BMBEN
Registered user
Meet McDonalds Blaxland 8.30am for a 9.00am start. Destination decided on the spot.
Wednesday 14th March 2012
Oberon Dam
The day dawned cool and almost cloudless. Arriving at Macca's I was pleased at the large turnout of riders. Eric B, Allan R , David C, Guy D, Bill H, Rod B, Franz G, Mr. John, John, Dave B (a new face for me - must be good bloke; he has a Boulevard too), Joe B, Ross C, and myself. I think that's the lot.
After much discussion, Oberon Dam was to be the destination with South Bowenfels the morning smoko break. There was further discussion re: the road work at Victoria Pass/Hartley; should we go via the darling Causeway or trust our luck with the GWH. It won. Bikes were mounted and I moved forward a little and everyone formed up behind me, so I presumed I had been democratically voted Ride Leader. Must have been a silent ballot). I will leave the title Ride Captain for Peter M. Mr John and Franz headed off in other directions.
It was a reasonable ride through the Woodford, Lawson, and Wenty Falls road works. The Victoria Pass / Little Hartley road works were a doddle. The 700mtr section of the GWH at Little Hartley that was dirt on Sunday had been bitumen and gravelled. They must have heard my bitching about getting the Boulevard dirty. We arrived safely at Bowenfels for coffee.
After the break we headed off to Oberon via Lake Lyell and Tarana. The road starts off as Magpie Hollows Rd. Dave C stopped at Lake Lyell and headed home from there. The road starts off as Magpie Hollow Rd, then becomes the Rydal Sodwalls Tarana Rd. Thank goodness it didn’t go through any other villages. The road surface was only just, but the views are absolutely splendid, so lush and green. After 14kms we hook a quick right onto Rydal Hampton Rd then 50 mtrs later, we turn left back onto Rydal Sodwalls Tarana Rd. At Tarana we head through and onto the Tarana O'Connell Rd. 3kms later we turn left onto Mutton Falls Rd, which becomes Lowes Mount Rd. (I couldn't find villages called Mutton Falls or Lowes Mount in Google Earth.)
This Lowes Mount Rd took us into Oberon and from there I was relying on my memory to get us to Oberon Dam. A good memory and some tourist signs guided us to the picnic facilities. However a bus load of schoolies had taken over the picnic shed and were getting a 1st aid lesson. We managed to secure 1 table, were able to cram around it. I hope that these youngsters got a conscience, so that next time they will offer the undercover tables to senior citizens.
After lunch we took a stroll up the hill and viewed the dam and water. The water level was up considerably: see comparison photos.
There was a small island off to the south/west, which in November was a 350mtr strip of land into the dam.
We left the dam, turned right onto Edith Rd for 6 kms and then a right onto Duckmlaoi Rd heading east towards Hampton. We were stopped where the road was being resurfaced. Unfortunately we were stuck behind an Aust native Landscapes truck and dog trailer. IT STANK. We were then given approval to proceed SLOWLY, after some kms the truckie moved left slightly and allowed us to pass. Thank goodness for fresh air.
After a small delay at the Little Hartley road works we soon arrived at Mt Vic servo where some filled up their bikes and had smoko. Coffees, hot chocolate, ice cream for Eric and cold drinks along with great conversation was bringing the day to an end.
Eric, Allan, Dave B, Ross headed back via The Darling Causeway, whereas Joe B, Rod, John, Guy, Bill and myself headed down the GWH.
I arrived home at 3.50 and the Boulevard sipped 10 litres for the 255 kms travelled. A great day, with great company (thank you all) and some awesome verdant scenery.
Take care until we ride again,
Jeff
Wednesday 14th March 2012
Oberon Dam
The day dawned cool and almost cloudless. Arriving at Macca's I was pleased at the large turnout of riders. Eric B, Allan R , David C, Guy D, Bill H, Rod B, Franz G, Mr. John, John, Dave B (a new face for me - must be good bloke; he has a Boulevard too), Joe B, Ross C, and myself. I think that's the lot.
After much discussion, Oberon Dam was to be the destination with South Bowenfels the morning smoko break. There was further discussion re: the road work at Victoria Pass/Hartley; should we go via the darling Causeway or trust our luck with the GWH. It won. Bikes were mounted and I moved forward a little and everyone formed up behind me, so I presumed I had been democratically voted Ride Leader. Must have been a silent ballot). I will leave the title Ride Captain for Peter M. Mr John and Franz headed off in other directions.
It was a reasonable ride through the Woodford, Lawson, and Wenty Falls road works. The Victoria Pass / Little Hartley road works were a doddle. The 700mtr section of the GWH at Little Hartley that was dirt on Sunday had been bitumen and gravelled. They must have heard my bitching about getting the Boulevard dirty. We arrived safely at Bowenfels for coffee.
After the break we headed off to Oberon via Lake Lyell and Tarana. The road starts off as Magpie Hollows Rd. Dave C stopped at Lake Lyell and headed home from there. The road starts off as Magpie Hollow Rd, then becomes the Rydal Sodwalls Tarana Rd. Thank goodness it didn’t go through any other villages. The road surface was only just, but the views are absolutely splendid, so lush and green. After 14kms we hook a quick right onto Rydal Hampton Rd then 50 mtrs later, we turn left back onto Rydal Sodwalls Tarana Rd. At Tarana we head through and onto the Tarana O'Connell Rd. 3kms later we turn left onto Mutton Falls Rd, which becomes Lowes Mount Rd. (I couldn't find villages called Mutton Falls or Lowes Mount in Google Earth.)
This Lowes Mount Rd took us into Oberon and from there I was relying on my memory to get us to Oberon Dam. A good memory and some tourist signs guided us to the picnic facilities. However a bus load of schoolies had taken over the picnic shed and were getting a 1st aid lesson. We managed to secure 1 table, were able to cram around it. I hope that these youngsters got a conscience, so that next time they will offer the undercover tables to senior citizens.
After lunch we took a stroll up the hill and viewed the dam and water. The water level was up considerably: see comparison photos.
There was a small island off to the south/west, which in November was a 350mtr strip of land into the dam.
We left the dam, turned right onto Edith Rd for 6 kms and then a right onto Duckmlaoi Rd heading east towards Hampton. We were stopped where the road was being resurfaced. Unfortunately we were stuck behind an Aust native Landscapes truck and dog trailer. IT STANK. We were then given approval to proceed SLOWLY, after some kms the truckie moved left slightly and allowed us to pass. Thank goodness for fresh air.
After a small delay at the Little Hartley road works we soon arrived at Mt Vic servo where some filled up their bikes and had smoko. Coffees, hot chocolate, ice cream for Eric and cold drinks along with great conversation was bringing the day to an end.
Eric, Allan, Dave B, Ross headed back via The Darling Causeway, whereas Joe B, Rod, John, Guy, Bill and myself headed down the GWH.
I arrived home at 3.50 and the Boulevard sipped 10 litres for the 255 kms travelled. A great day, with great company (thank you all) and some awesome verdant scenery.
Take care until we ride again,
Jeff
