Just a heads up

Held at the lovely Frying Pan Creek camping area, Chichester State Forest near Dungog, hosted by BMWTCNSW

Rally Flier here:
http://www.bmwtcnsw.org.au/club/?p=4052

looking forward to bringing the sKroll along .see you there.

just bumping this along as a reminder

just under 2 weeks till Karuah

I'm leaving Friday the 12th ...for arrival on the 13th

not sure of path yet

but have ambitions of doing the uphill from Wachope to Walcha, 65 + k s of awesome twistys on the way up ...(have only ever been down) maybe this year ??

I'll be there Fridaay afternoon and roll out the razor wire to make space for the Krew.

Marie will be there Friday with sidecar and mutts. I'll arrive Friday evening sometime. Some from the club checked the road conditions last weekend. The low road(not the causeway) is the better road at the moment. Been lots of moisture, the leeches will probably be back in force.

Hi Al (I've not been before but looking forward to going) is that the way in via Skimmings Gap and Telegherry Picnic Area?

Warren C wrote:Hi Al (I've not been before but looking forward to going) is that the way in via Skimmings Gap and Telegherry Picnic Area?

I think it is. (I just go in the way i go in and get confused about the top road/bottom road stuff).  There will be signs up from Friday afternoon anyway.  If there's rain about(and Karuah does have that reputation), best to avoid the causeway anyway.



http://tinyurl.com/karuah-rally-map


Al

I can't make this one, but thought I'd throw in a comment as I do a bit of riding around that area these days. We've had a lot of rain recently and Dungog is prone to flood damage. All the roads around the area have a fresh selection of potholes to brighten the otherwise jaded motorcyclist's experience. As Al says, the best way in will be the non-causeway road. At the moment there isn't a lot of high water around but more rain is forecast with storms etc over the coming days.

G'day All, I'm thinking of going to the KRR next Friday afternoon in the tin top and maybe meet up with a couple of the Krew and at the same time maybe take up some firewood and anything else that's needed. Unfortunately won't be able to stay so if anyone wants anything taken up, just pm me. Cheers Tom

looks to be another wet one Al , 
I'll be heading up Saturday arvo, to test out some of the newest features Sean. 
Warren , what time are you coming through , I can adjust my timing of departure.
Most likely return home after proceedings. Nothing like a bit of wildlife after dark.
Tom , just remember that you're on four wheels when taking them sweepers.

Rick G, please reserve a tent spot for me behind the razor wire as it will probably be late in the afternoon on Saturday before I get there.

This year the rally has clashed with the running of a cancer charity ride that I like to support which leaves Singleton at 9:00am and travels up to Nundle. I have decided to do both so I will head up to Nundle with the charity ride and after lunch there continue on up to Dungowan and across to Thunderbolts way and down to Stroud road into the rally (hope none of my fillings fall out).

Richmeister, I'll finally get to ride the Port Stephens Cutting road that we have discussed a few times.

See you all there!

Cheers

expecting   and   , bring your Gummies Gaz .

Gaz80 wrote:Rick G, please reserve a tent spot for me behind the razor wire as it will probably be late in the afternoon on Saturday before I get there.

This year the rally has clashed with the running of a cancer charity ride that I like to support which leaves Singleton at 9:00am and travels up to Nundle. I have decided to do both so I will head up to Nundle with the charity ride and after lunch there continue on up to Dungowan and across to Thunderbolts way and down to Stroud road into the rally (hope none of my fillings fall out).

Richmeister, I'll finally get to ride the Port Stephens Cutting road that we have discussed a few times.

See you all there!

Cheers

No wucken furries mate, a coupla land mines will keep the enemy out.

mick from the bmw touring club  reports that the "top road "  is pretty "chopped up " this year



his words are ". Also been advised to use Main Creek as well as the top road is pretty chopped up."


till last year was the only road that I have travelled
the main creek road is far less rugged and more street ride compatible ... if you didn't know before

Hope to get out there sometime on Saturday to catch up Charlie.... but I don't think I'll be staying.
Cheers

GroverK wrote:looks to be another wet one Al , 
I'll be heading up Saturday arvo, to test out some of the newest features Sean. 
Warren , what time are you coming through , I can adjust my timing of departure.
Most likely return home after proceedings. Nothing like a bit of wildlife after dark.
Tom , just remember that you're on four wheels when taking them sweepers.

