Rocket hits the road. Adelaide to Gold Coast

[Rocket]

Today i flew into adelaide to meet my recently completed touring bike which i shipped over from Perth last week, thanks to Rock Hard for the help in getting a good price.
Jack Daniels smooths many bumps hey Mozz ?

Besides the tart at perth airport confiscating my 1/4 drive ratchet in my hand luggage, all went well. She must have thought i was going to diassemble the plane, one 8mm bolt at a time.
So after a quick stop at Supercheap auto's for a new ratchet & socket to undo the tek screws on the crate, I unpacked the bike and found my way to Gepps Cross and checked into some random motel.
I spent a bit of time this arvo and got myself organised for the trip, like buying last minute things like chainlube and a wet weather over jacket thing (which i hope I won't need).

I've got no plans except that I've got 11 more days to get to the Gold Coast, all I have is a rough route mapped out with detours expected and hoped for.

Thursday morning I will be heading through Norton Summit and winding my way to Strathlbyn (I think) . Then heading towards Portland to take in the Gt Ocean Road. Dont know if I'll make it there tomorrow, but there's no rush.

I'll post pics when I can and update this thread as I go.

I know you guys will have plenty of suggestions for roads to take in and I'm keen to hear 'em.

Stay tuned.

[boris]

which way are you going from sydney to the goldy the coast road or new england? if you're coming the coast road then yes I have some suggestions for you.

[crazymofo]

like ive said before phill, get to coffs harbour. i'll ride down to meet you there and take you all the fun roads back to g/c (5hrs ride at gixxer 1000 pace ;)

if you tee it up so that you get to coffs on a friday arvo or sat, and i'll see if i cant russle up a couple of the local lads to join us too.

happy trails dude.

cheers.joe.

[EXBEN]

I hope your coming by for a beer Phill.:)

[Watto]

onya phil have a good trip mate

[boris]

quote:Originally posted by crazymofo

like ive said before phill, get to coffs harbour. i'll ride down to meet you there and take you all the fun roads back to g/c (5hrs ride at gixxer 1000 pace ;)

if you tee it up so that you get to coffs on a friday arvo or sat, and i'll see if i cant russle up a couple of the local lads to join us too.

happy trails dude.

cheers.joe.

fucken oath Joe I'd be in that

[Rocket]

Ben and Joe, you guys can be sure i'll catch up. Not sure what day though, will see how things pan out.
Boris, i don't know which way i'm going yet, was thinking of Lithgow and Bells Line of Road and following my nose from there.

Day 2, 520 odd klms
Went through Norton Summit and ended up going round a couple of times. It was a fun road road but I'm still getting used to the bike and the new bridgestones, especially the rear which was squirming around a bit. I'm sure I'll find my mojo eventually though.

http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n249/blowngsxr11/100_0002.jpg

http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n249/blowngsxr11/100_0001.jpg

I found my way to Murray Bridge for a look around, nice place, shame about the brown water [:p]

http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n249/blowngsxr11/100_0004-1.jpg

After I left Murray bridge I decided I should try and make a mile so I headed down the Princes Hwy which was bumpy but pretty empty so I could up the pace a bit. I stopped for lunch in Kingston S.E. and then headed for Mt Gambier. The road to Millicent was flat and straight and boring so I cranked it up again and knocked over the final 160odd k's to Mt Gambier where I've checked in to a hotel.

It's been cold all day but luckily only got a bit of rain.

Tomorrow is the Great Ocean Road and then I might head north and bypass Melbourne.

We'll see.

[hyofighter]

So I'm driving back from the deni ute muster , just drove the great ocean rd get to mt gambier , strolling up the street a WA plate gets my attention , fark me its rocket
Happy travels Phil just watch the the shit on the ocean rd , and give those crazy foreign tourist hell

[Hagarr]

quote:So I'm driving back from the deni ute muster , just drove the great ocean rd get to mt gambier , strolling up the street a WA plate gets my attention , fark me its rocket
Happy travels Phil just watch the the shit on the ocean rd , and give those crazy foreign tourist hell

Unbelievable .

