Roadtrip Day 2 - Walking the Wondorous Carnarvon Gorge

After a sumptuous meal, a good nights sleep (despite the bats nocturnal habits) and the words of Ranger Danny Bakker ringing in our ears...."its going to be hot, need to be back by 11am, we leave at 6am!! we all were all up very early for brekky and our support vehicle shuttle to the gorge.....hold on ...bikers don't walk 17km on a roadtrip?

It was a sunny day and everyone was keen to walk and see this beautiful gorge ..it was a little different as we staggered back some 4 hours later but despite a few cramps and running out of water everyone survived!!

Danny Bakker had plotted a walk to all the major sights that are all accessed from the single gorge access. The beauty of the gorge and surrounds was overwhelming...spirits were high as we walked along, crossing a river 23 times.

Our first stop was a climb up to the "Art Gallery" where enjoyed the ancient Ochre stencils and free-hand paintings along the 62mtr long sandstone walls of this significant Aboriginal site.We took the chance for a short break...some needed it. Thanks for "Pastor Way's " sponsored period of silence ..it was impactful in this beautiful and mystical place.

The next on our journey was the "Ampitheatre" ,some 630 mtr off the main track and accessed by a 3 story tiered ladder. Hidden inside of the gorge this 60 mtr deep chamber, gouged from the rock by running water, the towering stone walls created an awe inspiring atmosphere within.

Then it was  to the "Moss Garden" of covered in moss where water drips constantly from the moss covered sandstone walls supporting the lush carpet of mosses, ferns and liverworts. A small waterfall tumbles over a rock ledge into an icy pool.

May have got a few pics in the wrong order but we also went to the Cathedral Cave...this massive wind-eroded overhang sheltered Aboriginal people for thousands of year. By this time temp was rising towards the middle of the day so we enjoyed the cool environment.

So it was the long hot walk back to the car park for the intrepid adventurers ....with water running out and temperature rising the words of the Takarakka staff ringing in our ears "you need to be back by 11am" ....and it was now 11:30am!! So despite a few with cramps we all made it back alive ..just, bikers weren't meant to walk were they. Seriously though...it was an amazing experience that should be on everyone's bucket list.

So once back at camp, a refreshing shower and cold beverage it dawned on us that it was only 1pm ... so the afternoon was all about chilling out ..then we thought we would invade Leigh McQ ( Tasmanian Leprechaun ) air conditioned unit he hired ...is that really a roadtrip :) Another great dinner finishing off all the leftovers from the previous day... it was a great time of comunity, Pastor Way sharing some deep insights and a presentation of a Tajkarakka shirt, made to Leigh McQ for his outstanding effort in surviving the Gorge walk of 17km +....he was 10kg lighter at the end though.

Footnote 1: In Daves photo Leigh is only "scratching his nose"
Footnote 2: we must have put the fear of the exploding BBQ into the stranger who Drew was helping :)

No Christmas Belgium Waffles but bikes a plenty

Awoke to the forecast light drizzle which eventually turned into rain.... causing a rethink to our planned Christmas Belgium Waffle run to Mt Tamborine. So with a hardcore group of 5 bikes and one pillion we settled for the more local option of Tony's Cafe at Springwood Suzuki.

Whilst we missed out on out traditional Belgium Waffle...we did get to check out plenty of bikes and enjoy some great community.

 We welcomed Ray Atherton on his first ride (if only a short one) today and we look for many more rides with him and his Honda CB500. Also enjoyed time with our resident biking expert Ron Grant..this semi-retirement is doing him good :) 

With the rain falling outside some good food and lots of bike discussions made for a good morning

A bit of salivation on an Aprilla by Ron and plenty of other enticements we enjoyed our morning.

,,,so to all Band of Bikers we wish you a safe and blessed Christmas and a safe year...and thanks for another great year of riding!