Ed - I'll be leaving sydney at around 8:30 am going up through Peats Ridge - Wollombi - Singleton etc. so probably up there early afternoon  - myself plus 3 others  at the moment ... so happy to meet up on the way or catch up there -

Warren , looks like a good scenic ride for your mob .
If I can get away from home in time ,I might swing out to Singleton to see what Gaz is up to , then wait for you there or Broke . .

Ed and Warren, just send each other a Glympse which will let you both see how the other is travelling. A great tool for arranging a rendevous.

Ed, I'm doing a Cancer Charity Ride leaving Singleton at 9:00am which goes up to Nundle Pub for lunch and fundraising auctions etc. I plan to have a quick lunch and then head north to Dungowan, across to Thunderbolts way and down through Gloucester to Stroud Road and back up to the rally site. Hope to be into the rally by about 5:30pm.

Cheers

Gaz80 wrote:Ed and Warren, just send each other a Glympse which will let you both see how the other is travelling. A great tool for arranging a rendevous.

Ed, I'm doing a Cancer Charity Ride leaving Singleton at 9:00am which goes up to Nundle Pub for lunch and fundraising auctions etc. I plan to have a quick lunch and then head north to Dungowan, across to Thunderbolts way and down through Gloucester to Stroud Road and back up to the rally site. Hope to be into the rally by about 5:30pm.

Cheers

Rosskko suggested this a while back , when my phone was non compliant . 
I've just downloaded to my current smartphone using your link Gaz.
what next?
Singleton is about an hour up the Hunter Expressway , makes it an easy but boring run . At least its a better ride up through to Gresford and Dungog..

Hey Gaz why not come out Friday and put your tent up and go to the other rally on Saturday from either home or Kuruah River and that way you wont be in a big hurry to get back.  I will take care of your tent and get rid of the drunks before you get back

I don't know if I like the Dungog area pothole collection that much Rick but I'll give it some thought.

Gaz80 wrote:Ed and Warren, just send each other a Glympse which will let you both see how the other is travelling. A great tool for arranging a rendevous.

Great idea done!

looks great! i wish, i could be there 

https://www.google.de/maps/dir/64380+Ro%C3%9Fdorf/Karuah+River/@6.6740626,40.7591169,3z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m14!4m13!1m5!1m1!1s0x47bd6f6d995dd1af:0x1c224353694bdc70!2m2!1d8.7619712!2d49.8624196!1m5!1m1!1s0x6b737d8b057bcf73:0x2a0609b4d1dfe070!2m2!1d151.95562!2d-32.5920009!3e4

one day and 4 hours with plane...  

have fun!

surf carnivals always get in the way this time of the year so Im a non arrival again
looks like the fair carin will be my next meet up, unless I can sneak off for a winters mid year rally:D:D

good thoughts six1

 ....yeah the plane fights will get you there ...and I'm sure there might be a bike to ride ...but its deep in the bush

 i think i better take more pictures of the ride into the campsite this year ...to give it a little more explanation .

the "roads in" on a kbike are in the 1st 2nd and 3rd gears mainly ...for such a heavy road oriented machine ...and really bush type tracks ..actually I find it quite fun .

cheers from down here

Is there something about your flying brick you haven't told us?

...we did it before. Years ago somewehere in Germany at a flyingbrick meeting  
(picture taken by ZONENFILE if i'm right)

as you can see, K1100LT is working also perfectly in the forest   

seems a few of us around here are heading south on Friday

ash (k1300 from last weekend ) heading to Sydney , tackler heading to the rally

we more or less decided that it could be good to travel together , ash mentioning that the highways are far too boring for him

so depending on a few things
option 1
over the twistys to Kyogle then to Nymboida where the twistys start again , up to Dorrigo - Ebor
overnight near Guyra  then down the hill to Gloucester et all

day one



second option could be ...same route to Dorrigo  then cut off to the coast and warchope ...and longflat pub ...free camping ground overnight
then on Saturday early ...up the twistys (*65k of them and about another 100k to Walcha  about 4 corners there ....grin )  meet smithy  then down the hill to Gloucester etc

day one option 2  



hoping to arrive at dungog about 12- 1pm  ish   site about 2.30

just what i nutted out ...open to other sugestions

proposed leave time from yatla bp or mcdonalds compton road ...about 6.30 am

let me know what you think guys

Charlie, 

Option 1 sounds good. 

