Aussies,

The winter of our discontent (for us Southerners) is nearly over and thoughts are now drifting towards another K-Trip.

The most suitable weekend for me is the last weekend in October, 29th, 30th. I understand that the weekend before was mooted as a suitable date. I might not be able attend subject to my golfing performance.

Araluen (near Braidwood, in the Southern Highlands) would be a good location, as discussed in earlier dispatches. If the last weekend in October is suitable to all concerned then I'm definitely in.

Thoughts on a suitable route for the Northerners...

The Hunter Valley-ites can meet the Northerners at Denman (SW of Muswellbrook) on the Thursday or Friday night. On Saturday, early start, ride to Sandy Hollow, Bylong, Rylestone, Kandos, cleansing ale at the historic Sofala pub, Bathurst, obligatory lap around Mt Panorama race cct, Oberon, Taralga, Goulburn, Braidwood and then to Araluen.

It may be wise to book lodgings at the Araluen Pub.

What thinks ye all?

Ulrich.

Thats the weekend I was counting on so I am in for it as many others have said.



Araluen Valley Hotel Ph 0248464023 for bookings. Do this soon to make sure you get it as it can get busy. There is a camping ground about 3.5km South.



Lets start a list, copy and paste to your post and add your name to it.

1. Rick Grabau
   
2. K Freak K1100 first trip and wife Marg on the K75.
   
3. 
   

Lets start a list, copy and paste to your post and add your name to it.

1. Rick Grabau
   
2. K Freak K1100 first trip and wife Marg on the K75.
   
3. Blakey (fingers crossed)
   

Put us down for one. We might have to meet up with you guys earlier somewhere.



1. Rick Grabau
2. K Freak K1100 first trip and wife Marg on the K75.
3.Blakey (fingers crossed)
4. Bob Turner and wife Sharon

Just spoke to the pub, at the moment there is nothing else on that weekend, he suggests we get in and book asap . Only one room booked so far, me.
Sorry Ulrich, got a double with the missus this time.
RT

1. Rick Grabau
2. K Freak K1100 first trip and wife Marg on the K75.
3.Blakey (fingers crossed)
4. Bob Turner and wife Sharon
5. Alby & Nicole (Leave approved )

1. Rick Grabau
2. K Freak K1100 first trip and wife Marg on the K75.
3.Blakey (fingers crossed)
4. Bob Turner and wife Sharon
5. Alby & Nicole (waiting on leave approvals)
6. Charlie....im puttin in notice next week for the 4 day weekend

1. Rick Grabau
2. K Freak K1100 first trip and wife Marg on the K75.
3.Blakey (fingers crossed)
4. Bob Turner and wife Sharon
5. Alby & Nicole (waiting on leave approvals)
6. Charlie....im puttin in notice next week for the 4 day weekend
7. TWB, solo this time.

1. Rick Grabau
2. K Freak K1100 first trip and wife Marg on the K75.
3.Blakey (fingers crossed)
4. Bob Turner and wife Sharon
5. Alby & Nicole (waiting on leave approvals)
6. Charlie....im puttin in notice next week for the 4 day weekend
7. TWB, solo this time.
8. Dave Garth

1. Rick Grabau
2. K Freak K1100 first trip and wife Marg on the K75.
3.Blakey (fingers crossed)
4. Bob Turner and wife Sharon
5. Alby & Nicole (waiting on leave approvals)
6. Charlie....im puttin in notice next week for the 4 day weekend
7. TWB, solo this time.
8. Dave Garth solo at this stage

I will be going solo, so when I book I'll let them know I am happy to share with people who don't snore. Don't want anyone else to drown me out!!!!!

Well your in trouble anyways..Niccy puts Most old exghaust brakes to shame...I sure hope the pubs not rendered as she has cracked ours on the house!!

k ...just had a look at denman area accomodation .

there seems to be a van park there ...with cabins etc ...looks like they have 3 bed types as well ....um figuring $95 a night for 3 up ...30 something bucks each .....would this be a solution for the queensland mob heading south ?

if so ill be giving tham a call

http://users.hunterlink.net.au/~maarch/page2.html

So...Friday, 28th October at Denman? I'm in with the cabin!!
It'll be a good day's ride to Araluen, be we can cut it!

I will be leaving a day or so earlier and making a three day trip out of it so don't count on my company.

Nicole and I are planning the same. leaving a day or two earlier as it is her first LONG trip and she has been no futher south than Stanthorpe.

reminds me alby .....why would you need to!!! ....grin

Albyalbatross1 wrote:Nicole and I are planning the same. leaving a day or two earlier as it is her first LONG trip and she has been no futher south than Stanthorpe.

Does Nicole ride or are you 2 up

We are two up. I want to show her a lil country on the way down. Not sure yet which way.

I,m leaving Saturday morning about 10. Just not fair.

hmm you could always meet us up at denman rt ? just an idea ....

