Superbikes 2009

Day 1
Having attended the wedding of Jo and Stirl in Port Macquarie, I was ready to ride. It was a great wedding, both of them look very happy and the setting was brilliant.

I left Port mac by 9:20, thinking I would be late meeting up with Andrew, Cheryl and Steve. But as it turned out I was a bit early. I rode the Oxley Hwy for the first time ever. What a ride that was. Really had the GoldWing working hard, but loved every minute. Arrived in Walcha at 12:30 and refueled then had lunch and waited for an hour. Getting restless I started out for Uralla hoping to get some phone coverage there. Got within 10 kays and met the others coming the other way. Quick flip around and we went back to Walcha. It was then I found out our firat night was to be at Gingers Creek, 80 kays down the Oxley - back the way I had come. Oh well.
We had a good race half way down the mountain. Andrew and Steve are much quicker than I on their Blackbird and CB1300 bikes and Cheryl on her BMW hangs back a bit, but usually arrives anywhere within a minute or two. She is no slouch.

Gingers Ck is a great little place in the hills. No grid electricity, no phone. But really nice proprietors who are only too helpful. We sat around the outdoor fire, then went for a meal. Very nice. More talk and off to bed. 332 km for the day.

Day 2

Woke up to a damp morning, uncovered the bikes and got underway fairly early. Cold through the mountains, but once up on the Tableland it was open her up for a sustained run of ton plus speeds. Needless to say I was in Walcha well before anyone and was happily sipping coffee by the time the others pulled in.
After breakky, it was down Thunderbolts, with Cheryl leading the way at a cracking pace. The boys all followed merrily until the really tight bits, where Andrew and Steve took off. Andrew's brake light was not working, so Steve had some exciting moments.
After Gloucester, I was given the job of finding the turn off to Singleton. I failed and we ended up out on the Pacific Highway. Oh Well, through Maitland traffic and eventually on tothe Putty Road and some good riding again. Always a good run through there.
Next we turned west across the Blue Mountains and ran into a sharp thunderstorm. A nearby flash of lightening heralded a very loud report and we all nearly jumped out of our saddles. We got a little wet, but could see through the rain so kept going. A bit gingerly down through the western escarpment.
Then on to Oberon for some fuel and SOuth again along a great road - recently sealed - to Taralga for the night. We got in just before the heavens opened up.
A great meal at that pub and we called it a night. 780 kays.

Day 3

Up early and after a quick snack and coffee and a bike wash, we headed of on a shorter day. A quick run down to Goulburn for Breakfast at the Huge Marino. Then through to Canberra. Steve had Never been there so we stopped for a photo. That required a U-Turn and we all got separated for a while. We finally all met up at Cooma for a refuel then on through the Snowy Mountains. it was a hot and dry day with strong winds threatening to blow the bikes over. But once in the mountain twisties, it calmed down a little and we were able to concentrate on a great bit of riding.
We arrived in Tumut early in the afternoon and found accommodation. Then Steve and I decided to ride out to the Blowering Dam and spent a while doing the touristy thing. Then back to the Hotel for a few cooling ales, a meal and bed. I found my room light doesn't work, but I have managed to jag someone's internet so I am typing this up in the dark, using my headlamp cap to see the keyboard. Life's tough.
Only 477 kays for the day.