As for the start, the Yatala option is best for me.  Simply because heading to Compton Road again for 6:30am means I would have to battle my way through the parking lot that is called the M1 at that time of day.  Congestion starts from about 5:30am till close to 9:00 if heading towards the city. 

From Yatala we can bypass the traffic completely. 

Dave.

all good dave

see you there .

Good to see travel plans coming together for our northern knuts. I am taking Rick G's advice and setting up my tent on site Friday afternoon - I'll keep Tom kompany when he takes the necessary supplies out to the site to meet Rick.

groverK and I will likely meet up briefly in Singleton at breakfast time at the muster point for the charity ride that I am going on and I think he plans to wait for Warren and Sydney people there.

Here's my little jaunt for the day - just under 500 kms; as you can see on the attached map with my clockwise loop from home to the Karuah campsite, why take the direct route when you can extend it to last the whole day!

This is my Saturday route.  (should open in Google Maps if you have that installed)

Look forward to catching up Saturday arvo.

getting ready

poor mans top box





itll do the job ...and keep some coldies cool......but cant find any forum stickers for the moment ....grin

Had lunch with Tom and K'ptn  today at Harrys Cafe in Newcastle . 
Nigel has managed to get on top of the Timing chain service for the moment . 
Sounds like Gaz will be keeping Tom and Nigel kompany tomorrow as they check out the sites at the Karuah rally.
As Gaz mentioned , I'll join him for the brekky start at Singleton , then hang there till Warren C and his boys arrive from Sydney.
The plan would be to leave Singleton at around 11.30 - 12.00 and head up to the rally .
Down at Harrys Cafe de Wheels in Newcastle .
Top day out , with a cool ocean breeze , plenty of clear sky and a good chat.

Charlie, don't forget to put a slab of foam under the coldies to prevent them shaking up too much and letting the amber contents out.

I applied this technology to my seat bag on the way up to Smithy's in November and had no breakages or leaks. I used a couple of garbage bags inside each other, inserted the coldies and ice, tied the top of the bags and placed them on the foam slab - success, still cool enough to enjoy after riding for 6 hours in the hot sun.

Cheers

Gaz80 wrote:Charlie, don't forget to put a slab of foam under the coldies to prevent them shaking up too much and letting the amber contents out.

I applied this technology to my seat bag on the way up to Smithy's in November and had no breakages or leaks. I used a couple of garbage bags inside each other, inserted the coldies and ice, tied the top of the bags and placed them on the foam slab - success, still cool enough to enjoy after riding for 6 hours in the hot sun.

Cheers

As a sidecar rider I have sometimes been given the task of alcohol carrier for riders with little space.  I delight in giving it as hard a time as possible so it explodes out of the can at the end of the ride. They don't ask a second time

Al

some highlights from the weekend .

Met up with Gaz for breakfast at Happy Grillmores in Singleton on Saturday morning as he headed of on the Hare and Tortoise charity Ride for Cancer. 
Here,Gaz was sharing the story of the Blarney Castle.





preparing for the long way round to Karuah .


I waited around awhile for Warren and a few others to arrive from Sydney , then made our way up to Gresford and Dungog.


Taking the time to appreciate the recent rainfall , which exceeded the records for previous years.
leaving the countryside looking green as... normally browned off by this time of the year .


Charlie and Tackler heading into Dungog for supplies.


Tackler taking advantage of the fine weather and good roads , before moving onto the 13km of gravel and rock.



Warren C making his way into the forest.




Rick excited to see Gerty and the Krew arriving mid afternoon.


A couple of K owners sharing the sKroll .  Klothing optional at this rally .
11/83 K100 with Sprint fairing.


Rick during the raffles. eeny , meeny , miney .........   blast .... another set of spanners.


settling back for the evening .
Al , Charlie , Tackler and Rick G.


All in all a good day out , and looking forward to next weekend at Kosciuszko with the Krew..

Hi all! Back home again in the early afternoon of a hot sunny day. Any earlier predictions of rain had disappeared by the start of the weekend but as groverK posted the rain in the district during January has left the countryside lush and green which is unusual for this time of year. It also meant the creek through the campsite was running well providing a pleasant background sound to the proceedings.

