Day 12

Bellingen to Lismore 275kms (171 miles)

LismoreWilson Motel

The weather was calling for showers all day but thankfully, the sun held out. Today’s route didn’t have any sightseeing stops unlike yesterdays “Waterfall Way” but it was one of the better rides. Not much traffic and nice curvy roads, very similar to SR-180 in N. GA, in goat path kind of way, what was different was the tractor trailers that use this road, not many, but when they showed up, I was on my toes!! It was really a day devoted to riding, no pictures even. We finished the day in Lismore around 3:30, add 45min to clean up and we were in the town by 4:30. Turns out this was graduation weekend for Southern Cross University and another night of celebration at the local pub was alright by me. So we’re mingling with the locals over pints of Tooheys Extra Dry when Rick and I comment that the students are closer to our age than the coeds I was picturing. We start talking to a group of graduates and discuss this, it seems as though most Australians graduate high school and travel or otherwise enjoy their youth before getting on with being an adult, maybe there is some wisdom in that thought process. The other unique thing with regards to secondary education is that it is paid for by the government, the only way it gets paid back is if you earn a certain amount when you start working. I would assume that works pretty well if you were a doctor or engineer but what about an artist or teacher? 

Day 11

Armidale to Bellingen 153 kms (95 miles)

Bellinger Valley Lodge

Well it just wouldn’t be a complete trip without breaking out the rain gear at least once and today was that day. It was a short day in terms of mileage but there was so much to see that we didn’t get to our hotel until almost dark. I really don’t have much to share that the pictures won’t tell, so enjoy these and rest assured that neither Rick nor I had any problems with leeches in our eyes!! ;)

Day 10

Hunter Valley to Armidale - 360km (224 miles)

Quality Powerhouse Hotel

Great ride today, lunch in Gloucester and a fantastic hotel in Armidale, see the link above for the full route. We're in the New England area and it's fall, leaves are changing and it was a cool, clear day. The landscape over this route remind me of the Shenandoah Valley area. Strange to think Australia is about the same size at the continental US, it had a gold rush, lots of natural resources, etc, could have easily evolved the way we did. Anyway, this region is the only part of Australia to have four distinct seasons. Armidale, where we are staying tonight, has a town population of 22k, 17k of which are students, you know what that means, another night on the town, something to make us feel older and so uncool, but still something to do. I'll keep it short today, but if something goes on tonight, I'll check back in.

Here are the pictures and a video

Day 9 (You gotta see this video, AKA STUPID AMERICAN)

Windsor to Hunter Valley - 263km (163 miles)

Pokolbin Village hotel

Hey guys- Rick here. You may be asking yourself why it is that I am posting for Paul. Well, I felt it necessary to try and explain what may be one of the dumbest things I have ever done. While riding on the famous Putty Road today, I thought it would be really cool to get a little video of us ripping through a few corners. We scouted a perfect spot and Paul set up the mini tripod and camera and I rode down the mountain to get my run started. I was so excited about getting a good video that I forgot the most important rule in riding- STAY ON YOUR OWN SIDE OF THE ROAD!!! For whatever reason, I totally cheesed it and reverted back to riding on the right side of the road. All I can say is that it is not my time to go. If it was, I'd be writing this from my grave. I learned my lesson and can say without a shadow of a doubt that I will not repeat this again. Without further adieu.....

PS- I'll apologize in advance for the gratuitous swearing. Apparently, a brush with death will make you cuss like a sailor!!!

Now watch it again and look in the motorcycle mirror at Paul trying to warn me and then bracing for impact- Classic!

Other than the near miss, it was a pretty laid-back day as we rolled into Hunter Valley and Australia's wine country. I started to drink immediately to take the edge off of the day.

Just glad to be here for the rest of the story!

... And, I'm back, here is what we were trying to go for:

Rick's second try!!

Me!

Here are today's pics too.

Day 8 (First day of riding!!)

Officially started the first day of my motorcycle trip, picked up the bikes from Selena at BikeEscape, great equipment, very helpful staff and only made fun of Rick and I for asking to connect a power outlet for our heated clothes. Selena also warned us about driving on the wrong side of the road, we assured her there were no worries.

Blue Mountains – Sydney to Windsor – 279Km (173 mi)

Windsor Terrace Motel

Daily Pictures

A little background for you, Rick and I ride are used to riding a lot, a Sunday morning ride can easily be 200 mi and be done before lunch, so when we got the itinerary from Mark at BikeRoundOz, at first we thought we would be bored. Usually the only sightseeing we do is while riding, the gentleman who set this up explained that the riding here is a little different than in the states, first of all, if is says the speed limit is 60K, they mean that, cameras are everywhere. We also found out that they are serious about drinking and driving, we came up to a road block and everyone was doing a breathalyzer, we took off our helmets and talked to the cop, mind you, this is a 4PM on a Monday afternoon, talk about a laid back country, they don’t do this because they never catch any one!!  Anyway after bailing out Rick, we continued on our way.