Band of Bikers EoYr BBQ - year in review

Band of Bikers enjoyed our end of 2015 BBQ catchup at our club-house (aka mens shed) . With a great BBQ (thanks Dave) and obligatory bike pics we enjoyed a great night of awesome community. Looking forward to a great years riding in 2016

check out a quick video of some riding highlights from 2015

Day 1 - Carnarvon Gorge Road Trip

Well the time had finally arrived for our much awaited 1,700 km road-trip to Carnarvon Gorge, with a total of 14 people, 8 motorbikes and 2 support vehicles we made our way to the Bronco Inn outside Toowoomba...giving us a head start for the long haul 700 km plus to Carnarvon Gorge in 38-40 deg temp.

a 590km ride to Carnarvon Gorge including 13km of dirt!!

It was a great short stopover at the Bronco Inn as everyone finally arrived expectant of a great roadtrip. We enjoyed some great country hospitality and after good dinner and some communal singing thanks to Dave Way's guitar..we turned the aircon up to full and hit the sack, ready for a long ,straight and hot ride in the morning.

Leigh covered with o/night bugs

An early breakfast before hitting the road 150 km to Chinchilla, our first fuel and drink stop. Traffic was heavy with multiple large articulated trucks carry farm and mining material...despite a slow down, the impact of mining can be seen all around this area with vehicles, accommodation donga's and investment in in the larger towns we passed through. As expected the road was straight with a number of roadworks along the way...what a hot job those road workers have.

stretching the legs is always good

It was then onto Roma and the wonderful "Bakeroma" bakery for lunch (thanks Andrew)..the temperature was rising towards 40 deg C..... but Johann found something for free ...a FREE "P"

We pushed on the 90km to Injune, where we filled up some addition fuel containers as there was no more fuel for 260km till Rollenson. We enjoyed the cool drink and shade at Injune though we were standing outside an air conditioned store? There were a couple of Jillaroos in the vehicle , coming in for a cold ice block.

It was from here that things got really interested as a mobile phone weather radar image showed a storm in our path to Carnarvon Gorge ...but being sooo hot sitting down putting on wet weather gear was not a prospect we entertained .... lesson #1...take notice of the technology!

Unfortunately we didn't capture any footage during the storm...too busy holding onto the bikes and the road as the elements tried to dislodge us ...this included lighting bolts that set fires near the road...temp drop from 40 to 20 deg C in the process, something we love sharing now but was scary in the middle of it. The reflection of bike headlights in my mirror kept me going...there was no real choice, no where to hide...

Everyone a little shocked/exhilarated after surviving the storm  ....now to tackle the 13km of dirt road and not one adventure bike in sight!!!
So we turned off the main highway and headed to Takarakka ..after 30km of beautiful tarmac ,lush undergrowth (and the odd herd of cows) we were confronted by the beauty of the amazing Carnarvon Gorge region..draw dropping and thankfully the dirt road hadn't turned to mud and we all safely navigated the journey (with a little trick riding from Drew on the big red Honda Goldwing).

..and so the intrepid adventurers made it to Takarraka Bush resort riding some 590 km in quintessential Aussie landscape, temperatures around 40deg C and with the odd apocalyptic storm thrown in ...what a start to our adventure.

After settling into our glamping tents, purchased our supplies we settled in for a night of good food (thanks Megan & Drew) and conversation then hit the sack after a long day and with an early start to walk the Gorge in the cooler part of the day.

How many supervisors do you needs to prep a meal :) It was great to chilled out and listen to Tim tell us all about those noisy Bats next to his tent.

Drew was amazing on the BBQ but between the singed eyebrows and the kookaburra mafia ( they love expensive eye fillets!) he had a tough time.

As we settle in for the night the animals came out to play... the obligatory Kangaroos everywhere were great to watch...but not the ferel pigs who have done great damage to the gorge (as we would see on day 2) and the Bats that seem to think that its all right to go partying at 2:30am!!

November - a hot and twistie ride via Springbrook

The heatway moving across Australia finally made it to SEQ. Though not as severe as the 45deg that hit Sydney it climbed to 35deg on the coast, dropping to a refreshing 30deg up at Springbrook.

the "gathering" at Gateway prior to departure

Along with around 12 bikes we welcomes Jon and his BMW F800 S to his first ride...and Adam, Pete's nephew up for a weekend for a ride on a hire bike. Seems it was going to be too hot for some of those tough bikers :)











It was suppose to be a relatively short ride but turned out to be one of those interesting one's :)

leaving Gateway

lovely country run down west mt cotton rd

Paul on his BMW r1150 rt at a consolidation point..little did we know he would have to be push started.

