November Rains - 20th Wet ride an experience

We left Gateway under threatening sky's with two new riders , Leo (the mask man - 2 weeks into his riding career) on his Aquila and Phil on his Suzuki for our ride down through Numinbah Valley.

It was a quick run down the freeway before heading off at Nerang and down the Valley. A great

ride...some twisties for the "sports riders" and awesome straights with amazing vista's for the "cruisers" . The backdrop of the scenic rim was truly inspiring check out the following pics

By the time we reach the boarder the rain had started to come down....so all the boy's forgot the view and went looking for the wet weather gear.

The view down the valley was not good...but we agreed to roll on very gingerly down to Chillingham where we were desperate for a coffee. We made it down, just before a large number of bike groups turned up..unfortunately Chillingham is not the coffee capital of NSW.

We decided to take the scenic route to Murwillumbah through Tyalgum. The boys promptly declared that it looked like it was fining up and took off their wet weather gear...now that was a guarantee that the rain would return....and it certainly did,continued through to the Tumby pub for lunch.... it still beautiful ride even in the rain...... though those painted schools zone signs on the road in the rain, very slippery, just ask Larry and his scooter, not nice "fish tailing" to the wrong side of the road.

Yes it was a wet ride but then...anyride is a good one with good riding buddies, awesome scenary and a great lunch at Tumby Pub.

Check out a little video of riding in "November rain"...click HERE

All the "M"s - 18th Sep Windy but Wonderful

Well ,a week of rain, a few of us plucked up courage to brave the stong winds and head off on one of our favorate rides...thru samford valley, Mt Mee, Maleny,Montville...ending up at Malooloolaba. We again enjoyed the company of Francis on his Honda..this time with his wife.

Check out our route HERE

There was not a cloud in the sky as we headed off....and after clearing City traffic we stopped at Dayboro for brekky. By the time we got to the top of Mt Mee it was blowing a gale....great riding at 45deg...and at the lookout on top it was even blowing our helmets off the table.lets get out of here!

So we headed over the mountain down through Woodford, the wind died down a little from there but as we climbed back up through the winding road to Maleny there was lots of debri across the road, shredded leave and branches...even a slight rock fall...very exciting. The views are spectacular as usual up the mountain.

We had the obligatory lunch stop at Montville and the view across to the see was the clearest I have seen it...thanks to the wind

As we descended down to the coast the wind dropped right...it felt like a glorious summers day, by the time we got to Mooloolaba there were people swimming and enjoying a wonderful still day, can't believe on an hour before we were being blown off Mt Mee. Of course we enjoy the obligatory iced coffee on the this glorious day

Check out the palm trees, blue sky .....and Ken playing with his i-phone, somethings never change. The ride home was a elaxing one.....freeway...up over the new Gateway and home...ah , another great ride with some great friends.

check out the great baker at Dayboro HERE

Jacobs Well - a short but nice ride on Sat 18/9

With another Gateway wedding in the afternoon , we headed off on an overcast day for a short ride down to Jacobs Well via the delightful "West Mt Cotton Rd".


We welcomed Brendan's new Harley V-Rod ( looks & Sounds FANTASTIC) ,a newby, Francis on his Yamaha tourer and even a pillion,Lyndee, on her first ride.......so quite an interesting ride.





The run down through West Mount Cotton Rd is a little gem, you would swear you are in the middle of nowhere, beautiful countryside, plenty of corners and change in altitude.


Running through the cane fields we had to watch those tight corners...... ending up at the Horizon
Marina for morning tea.... and some good conversation. Overall a short but thoroughly enjoyable ride always made special by a bunch of great riders.





To check out a short video click HERE

Beachmont a great ride on 21st August

It was another glorious day as we headed away from Gateway, down the freeway, taking the Coomera exit and following the river through to Canungra. Having our customary breakfast at the 'Outpost Cafe" it was good to catch Ken and his travels around the world.

