Sunday, January 26, 2014

Bushranger Tour - Day 4

our last luxury accommodation as we head home

At sunrise coffees were consumed to sharpen night’s jangled nerves as we mounted up for the ride to raid The Bank on Molesworth Street in Lismore. The raid was mighty successful with breakfast fair quiet 
resplendent; but money we did not take from The Bank, rather walking away with wallets somewhat lightened.

Again we mounted up to ride once more through the countryside most scenic with roads twisting, flowing up & down, and leading on through a Smokey haze enveloping the town of Nimbin. I could swear I saw in my mirror, bikers riding high upon their cycles with somewhat fixed and dilated eyes; or could that be just my imagination!

The road did lead us on through Uki to take a turn back to the left following along the Tweed River on the Mount Warning track, where upon we did take our rest beside the banks of the river with its gently flowing water lapping coolly over boulders in the stream, here the trees did offer shade as we took our seats to sample some of the treats from the Café Rainforest.



Can't believe I got caught in this very girly store
From Uki we did cruise to find ice-cream at Tyalgum to fortify extended bellies as we made ready for the final dash to make it safe across the border; riding through Numinbah Valley we made our way unseen back into home country. Finally we enjoined with traffic upon the Pacific Motorway no longer rangers of the bush were we but simple commuters homeward bound. Thus ended the Bushranger Ride.


A special treat greeted at Tyalgum ..a mini grande recital





WANTED - DEAD OR ALIVE
The Band Of Bikers FROM GATEWAY

Paul (Captain Crusty) Cavanagh        Kawasaki 900 Custom, Cruiser
David (Captain Midnight) Bates        BMW K1200 LT, The Armchair Tourer
Des (Mad Dog) Nelson                      Moto Guzzi T3 850, Cafe Racer
Ken (The Phoenix) Elliot                   BMW F800 ST, Tourer
Phil (The Streak) Cranston                Suzuki GSF 1200 Bandit, Sport Tourer

Richard (The Flash) de Bruin            Honda CBR1000 F, Sport 
(Leroy) Leigh McQueeney                 Honda 750 - Four, Sport Tourer
Johann (Fang it) Folscher                  Honda Shadow 750, Cruiser

(Lethal) Leigh Keilar                         Triumph Tiger 800, Adventure Tourer



our lovable leprechaun Leigh..and his T-shirts


a few snaps of soo many nice meals


Check out the ride video below








Friday, January 24, 2014

Bushranger Tour - Day 3

"Hey Dad, when I grow up do I have to be a Honda? Can I be a 900 Custom like Crusty..can I can I..."

Dawns morning light saw the Biker Band ride on through Armidale on up the Waterfall Way they did ascend, riding through country most resplendent with hills draped in pastures green sloping steeply down to form valleys were streams did curve their wending way most graciously below. The hand of God’s creation most evident here seen, stirs man’s heart in sheer awn of his creator.

On through the rain and bone chill air the Band did forge their way ahead onward toward Dorrigo on the high plateau. Splendid waterfalls caused a distraction to pause the headlong rush to find respite away from the chill wet air of the mountains. 


with hot refreshment we enjoyed some fun at the famous Juan's Cafe, could he be Leigh's brother?
Juan’s Café did loom out from the misting rain on Dorrigo’s main Street offering warmth and respite to the shivering Band of Bikers. Danger Falls brought on photo opportunities as we made our way through rain to ride on through the ranges on twisting road that wound its way up through the eucalypt forest. 


The road was wet and ripped up, the clay was moist and greasy, it was these conditions that brought undone the armchair BMW; Midnight David did find his front wheel slip and slide to lay him down upon his side with a gracious pirouette and the BMW did spin through 270 degrees before it came to rest. Crusty Paul who was behind was most concerned to see if he had caught the action on his video camera; once confirmed he had, Paul call out “David, are you alright there in the dirt, don’t just lay there man, get up!

A horse float truck did lurch and stall at the scene of the BMW’s fall; two country blokes did alight to offer their advice and assistance; “would be better to get a horse one did opine” as he walked off after righting the armchair BMW!

Once again a streaking flash and with a roar did they flash as The Streak and The Flash flew by their fearless leader who was left to recede extremely quickly to their rear. Leroy Leigh did follow on to try and run down the speedsters flight but found it quiet a wild ride to maintain contact at the rear. Mad Dog Des did make a run unleashing the Guzzi like a vintage red streak he did ride alone around the curves ahead of those who followed on to Nymboida. 


the boys certainly enjoyed some fine dining...not sure what phill & Leigh were up to?
At a more sedately pace the Biker Band rode on to find a place to rest and recline in Grafton. A restaurant at Duke Streets end with a view across the river had a pleasant breeze flowing through its doors wide open. A table most resplendent was laid awaiting the Band of Bikers for them to partake of the menu’s offering of Cucina Povera (Italian peasant cooking).

From Grafton Richard led as on toward his hideout at MacLean we did ride where his family most eagerly awaited the arrival of the Biker Band with the billy already on & cake laid out upon the table, the riders took their rest to lay down another kilo to their copious girths. 

a nice Casino sunset
 The journey continued along Clarence River’s edge to catch the ferry from Woodford Island to again head north toward the overnight stop at the Hotel Commonwealth in Casino. It was here that Leroy Leigh came sweeping round the corner to encounter three ducks across the road; if he had have collected them up, he would have gone from riding a Honda to Kwaka!! 

A splendid meal was enjoined at the local RSL to be followed with a rolling stagger back to the Commonwealth to retire for a well earned rest.


Check out the special "Two Falls" video below



check out a video of the day below