Bateman's Bay Overnighter

Well this was my first overnighter ride on my own. Cathy couldn't get the time off and the only person who put their hand up to ride with me , had to pull out. Anyway it was another fantastic ride with fantastic roads and scenery but to be honest I wouldn't rush to go without Cath again as it was too lonely without her.

Here's my first You tube video of the ride

Day 1: 280 kilometres travelled Map

I headed off at 8:00am through Liverpool to Heathcote then through the National Park, (it was a relief to get out of the traffic) and first stop was the Bald Hill lookout.

 The view down to the 'newish" bridge. (real nice to ride over)

Next stop was Austinmer Beach  for a coffee.

Nice little beach with a rock pool.

Next it was off to the Kiama blow hole and lighthouse. 

Still at Kiama, a view north from the lighthouse.

Then it was a great ride through Gerringong and Gerroa, coming out at Nowra then along the Princess Hwy and into Mollymook and lunch at the Golf Club.

Mollymook beach from the golf club carpark. 

After lunch it was back on the bike and about 40mins to Batemans Bay to the Mariner's Inn on the water.

This is what you get for $60 a night. For $80 you get a complete water view and verandah. I got a view of the air conditioning unit.

You get your own bathroom. It could do with some renovations but that would hike the prices up and besides it was clean and comfy. 

This is the view from the rear of the complex where the $80 rooms all are. 

The rear of the Inn showing the rooms with verandahs. 

The wharf out back, where you can sit and just watch the world go by. 

The bridge over the river in Batemans. 

And again close up. 

After I freshened up, I went walkabout to see what the town was like. 

I ended up at the shopping centre and bought $15 worth of tiger prawns for dinner which I enjoyed overlooking the water.  

 Day 2:  331 kilometres travelled Map

After a 7 km walk along the water's edge this morning, I went back to the room and showered, packed and was off again at about 9:00am.I've wanted to do the King's Hwy from Bateman's Bay to Braidwood ever since the last Snowy's ride in January when I first spotted the turn off..This road is 60km of great windy road through forest and great rural properties.I was very lucky because the road had been closed until the day before due to a land slide.

And so I arrive in Braidwood 

Looking down the main street. 

The old post office. 

The Braidwood courthouse. 

Leaving Braidwood, I left for Goulburn, travelling through Tarago and Lake Bathurst, having lunch at a truck stop on the outskirts of Goulburn and fueling the scooter up.From there I rode a short distance on the highway (boring) and turned off at Merulan onto the Highland Way to ride through Tallong, Bundanoon, Mossvale and Bowral. 

Gotta love those old buildings. 

This road is what riding a motorbike is all about. Good unmarked road with very little cars about. It was a surprise actually, because I didnt know the road even existed until I spotted it on Google maps. After coming out of Bowral I joined the boring Hwy back home and arrived at about 3:00pm (in time to jump in the car and get the shopping done - ah well such is life) 

Stroud Overnighter

I know I keep saying this, but these rides just keep getting better and better. There were five bikes in all for this ride - Cathy and  I, George, Andy, Craig and Neil (from NSW riders). The weather was perfect, the roads were great, many weve never seen before, and the company was even better.

Day 1:  330 kilometres travelled  Map

We met George and Neil at Maccas at Penrith Panthers at 8am for a coffee and a quick chat, then saddled up to leave at 8:30 (right on time I might add). The plan was to be at the Grey Gums Cafe on the Putty for 10am where Craig would catch up to us then meet up with Andy somewhere along the Putty as he had a few hours of work to do in the lower Hunter area and just happened to take his bike.
Well we arrived at the cafe at 10:10 am and grabbed a drink and sat down to talk while we waited for Craig, who arrived a half hour later. Andrew, as it turns out had also finished his paid duties and was on his way back to meet us somewhere on the Putty, so we made our way toward him and sure enough, met up with him about half an hour down the road.

The initial plan was to ride through the town of Broke, but Andy told us about The Cockfighter Inn at Bulga that he suggested we try.

Ok nice seat but where's the food ? 

Not even half a day away from Julz and what's on Georges mind ? 

Nice food at this Inn and very satisfying - Notice my healthy salad ? 

My token inclusive photo.

Oh yeah like Windsor is just up the road ! Actually about 150km

Did you know I like old bridges ? 

Just a break to stretch the old legs beside the road.

Hey is that the same bloody bridge ?? I cant remember. 

The roads don't come much more picturesque than this - look no cars ! 

By this time the others just kept riding but we came across this photo op.

See its a tunneley,bridgey, pipey thingy-anyway it was interesting OK? 

Ah here we are. 

Wow, we rode in to town and the population rose by 1%. 

Ummm ok - well it gets quiet out here I spose ? 

So we finally caught up with the boys at the Central Hotel in Stroud. From home, Cathy and I travelled 330 kilometres to get here. Worth every metre by the way.

Always good to have a bike lockup for peace of mind - this one was particularly good.

It even met with Andy's approval.

Ok enough of the bullshit, wheres the beer ? 

View of the town from our room.

And again. By the way, the whole verandah upstairs looked original complete with rotten floorboards ! 

A well deserved cool drink or two or three or more. 

Again, nice meals and atmosphere 

The rooms were small but very clean and comfy - slept like a baby. 

 

tDay 2:  289 kilometres travelled  Map 

Heres my girl - oh look it was room 8 we sleeping and farting in ! 

Heres the common room I talked about- note the stylish checkered table cloths.

The pub was closed today as it was Good Friday so we took the bikes out and parked across the road at the cafe for breaky. 

Here we all are waiting for yet more food. 

Before we left the pub, the owner recommended we take a road to Maitland called Lime Burners Creek Road. Heres the beginning of it. We had to stop because Andy's headset kept playing Barry White love songs over and over. His excuse is that he brought the songs along for George - Yeah right Andy.

Hey what the f$%k are Craig and George doing to my wife ?

Close up of the signs above. 

The Clarencetown Bridge 

These old bridges have alot of old world charm but sadly they are all being changed or replaced. 

Time for another break- oh look Im in another photo. 

Eventually we made it to Norah Head for lunch. 

We rode along the Central Coast Highway through Gosford then pulled into a lookout for a couple more photos. 

Looking over Brisbane Waters, Gosford 

Here I tried to take a photo on timer but as you can see, it didnt work so I didnt make the pic. I was supposed to stand near Cath. 

Here we all are on the ferry at Berowra Waters, not too far from home now ! 

Like we needed a close up of your head Craig !! 

This was definately up there with the best rides we have done. A big thanks to all the boys who joined us. Its great to share these good times with friends, not to mention safety and support in numbers. Although we rode a total of 630 kilometres, it was effortless because we enjoyed the ride so much.