Over the Border

Monday the 25^th October 2010

We packed up our bags and my newly resorted gear sack and headed for Queensland. The first thing that strikes you when you get to Queensland is the sheer lack of advertising or signage saying that you are now crossing the border. I would have expected at least one sign welcoming you to Queensland. But alas, that was not the case.

One of the things on our agenda for today was to catch-up with an old friend from days gone past. We rode into Coolingatta which is quite nice but not what I had expected. I had always thought it was bigger for some reason. Whilst we were cruising the streets I saw an apartment in Coolangatta for sale for $250,000. It was on the main drag overlooking the beach. I’m sure it’s a one bedroom 1 bath, but still I thought it was cheap.

We got to Cilla’s place and had coffee.  (Alan and I had a cup of tea, but I also had some red cordial, nope I’m not likely to ever grow up) it’s great to catch-up with people and reminisce about the good old days.

We did eventually press on into Surfers Paradise, where the car race had just been. I took a while for either of us to realize that we were riding on the actual track and I was riding n/h on it. We then did a ride that is featured in the Harley Owners Group 2010 touring Handbook Australia & New Zealand (page 16, Mount Tamborine)

It was a heap of fun, the first part consists of very steep roads leading up to Mount Tambourine where we saw the local Postie delivering  his round on the mighty Honda 110cc. Luke I’m betting he’s not a DODO (Delivery Only Driving Officer)  I also have a couple of questions, how did he get up there and how do you get that gig?

The view from one side of Mount Tambourine is back towards Surfers Paradise, and five minutes from there is a lookout which has views to the mountains and valleys eastward. Sometimes words are just not necessary.

We then headed for Brisvagas as Alan wanted to go to Morgan and Whacker (the local Harley dealer to get a new Buff). Once we had that accomplished we were just about to hit the road again when two guys started chatting to me about my saddlebag setup for the Rocker C. (they both owned Rocker’s) So I explained to them how it worked and the good & bad bits about them. The ease of getting them on / off and the appearance are the good bits, the bad is the fact that in terms of functionality Harley Davidson really didn’t think about the fact that as you ride along bugs get inside the saddlebags and don’t get me started on what happens when it rains. I do have a solution though, I put everything in garbage bags  then put them in the saddlebags…not pretty but it works.

We then did the Harley ride on page 15, (North from Brisbane) once again roads designed for bikes. Except I was behind grandpa so I had to ride slower around the corners then I normally would, but at least I got to practice my right hand cornering. Both these rides are in the book for a reason they are great rides and well worth the effort. But be forewarned it does get cold up there. Also the kind folk in Queensland roads care enough about us riders to put up signs warning us of impending danger, dangerous corners and the like.

The best news of the day is that I finally got by gear sack sorted, it didn’t move around like it had ADD. Let us pray…Please god let it be so, that the bag does not move anymore because I will never hear the end of it from Alan.

 Amen

Last stop is a place called Woodford, it’s got a massive country pub, but is closed on a Monday night the only shop open is the local Woolworths and its open until 9pm.

So my thoughts on New South Wales is that there is some great riding to be done in the Blue Mountains and across the Dividing Range, with lots of cool places to stay and things to see (if the weather is fine). The roads are predominately good but with some very bumpy and cut-up roads along the way. The good news is the perpetual state of repairs and upgrades going on in NSW means that they will get fixed one day. Stay out of Sydney if you can traffic is a nightmare, go to MCAS and DUES motorcycle shops you won’t be disappointed.

Cheers

a