Good work Phil hope you have a blast!

[Booster]

Rocket if your travels take you into the Shepparton area theres always a spare bed here if needed , maybe even an ale or 2

[timbo]

Mate sounds like good trip so far. if your thinking of heading through gippsland there is a bed here for you if needed and we have some great road in this part of the world Morry has my number.

[Large]

quote:Originally posted by EXBEN

I hope your coming by for a beer Phill.:)


If you do manage to get to God's own country for a drink or 20, I can show you the Putty rd/Old Rd loop if you've got a morning to spare

[boris]

being that is the shittiest riding weather ever mate and u get half way between sydney and brizzy and u get sick of riding in it then give me a yell I'm halfway and if u need a bed and a warm shower then give me a yell coffs is where it's at 0409527149 u can help me bottle my homebrew lol seriously though

[Rocket]

thanks fellas, will keep youse posted.

[bluemk1]

quote:Originally posted by Large


quote:Originally posted by EXBEN

I hope your coming by for a beer Phill.:)


If you do manage to get to God's own country for a drink or 20, I can show you the Putty rd/Old Rd loop if you've got a morning to spare


i would be in for some of that action depending on the day [^]

[Large]

Then again, the Putty may not be high on Phills todo list.

[V] Sorry mate, I forgot.

Bylong Valley Way. Kandos to Sandy Hollow.

Basically a trek that starts from Bathurst and takes you up into the Hunter Valley.

[StuNVA]

Is the road from Bylong to Sandy Hollow dirt ?

Nup, tar, beautiful tar. Only been sealed for about 18 months.

[Gix11]

I hope it's still the same, but about 4 or 5 years ago, me, Supercharger and Hooligan rode down to the GP and a local biek shop owner in Bega said we should try this road he knew. I would have to say it was one of the best roads I have ever ridden with no cars or tarffic of any kind apart from a logging truck here and there. There was a bit of unsealed road, but as Supercharger will testify, it was well worth it. Anyway, here's hoping it's still the same, and if you are going this far over it's well worth the trip on your way to Sydney:

http://maps.google.com.au/maps?f=d&source=s_d&saddr=Bega,+New+South+Wales&daddr=-37.04225,148.95052+to:Orbost,+Victoria&hl=en&geocode=FSpl0P0dKG3uCCkDzpBgeII-azHvBFI3zdtB1w%3BFbbHyv0d-M3gCClhBgLWbXs7azGtkeO1ErOp0A%3BFbihwP0d5z3ZCCm3E7 WqIM86azFN87Hwmbh4zA&gl=au&mra=dpe&mrcr=0&mrsp=1&sz=10&via=1&sll=-37.193143,149.18335&sspn=0.850015,2.113495&ie=UTF8&ll=-37.07271,148.862&spn=1.70273,4.22699&t=h&z=9

Good on ya Phill, catch you soon mate.

[BillyWhizz888]

[V] stop the messages I cant take any more ;)

looks like you are having a great time mate
I can assure you your name was mentined a few times at the shop this morning while fugly got the hammer treatment
of course it was all your fault :D

enjoy

[Rocket]

Day 3 (yesterday) only about 350ks.
Left Mt Gambier and found my way to the great ocean road.
I got pulled by the cops just inside the Victorian border for speeding but the copper let me go, which was nice of him.

I found the Great Ocean Road and had a grea time in the tight stuff, the rest of the time I was having a bit of a look at the coast line.
No wonder the tourists love it ?

http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n249/blowngsxr11/100_0008-2.jpg

In W.A. we can only dream of signs like this.

http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n249/blowngsxr11/100_0012-2.jpg

I stopped overnight in Apollo Bay, pretty nice spot to waste a few hours at the pub.

http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n249/blowngsxr11/100_0019.jpg

[Rocket]

Day 4, about 444ks.
I covered the rest of the Great Ocean Road from Apollo Bay towards Geelong, that was definately the best bit.
On advise from Morry, I headed for Queenscliff and hopped onto the Ferry across to Sorrento, which was something different !

http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n249/blowngsxr11/100_0020.jpg

http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n249/blowngsxr11/100_0021-1.jpg

http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n249/blowngsxr11/100_0022-1.jpg

After I left Sorrento, I got lost and ended up doing a lap of a hill road that was full of 15k, 25k and 40k marked corners which was cool but ended up somewhere back near where I started !

