NEW ENGLAND RIDE DAY 1 21 Oct. 2024
Twas a fine day here in the Shire and a group of Hobbits I mean bikers got ready for the Journey Here and Back Again. (Apologies Tolkien.)
A keen group met at Menai 7/11:
Pirate Roger, Gorilla Keith, Smoko Phil, Colonel Col, Dutchy Brian, Lucky Greg, Half Way Dave, Terry, Adnan, Dane and myself. After a short discussion it was decided that Smoko would lead the 1st leg to Bligh park for a short morning tea.
An uneventful ride to Maccas to join the remaining throng:
Harry Potter, Red Brad, Caspar Sam, Dennis, John & Debbie, Dave & Joy and Martin on his Bus.
2nd Leg started heading peacefully up the Putty Rd to Singleton where Dane left us for his return ride. Singleton Diggers welcomed us with a nice cool place to have lunch which turned out to be quite nice.
Refuelled both man and machine, we headed to our destination of Tamworth. An easy ride and checked into our accommodation. Dinner at the Tudor Hotel seemed to go well but raised much discussion about Lamb Shanks the dinner special. More on this later. Well for me an early night and I left the hardy souls imbibing and telling tall tales until much later I assume. To be Cont.
NEW ENGLAND RIDE DAY 2 22 Oct. 2024
Tuesday another clear day with everyone almost ready to depart at 8am. There lies the tale of how difficult it is Herding Cats, off we go with all and sundry heading south to Nemingah and along Nundle Rd to Dungowan via Piallamore. Along Ogunbil Rd past Terrible Billy, Nowendoc and Niangala to Thunderbolts way. I don’t think he had a special rock here to hide behind though. Nowendoc Rd to Thunderbolts Way had some road works and some nice twisty bits even though quite narrow. Down thru Walcha to Uralla for morning tea at Michaels Café. However we already had an unplanned pit stop for fuel at Walcha and keeping riders together was an issue with many wanting to get off and wander asunder or chat. That resolved, on to morning tea we passed by Terrible Vale Rd which was the planned return route I noticed large roadworks under way so improvisation was necessary. A good morning tea was had by many with bacon and egg rolls etc consumed and pleasantly full we headed in a reversal of the morning ride as far as Dungowan. Up along Nundle Rd again to guess where? Of course Nundle Pub for lunch. But with so many refuelling at Uralla there were few takers for anything of substance for lunch so it was cool drinks all around and a time for a break. Today was enough for most so again the ride was shortened appropriately so back along the rd to Chaffey Dam the head waters of the Peel River and down to Nemingah and Tamworth. Tonights dinner was at the Tamworth Hotel and hereby continues the debate about Lamb Shanks.
The Tudor had 2 lamb shanks as the dinner special whereas the Tamworth Hotel only had 1 lamb shank…..so does that qualify for a lamb shanks menu item or lamb shank only? Is it 1 large vs 2 small? Anyway it wasn’t in my capacity as ride leader to resolve this matter nor take it up with the pub management but several were quite concerned about this discrepancy so I dutifully ignored the topic.
Tomorrow is the longest ride day so again I head off for my evening walk and sleep. Again those who discovered the Happy Hour $5 beers probably returned much later, well I know they did as they “quietly” found their way back to their rooms. To Be Cont.
NEW ENGLAND RIDE DAY 3 23 Oct. 2024
Day 3 began as usual quite cool but clear. Round up time again and by now most were aware that departure time was 8am in the motel car park fully fuelled and ready to go. We almost had that achieved by now but no Guinness book of records world first of getting everyone ready on time. Off up the New England Hwy (some debate whether this is also the Oxley Hwy) but it’s a road heading up the Moonbi Hills to Uralla.
Nice ride no blue lights to be seen and turned left at Uralla on Thunderbolts Way for a short stretch and then Yarrowyck and left to Torryburn. Nice road but pretty bumpy in places, bad enough on the bike but Dave & Joy in the Spyder might have felt it move around a bit. Onto Gwydir River Road and the dreaded causeways. Luckily only 1 had enough water to bring the speed right down but most just needed caution.
Bundarra General Store for morning tea and as I had told them we were coming I think overall it went pretty well. By this time Halfway Dave had already left for Sydney, and now our numbers were reducing slightly. I meant to mention Avachat Mark had joined us yesterday and his vast knowledge of most things kept everyone well informed. He can certainly entertain a crowd. Thanks Mark. Here John & Debbie, Dave & Joy decided they had enough for today and chose to head back to Bendemeer while the sturdy remainder headed on to Copeton Dam. It was getting quite hot and we had a fuel stop in Inverell where we separated for a short time to split refuelling but this caused some delay and I for 1 was really feeling the heat as there was no shade waiting for the group to rejoin. Delungra our next waypoint and on down Bingara Rd for our Lunch stop. The plan was to stop for photo op at The Myall Creek memorial site which is a sad reminder of past days but it was way too hot to stop again so Bingara it was. Here there were 2 options for lunch the Imperial Hotel or my choice a nice old fashioned Café. Mark had some memories of the pub which he shared with many so everyone decided to join me at the café. It turned out probably for the best as it was cool and nice meals and milkshakes. Brian aka Dutchy had had enough of sealed roads and left us at Bundarra to fine some challenging dirt but found the back way had now been tarred as well. So he continued on his quest and we didn’t see him until much later.
