So we finally took the plunge and sold our trusty scooter 3 weeks ago and purchased "Robocop", a BMW 1200GS from a fellow in Dapto. The scooter has gone to a good home and now lives in the Shire, Cronulla Beach.
In the last 3 weeks the GS has put a huge smile on our faces and we've clocked up over 1000 kms just getting to know her. This is a serious touring bike and much more suited to the type of riding we are enjoying together these days. It has a heap more power while using no more fuel than the scooter, loads of packing space for our trips away and a comfortable, upright seating position suited for those long distance rides. And she is just as comfortable on dirt as she is on tarred roads. This in itself opens up loads more possibilities and access to places that the scooter couldn't take us, as you will soon see.
Day 1: Map (272 kms travelled, 34 kms on unsealed road)
So we packed her panniers and top box, with still more room for more, and set off just after 9:30am.
We head off through Bells Line of Road and here we have our first break at Pie in the Sky.
We have ridden through to Hampton from the Mountains many times , but this time we took Cox's River Road, involving over 30 kilometres of unsealed road. Yep, Cath's head still looks big in that helmet.
"Robocop" is fitted with electronic suspension control and as a result, she smooths out the bumps and lumps in the road, although this section was quite good.
We got to see so many beautiful rural properties through here, made easily possible by our new bike.
Never ending spectacular views that most people miss out on.
Here we reach the Hampton Halfway Hotel for our second break.
I spotted this little bit of history inside.
And this bit of useful info. Oh look, I qualify!
After Hampton, it was a short blat to Oberon where we topped up the fuel tank ready for the next day. This sign was just outside Oberon, heading south on Abercrombie road. We made it to Taralga in 50 minutes. (Did I type that out loud?)
Here we cross the Abercrombie River. We've photographed this bridge a few times but it's Robocop's time to shine.
Have I mentioned I love photographing bridges ? Yep, I think I have.
The Abercrombie wasn't running that quick as you can see.
15 minutes outside Taralga, we're met with this cool scene.
I love this about the country. You encounter the most random things, such as a flock of sheep being moved from one paddock to another.
We simply switched off the engine and just enjoyed taking it all in. If you look at the four wheeler, you can see a sheep sitting on the front of it and as he passed, he took on another exhausted animal and thanked us for our patience. Little did he know , we were loving every bit of the experience.
Looking south, down Taralga's main street. Note the distinct lack of traffic and annoying people. (Until we turned up anyway)
As I mentioned before, the bedrooms have been done up while still keeping their rustic charm. They have heating and electric blankets soooo snug, as the nights get very cold this time of year.
The fire place was closed off, pity.
We unpacked and , as usual, we took a walk about town.
I hadn't noticed previously that this building was the old Bank of New Wales, which is now known as Westpac.
So many historical homes and other buildings in such a small town.
This is the Taralga Inn at the southern end of town. The meals here are exceptional. We booked our next 2 stays in Taralga here at this pub. One of which is the Taralga Rodeo in January.
This is the local Catholic Church and its presbytery.
We even hunted out the showground, where the rodeo is held.
This old home looks excellent with the autumn leaves out front.
Sheep everywhere. Needless to say that the area is all about wool growing.
This one we called Marilyn, due to her love of the camera.
How often to you see old Australian homes like this , made of slabs of timber. And still standing strong !
Heading back to the pub, we spy this yard with a collection of old machinery, cars and trucks.
Is that an old ford? A coat of paint and a set of tyres and off you go!
Simply a collectors paradise and we would never have discovered it without taking our walk.
After a few drinks with dinner, we head to our room for a well deserved sleep. The electric blankets were turned on low before we left, so the bed was toasty when we returned.
This morning we were met with a perfect sunrise which showed off the autumn colours of the town. This pic was taken from the pub's verandah.
What a great spot to share a few drinks with friends.
Looking up toward the Anglican Church.
Both pubs in Taralga charge just $70 for a twin room including breakfast. This is the kitchenette where you simply help yourself to toast, cereal, coffee, tea and juice.
Also a couple of lounges and a television if you so desire.
This old building is on the pub's grounds, I cant tell for sure, but I think it was once used as an old workshop.
On its other side, you can see 2 chimneys. An old blacksmith's workshop perhaps?
Today, we started off from the pub at 9:00 am and turned off on to the road to Wombeyan Caves, involving 60 kilometres of dirt road.
Old farm sheds , everywhere we looked.
This is typical of the road west of the caves. Quite good unsealed road, until you get closer to the caves, then its a very different story.
Heading in to the caves, the road becomes very windy with alot of loose gravel, making it quite a job to hold the bike stable.
The area has a very nice camping area and , as you can see, there are quite a lot of kangaroos about.
They didn't like me getting too close and began to hop away as I got closer.
Except for this little fella.
Such a beautiful, peaceful spot.
Heading out from the caves, the road gets interesting to say the least.
Kilometre after kilometre of winding narrow dirt road. You can just make out the road to the right, heading along the mountains.
The road was difficult enough to ride but what scared us the most, were the morons charging through here at speed in their 4WD's. Almost wiping us out at one stage, on a blind bend.
We stop to enjoy the bridge over Wollondilly River.
That's a camping area to the left.
Very peaceful and scenic.
Here's a down low, close up of the river.
At the end of the challenging unsealed road, we reach the Wollondilly Lookout.
Here we are looking north toward Burrogorang Lookout, south of the Warragamba catchment.
The view is spectacular to say the least.
A little closer.
As we head out toward the Old Hume Hwy, we are met with this small tunnel drilled through the cliff face.
Now you don't see this sort of thing every day.
As we head down the Hume, it was a relief to hit tar and stretch the bikes legs, until we arrived in Picton's Common Ground Bakery for lunch and our final stop before heading home.
It utilises the old Razorback Inn. If you've never been here, you are truly missing out. We were first introduced to the place by our friends, Pat and Chelle and we have been back several times since. The quality of food and service never disappoints and the people offer a truly unique dining experience.
This was a terrific ride for us. The new bike has changed what we can do dramatically, as we expected, however the long stretches of unsealed , narrow road was very exhausting, both mentally and physically for me as the rider. Funnily enough, I cant wait to do it all again.
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