WISEMAN"S FERRY with Linda


She planned to meet someone in Campbelltown and on her way there she was going to drop in and pick me up. If she is coming by, I’ll better clean up! Hey, isn’t that the reason why I leave the house?

No, not really! It’s about taking time out and exploring new territory and spending time with some other people than those closest to me. And no, they are not being replaced by new ones, the new ones are additional ones that enhance ALL of our lives.

Well, today I got Lindy out of bed again. Just like last weekend. It seems that the poor party girl gets very little sleep on Saturdays when I’m around. We had a date for noon, but as I am always running late for everything, I never got to Silverwater in time anyway. It was quite hot: around 25C degrees and my jacket still had the winter lining in it. When I got to the meeting point, I took it out and felt much better. Riding is all about comfort. When you feel stiff and cramped, you ride like it too.

So, Lindy had a map! “In the land of the lost, she who has map is queen”. One of these days I’ll get myself a map too. One map of the city and suburbs and a couple of surrounding areas, such as Kangaroo Valley, Blue Mountains, Hawkesbury, Hunter Valley and Gosford way.

We had a great ride today. Originally we wanted to make it to Berowra Waters, but we ended up at the Wiseman’s Ferry Inn for a nice lunch. Coming down those last few serpentines, river glimpses amongst tall timbers, created a sense of expectation, a touch of excitement, which brought a smile to my face.

It’s always great to see that old two-storey sandstone pub, perched on the hillside and perfectly inviting to a well catered break in your trip. The busy bistro fills the plates to the rim, the tasty herb bread is solid and even the side salad is prepared with some imagination and quality ingredients.

Do NOT buy that $3 cup of instant coffee again, Lindy!

So, it’s not a coffee house!

The patrons, a mixture of locals and day-trippers, are soaking up the warm afternoon sun. It seemed as if the locals had settled in for the day and who could blame them?! A constant trickle of motorcycles arriving, departing and passing through to the ferry provided plenty of background entertainment. Apparently on Sundays there is even a band.

The place was quite busy, but the timing was right and we found ourselves a nice, shaded table, right out front under the big tree.

One group of locals…in prime position…cheered as if on cue, when a garishly bright yellow, open air, oversized all-terrain vehicle carrying a bunch of young-ish blokes, drinking beer, drove past down to the river. The tour operator slowed down just enough to get the attention. The blokes cheered back. The locals had another sip from their already raised glasses. Their pale and bare-footed toddler chasing her rope-bound puppy dog amongst the tables.

A mob of brightly spandex-clad bike riders, cyclists we had passed earlier, arrived soon after we finished our lunch. One of them had obviously come off, hit the asphalt at speed and looked absolutely terrible. “It was my rear tyre!” he uttered, gravel-rash right up his leg, bike pants ripped, elbow bandaged, bleeding knee. The guy looked like he was a bit under the influence of … endorphins…poor guy…and he’d have to ride all the way back home, too! Ouch!

On the way back we took the river loop. River Road was deserted and a real treat. There was a little gravel, some branches and rock debris on the side of the road. Thank goodness all avoidable. Nothing too scary. The only thing I found a little annoying were the bugs that kept splattering in my face.

I couldn’t keep the visor closed because the sun was low and glaring in my eyes. Which meant that some corners were just too glary to judge well, but once I adjusted to it, peering over the top of my glasses and below the edge of my visor, getting targeted by suicidal insects, I was doing ok.

As Lindy related stories about her childhood memories, waterskiing the river, we took the Sackville Ferry across the Hawksbury, whilst I wished that I had taken more photographs, and once again, our day has been a ‘perfect issue’, best quality weather, little traffic. No Sunday Drivers.

The homebound loop (only one wrong turn!) took us through some amazing countryside. It was certainly ‘a first time’ for me. I love discovering new places! Here we passed through a well-established rural area, with most fragrant orange-blossomed orchards, paddocks, grazing horses and fields and market gardens, some idyllic old houses with sandstone walls and charming wrought iron gates dotted around the expanse. In the distance, to the west, there are the Blue Mountains rising up toward the slowly setting sun.

So, getting home, taking off in different directions around Baulkham Hills on the Cumberland Highway, was a piece of cake. Traffic becomes annoying on the outskirts. By the time I got to Lukas Heights, night had fallen and my energy levels had dropped enough to justify a V-drink, which propped me right up and made me go home the coast way. All the way!
Jeeehaaa!
Well, thanks again, Lindy!
Had a beaut Satdie Arvo.
Loved it!

And tomorrow? Pool time…and a quick wash of the two-wheeled Ninja.

