Well folks, the three Hunter Krew adventurers made it home (at least to Broke village where I turned for home) yesterday afternoon after our six day odyssey. I'm not sure I'll get through all of a report in one go so this may be all or just part 1.
Last Wednesday morning the Grabau brothers were early to the designated meeting point, as I had expected, and I was 4 minutes late. My excuse was that I had been on the phone to Rick G checking on how they were going on "the morning after". Our route took us through the Bylong Valley where we stopped at the village kafe for a morning koffee (don't you love the alliteration) and continued on through Lue and into Mudgee where we arrived at the temporary home of Rock G and Marg about lunch time. If you look closely at the left of the photo you'll note that Rick's K1100 and trailer have pride of place in the front of the main building.
It was good to see them both in person and admire Marg's outlook of not being put off by a tumble and a few bruises. At least they were well enough to share lunch at the pub with us, which we enjoyed.
Rickmeister, Tom, Marg and Rick G. I'm sure Tommy's happy that I caught him with a mouth full (but he's pretty handsome anyway??).
After lunch we pressed on towards Hill End which is a historic gold mining village high up in the hills (about 1100 metres) to the south of Mudgee. A brief rest stop there for a cool drink and a couple of happy snaps.
Royal Hotel Hill End
Hill End Village Store
It was a great ride down the mountain via Hill End Road, Turondale Road and Duramana to Bathurst. We didn't do any sightseeing in Bathurst as I'm sure all of us had been through it many times so it was straight on south west looking for an overnight stop before it got too late.
Blayney was booked out (apparently shearers had taken over the place) so we ventured on to Carcoar where the Royal Hotel could fit us in (there was not a single other guest or bar customer in the place) and the bikes were put around the back for safe keeping (although I think the crime rate might be low in Carcoar). Ross, the publican, was happy to pull a couple of beers for us in the bar over a chat about the village history and that of the pub and he arranged for he and his partner to have dinner with us on the pub upstairs balcony. It turned out quite a pleasant evening. I got a snap from the balcony at dinner time but didn't take a photo out the front of the pub on the street so I scammed one off the net for you.
Thursday morning we were heading down the mid-western highway to Cowra which was our next fuel stop and then onwards to a town called Young, which is famous for it's cherry orchards. Tom and I briefly lost Rick in Young as he had somehow managed to get out of sight ahead of us (he regularly has a bit of an issue with his right wrist sticking closer to the throttle open position than the throttle closed position). Anyhow once we were reassembled Rick was keen to tick Temora and Coolamon off on his bucket list so off we went. I think it's fair to say that the road through Temora and on to Coolamon is not the most scenic road but it could be put to good use as a shock absorber test track. I suspect that none of us are planning to go that way again - but hey! that's what bucket lists are for. Coolamon itself is quite a nice little town and is probably better appreciated when approached from a different road.
The route from Coolamon took us down the Wagga Wagga Road (for you non Aussies, that's not a stutter), skirted around the said Wagga Wagga and continued through the small localities of Uranquinty, The Rock, Yerong Creek, Henty, Culcairn and Gerogery which brought us out onto the Hume Highway not far north of Albury. Once over the border into Victoria we swung east along the Murray Valley Highway towards our planned overnight stop at the Victoria Hotel in Tallangatta. No picture of the pub as the building is not that spectacular (I was too slack) but the company was good and the meal was fine. We got into conversation with another rider who hails from Newcastle who was having a leisurely tour around the region.
Friday morning had us in downtown Tallangatta at the local bakery for morning starters before mounting up for the ride east along the Murray Valley. Tom and I thought this could be the day when we would ride together and the weather would not be HOT.
Rick chose a great route for today, up over the range on the Granya Road until we came to the Murray River then east along the river through Walwa and Tintaldra to Towong. Beautiful riding early in the morning. At Towong we ducked back over the river into New South Wales and up to Tooma Road which then took us down to the Alpine Way and on to Khancoban.
When we arrived at Shane Os kafe at Khancoban the boys were rubbing their hands together in anticipation of a proper morning tea, forum style (or was that cold hands?).
Check out the grins!
Suitably warmed and fed we set off for what many Aussies believe is motorcycling heaven - the run up the Alpine Way from Khancoban over the Snowy Mountains past Thredbo alpine village to Jindabyne which nestles on the shore of a massive man made lake as part of the Snowy Mountains Hydro Scheme. The history of that project makes interesting reading for anyone who does not know it and was the motivation for a high influx of European post war migrants to our country. This was a little rest stop part way up the climb.
After warming up a bit over lunch in Jindabyne (yes Tommy and I had certainly the cooler day we had hoped for) we headed down the Barry Way for a few kilometres then turned onto The Snowy River Way towards our overnight stop at Dalgety which is located on the banks of the once mighty Snowy River.
This is a must stop photo op for a lot of Aussies as there are myths and legends surrounding the history of the river and the people of lived near and worked around it.
Rick had arranged our lodgings at Buckley's Crossing Hotel where the locals proved to be entertaining - this is quite an isolated location!
One of the local riders even parked his machine right in the middle of the K's behind the pub.
I couldn't help taking this shot of my brick against the bricks.
Saturday morning was cool and foggy as we headed down from the mountains towards Eden on the coast. First stop was Bombala which prides itself on being a motorcycle friendly town and is always a good stop and on the advice of a young local we took the Cathcart Road through Cathcart and Wyndham down to South Pambula. A great ride down off the escarpment to the Princes Highway and south to our destination at Eden.
Lodgings were again pre-arranged by the Rickmeister at the great Southern Hotel right at the top of town.
To our pleasure, Floyd rocked in on his beast not too long after, packed to the hilt and certainly looking like he is living on the bike - well done mate! The four of us took in the famous whaling museum just down the road and then continued down the hill to Snug Cove to get fish and chips for lunch.
Whaling Museum
The story of "Old Tom" the local killer whale pack leader.
Scammed this photo but this is where we sat for lunch.
Halo, Andyb and Chris arrived in town late in the afternoon and announced their arrival on the forum as advised they would be over at our pub for dinner. RT and Sharon arrived by four wheel conveyance during the afternoon and we were again most pleased to have their company. Once the socialising got under way we seemed to lose track of time and it was almost midnight with the bar staff telling us to go before we knew it.
Sharon volunteered to take a group shot before it got too ugly - thanks for that. From the left, Rickmeister, Gaz, Tom, Halo, Andyb, Floyd, Chris and RT.
I think we only got six K bikes together so the Irish Eccentrics might get one over us but we sure had a good time. And if they do get more Ks together it means we have an excuse for another go!
All, I'm out of time today but will get the track traversed by the Hunter Krew onto a map and give a brief run down of the return trip in part 2.
Cheers
Re: Are we gonna let those Irish Eccentrics out do us? Tue Mar 10, 2015 6:40 am
ROB the Red Old Bike 
