V8 Sprint Car Rides
I know these 2 photos are not motorcycle based but shit it was fun:-)
Nige ready for his blast.
Scoot ready for his blast.
Another One Bites the Dust
UPDATE: The ‘Scoot’ has been written off and Scoot is on crutches (but still looking for a replacement ride!)
One sunny day, Scoot went for a ride and followed a Blackbird into the bushes.
The black line begins the story!
Area 51?
Nuh! Just Scoot's landing area.
After the ship had been righted.
Spare bits fit under the seat ;-(
Scrapes and bangs along the left side.
Return to Mudgee – Brizzer’s Perspective
Mudgee via Denman. Home via Lithgow and Sackville and Wiseman’s Ferries.
Like Scrounger I started the ride solo but only as far as Wollombi. Rare to be the only bike there.
Ready to go!
First stop Denman. Small but delicious $10 steak for lunch.
Nige is demonstrating his new “no smile” policy for photographs.
Capertee Valley which I believe is the second largest enclosed valley in the world after The Grand Canyon.
Nige not smiling.
Nige proving that you can try too hard not to smile
and Scrounger showing that he doesn’t give a rat’s razoo about the “no smile” policy.
Return to Mudgee – Scrounger’s Perspective
The Annual ‘Return to Mudgee’ run was held October 9/10/11th with a small turn-out of regular riders plus a welcome to new member ‘Cruise’. Again, in the true spirit of ‘Nige’ – Scrounger went solo for first day and a half and successfully experimented with the camping option.
Moto GP – Phillip Island
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- Nige finally finds his dream bike – ‘the’ Honda 250
First Trip for “New” Truck
Did a 2000km maiden trip in my recently purchased Navara dual cab and Cub Drifter camper van.
Basically a big loop – down south coast to Mallacoota – up the Great Alpine road to Bright – north through Albury and up Olympic Way through Junee to Cowra – across through Bathurst and Lithgow – along Bell’s Line of Road then to Sackville and Wiseman’s ferries and home.
Navara was faultless – the van needs some modifications, mainly just some strengthening of the internal bed arrangement.
Kept a record of fuel economy
South Coast / Bright / Cowra
Wyong to Tathra 582.4 km 68.22 l 11.7 l per 100km
Tyre blow out on camper just before Cann River. Tyres were both very old so two “new” tyres $90 fitted at Cann River which is very cheap especially as I would have HAD to buy one.
Tathra to Bruthen 361.2 km 43.81 l 12.12 l per 100km
Bruthen to Junee 503.1 km 61.71 l 12.27 l per 100km
Junee to Wiseman’s Ferry 486.1 km 61.21 l 12.59 l per 100km
Total km 1932.8 Total litres 234.95 Av 12.16 l per 100 km.
First night setting up at Bendalong. We asked for a nice site and they gave us this dust bowl. At $35 a night we weren’t impressed.
The kangaroos invade the grassed areas in the evening. Needless to say they didn’t visit us.
All of the above are at Central Tilba a National Trust village. Great little spot with Helen in front of a shop with the best range of hats I’ve seen. Thought about buying that top hat.
Second night at Bermagui. A beautiful spot to which we will return. Notice the grass on camp site and only $23.50. The pool is the Blue Pool beneath a rock face at Bermagui.
The historic wharf at Tathra. Great spot!
Nice old pub at Tathra.
All the above taken at Mallacoota campground. Beautiful and a bargain at $21 a night.
Art Deco pub at Omeo on Great Alpine Road. Lots of bends!!!
Still lots of snow at Mt Hotham on way to 4th night at Bright.
Shots of Beechworth and interior of Beechworth Bakery.
Set up in the rain at Cowra but they do need it out there.
Rain again in morning for our visit to the Japanese Gardens.
A very slow wet lap around Mt Panorama before heading home.
Hidden Valley Escape
In the true spirit of the Nige MC, I went on a solo run to Hidden Valley Escapes – a motel & bunk style country retreat situated on Willow Tree Rd, Merriwa. Basically, from Gosford you head up to Cessnock, onto the Golden Hwy through to Merriwa, turn right into Coulsens Creek Rd and then about 25km onto the establishment. About 280km from Gosford, though, the last 17km is unsealed, dirt road (see photos) which though, not unbearable, may not be suitable to all riders and their bikes? However, you can use an alternate entrance taking the New England Hwy to Willow Tree (turn left) and you’ll experience a beautiful ride with only 5km of dirt, though, this section is a bit more twisty and you’ll need to be careful as the gravel is loose (watch out for the ‘Roos as well – I avoided two bounding in front of me at 10am). Don’t get me wrong, whichever way you go you’ll have a truly scenic ride, you’ll just have to be prepared to travel slowly and put up with a dusty bike at the end.
Once you get to the residence it is well-worth the travel. Good motel style accommodation, comfortable and clean with ensuite (& warm shower), tea & coffee in each room. They also have bunk style accommodation which will sleep a multiple number of people with shared toilet/shower again clean & comfortable. Guests have access to pool, BBQ – courtyard, lounge (TV) & dinning room – outside log fire in a beautiful country setting with under-cover, secure parking for your bike. All very reasonably priced with friendly hosts, Michael & Penny. Would be a perfect weekend away, particularly for those of you on road/trail hybrid bikes!
Scrounger