I then headed off and have stopped overnight in Sale.
Sorry Timbo, I had intended calling in and catching up but I've got some relo's here so I'd best do the righty.

Tomorrow I want to get a bit of an early start and get some K's up in a Northerly direction.
I see Jindabyne is up that way but am unsure whats the best way to get there, the map show's a lot of unmade roads and very few made ones.
Any suggestions anyone ?

Si, I just look at your map, that looks worth having a go at.

[MONO]

quote:Originally posted by Gix11

I hope it's still the same, but about 4 or 5 years ago, me, Supercharger and Hooligan rode down to the GP and a local biek shop owner in Bega said we should try this road he knew. I would have to say it was one of the best roads I have ever ridden with no cars or tarffic of any kind apart from a logging truck here and there. There was a bit of unsealed road, but as Supercharger will testify, it was well worth it. Anyway, here's hoping it's still the same, and if you are going this far over it's well worth the trip on your way to Sydney:

http://maps.google.com.au/maps?f=d&source=s_d&saddr=Bega,+New+South+Wales&daddr=-37.04225,148.95052+to:Orbost,+Victoria&hl=en&geocode=FSpl0P0dKG3uCCkDzpBgeII-azHvBFI3zdtB1w%3BFbbHyv0d-M3gCClhBgLWbXs7azGtkeO1ErOp0A%3BFbihwP0d5z3ZCCm3E7 WqIM86azFN87Hwmbh4zA&gl=au&mra=dpe&mrcr=0&mrsp=1&sz=10&via=1&sll=-37.193143,149.18335&sspn=0.850015,2.113495&ie=UTF8&ll=-37.07271,148.862&spn=1.70273,4.22699&t=h&z=9

Good on ya Phill, catch you soon mate.


Yes that's a road that has to be done !!!

Keep the pics coming Rocket

[timbo]

No problem Phill.It's good to see that your doing all the good roads so far. I'm guessing that the tight stuff not far from the ferry would have been Arthers Seat. keep the pics coming mate and have a blast.

[Mr Hyosung]

Hi Phil, bed for you in Byron if you need it. Pacific H'way is not much fun,get yourself a map and head for the hills. Oxley H'way and Armidale to Grafton are good roads, plus lots of others inbetween. Your riding towards shit weather up here. Good luck.

[rock hard]

Awesome ROCKET...fuckin wish Billywizz and meself was there.

[Rocket]

thanks terry, I'll bring some good weather up for you.

[Jockney Rebel]

same goes if you make it to the central coast 0420436039 bed and whisky

[Fight_fan]

dunno where ur at mate but if u take the coast road from vic to syd give us a call 0411769530. Im right on the coast n have a spare bed n beer if u need mate.

[Rocket]

Thanks for the offers everyone.

Day 5, 450ks.
I left Sale and the sky was blue and it was reasonably warm.
I'd decided to take the suggested route from Si from Orbort to Bombala.

What a road !!
It was just constant corners, left, right, left right forever and ever !
After 45ks I had to stop for a rest !! It was unreal, thanks for the tip Si.
http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n249/blowngsxr11/100_0026.jpg

It was a pretty good surface too besides two dirt sections of about 30ks all up.

By the time I got to Bombala, the bike was starting to look a bit dirty.

http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n249/blowngsxr11/100_0032.jpg

It was getting real cold and the sky was getting dark by then too so I put my wet weather coat on and headed off.
At the T-junction, I turned right and headed to Bega, not really knowing where I was going.
Then it started getting really cold and and then wet.

http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n249/blowngsxr11/100_0033.jpg

The fog got denser as I started down the mountain and with the rain and fog, visibility was really poor.
I eventually made it to the bottom and looked up...yeah it was a bit thick.
http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n249/blowngsxr11/100_0034.jpg

I got to Bega in time to go to the local pub and catch the last couple of hours of Bathurst. All in all, a good day, some awesome riding !!