We started off with one our favorite small rides to to the freeway via West Mt Cotton Rd..you could be a million away from anyway.
May be it was just the rising temp but the Gremlins started with a battery problem requiring a push start, a small bike off causing difficult starting, the mystery of a flicked on "kill switch" caused me some consternation and lastly a loud noise from a stick being caught in my the belt....but despite that the ride was AWESOME.

 Escaping the traffic on a hot day was our priority so to finally start climbing up towards Springbrooks was pleasant , particularly as the temperature began to drop to a more pleasant 30deg C.
We wound our way to the the Rosella Cafe for morning tea ... a unique little cafe across from the Canyon look out..we enjoyed our usual fun and frivolity.

enjoying some coffee ...Leo playing hide and seek...then a walk to the "best lookout"

The boys thought they would dress me up a little with a facinator added to my normal garb. Check out our new merchandise...the sticker on the helmet and T-shirt.

We finished and went across the road to a great lookout and obligatory selfies...we could see the Spit/Sea World grass fire...looked huge

some great views....sorry about the chrome dome

 So after some good food and views it was off down down the mountain ..through twistie heaven to the heat of Mudgeeraba. With no cars in front of us our Band of Bikers tag line was coming true.."we do eat twisties for breakfast" :) 

 From there it was off back inland to Canungra for some cold drinks and a spray from their mist cooler

tropical rundown from Springbrook ....eventually to The Outpost

Check out a video of the ride below...the rear shots were used as when leading I have no one in front :) 

First Band of Bikers Merchandise

Well we have finally got our first Band of Bikers merchandise item, a T-shirt, out for sale (around $30/ea).
The front has a large Band of Bikers logo...and our tongue in cheek slogan.."we eat twisties for breakfast" (thx leigh k) , on the back highlights our blog and all our roadtrips to date ....and we have one colour...black of course.
Email me if you would like order one...they are a pre-shrunk, cotton..in a little larger size.

October ride to Binna Burra with extra's

Another great ride in October to Binna Burra and beyond. We again enjoyed the company of some new riders ( Di Walton,  and bikes as we meandered a few hundred kms around the great scenic and twistie hinterland roads.

we welcomed Di ,as a passenger on Daves BIG new Indian, also Doug and Phil

Prior to others arriving I met up with our newly form Gateway 4WD club who were on their way to Bribie Island for a bit of off-roading" and they though it funny to put a snatch strap onto my bike and pull me along .....ok so they have more wheels than we do but managed to convince them not to.:) 

So we headed with 20 bikes in tow and picked up a few on the way for our 209km rides with many obligatory coffee and food stops.

Its always a great sound as we roar out of Gateway then attack the boring S.E freeway, oh well there has to be some effort for the amazing reward we get.

So it was a run down the freeway and across to Belmont rd via Mt Nathan for the run up to Binna Burra , the other way round.

We enjoy a great morning tea with awesome views at the Binna Burra Cafe ...we enjoyed a chin-wag and some great food.

Then it was back down the mountain , skirting Canungra and headed up the steep Heni Roberts drive stopping at a look out on Nth Tamborine for a photo opportunity....what a good looking bunch of bikers :)

whats it with men and bikes..they just love them ..even designing wind deflectors in cardboard..well done Des

I think Brenton likes me ...the boys were watching some para-gliders ride the thermals

....But trying to get a group photo is like herding cats 

Mt Tamborine was celebrating some form of scarecrow festival so we were entertained as we road to the spice of life for lunch with all the variety of stuffed characters ...and found the biggest when we had lunch ...Paul and Phil wondered what the fuss was sitting next to this stuffed green hulk.

So gradually everyone left to find their own exciting way home after a great days riding in the great South East with some awesome rides... already looking forward to our next ride with the Band of Bikers.

Check out the extended split screen video of our ride up Beachmont Rd chasing one of our support vehicles then onto Binna Burra.