First wedding anniversary – Part II
Day 2 of our break sees us cover 300km. This post is slightly later than planned as exhaustion and change of pace took over at the end of the day, with us being safely tucked up by about 7.30pm having had a couple of glasses of wine and a good feed (carbohydrate overload). One of us managed to sleep through to sometime well after the sun rose, the other woke about 11.00pm then 2.30am and sleep has since eluded…maybe that has something to do with being just a tad tired as well. Anyways, I digress.
Riding was fabulous, lost of bendy bits for the one up front. The variation in fuel price does not cease to cause curiosity. Again, there is a $0.40 variation dependant upon where you go – fuel app’s assist with this little calculation.
As we ride from Kingscliff to Kyogle for stage one of the day, we shadow the Tweed River which ends mighty but starts as something lesser. It is a contrast to see. The road is sometimes almost level with the water way and at other times, many metres higher, simply because of the way the land falls.
The country is beautiful and remains a land of much contrast and green drought.
We tour through from Kyogle up to Killarney, through a rough yet enticing piece of road where road works are being undertaken. I have never seen an “escort vehicle” for guiding drivers/riders through a stretch of road work area. I still don’t see the need for one here, however, I guess they are trying to minimise risk of stupidity even with manned stop/go points…as always, a fine use of taxpayer dollar…
The border crossing is less than exciting although we suspect that the officers at the location are seriously bored. They seem keen for a chat, scanning our border passes on their I-Pads to make sure we are legit. They way us through and wish us safe riding with a recommendation to go via Queen Mary Falls. We would go that way if we were heading straight back to Brisbane, however, our route takes us to Stanthorpe.
Whilst we were waiting for the road works, felt like forever but was probably 10 minutes, and we are at the border crossing, we really appreciate what it feels like to be riding a bar-be-que. When we are on the road, the road temperature is every bit of up to 38 degrees whilst the air temperature is around 30-ish. Riding kitted up in appropriate gear is hot work. We see folks riding in t-shirts but that risk is a step too far for us. Even the breeze is hot, although thankfully there is a form of air flow. It is lovely when the cool pockets of air come past us, slightly refreshing for a moment. To be clear, this is not a whinge but rather an observation about what it means to be on a motorbike. Whilst we both appreciate the comforts of our very nice motor vehicle, there is something special about touring these roads on a motorcycle.
The tar on the road looks shiny and is slippery in the patches where they have spot welded the road. This also tells us that the road temperature is hot.
We travel some of the Tourist Routes today – 32 in New South Wales and 1 in Queensland. The changing landscape also means changing colour. There is a pesky plant called Patterson’s Curse, amongst other things. Its presence makes for a lovely purple mist across the ground. It is beautifully contrasted by yellow dairy like native flowers that look so open and happy. They brighten the fields.
Today’s ride is what riding is about for us – previously untravelled roads, windy/bendy bits and open roads. It turns out we are staying at a motel I stayed at some years ago when I came out for a winery tour. The motel is locally owned and the “new” owners are spending a lot of time, effort and money to renovate the place. We have one of the renovated rooms – very comfortable. It’s a nice spot at which to lay your head after a leisurely walk to and from town for a look and dinner.
So, Day 2 has passed. Here’s cheers to day 3 which will be a more open ride, straight riding kind of day as we return to Brisbane briefly to change mode of transport and head north to Maleny for a few nights. I bid you good morning, safe travels and a fabulous day