We went to Echo Point and saw the Three Sisters’ rock formation as well as taking on the Giant Stairway, we thought how difficult could it be, real difficult it turns out, while I got some pictures, this really doesn’t do it justice, once again another beautiful day. Here's my first "creative" video of Three Sisters and Jamison Valley.

So we rolled into Windsor around dark, found our hotel and unpacked. After cleaning up we decided to see what we could get into. We walked a few blocks over to the local pub and grabbed a beer, pretty dead place with 2 locals, the bartender and us. We enjoyed the beer but it looked to be an early night. Well after the 1^st beer going down so easily, we decided to partake in another, once that started a crew started hauling in the  gear, an upright bass, guitars, ukuleles, speakers, etc, looks like even a boring Monday night in sleepy Windsor, had potential. Turns out this was open mic night and everybody in town (I think) can sing, we were treated to a concert and camaraderie the whole evening. Some were great while others were OK, but all had the balls to get up there. I did record a few of the better acts but all are too big to post without editing.

Day 7

Today was a pretty low key day, just hung out by the Harbour in the morning and went to the hotel gym this afternoon to get my sweat-on or at least try to recover from last night’s festivities.  We also went over to the show one last time before picking up the bikes, most everyone was leaving, but there was this one unique “ribbon” show, check out these pics

 

So I was a little nervous driving on the left since I couldn’t even remember to stay left on the sidewalk, constantly interrupting the flow of people and receiving perplexing looks like I’m in the wrong, only after 2 days did I realize I was!! On the ride over to the shop my nervousness turned in to full blown stress, those who know me well know I don’t stress too often, so this was serious. We get to the shop and are talking to the owners who explain the local’s position on driving on the wrong side (they’re not too keen on it) as well as the problem with bailing out, our right side American bailout is the left side bailout for Australians, surely we are going to end up testing the Australian health care system!! Anyway, we finish up the paperwork, sign our liability or is that life away and after setting up the GPS for the hotel, off we go. Well I’ve got to be honest and tell you it was a non-event, now it helps that there is traffic to follow and cars parked on the side of the road pointed in the right direction, but overall, I was stressed for nothing.  I suppose though that thinking it’s nothing and not be focused can cause problems.

Back at the hotel, we hook up with Robert and Tom to grab a last night dinner (for them) at The Meat & Wine Co. down on Darling Harbour, again another fantastic meal, wine, beer and Maker’s Mark flowing freely while we attempt to solve all the world’s problems. I think we made a valiant effort, most remained unsolved, there is still a dependence on despot for energy and food for that matter, over population, etc, but what we did solve, while remaining unspoken for now, will have a tremendous effect on mankind.  Look Out!!

Day 6

Busy day being a tourist while Rick spoke at the conference, I'll keep it simple and let the day unfold by the pictures and map of my day.

Now the night couldn't go by that easily, finally adjusting to the local time, we weren't passed out at 8 and instead went to a VIP (really) cocktail party. We became instantly and intimately familiar with the local beers and wines while enjoying the company of some of the coolest and most interesting people in Australia. Everyone is so friendly and inviting, all wanting to know about the motorcycle trip with genuine interest. Before the reception was over there were multiple invites to "stop by" for a BBQ at various points on our route. There was also a spectacular fireworks display on Darling Harbour, some seemed to think this might be a Saturday night ritual, but I'm pretty sure they were celebrating us being here!! People were starting to thin out after a few hours, but that was just a sign that the real party was about to begin. We circled the wagons and with Emmett leading the charge we proceeded to find a spot for dinner. Being around 9PM on a busy convention/tourist Saturday the choices were limited for 12 people, or so I thought, one phone call later, a table was waiting, we by-passed the diners outside and were seated straight away, so maybe we weren't all VIPs, but Emmett and company surely were!! This was a fantastic seafood restaurant, however being a land lubber, crustaceans just weren't for me. Well some of the best steaks I've had were actually from seafood restaurants and this was no exception, a bone-in ribeye cooked to perfection, superb sides and of course, more drinks consumed while enjoying the company. After closing the joint we decided it would be a smart thing to get another drink (or three) and went to The Loft. Going out on the town with a crew in the know" makes all the difference and this was no different, what was different was seeing a dance floor packed with the rhythmically challenged. All of a sudden, my Deney Terrio / Tony Manero was itching to come out, thankfully for the Aussies, I was able to restrain myself, no need to make them feel inferior with all the great hospitality they have shown!!

The rest of the night I have to keep on the DL, you never know who reads this and I don't need any legal problems this far from home!! ;-)