Thunderstorms and possible showers was the forcast, oh well its just a road.

I left home on the top of the Queensland Sunshine Coast at midnight daylight saving time, as someone mentioned, you know you are talking a FarRide when time zones come into play. Had a good solid run straight down the coast getting to the gateway right on my normal time of 2hrs 15mins, funny how I always do that. Thommo had been sitting in my town of Cooroy as I came through and is just behind me although I am faster through the toll. He sits behind me down the coast until we hit Tweed Heads where he disappears, no matter he is doing his ride and I am doing mine. He had headed for fuel, something I should have done. When I left home I had only filled my main tank not the aux tank so I have about a 400k range.

Just below Byron at 2.29am I take the Bangalow turn and head up the Bruxner Highway towards Lismore. Interesting section and a road I had never been on. I chose to ride this route to show some that a 1000k day did not need to be boring highways.

Fifty klms out of Lismore its reserve time, ride conservative and hope there is fuel at Lismore. Yeah I didn't plan this one, I do so much planing I decided to wing it. Luck is on my side, usual. Servo is open and at 3am I am amongst 15-18yr olds who have been out partying all night. Lets not stop here long.

Off towards Casino, this is a very challenging road specially so at night. Made a mental note to come back in daylight one day. Saw one baby roo and slowed to walking pace while the poor little fella wandered off, saw very little wildlife the whole trip. Tenterfield next and turn left down the New England Highway.

Still dark, didn't get daylight until just north of Uralla where at 6.35am I turn left to head to Walcha down the Oxley Highway. Told you I decided to make it interesting. Sweep, sweep down we go. 35k corner after another down and down we go. Gingers Creek was closed, shame I was going to top up here and have breakfast but no matter. Down through Long Flat and finally I am at Wauchope where I put in some fuel for the second time. So far I have only stopped the 5-6mins at Lismore and its 9am now as I enter Wauchope.

I only have a bit over 100klms to go and it's far too early so I pull into Macas at the Wauchope to Port Mcquarie roundabout just on 9.15am to eat for the first time since dinner last night and kill some time. Avg approx 96kph to this point and I have run two technically challenging sections within that. Quite pleased with the ride so far, Griff is humming along.... as he does. Leave at 9.33am heading to Nambucca.

Heading north to Nambucca I see so many bikes heading south to the Karuah River Rally my head gets tired nodding back at them, so many adventure bikes must have passed 50-60 of them.

Into Nambucca, 250 meters turn right... ok I know I know you don't have to remind me. Gypsy is talking to me (wife calls our GPS Gypsy) Last car to pass here I go... oh sorry that song always ends up in my head. 1039k for the ride down in 11hrs all up.

A few here, will have to talk to them about being on time NOT early. I give a time of 11am to 11.30am arrival to try and get the riders to work on their timing. This may become very important on other rides.

Boris yells out something, I yell back something about being a poof and I get the gear off and wander over to start the hand shakin, beer drinking, male bonding stuff. Derrick is there already, good run from VIC and so is Thommo as he rode straight down the highway having already ridden from Rockhampton before we met up.

Riders come in one two at a time. Good to catch up with FarRiders and new FarRiders. Clint and Charlene arrive on the Wing for their third FarRide. Gags (John) arrives from Shepparton VIC for just over 1300klms so far. Won't list all but it was a great turnout.

Meal was outstanding as was the service from David the manager, top stuff this will go on the yearly list of FarRides.

Had some very high milers there with John Mc, Derrick and the two new members on the Ultra Classics Ken and Robbo. RobMac ended up doing a IBA SS1600K which is 1600k or more under 24hrs and a few others could have. Adrian did outstanding on his VFR750 for a great ride from Coolum.

Slowly just as they had arrived they departed for home or somewhere in between. "how do you get these guys to ride all this way for a feed" Boris said. They love to ride, it's the reason we all take up riding in the first place isn't it. We just love to ride, give them a destination and thats all I have to do.

Thommo, Boris and myself tried very hard to drink the bar dry but failed. We sure put a serious dent in it though.

Sunday, yes the suns up and the lounge wasn't too bad to sleep on after all. Too many beers will let you sleep anywhere, oh there's a pillow there as well fancy that. Tom and I wander over to shake Boris up but he is alive already. Chat, pics and he and Thommo head their own directions for home. I left at 9am and thats where it ends.

I rode 590klms home, little over 1600k for the weekend. Not bad just for lunch with mates.

Take care and remember ...... it's just a road.

Uploaded: Thursday, 15 February 2007
Davo

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