I had an early morning koffee with groverK in Singleton at the location of the start of the charity ride. Here's a photo from a different angle showing the blue beast at the head of a line of American V-twin iron.



Of the 110 plus bikes that were heading out on this run there were probably less than 10 "other" (read real) bikes. The start was something akin to a Le Mans 24 hour start so I decided to wait till last to avoid the mayhem and groverK and I just watched from the safety of the footpath and to quote Rick G, "Marvelled at the efficiency of these machines turning fuel into noise".

The hare and tortoise comment by groverK above was in relation to me leaving last and while keeping within the speed limits arriving behind only about 10 bikes at the destination some 200 kilometres further on, due of course to the fuel range of the beemer and the comfort of travel meaning I did not need a rest stop. Anyway apart from all the banter about bike brands it was good to see the motorcycling community supporting a worthwhile cause - something that is repeated all over the country on a regular basis and I don't believe bikers get enough recognition for their efforts in this regard.

The lunch stop at Nundle.


After lunch I headed off on the next 300 or so kms of my loop into the Karuah campsite. I really enjoyed the ride across the high country near Barrington tops ranging from 1250 to 1380 metres in altitude (too enjoyable for me to stop and take photos). Once down into the Gloucester and Dungog regions I was reminded that the roads have not improved since I was last there. Arrived at the campsite about 5:30pm and met Tackler for the first time, Ed was there along with Warren C and friends and of course Rick G had been guarding our preferred area overnight. Al-58 and Marie were there doing their bit for the BMWTCNSW and as always Leroy (Al's dog) was demanding that we throw the frisbee. Al and Marie's smaller pooch (sorry, can't remember his name) took the opportunity to test Rick G's new velour inflatable mattress before Rick got the air in it. It was obviously top quality as the dog was fast asleep in moments.

Rick G and I had a serious discussion just before dark about how we were going to overcome the handicap of Rosskko (official Forum Fire God) not being present this year but it seems Rosskko is going to have to watch his back as there is a gentleman from Brisbane who goes by the moniker of Charlie 99 who has obviously been watching Rosskko's technique and grabbed the opportunity of displaying his talents in fire starting.



As always a pleasant evening around the campfire was enjoyed by all and this morning we all packed up again to head off in different directions until we can get together again, which for some of us lucky ones will be in four days time when we set off for the Snowy Mountains trip.

Cheers

GroverK wrote:some highlights from the weekend .




A couple of K owners sharing the sKroll .  Klothing optional at this rally .
11/83 K100 with Sprint fairing.

(#1 Bob is the BMWTCNSW delegate to the NSW Motorcycle council, does a great job in getting any issues we're interested in under the transport ministers nose.  

#2 Kevin (with the K100/Sprint) is a long term BMW enthusiast, good to see he's not just about boxers.

-Al




All in all a good day out , and looking forward to next weekend at Kosciuszko with the Krew..

A good rally overall, approx 230 odd badges/entries sold, another 35+ badges ordered for late entries and then another 20-30 arrivals after.  Anything better than 200 is good for a rally these days, so it's a good result for the club and in the end for the Royal Flying Doctor Service who will see some more funds coming their way.  In the last year with various activities the club has supported the RFDS, MARI and given a good amount of funds to the Dungog SES after the floods in Dungog.

Next year will be the 40th rally (second longest running in OZ), so expect something special.

Good to see everyone again, thanks to all for the support again.  Next week Jindabyne. (and the K sidecar badly needs a new front tyre)

Al

Nice pics. Looks like a good rally again this year. Will have to try and have another BM by next year's.
Gaz, what is a real bike?

Schoorn.

Saxon7 wrote:Gaz, what is a real bike?

Schoorn.

"Real bike" obviously = BMW, preferably K. However, in our generosity, we admit any other bike as long as the owner aspires to a BMW.  

Bill

indian036 wrote:

Saxon7 wrote:Gaz, what is a real bike?

Schoorn.

"Real bike" obviously = BMW, preferably K. However, in our generosity, we admit any other bike as long as the owner aspires to a BMW.  

Bill

The result of long experience with motorcycling tells me that the bike do not maketh the man.

Great account and photos Ed & Gaz - thanks for sharing. Looks like an excellent time (and weather) was had by all. 
Enjoy the Snowies next week.

