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This is a quick yarn about my little trip last week. A few days off work resulting in 950 km on Wednesday, 750 km on Thursday, 600 km on Friday, 600 km on Saturday and 800 km on Sunday to get home. A few aches in the right arm, a little stiffness in the legs and bum, but otherwise I've shaped up fine.

Where to? Some magical riding up in the Norther Rivers district of New South Wales. Roads and places with names like Bucketts Way, Thunderbolts Way, Waterfall Way, Clouds Creek, Billy's Creek (now sealed with no dirt stretch over the mountain) and the famed Oxley Highway.

I was solo for three days and met some mates over the weekend and for the run home. The pics tell most of the story.

I had a pleasant breather by one of the mountain streams after some hard riding. The bike was fully loaded with too many changes of clothes in the topbox, my Burke and Wills Biker Swag, and a bunch of stuff in the side cases.

Some picturesque riding in the hills.

The Oxley - One of my favourite roads. 45 km of twisties ahead.

And from the same place looking back - Just completed 20 km of twisties! Only 45 to go. What a rush!

Lots of these 25 km/hr corners - Yippee!

Beautiful roads either way. I did this stretch of road 6 times over the 5 days and only once was it wet! That was interesting! It's a run of 170 km with all types of corners from the really fast to the really slow.

Some bends are a bit blind, but very nice regardless.

We even get a warning when the fun runs out - The sign says "WINDING ROAD ENDS 3 km".

Is this a warning sign or a sign that says the fun is about to begin?

In the hills - The bike handled well even with the load it carried. A bit of sliding, but nothing outrageous.

Most curves were fairly flat, but a few dipped away to keep you on your toes.

And that was my few days away from work and home. Hope it gives the non-Aussies an idea of some of the great roads we have downunder.

Cheers all - Mick.

Great pics Mick...thanks.

They're great roads...it looks dry and hot...did you see many roos or wombats...and any pics of your swag when set up...did you carry a tent?

DJ

Looks like fun Mixr. I haven't done the Oxley for 20 years. It was great fun then, up there with the Vic Alps and the Snowies.

Great shots, looks like a good fun ride. Will keep this one in mind for a run down that way.

Mick, really nice pictures...beautiful country....Nice write up.
Thanks for taking the time.

Jack

DJ - Unlike you I didn't photograph the road kill! Saw a few dead wombats. Big buggers, but no problem as I wasn't riding at dark o'clock. There were a few live wallabies around, but no roos. It's always a problem to spot them as you know. Most were pretty small (big dog size), but big enough to do serious damage on a blind corner. It's a risk we live with every time we ride.

Didn't take a shot of the swag. It's a pretty simple affair and self contained, so no need for a tent. High density mattress, heavy duty PVC base, and oilskin canvas top. The base can be pegged down and the top can be strung like a small tent if you want. I just chuck it on the ground beside the bike, unroll it and climb in. I have a small sleeping bag in the topbox, but didn't need it as it was pretty warm and muggy last week. The swag is perfect for bike touring. I can recommend it. I checked out a few others, but this was better than the throw-over oilskins as it does zip around the base and sides to keep the snakes and spiders out.

Fantastic five day trip !

This is what real riding is all about ,
well packed and solo ! With nothing ,but time
on the road !
I really love those tall trees and endless winding roads !

Glad it turned out uneventfull , with the
animal hazards you descrided . It's fall here in
Ontario , temperatures are dropping, makes the deer and
the moose move more , which can create a moving cement wall for
sum of us !

Thanks for the pics !

MIXR
Good stuff.
Looks like some nice sunny days.
I have just come back from the Snowy Mountains and a real mix of weather.
Half way up the mountains would be fog and rain and at the top and bottom sunny and humid!!! The weather conditions changed by the kilometre.
Really mixed but good fun. Like you, i saw quite a few dead wombats beside the road and they are MASSIVE. It would be like hitting a boulder and sent a shiver up my spine.
I find myself in the wilds now continually thinking about kangaroos jumping out at me.......which is stopping 100% enjoyment on otherwise fast country roads.


Thanks for the pix.
I like that winding road stops in 3km. I don't remember seeing one of those before.