With our appetites appeased we then took a quick run up the hill to Beachmont with its fantastic views and twisty corners

I recently purchased a Kodak Zx1 pocket video camera and had a little try out on the ride, unfortunately the velcro handlebar mount definitely didn't work, as you can see in the following short video. I have subsequently got a RAM set that provides a secure platform for videoing on future rides... check out the video, click HERE

check out this nice short ride , just click HERE

July ride a fantastic day, with a bad ending

Well a mid winter ride with a min around 8deg C, sorts the men from the boys....but what a glorious blue day to have a ride ......... one of our favourite longer rides out through Beaudesert ( & a cuppa/brekky at Macca’s), across the border ranges along the Lions Rd to Kyogle then back up through Murwillumbah to the pub at Tumbulgum for lunch before winding our way through the hinterland to the freeway & home.

We are alway's wary of those wandering cows (just ask Ken & Dave B) on the road but nothing except those annoying cars. It was David Eames first time over the mountain and despite what seemed to be an increased number of "pot holes" he certainly enjoyed it.

To find out more about the Lions Rd , click HERE

The road from Kyogle to Murwillumbah again seemed to have degraded since we last road it, lots of roadworks detracted from some of the magical moments and views. We though had the Tumblegum Tavern and its great chicken burger to look forward to.

We were joined there by Larry and his mighty Vespa scooter after having serious battery problems....but showing his true grit ,he soldiered on and caught us for lunch.

After that delicious interlude Larry lead us up the back way to Tugan, then a quick trip back on the M1.......and the end of another GREAT RIDE...or so I thought....

They say the most dangerous time for a ride is the last few minutes from....well I unfortunately was the one to experience this. A little too excessive front braking coming onto a busy round-a-bout, front wheel dives to the ground and 300kg green machine does a 20mtr slide....with me following.

Thanks to some great crash bars and the right riding gear meant only some scrapes,bent crash bar & broken panier lock......oh yes, I only have a sprained knee and ankle....but how good are people (yes even drivers)...checking out how I was, calling an ambulance (which didn't need) and had a biker stayed with me till the "trouble & strife arrived (she thought he was part of our band of bikers). God was good ,with so much traffic around was fortunate they stopped....so Dave, does give me membership of the "bruce" club?

A short June winter ride - Mt Tamborine looking great

Some great views on a fresh morning

You can check out our route HERE

It was another chilly winters morning as we left Gateway for a short ride up to Mount Tambourine and over the hill for a great Brunch at Canungra's "Trading Post Cafe".

We welcome Geoff and his Honda 1100 to our "band of bikers", after a few years away from the bike it was impressive to see he had not lost any of his skills.

Daves was very happy with his new tyres on the big BMW 1200LT...... agreed it makes a BIG difference

Getting ready to roll back home, Dave thought he had been pull over by the "constabulary"

Well that was another refreshing ride, great country side and great mates...ahhh, can't get any better than this.

Catch you on our next ride on the 17th July .......and some news about a "Road TRIP" later in the year

Paul C

May - A brisk & awesome ride up the range

Well May's ride was fantastic with just a hint of Winter....but a with a winter coat, some long-johns and heated grips hardly notice ( just kidding). It was good to see Leon & Maggie on a Kwaka and Murray & his big boulevard along.
















................and was this Ewan McGregor doing the intro to the "Long Way Across"?


To check out the map of our ride click HERE


Riding off in clear skies we made away along the freeways to Blacksoil, picking a couple of additional riders for the ride up through Esk, with a what was suppose to be a short stop at Wivenhoe Dam...... but a rear puncture changed that...but despite all our repair gear couldn't fix so it was RACQ to the rescue




....nice try Ken!



Off to Esk and the obligatory stop at the Bakery....a great coffee and pie.....Pete even got stuck into the devonshire Tea




Left Esk with a wonderful ride up to Perseverence Dam, site of some of Dave Batest great army memories?



Then Lunch at the Farmers Arm hotel....we can certainly recomend this great pub




To check out all the photo's....click HERE

Check out David's videoing, hanging off the big BMW 1200LT