What's the planned route after Denman chaps, anywhere near Oberon (the coldest place in NSW without a doubt)?
RT

lol ....you guessed it rt .....its on the pass through list .....but ...it should be sun high by then

i recon guyra (northern tableands) is on the is on the same list rt

If the Friday night at Denman goes ahead, the planned route to Araluen is:
Denman to Sandy Hollow.
Left over the Goulburn RIver bridge, to Bylong (now all sealed, pretty good ride) then to Rylestone, Kandos.

If we go to Bathurst, we turn right at Ilford, cleansing ale at the Sofala pub and then onto BAthurst, Oberon, Taralga, Goulburn Braidwood and Araluen.

If Bathurst is given the flick, we could go via Lithgow, Oberon etc.

I'm planning: Denman on the Friday night, Araluen on the Saturday night and then being a bit of a free spirit after that.

ditto rick ill be there

currently planning a friday 9.00 am leave from brissy (southwest ...oxley area on the ipswich road ) via new england highway (warwick then south ) to muswellbrook then denman

Charlie, according to Google Maps that's a 750 km, nine-plus hour ride
(you know it'll take longer - they always do), and one I might be able to ride with you on if I'm going only that little bit further than you lot that day. It depends upon flight times and what we've discussed previously.

oops .... hmm yeah twb ....we know how we like our maccas and a chat .... i guess i was just being opulent with a late start
and i really dont like looking for new places in the dark .....
or is this too far for a one day ride, all at once ?

lets amend this to a 6.30-7.00am start ?

It's not too far for me...but I reckon an earlier than 9AM start is in order. Hows about we meet up at a Macca's somewhere earlier and then are on the road about 7AM latest? That'll give us that essential smoko, chat and a coffee buffer. The daylight hours'll be heaps longer than now by then too, especially as it will be DST over the border in New South Wales. Remember too, that it's a Friday and so there'll be 'escape to the country' traffic to contend with at day's end. All good. All doable.

Are Blakey's fingers still crossed?

Still crossed.
The way things are looking, I may just have to buy some generic throw-over panniers.

A long distance riding mate of mine used to say "take only what is essential and credit card your undies if you need a fresh pair!" He had a stack of memorable biker quotes.

Booked my accommodation today. Being a local I thought I would go down on Friday night and test out the bar stools so I can get the best one. I will go to work for a bit and leave from there.



Anyone else looking at going down Friday? Might do some local sight seeing on Saturday while I await the imminent onslaught of you interstaters.

Nic and I will be there in time for lunch on Sat. Staying two nights at Pub.

nice one alby ....!!

enjoy ...you two ..

Looks like I will be leaving Thursday morning and Denman the first night the Taralgo for friday night and arrive Araluen about 11ish Saturday.

way cool k freak ....hopin to catch up about afternoon then with a few more "k"s

Count another two in


1. Rick Grabau
2. K Freak K1100 first trip and wife Marg on the K75.
3. Blakey (fingers crossed)
4. Bob Turner and wife Sharon
5. Alby & Nicole (waiting on leave approvals)
6. Charlie....im puttin in notice next week for the 4 day weekend
7. TWB, solo this time.
8. Dave Garth solo at this stage
9. Tom Grabau and wife Anne

Are you northerners still coming through Oberon way ? then to Goulburn, Tarago (Loaded Dog Hotel)?.
RT

Hope you guys take pics!?

OG

Bob, the plan (for me, at least) is to go via Oberon, Goulburn, Tarago Braidwood and then onto Araluen. Staying at the Loaded Dog is desirable, but it is reasonably close to Araluen. All my lodgings are booked for the Saturday night, so, to the stay at the LD would have to be the Friday night. Aaaaagh!! Life is an endless process of decision making!

I will be staying at the loaded dog but on Friday night the rest of the bunch will be giong on friday from Brizvegas and meeting at Denman.



We sure will take some pics OG. Charlie isn't called the mad flasher for nuthin.

I might have a welcome surprise to some of you. I'm trying to get it together logistically now. It'll mean a swing past Sydney on Friday arvo though so I might not make the first night's rendezvous.

nice one twb .... oh goodie ...wonder what it is ????

TWB you better not turn up on anything shiny and new mate
I'm thinking of riding up to Oberon and staying on Friday night and hopefully finding Rick and whoever else might breeze through. That's the plan anyway. snow and ice aside.
RT

snow and ice in end of october !!! crikey rt !

In 1990 we got to Oberon in mid November and stayed a couple of days to do some fly fishing.

I had to go to the hardware store for some bits and I walked in to the store and the guy is fanning himself with catalogue and said "bit warm eh". It was 24degC and upon having a chat he told me if I had been a week earlier we would have got snow.

Well, we're getting closer and closer to departure days for the Ride To Araluen. It's 30 days from today, in fact, for most of us leaving on the Friday. I'm leaving Very Early on the 28th and taking the Pacific Highway through Sydney. I'll see you mob on Saturday arvee in lovely Araluen. Any Aussie (or other) riders who can make it are more than welcome to join us. Hidden somewhere in this post is the contact info for the pub but I understand there are some other types of accommodation in the area. See youse guys there!

I just range them at the Araluen Hotel on 02 4846 4023 and there's still rooms available for Saturday the 29th and before and after at this stage. No ensuites though.

oh goodie!!! ...till now i have forgotten to call....doh !