Tahmoor with Lindy
Trella is a Sydney based group of Japanese Motorcycle riders, who ride out mid-week nights and once a month on Friday evenings as well. I have been keen to catch up with them and was hoping that they’d be riding last Friday night. The weather was great and after a hard week’s work and watching the bikes take off on their journey to Phillip Island, I was ready to tackle the road again. Lindy was going to have a go at trying Trella at some stage as well, but in the end it wasn’t on anyway. So I joined Lindy and Austrian born Rudy on Saturday instead. I like riding with Lindy. She is comfortable with her bike and herself.

We met at Heathcote Mc and took off through Waterfall to access the National Park (Nasho). Sorry I was late, didn’t find anything to wear in time to get out of the house. I know that sounds blonde, but this Saturday was (finally) washday and anything I was looking for was either wet or not done. I ran out of options and wore the leathers. Sensible. Should have been my first choice anyway…

Those two had planned to go south to Tahmoor, a Careflight benefit ride. Thanks to Rudy’s map we found it, despite a bumpy detour to the Cateract Dam…my fault, sorry guys! I had the best intentions! In the end the serpentines I was looking for were right on route to Wilton anyway… Little did they know, that I was quite worried that I may run out of petrol…ZZZzzzz…I still have no idea how many k’s my tank does produce. As soon as it clicks over the 200 mark I get a little uneasy.

Well, after a quick stop-over at Stanwell Tops, we rode along the spectacular coast road, Sea Cliff Bridge, along beautiful beaches, through Austinmer, Thirroul and up the Bulli Pass, then towards Appin, Wilton, Picton, Tahmoor, where we were going to have a bite to eat, but were too late for the Bistro. Great pub, the Tahmoor Inn! All modern and stylishly appointed. I’ll be back another time, before 3pm, to taste the nouveau food.

Still hungry we decided to go back to the Picton pub, but there too: no hot food left! The publican offered nuts, potato chips and cold pork pie. NOT inspiring! A little up the road were a few fast food outlets and a restaurant, our first choice, which of cause, seemingly the theme of the day, was just about to close… The adjacent Gourmet Fast Food outlet had the usual hamburgers and chips for us, but the size of their portions was just enormous! After half an hour, I had hardly made a dent into the wedges… and was totally done with it!

On our way back, we took off via Camden to Campbelltown. Lindy and Rudy headed up the M5 and I returned via Appin, down Bulli Pass back to Austinmer. When I got home my husband stood in the garage, handing me a freshly opened cold beer. THAT’s how I like it!

Once again, I had a beautiful afternoon ride through rolling hills and valleys, bathed in golden sunlight, every now and then a whiff of the sweet smelling spring air, no wind, perfect temperature, sharing the experience with some very nice people, who love to ride as much as I do.

Lindy pointed out how fortunate we actually are: not a care in the world, no pressure, no-where to be, but where we chose to be. A fitting reminder that these are the GOOD days. May they last!

Now I can happily mark those 40 essays and not get distracted by the roar of the bikes on the coast road.

BATHURST OR BUST!!!

My goodness, did we have a good time!!!!!

Our Bathurst or Bust weekend has been a hoot!


Yes, it rained cats and dogs on the way back, but it was worth hitting every drop. The weekend was special and I can't wait for next year's ride. I loved the bunkhouse accommodation. It reminded me on 'camp', when I was in year 10, which is quite a long time ago now, so maybe I romanticise it a little, but as far as I remember, I had a fine time then too. The ladies where pretty much all into the good life and bikes, of cause. I had only met a couple of them at previous day rides, but we all got on pretty well.

I met Trish at Narellan Mc. and we took the Northern Road to Richmond Mc, where we met Eleisha on her Triumph. "No luggage", I asked. "No, unfortunately I have an assignment due on Monday. I'll come along to Bilpin on the Bell's line of Road", she replied. She seemed a fun kind-a-gal and I look forward to another encounter. Lindy, Bronny , Louise and Selena met us at Richmond. We had our first Cappuccino.











Another Cappuccino at Lithgow and another at the Bilpin Fruitbowl. A three cappuccino day! Are we the Latte-Club?




We certainly had a lot to chat about. Bron was quite worried in Lithgow, as her bike started dripping oil like nothing I'd seen before... We decided to send her off to a mechanic before riding on. It did not take long, being in the country and amongst helpful people, who go out of their way to fix problems. As it worked out, surprisingly, she was killing her bike with kindness: too much oil!

Once Bronny's bike was back on the road, we took off on the TARANA Road, which I remembered from my Oberrrrrron trip. There was a left hand bent sign I remember quite vividly, because I was wondering then whether it would take me to Oberon if I was to follow it. At the time it was the right way to go, but this time we rode straight ahead and it turned out to be a FINE road, crossing the railway about half a dozen times on our way to Bathurst. We headed down a couple of stretches of fine condition dirt road. A farmer gave us the right advice. When Lindy waved to him, he jumped off his 4WD and climbed the paddock fence, whoo!, I hope it was not electric..., to speak to her. Now that's pulling power, Lindy!

