Im HOME and it was AWESOME!! Help me plan my trip!

[Ali600+150]

Starting this Thursday I'm on holidays until November!! YIPEE!!!

I'm headed to the GP from Thurs until Mon and have a few 'home' things planned for next Tues and Wed BUT after that I'm looking at heading off on a little road trip - just me and my man (KWAK that is, Hypes staying home to look after the furbabies ).

So - the question is.......where should I go?!? I've got 3-4 days days set aside for the trip (maybe longer?) so I'm looking for ideas on where to go.....thats where you lovely lot come in!!

My first thoughts are OXLEY as I still haven't done that trip. Maybe Putty, Thunderbolts and over the Bellingen? Up to Tenterfield? What about south via Yass, Gundy down to Jindabyne, over Browns return via the coast ? HELP! Who's got some good trip suggestions with hotel stops and fully tarred roads?

[robracer]

OXLEY..... & stay there a couple of days just to make sure you know ALL the corners
Then head up to Armidale & back down to bellingen & reverse you will love it

[mick_dundee]

And come home from Moto Gp via Reefton and Black Spur for starters, slab it on the freeway to Geelong, take the GO road out till you eventually reach Orbost, then you have the Snowy River Country highway or something like that, 90 odd k of twisties that will take you into NSW, you should get a copy of the Aus motorcycle atlas really

[robracer]

I think Ali is flying down to the GP?

[ducati_paul]

I think Ali is flying down to the GP?

What are ya Ali ... a man or a Mouse!

(Who ya flying with? Sue and I might be on the same plane)

[Ali600+150]

I think Ali is flying down to the GP?

What are ya Ali ... a man or a Mouse!
(Who ya flying with? Sue and I might be on the same plane)

Squeak squeak!! I think we are on a Virgin flight around 7pm Thurs night.

Yeah - I didn't plan it too well. Unfortunately the flights were booked YONKS ago and the extended holiday has only just been approved at work. I had contemplated ditching the flights and riding down then starting my trip from there and doing Great Ocean Road, etc but I'll only get about $70 back. Still might do it? Dunno - this is where I'm after ideas! You lot need to make my mind up for me!!!

[Naked Twin]

If you have 4 days then I would suggest the following trip (I am planning on doing this again early next year)

Day 1
Putty, Bucketts way staying at Walcha, a couple of bike friendly local pubs at Walcha. Other option is Putty, then back roads to Bulladelah, do the old Bulladelah bends and then up the Oxley staying at Walcha.

Day 2 Head to Armidale then take the road to Grafton, I believe it is called the Armidale road. In any case it is an awesome road. You will get there by lunch and in the afternoon you have two options - 1 head up the Gywdir hwy to the top of the Gibraltor ranges, turn around and come back for an overnight stay at Grafton. 2 Take the inland road to Coffs Harbour called the Orara way, just outside of Coramba take the Eastern Dorrigo way, great road. When you hit the first turn around and come back to Grafton, a couple of good pubs in town. Aternatively stay at Russells joint on the Nymbodia river.

Day 3 Head back up the Armidale road but turn left towards Dorrigo, either via Waterfall Way or the shorter Tyringham road, both are good. Waterfall way to Bellingen then the back road to Macksville, unfortunately you have to take the Hwy to the Oxley, but back up the Oxley to Walcha for the overnight stay.

Day 4 down Bucketts to the Putty and home.

It is a trip well worth doing.

Otherwise head towards the Snowies and do the Bonang Hwy and do the loop around Mount Hotham.

Nick

[Ali600+150]

Thanks Nick - just the sort of stuff I'm looking for!!

I have that Hema Motorcycle Atlas but trying to 'patch' all the different ride routes they have in there into one "roadtrip" is painful and its hard to get an idea on how long to allow, etc.

My main consideration (after the almighty quest for twisties of course) is safety. I'll need to make sure that wherever I go has enough accommodation choices that if one or two places are full that I won't be homeless for the night. Not really worried about the safety of the bike (lock up garage) etc but that I feel safe myself so I can relax and enjoy!

Thanks again

[Nelso]

I had contemplated ditching the flights and riding down then starting my trip from there and doing Great Ocean Road, etc but I'll only get about $70 back. Still might do it? Dunno - this is where I'm after ideas! You lot need to make my mind up for me!!!

Phil's crew are leaving early Wednesday morning if you did want to ride down. You will definitely get to learn a few good roads along the way if you did join us.

[Ali600+150]

I had contemplated ditching the flights and riding down then starting my trip from there and doing Great Ocean Road, etc but I'll only get about $70 back. Still might do it? Dunno - this is where I'm after ideas! You lot need to make my mind up for me!!!

Phil's crew are leaving early Wednesday morning if you did want to ride down. You will definitely get to learn a few good roads along the way if you did join us.

Yeah had a think about it and while I'm very tempted I'm also looking forward to a holiday with the boy and if I ride down then I won't really see him much! And I've got to work Wednesday so that only gives me one day to ride down and I'll be pooped for the rest of the weekend (I know HTFU).

Heres what I nutted out last night thanks to Nicks ideas:

Thursday: Sydney, Putty, Gloucester, Walcha 400km
Friday: Walcha, Grafton, Coramba, Nambucca 400km
Saturday: Nambucca, Wauchope, Oxley Hwy to Walcha 285km
Sunday: Walcha, Gloucester, PITS, Sydney 400km

OR

Thursday: Sydney, Putty, Gloucester, Walcha 400km
Friday: Walcha, Oxley, Wauchope, Kempsey, Armidale Rd to Armidale 400km
Saturday: Armidale, Nundle, Scone, Muswellbrook 300km
Sunday: Muswellbrook, Wollombi, PITS, Sydney 230km

[Ali600+150]

It's here!! Yay! Head off tomorrow morning

I had a small attack of the "oh shit Im travelling by myself and no one will find me if I'm missing"s last night so I found a place that hires our Personal Response Becons today and I have a small nifty little "Come get me" unit for my bum bag .....just incase

Depend on how long it takes me to pack in the morning I'll be doing Putty, Thunderbolts and p to Walcha tomorrow....then I'll see where the road takes me.

Look forward to boring you all with photos (minus the GP riders) and stories on my return on Sunday (or thereabouts).

[Wattie]

Sweet,

Have Fun Ali!

very jealous!

[waynemorgan]

Enjoy the trip mate! Looking forward to the ride report

Safe travels!

[tim]

Awesome Ali have a great safe and fun trip!!!

Jealous

[Cath]

Have awesome fun matey