Hey Schoorn, tongue firmly planted in cheek with those comments, I'm sure a bit of brand banter on a BMW forum doesn't hurt anyone and everyone in the Krew that I know doesn't care what people ride.

A part of mine and Ed's conversation in Singleton that was not in the post was about the phenomenal success of the cruiser trend in recent years in terms of marketing and model ranges which my chosen brand I believe is not matching and good luck to the cruiser community.

And the most important thing in my view, which might have been noticed by some people who read that post was that everyone who attended that ride contributed to a charity that I think is important.

Cheers

Gaz80 wrote:Hey Schoorn, tongue firmly planted in cheek with those comments, I'm sure a bit of brand banter on a BMW forum doesn't hurt anyone and everyone in the Krew that I know doesn't care what people ride.

Cheers

My tongue too. 

Bill

just home now ...and pooped out ...

thanks to my riding pals , tackler and Ash   some great fun was had on the way down ...over some awesome twistys and mostly uncrowded roads  along the path  

a welcome arrival at smithys polished off an awesome first day  with beers and a barbque with some good friends  thanks so much smithy ...hope the roof gets done and dusted for next week off with the krew .

a laboured and relativly warm return trip along the thunderbolts and new England path ..saw us home into the warmer overnight climate of brisvegas

great to catch up with many friends ....for which I am greatly thankful
 

more to come   ...um tomorrow

Sounds like it was a good weekend charlie. 
Couldn't get there. My schedule this weekend was shot to pieces with bike maintenance and the Snowy trip looming.
Glad to hear you guys made it home safely.

some detail of our exploration south 

ok ...ready to head south ...three k bikes at yatla and the weather looks fime to the south from here



after negotiating the mt lindsay twistys through low flying clouds ...at some good speed ...and heading further south Whiporee was acheived...a lonely "out of place community" way out in the country south of casino and north of grafton (about halfway and looking verry green ...not being seen before )
before arriving into grafton and a nice counter lunch with friends





grafton to ebor was fantastic ...and layed down some steel along the corners ...the k1300 was incredibly powerfull out of the corners onto the straight sectons ..passing me at on the rev limmiter ...awesome !!! ...but through the next set of coners was way behind ......

arriving at smithys late in the afternoon and a stop off to gain supplies in the nearby township ..a great night of comeradreie and a welcome few beers had us sleeping like babes ...

onto the thunderbolts path next morning ...full of enthusiasm yet again ...(from the lookout before the decent into the coast region )





yet further down the road ...the town of Dungog was acheived (take off - meet point for the rally proper )
amazingly met up with our dear friend ed (grover from the forum ) taking pics as we arrived ...hmm the k engine whine is very distinctive i guess ...(can pic the whine of gears under 3k from far off) a few others there also ...ed carying the skroll for all to sign and witness ..on its continuous travels around the globe ...nice project we started back in 2013 ....and heading to the usa ...soonish





into the bush and a long way from any tar road ...the boys on road bikes pushed hard ...this is the best long section of straight road along the path ...the road was twisty , potholey and creased with ripples of washout corregations ...on the way to the KRR

woohoo target acheived ...a few of the k"s in our group ...good to see the blokes and the camp site yet again ...ready for a few beers in the celarbration of acheiving the goal...an amazingly rare "sprint fairinged K bike " was spied and pictured ....hmmmm nice



the forecourt of the rally campsite ...and the awards ceremonies of the BMWTC club 39th year ? big things planned for next year on the 40th



late at night ...and the last thing i remember seeing ...blokes chatting around a campfire


next day ....back in Dungog ...and a verry welcome return to civilisation ...and coffee from a shop ...Gerty bears the dust of the road into and out of the campsite ...a little wear mark of getting back to the tar is evident




by the time we got back to Gloucester (on the way home ) ...the chicken strips had returned to something like i like to remember ...grin ...still clouded in dust ...but the run up the hill would soon change that ...mmm thunderbolts on the way up ....mmmm







last pic on the travel home ...at mc donalds Glen innes ...yes just too hungry, not to deny calling in and topping up of some prize rubbish food ....we were hungry and depleted ...after a quite warm day in the sun on motor bikes trying to cover lots of killometers after an awesome few days ride over hills and dale


poor old gal covered in shit , bugs and crap ...the acheivement...another badge for this years KRR

Lovely to see how you guys do it! Thanks for all the pics and reports guys!