[Gix11]

Sweet. Glad you tried it Phill, and the weather was good for that road - perfect! Mark tried it again last year in the rain and it just wasn't the same. The dirt part is well worth it for the rest of the road hey?

That photo of yours looked very familiar. Here's me in '06 asfter the same section:

http://www.asfphotos.com/upload/1286820699.jpg


By the way, that weather you hit: That's what we've had for the last 2 weeks and it doesn't look like stopping. The road to my place is closed due to flooding at the moment. Might need to get some snorkelling gear mate.....

[Rocket]

Day 6, 440ks
I left Bega in a light rain, thinking about heading to Canberra and having a look around there for the day.
I should have fuelled up before I left and ended up doubling back to Candelo for fuel as I didn't know if I'd make it to Cooma.

After fuelling up I climbed back into mountains, the same way I came in. I found myself on the great dividing range, rolling hills and the weather came good.
It was a pretty fine view.

http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n249/blowngsxr11/100_0038.jpg

I had a think about it and I knew I'd regret coming all this way and not seeing Jindabyne so I diverted and headed that way instead after some late brekky at Cooma.

Jindabyne was pretty nice and relatively warm and the views were spectacular, which pretty much set the scene for the rest of the day.

http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n249/blowngsxr11/100_0039-1.jpg

I headed for Thredbo and the snow caps, what was left of it anyway.

http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n249/blowngsxr11/100_0045.jpg

Then it was off towards Khancoban via the Alpine highway.
This was another amazing road which was just endless tight corners.
Unreal !
Although one look at some of the drop offs made sure I kept a fair bit in reserve.

http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n249/blowngsxr11/100_0049-1.jpg

After fuelling up at Khancoban, I decided on Tumbarumba for the overnight stop.
Today was a day for breathtaking scenery, some really amazing stuff to look at !! I almost wish I didnt have my head down for most of it !

http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n249/blowngsxr11/100_0053.jpg

[Rocket]

Yeah Si, totally worth it mate.
I had a total of two cars coming the opposite direction for the whole ride !
Apparently no log trucks on a Sunday !!

I'm keeping an eye on the weather and using that to determine which way I go each day. I'll see what happens as I head North. I didnt think the forecasts looked that bad though ?

[Gix11]

Maybe you'll be ok by the time you get here? Hope so.

http://www.abc.net.au/local/stories/2010/10/09/3034601.htm

Says it will stop on Thursday....

[Large]

I'm loving this thread Phill. Keep it coming.

btw- You know there's a motogp happening in Vic this weekend...

[boris]

great pics rocket but NSW seems to be raining non stop wherever you look at the moment if you need somewhere dry to park the bike for a night around Coffs area give me a yell on 0409527149 or if you need anything else just call I'm about the halfway mark between sydney and brissy so may come in handy

[BillyWhizz888]

Go hard big guy ;)

[Rocket]

Day 7, 400ks.
I was expecting to get a wet arse for a good part of today but was pleasantly surprised when the rain held off for most of the day and I only had to handle a couple of showers.

Originally i was going to head to Wagga Wagga and Tenoma because the forecast said it wouldn't rain.
But I decided to man up a bit and head straight to Tumut, and Gundagai etc.
Not long out of Young, i said good bye to the Snowy Mountains and hello to some rolling plains.

http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n249/blowngsxr11/100_0056.jpg

I spotted this old church on the way today, I've seen plenty of historic buildings on the way. Haven't really got up close to any of them though.

http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n249/blowngsxr11/100_0058.jpg

I stopped at a bike shop in Cowra and got some warmer gloves, my hands were frozen in my summer gloves. I normally hate winter gloves but at least my hands were warm.

So I've finally ended up here, in Bathurst, staying at a local pub.
I could have pushed on further as I got here about 2pm but decided to just hang around instead.

http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n249/blowngsxr11/100_0059.jpg

http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n249/blowngsxr11/100_0061.jpg

I did a few laps of the circuit and had a bit of fun between the top of the back straight and the start of Conrod Straight, till I got paranoid and left and then had a look around town.