Still very hot so headed back down via Cobbadah to Barraba (here I took a small detour around the block to point out my childhood home, it was very dilapidated now and no fond memories of life there) and the town was very quiet which has always been my recollection anyway. Ghosttown comes to mind…..
Next Manilla and then Tamworth which was during peak hour so everyone was happy to get home and dream of a quick thirst quencher. Tonight we are back at the Tudor pub for dinner so comparisons were made but I suspect both pubs serve reasonably good meals. I wasn’t eating tonight so I went for a walk and had a trip down memory lane. I didn’t need a map for that trip. Some decided they wouldn’t ride tomorrow as they were feeling a little tired but it was their loss as the next day turned out to be a nice ride and not too taxing. To be Cont.
NEW ENGLAND RIDE DAY 4 24 Oct. 2024
Again a fine start for the day but several riders decided not to come today. Pirate wanted to visit Gunnedah and Werris Creek so headed off on his own Smoko decided to have the day off as did John & Debbie who had to return to Sydney, while Dave & Joy went sightseeing and shopping. Harry Potter also did some sightseeing and had a restful day yesterday.
Today was again an Ad Lib day as I became aware that the days were possibly too long. Unfortunately when you travel out here it is a long distance to morning tea and another long distance to the next stop for lunch. A couple of hundred kilometres is quite normal. That said I tried to keep this ride one with nice scenery pretty good roads and some unusual places for those that had never ventured up here before.
Heading north out of Tamworth we too the Upper Moore Creek road to you guessed it, Moore Creek, Along towards Daruka the famous turn off I missed twice, but only by a few meters. Anyway it was along here I spotted a policeman with a radar at a small regional primary school crossing watching the 40km speed limit. Could have been the lollipop man but I noticed the glint of the radar gun…. All school zone speed limits were observed anyway so I waved as we passed and I understand he waved back to most riders. Further down to Tintinhill where a deer leapt across the highway but wasn’t hit by any passing car. They are a nuisance here also. Left at Nemingah and up the Back Kootingal Rd to you guessed it again, Kootingal then following Limbri Rd to Moonbi. So far so good great roads and nice weather. Followed the Hwy to Bendemeer and turned left on the Oxley Hwy to Walcha where we had morning tea at Café Graze. Some topped up fuel and we headed out towards Wollun, up to Kentucky along the Hwy to Kingston Rd and off we went. Very nice scenery and good roads. Right onto Torryburn Rd in a reverse direction to Wednesday, on to Yarrowyck and Uralla. Refuel and down the Hwy to Bendemeer Pub for lunch. Again some overindulged at mornos so lunch was varied between riders some snacking others enjoying a meal.
A few drops of rain fell but nothing to wet the ground or rider, a simple ride back to Moonbi, up along Moonbi Gap Road, Upper Moore Creek Road and Daruka Rd. Yes this is where I missed the turn again.. My excuse is I did the 5 day ride by memory I don’t have a GPS. Back past Daruka into Tamworth and another Mystery Tour along passing the Boys Home where I lived since I was 11 and up to the Tamworth lookout for photo ops. A very pleasant ride and we arrived back at the motel before the rain started to fall. Tonight our last night will be back at the Tamworth Hotel again (remember the $5 beers happy hour?) Again I left a little early and went for a walk but it turns out not many stayed out late tonight. Probably all excited to head home tomorrow. To be Cont.
NEW ENGLAND RIDE DAY 5 25 Oct. 2024
Again a nice clear morning and the plan was a straight ride to Singleton only 2 hrs 20 mins approx for a short stop to say farewell to those heading in different directions.
For posterity it was decided to have a photo op at the Golden Guitar to prove this wasn’t a hoax. Lucky had a GPS so took the lead as he could see which road we had to turn into the tourist spot. You guessed it, he had 1 job and missed the turn. But I suspect he did it on purpose to make me feel better that I missed the turn yesterday.
After photos we just travelled up the New England Hwy, passed Wallabadah, Murrurundi, Muswellbrook to Singleton. Here we said our goodbyes as there really wasn’t any plan to stop any further down the road, several riders chose to go via Cessnock and the Expressway, about 8 of us headed for the Putty Rd after refuelling with a suggestion to stop at the Grey Gum café for coffee. Caspar (Sam) Led from Singleton and certainly keeps a good pace going a very smooth rider in corners I must say. At Grey Gum Sam kept going so I stayed with him as the Putty Rd isn’t a good place to ride alone. The others peeled off into the Grey Gum Café which was conveniently CLOSED.
We didn’t see them again but Sam and I parted ways shortly after Windsor and I arrived home about 2.20pm.
I felt pretty exhausted after the 5 days but I have some great memories and I hope everyone who came had a memorable time also. My trip meter showed approx. 2250kms travelled so a good run.
Until the next Ride, keep well and I’ll see you then. Regards Les.
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21 – 25 October 2024: 5 day Tamworth Ride
