chapel at Gostwyck:




Some photoshop enhancement to bring out the autumn colours:








Armidale for the night - $12:00 T-bone at the Whitebull Hotel, 117 Marsh Street ..... Mmmmmmm!

Today's tally:
550km
Geocaches - 3
Horse toughs - 2
Munsie's - 1
Gravel road - TFM

[Biggles]

I'll bite.     

What's a "munsie" bridge?

That Gostwyck church is a photographer's favourite.  A little bit of England, I guess.

[Biggles]

Never mind- found out it's not a type of construction, but a reference to the Munsie family- a long established pioneering family in the Armidale and Uralla districts. The Munsie family farmed in the Big Ridge area, north west of 'Gostwyck Station'.     

[PC]

Hi guy's  just read this if coming through Warwick and want to have a look around give us a ring   0429661697
   
 (I know some awesome dirt roads)

   Peter

[Williamson]

...... if coming through Warwick and want to have a look around give us a ring .....

This was ride was 16 March to 6 April, 2015.  Went through the out-skirts of Warwick when on the way south (between Crows Nest and Maclean) on Thursday 26 March.  I'll keep the offer in mind for next trip north - in a few years time.

[Williamson]

Thursday 19 March went something like this:



Armidale to Kyogle via Waterfall Way and a visit to Wollombi Falls where Derek and I met Bob & Lanie an Alaskan couple doing a 10 week lap of Oz on a BMW GS1200. 

This is just a little trip for Bob, previously he did a trip from the northern most trafficable tip of Alaska to the southern most trafficable tip of South America.   Full details of their current trip on their Facebook page "Rip to the Tip" https://www.facebook.com/akriptothetip?fref=ts



(L to R - Derro's BM, the Mighty ST, Derro, Bob & Lanie with the 1200GS in the background)

Derro was like a pig knee deep in shyte, ie. very pleased to be talking BMW and travelling, and making himself at home on their BM.

Then on to Ebor Falls:



Another "Bill's" at South Grafton:



Crossed the Mighty Clarence River on the Ulmarra ferry, back trekked a km or so into Ulmarra township.  Took a pic of an old friend:



Crossed the Clarence again at  Bushgrove - Cowper, and again at Lawrence.  Waiting for the ferry:



It was around 36C in the shade, Derek waited in the sun, I took advantage of the shade of the sign:



Then via the Summerland Way to Casino and Kyogle.

Today's tally:
364km
Geocaches - 2
Alaskans - 2
Horse toughs - 1
Water drank - 4litres (it's effing hot up 'ere - 36c - bring ya swimmers)

At Kyogle - dinner at the Commercial Hotel - $10:00 Rump Steak.

Photos will be taken!!!!

Well photos were taken, just got to get them off my soggy iPhone.

[Carsten]

Nice story and great photos.

[Williamson]

Nice story and great photos. 

Thanks!

Friday 20 March went something like this:


Kyogle to Toowoomba via Lions Road, Running Creek Road (aptly named), Rathdowney, Cairneys Creek Road (dunno was Cairney was), Spring Creek Road (dunno Spring either) and Killarney.

This section must be one of Northern NSW / SEQ's best keep motorcycling secrets.  I have ridden some of the road previously and they are still very impressive with a mixture of tight curves, narrow valleys, tight corners, steep grades, very steep grades and very little traffic - and that the boring bits, get over this and the ride gets better, and then there's the views ....... in no particular order.



Derek finds a cache:


At the QLD /SW border:




On Spring Creek Road there are a couple of creek crossings.  I wouldn't recommend trying these solo, they were very slippery and it took all of my expert riding skills to remain upright (IMHO).

At the head of the Condamine River system, which apparently is also the start of the Darling River, and thus I suppose the Murray - Darling:




Did I mention the green vegetation?

Daggs Falls


By the time we got to Killarney the temperature was rising (anyone who attended the NatMeet on the Friday will know that).  The ride to Warwick and then Toowoomba unforgettable, so much in fact I have forgotten all about it or checking into our motel.

But I do remember turning on the motel a/c, having a cold shower, riding the Big4, meeting a few old mates and a few new mates, having a great feed, saying goodbye.

Thanks for the company and good night guys and gals.