Tomorrow I'm not sure where I'll go, looking at the weather, I think Sydney is out so i might start heading up towards Armidale and Coffs.
Or I could stay inland for another day and try to avoid the rain.
What do youse think ?

[Pab13]

Looks like your having a ball , I use to live near Eden and the roads are great enjoy hte rest of your holiday mate . Oh if it were me I would stay another night, why ride in shit weather if you have a choice mate

Grab a map and look for this run:
Bathurst to Kandos, Rylstone and on to Sandy Hollow.

You're just around the corner and it is well worth the trip.

[Rocket]

i heard about that Sandy Hollow run today, that could be a good one.

[whale]

Mate, I'm leaving Yamba to head to the GP in the morning. The weather looks pretty shite both on the coast and furter west. Best bet, according to the forecast is to head up the middle. Its a great ride to boot. From Bathurst head north to Sofala and then through Mudgee and Coolah to Gunnedah. Gunnedah to Manilla via Lake Keepit and then north through Bingara. From here you can choose to head back to the coast via the Gwydir (Copeton Dam Rd is a ripper) or continue north through Warialda and North Star - let the weather guide you.

I'll be heading in the opposite direction, so if you see a fightered gunmetal grey CB13, give it a wave.

[Gitzy]

Nice one Rocket.. Bathurst is a great track isn't it, especially for a public road.. Like Mick said Rylstone is great ride you'll enjoy it..

[Gix11]

quote:Originally posted by playswithnitro

Grab a map and look for this run:
Bathurst to Kandos, Rylstone and on to Sandy Hollow.

You're just around the corner and it is well worth the trip.

I'm not sure of this road but I must have done it at sometime. Google came up with this for a map of it:

http://maps.google.com.au/maps?f=d&source=s_d&saddr=Bathurst++nsw&daddr=-32.86251,149.96979+to:Sandy+Hollow,+New+South+Wale s&hl=en&geocode=FfwNAv4dclLqCCldy1H7MuQRazFKgG9QNCIRmg%3BF dKOCv4dflvwCClnrwgXBdENazG1RYJWG15WQg%3BFWKcEv4diH f5CCn1SVvv3X0MazH_q0-1zcZo9g&mra=dpe&mrcr=0&mrsp=1&sz=9&via=1&sll=-32.71892,150.07056&sspn=1.795482,4.22699&ie=UTF8&ll=-32.720288,150.070496&spn=1.795435,4.22699&t=h&z=9

[Rocket]

whale, there's about eleventy hundred bikes going in the other direction but i'm wavin to just about all of them !
But there;s prob only one fighter coming back your way !
I'm definately going to mudgee to pay my respects to Bullfrog, but will play the rest by ear.

The run from Cowra to Bathurst isn't a bad stretch either ;)

[Rocket]

Day 8, 600ks.
No rain at all today, it was even a bit warm at times.

I left Bathurst earlyish and headed to Mudgee.
I wanted to stop at Bullfrogs crash site and pay my respects.
Rock Hard and Jeremy's family had set up a memorial at the site with a few things to remember him by.
I added a Bullfrog sticker today. not sure how long it'll stay on there though. Hopefully it'll be allright.

http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n249/blowngsxr11/100_0063.jpg
http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n249/blowngsxr11/100_0066.jpg

I had wanted to go to Sydney but the weather put me off so I just headed back into Mudgee for something to eat and took off towards Muswelbrook via bylong. Turns out there was about 20 odd ks of dirt so I was lucky it wasnt raining. The surface wasn't too bad and i could do 120 in a few spots.

http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n249/blowngsxr11/100_0067.jpg

Once I joined onto the Rhylstone/Muswelbrook Road, it turned into a pretty good ride, besides a couple of bikes coming the other way on the wrong side of the road.

From Muswelbrook I just hit the highway for Tamworth, i wanted to make some distance today so I decided to push on to Armidale.

