May's O'Reilly's ride nippy but Exhilarating

We finally had a clear Saturday in May for our ride ....... cool but exhilarating as we welcomed a few newbies, David's new BMW 1300 and our support vehicle ( restored MG) with John and Paul.

We headed off to Canungra for some hot food and a chat, Pete caught up with us on his cross over dirt bike.

After some good tucka at the "Outpost" (David agreed!!) we mounted

up for the ride up the mountain...the weather still held up thankfully as we know how treacherous and can get with rain on the mount..particularly on those metal cattle grids. As we made our way up the valley and start to go up the mountain, rounding the initial bends, we were confronted by large obstacles left by a friendly cow...the trick is to weave your way through successfully...and we all did well.

So here's a quick video of our run up the mountain, through so many changes in Vista, really awe inspiring.... those one lane roads with no guard rail really does keep you in touch with your own mortality. Some of the lads went on the forest high walk and a mandatory cup of coffee. It was then back down the mountain to the Alpaca farm for lunch on the awesome deck overlooking the valley.

With lunch over we all meandered off home via various means....only to confront some rain as we all made it home, thankfully not whilst we were on the mountain which can be treacherous.

So , one more amazing ride...got to stretch our legs, some unbelievable landscapes and as usual a great "Band of Bikers".

Another rainy Saturday - a short ride 19th March

Looking out the window at Mt Cotton it was overcast with forecast of rain, getting heavier through the day.....would I stay tucked in bed or meet other hardy souls for a ride, so kitted up and headed off on the new bike, and yes...two hardy souls (thanks Ken & Geoff). Geoff was there to show us his brand new Kawasaki Vulcan 1700 Voyager...Kawasaki's taking over.

Not wanting to venture too far with rain approaching we set off down the freeway to Jacobs Well. Hoping for a big breakfast we headed for the marina but due to a disappearing caterer we ended up with vegemite & toast.... just made our day.

So back on the road as the rain came tumbling down........ the 900 custom ran well but missed the screen ( will rectify that in the future)...and a little envious of Geoff's loungeroom on wheels.

We will definitely get to go up to O'Reillys in April.

Bitter Sweet ride through Brisbane Valley - 19th February 2011

The sun was shining, the green machine was fresh out of the shop and sparkling, time for a ride in the great southeast. We welcomed some newbies to our group on this ride, Peter on his new Yamaha V Star 650 and John And Jan in their restored MG (yes....a car on our ride...we will have to rename our rides to "by any means").

We headed off on our 300km trip down the Gateway,

onto Logan motorway on our trip out to our first stop at Wivenhoe Dam. The impact of the floods was immediately visible, the breadth and hight of the flood waters was both awefull and awe inspiring...weaving our way through Fernvale, passed closed and washed out roads up to Esk for morning tea. A change of plans due to a closed esk to Hampton rd saw us head up to Toogoolawah, across to Somerset dam....some great back roads for bikes. A petrol stop at Kilcoy then across through Woodford ,up the winding road to Mt Mee and home.

To check out our route click HERE

Now thats what we call a wash out....now we know why the the esk-hampton rd was closed

Wild Hogs Road Trip - 4th to 6th dec 2010

Well, our bags were packed, bikes polished and fuel tanks filled...the tree amigo's (Paul,Dave & Ken) were ready for our 1,200km road trip. So it was off to Beaudesert to Macca's for brekky and to try and get all our headset talking together

It rained for most of the way to Bellingen so it was great to arrive at the Federal Hotel and find our room and have a nice hot shower. We were there to catchup up with an old mate and had a great night.With our bellies full of a healthy food we headed of to Kyogle via the "Lions Road" ,one of our favorite ( in the dry).... as you guessed, the rain started to fall as we made our way into the mountains. As we crossed one of those rickety old bridges it was really pouring and unfortunately the mighty green machin

e's front wheel hit a bad part of the road.... and , well it proceed to buck me off ( amazing how your life can flash before your eyes in a split second),thankfully the big crash bars protected the key bits and with the help of Dave (never ride alone) and a passing phone,we were able to get it up and running. A quick check and we felt we could make it to Kyogle for a full check ( despite a few scrapes,bruises and sprains).....well it survived another 1,000km, the engine never running better but the rest of bike has a lot of scrapes & dents.

The fun began we were working who was going to share the queen size bed that nigh

t, having pleaded injury privileges fo

r the single bed...so Dave and Ken were the lucky couple. It hardly seem I had put my he

ad onto the pillow,stuffed in the earplugs (you will know if you have ever heard Dave snore)...when there was stiring from the queen size bed..with bleary eyes I asked what time it was ..4:30am was the reply, I promptly rolled over and tried to go back to sleep.

Finally in Bellingen we found the tru faith....thats "ecofaith"?

So having had an early wakeup and a hint clearing weather we loaded the bikes

up again and continued on our roadtrip...along Waterfall Way up to Dorrigo ...so off we went climbing through the mist, landslides,pass the water fall to emerge up on the amazing plateau to Dorrigo and the "the worlds smallest bike museum" for on of Juan's great breakfasts.

From Dorrigo we journey through some amazing landscape, 14 deg C, mist, was something out of something out of the "Lord of the rings" and down to Ebor to check out the road conditions on our way to Inverell then onto our overnight stop at Emmerville.

What a fantastic trip through Ebor, Guyra, Tingha (home of some good leag

ue players) and Inverell. First time to Inverell , not sure the fact that the sun was out it seeme

d a very pretty town, we caught lunch at the riverwalk cafe.

We left Inverell ,down to Glen Innes before going of the main track for Emmerville, a former mining town of 400 people. A great ride...one of the highlights of the trip. We stayed at the Club Hotel ..a pub built in the late 1800's... three separate rooms, we were there for "pizza" Sunday...and could walk around the town in 30 min, fly's and all.

check out some pics HERE

After a great night we left for home, through Deep Water, morning tea at Tenterfield....off the beaten track at Tabulam, weaving our way along narrow country roads with a little drizzle along the way. A final fill up at Woodenbong and off down the range, a bit slippery for my liking but a great ride in the dry. It was magic bursting out of the rainforest's onto the plains...a closure to our trip...we had a fantastic time, great memories ..... hope to see you next on next years Wild Hog road trip.

You can check out this great trip on Google Maps HERE

Paul Cav

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