We rode straight through the rough patches and truly enjoyed that road. I felt like being in some movie. The road was totally gorgeous and we all held our breath...it was just the right time of the day with the light beautifully golden on those rolling hills and valleys. there were triple arches in the railway bridges and a whole lot of brick retaining done by the railway. It was magical.

It was not long before we hit the Kelso Bottlo and stocked up on the right stuff. One of the girls came back out, quite shocked, having overheard the news that Peter Brock had just died in a Rally Crash. It spread like a wildfire. We could not believe these sad news so soon after Steve Irwin died. It was decided that the girls would do a black ribbon run on Mt Panorama. Bronny bought us all some black ribbon and when we got to the honor board, we either tied some of it to our mirrors or used it as armbands. We also actually got to write in his condolence book at the Motor Racing Museum, thanking him for the memories. It was the most emotional ride, with tears running down my cheeks. I was quite disappointed at the speed limit of 60km/h. So would he have been...Especially after we learned that Brockie had just died in a Perth Rally. Peter Brock, the king of the mountain (Mt Panorama).

However, I had no idea what happened to my bottle of red, but in the end it went to good stomachs. Mine was a little unwell that first night. Especially after the veggie patties... the bbq was also fun to attend. There was an enormous logfire contained by a washing machine drum. It was great! The gas powered bbq did the job well and we even had a full sized cheese cake in the fridge. This place, The Bathurst Sheep and Cattle Drome, was more than organised. It ROCKED!

A couple more riders turned up later that night. Respect to those, who battled towards us at night!

I had an early night compared to most that night. Remind me never to sleep inside the sleeping bag again. That was ok when I was half my size and did not need to spread out in bed...so I felt a little cramped that night. I learned from that experience.
The very next day started quite early, as most days do for me these days. Sunrise was what I wanted to capture. I was not alone. 10 bike owner ( I could not get over that!!!!) Louise and grandmother of two was there with me. She loves to take photos, just like me. I'd love to go on a photo safari ride with her one day. We both ride a simular style and she is sooooo practical. Loved THAT!!!! I can't believe that she is a grandma!!!
Louise, you are just such a cool person to be around!!! Luv ya dry wit! And nothing is too much hassle...
... and then there was Margaret, a teacher from Orange, who dropped in for a cuppa. I think I found my very own rolemodel! I do not wish to speculate her age, but she's well ahead of me and I want to be like her when I grow up. Her attitude was just so ... at one with the lifestyle, she knew the roads, tours, places to stay and go to, just a wealth of information, advice and enthusiasm. She had chocolate, too.

"I keep it in the tankbag. It's an instant energy source!". That is GOOD advice to me!

Talking about riding style, Selena makes me feel very comfy riding behind her. She knows what she wants and takes it. Seriously, I rode behind her from the dirt road bit to Bathurst and never doubted her judgement once. That's not to say that I don't pick my own line, especially since she was on a high BMW Motard and I was on a low ZX 6R in line four...

Someone, I think it was Louise said that it was because she had done some track work. Aaaargh, I don't know if I should go to a track day... Louise said "go and do a Superbike course. It's good fun and all about control".

I've been there back in the old days and I was not so attached to my beautiful life then. The Nuerburgring was a tickle and upon-avon, well, took a little more effort, especially with the beach was blowing across the corners on windy days. I had no ties and all that mattered was times. Now bikes have changed too and I AM SCARED of gettng hurt and hurting others.
Nahh, no more of that. Too addictive. Speed is not what hurts, it's the sudden stop.

(What) To pack or not to pack, that is the question...

Bathurst or Bust is an annual GRO ride and when space is the issue...and looks, of cause!... there is only one thing to do: minimalist accessorising. The long johns have been placed carefully in a black garbage bag and the long-sleeved thermals have joined them. A sleeping bag and my take-me-anywhere small pillow are sharing another bin liner.

I'd love to think that I won't have to worry about the bike, but I have packed a large shifter and a couple of screw drivers. Just in case! My rain gear is a steady companion and a couple of first aid items are also in the bag. My phone must come along and of cause the camera- plus memory cards and a spare set of batteries...think of all those flashes! This time the must-have is a map of Bathurst and surrounds. After all, we don't want to get lost, do we? Mount Panorama will be fun! Ahhh, we must not forget the sunscreen! A hat, a towel, the usual hygene gear and the phone charger.

So, I am hoping to get it all into that green (of cause!) army bag of ours, which will sit quite nicely strapped tightly to the pillion seat. That and the tank bag will make for a cosy ride out west...

Some riders have been talking about the Bell's Line of Road being haunted by a ghost pillion rider...ghost rider...but I ain't takin' no pillion...dead or alive! This one's for me.