Along the way I came across this guy.

http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n249/blowngsxr11/100_0070.jpg
His hay truck just caught fire for some reason. There was nothing I could do so I took off and left him to it. Poor bloke was a bit distraught and with the bush starting to catch fire, I'm not surprised.

Finally i made it to Armidale, where I spotted this ...hahahaha

http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n249/blowngsxr11/100_0071-1.jpg

So again, I'll check the forecasts and see where that leads me tomorrow. If there's rain on the coast I might continue North.

Joe, i know you wanted to ride from Coff's to the Gold Coast but I assume you're at work and the weather probably isn't going to be the best.
If you're still keen, let me know.

I'd really like to hit Mt Glorious again before I leave if the weather co-operates but will see how I go.

[Jinx]

Hi Rocket. Looks like a good trip. The weather is looking ok in Brisbane for a few days apart from storms Friday arvo. Mount Glorious will probably be blitzed by the cops this weekend as it looks like good bike weather. They havent been able to get their ticket quota because of the weather so best bet is go during the week. Another thing to look out for is the roads around Briz have been ripped apart in some areas due to flooding and crap all over the place so take care.

[Large]

Very poignant post Phill.

Onwards and upwards.

[crazymofo]

phill, where are ya going to be tomorrow arvo or sat morning?

cheers.joe.

[Rocket]

gidday Joe.
I'm in Tenterfield now and going to head to Ipswich today.
Then back down to the Gold Coast in the arvo.

Edit** changed my mind. toowoomba tonight.

[crazymofo]

0433571482 gimme a buzz once you hit the goldy

cheers.joe.

[XJMick]

Hey Rocket thanks for posting up Jeremy's crash site much appreciated

[Rocket]

No Probs Mick, I'll email them through to Amanda when I get back to WA.

joe I should be there tomorrow arvie but if its hammering rain, i may stay until saturday.

Whatever the weather lets me do.

[BillyWhizz888]

updates please or are you too wet to type [8D]

[BillyWhizz888]

updates please or are you too wet to type [8D]

[rock hard]

two for the price of two

[Gix11]

Just the opposite, the weather was perfect and we kept him busy. .....very busy.

[rock hard]

Fantastic..now its your turn to visit Si.Beer Tour?

[Gix11]

Man that sounds good!

[rock hard]

DO IT..

[Rocket]

So I'm back in Perth and thought I'd finish off the story of this road trip for anyone who may be interested.

Day 9, 400 odd ks
From Armidale I had to decide which way to go, I would have liked to head to the coast but the bad weather was waiting for me there.
So i headed North, the weather was pretty close but it looked like it wouldn't get to heavy for me.

I stopped at Black Mountain for a quick top up and brekky and a truckie I talked to said the weather was a little wet to Glen Innes but nothing too nasty.

http://www.asfphotos.com/upload/1287503773.jpg


The weather cleared up eventually and I kicked on towards Tenterfield.
There's so much scenery on the way but you can't spend all day stopping for photo's, but this bluff near Tenterfield was pretty spectacular.

http://www.asfphotos.com/upload/1287477550.jpg


In Tenterfield I bought a map for QLD and realised how close I was to the Gold Coast. Not wanting to get there too early, I called Si looking for advice on how to get to Mt Glorious, He directed me to Ipswich which seemed like a reasonable goal for the day.

On the way to Warwick, I had a change of heart and headed to Toowoomba so i could go and catch up with Rock Hards dad, Peter.
Here's a man who's seen and done it all, a real larger than life character with more stories than you can count.
A great bloke.
http://www.asfphotos.com/upload/1287510030.jpg

[Rocket]

Day 10, 390ks
The weather forecast looked pretty good for the early part of the day and I wanted to get up and down Mt Glorious before the heavy rains set in that were forecast for Friday arvo.

I headed to Ipswich and stopped to get directions from an information centre.
Unfortunately, the couple of roads I tried to get over that way were closed due to flooding.
So I decided that instead of chasing my tail all morning, I would just head for Mt Tamborine.

