Day 1: Tuesday, 23rd September
Before departure time, Shrek called—he was out, having burnt his leg. At departure time, new member Scott was a no-show, so I called him. He was at a police station, reporting his motorcycle as stolen.
That left 11 of us. Off we went south, exiting the southern freeway at Albion Park for a run up Macquarie Pass to Robertson’s Pie Shop, where we met up with Pricey and had a coffee break.
Moving on, we did Pearson’s Lane, past Fitzroy Falls, and through the Southern Highlands via Bundanoon, Penrose, Wingello, and Tallong before joining the M31 for a few kilometres to the Bungonia turnoff. We then turned left at the end of Jerrara Road onto Oallen Ford Road, and then right onto Lumley Road—which, on a map, looks like any other road, except for the fact it turned to dirt after a couple of kilometres.
I’m sure it was shorter than Mt Horrible Road, which we did a year or two ago, and its condition was definitely better. I think it was actually a shortcut—just with dust. Everybody made it back to the tar without incident, and we continued on to Tarago, where we turned onto Goulburn Road, heading south for the Kings Highway and Braidwood.
Terry, riding his BMW R1000, was still learning the bike’s fuel range, with his reserve running out a couple of kilometres before Braidwood—but his engine was still running. After morning tea, we enjoyed a fantastic run down the Kings Highway, reassembling at Batemans Bay.
Moving on, we stopped at Narooma for a quick drink before continuing to Tilba Tilba, where we turned off onto Bermagui Road for the scenic run down the coast via Tathra and Merimbula. We crossed the bridge for the home run into Pambula, arriving about 16:30 for a fuel-up and shower before heading up to the Top Pub for dinner and drinks.
After 510 km, we needed it.
Day 2: Wednesday, 24th September
Everyone was to be breakfasted and ready to go by 8:30 a.m., and off we went—south down the Princes Highway via Eden, and 20 km further south to Imlay Road. As I was leading and had an open road in front of me, I made the most of the beautiful sweeping bends for the next 59 km.
Not far in, I came across a utility half off the road with flashing lights, moving very slowly. Just ahead of him, around the next corner, was an excavator toddling along. Another few kilometres down the road, on a fast 70 km bend, right in the middle of my lane was one of the biggest dead kangaroos I’ve seen in a while.
We reassembled at the end of the road on the Monaro Highway before moving into Victoria and down to Cann River for a quick relief stop. Doc left us there, heading north for Pambula, while the rest of us continued south along the Princes Highway to Orbost.
On arrival, it was fuel, coffee, and food before we took on the Bonang Highway—with a warning from a fellow motorcyclist about a few hazards we might encounter. We headed off, arriving at Bombala RSL about 2.5 hours later, with the boys spread out over many kilometres.
The main thing is, everybody made it okay, as everyone was able to ride at their own pace. The refreshments and break were a welcome relief for all, as the constant cornering left a few with sore shoulders.
The run back to Pambula was a little more relaxed, mostly downhill, with us all back in town around 3:45 p.m. Everyone was keen for a refreshment and dinner after a long day in the saddle—covering about 480 km.
Day 3: Thursday, 25th September
With two early departures for plans back in Sydney, ten of us headed out for the 10-minute ride to breakfast at the Waterfront Café in Merimbula—a hearty start to the day for all.
The plan was to head north for a lunch stop at Ulladulla. Word got around that one of our early departers had a problem… an unplanned stop at Moruya to help Dutchy with a loss of power.
After a group assist, he was running again. Everyone took the opportunity to top off the tanks. For some reason, no one had been consuming fuel at quite the same rate as yesterday on Imlay Road.
Back to eleven in the group, we headed to the club at Ulladulla for lunch. Nice place, but some confusion as Schafe joined and everyone used his card for their meals to get the discount 😉—made for an interesting time when they all came out in the name of Greg.
Back on the highway after lunch for the run home, Colonel and Red stuck with Dutchy in case of another problem. Pricey left us at Nowra to head back to Kangaroo Valley, and the rest of the group made it to Heathcote about 16:30 for our goodbyes.