I stopped on the top of the mountain for some lunch and then proceeded to just follow my nose for the next few hours.

http://www.asfphotos.com/upload/1287481131.jpg


Everywhere you looked, there was magic scenery.

http://www.asfphotos.com/upload/1287502272.jpg


After tearing up and down the Mt Tamborine road a few times, i went through Canungra and found myself on a tight and twisty back road which was constant corner after corner, I thought I'd ridden this road a few years before and had a great time revisiting all those bends.
Eventually i ended up deep in the rain forrest and wondering when this road would ever end.
It was kind of spooky and the rain was starting but I was loving it anyway.

http://www.asfphotos.com/upload/1287469884.jpg


Unfortunately, (or fortunately) this was the same road I'd been on previously.
The bad thing was that it dead ended. The good thing was that I had to go back and ride all those corners again.

The rain was still only light but I figured enough was enough and I found my way to Si's place to stop for the night.

I got there just minutes before Supercharger Mark turned up, a quick trip to the bottlo and we just kicked back and had beers and home made pizza's once Si's (much) better half, Justine, got home.
Meanwhile, the weather was setting in.

[Rocket]

Day 11, 370ks
We woke up to blue skies and beautiful temperatures.
All the bad weather had bypassed us overnight and it was perfect weather for a ride.
We'd arranged to go for a ride with myself, Supercharger Mark on brutus, Si on Mark's spare bike and Crazymofo for the day.

http://www.asfphotos.com/upload/1287512374.jpg


One of Joe's mates tagged along and we headed across the border and a shitload of roads that I couldn't even guess where they went.
I do know we cross into NSW for a bit.
The day turned out to be a much longer day than anyone had planned but that's how it goes.
It could have been worse.

The night was finished off at Si's mate Ed's house where I caught up with Mojo and Huddo and a great night was had by all until about 2am when we called it a night.

[Rocket]

Day 12 0 ks.
after a late start I gave the bike a wash to get two weeks of bugs, road grime,chain lube, mud and whatever else off so it could at least look a little bit respectable.

http://www.asfphotos.com/upload/1287471025.jpg


After this, and a look around Si and J's fantastic property, it was time to head into Coolangatta where I checked into a dodgy resort for the night and my flight home the next morning.

Overall, I had a fantastic trip, the bike went great over the 4400 odd k's, performed just like you'd expect a GSXR to perform and pretty much completely fucked a brand new bridgestone rear tyre.

As much as I like getting away with the boys for a road trip, I always enjoyed doing it alone and this was no exception.

A kick arse adventure !

Thanks to everyone for the encouragement and advice, Morry and the guys at Motorcycle Masters for help getting the bike prepared and rego'd.
Thanks also to Si and J for their hospitality.
To everyone I wasnt able to catch up with, maybe next trip.

[Gitzy]

Bravo Rocket.. top thread mate, good to see you had a top time..

[RevHead]

excellent read great thread

[rock hard]

Thanks Rocket you made Dads day, as you know he's been in the wars with his health But Hes had more comebacks than Jonnie Farnhan..top story.dam glad you got home safe..

[BillyWhizz888]

On ya mate, that was a hell of a ride

muchojealouso ;)

[Elapid]

Great read Rocket. Good to hear that you enjoted yourself.

Kris.

[XJMick]

Mate that was an awsome thread well done

[Gix11]

Guess what? It's raining again...

Did you hear Joe's bike is a write-off Phill? (!!)

Cheers for coming over mate and we'll plan another ride when you come back.

[robmac]

Great reading about ur ride mate. Sounds like you had a blast!!

[holyman_999]

Brilliant read.
Proof positive of that old saying, "A bad day on a bike is still better than a good day in a car"

Well done mate!:D

[Rocket]

Thanks guys.

Yeah Si, I saw that the bike was a write off.
That's a silver lining I guess.

[Watto]

allo what happened ere then??

[Rocket]

Joe stepped off his Gixer.
Broke it good and proper !
No damage to him though luckily.

[Watto]

shite no good mate but glad to hear Joes ok

Joe - hope ya not going to make a habit of this - seem to remember a certain yellow sv that ya stepped off as well [B)]