Thursday, 02 August 2012

Day 5 riding

I decided to get an early(ish) start.  I’d arrived after dark last night and wanted to see what made Maroochydore and these other coastal towns part of “the Sunshine Coast.”  Before I even got out of town, I found this picture-worthy restaurant.

I rode south Maroochydore, Mooloolaba, and Caloundra.  It’s beautiful and the Sunshine Coast is a perfect name for it.  So glad I got up and out early.

I turned west to find the “tourist roads” (scenic highways?) that lead to Maleny where Ian and I were to meet.  I arrived “at the shops by the dip in the road” just before 10.  I was starting to get worried at about 10:30.  There were lots of motorcycles passing by but no Gilera Runner.  I walked to the library across the street.  All the ladies were very nice and they let me use their phone to call Ian.  Plus, they had WiFi.  Bonus!

The bad news: Ian broke a belt about 20km from home.  The good news: he’s still kind of close to home, his mechanic picked him up and they were going to try to get it back up and running today.  No problem.  Everyone’s safe and the delays can be overcome.  I hung out at the library, caught up on e-mail and tried to bring the blog up to date.  (Didn’t quite complete that task.)

Ian arrived sooner than I thought.  Yay!  He must have been riding like Speed Racer. Here’s Ian and his mascot, a Vorpal bunny, complete with fangs

We ate lunch and came up with a rough, somewhat abbreviated plan for the rest of the day.  The scenery today was just as beautiful as the past several days: lots of cattle ranches, forested areas and quaint small towns.  Perfect weather, too.

We found a “caravan park” (RV campground) in Gympie and set up our tents before dark.  I was walking back from a nice hot shower as the nearly full moon was rising.  Beautiful!

It's Sunday, 12 August.  Just a quick note to let you all know everything's ok.  We're in Mt. Isa about to push on to Camooweal and stop for the night.  I'm still fighting a cold :>(  Scooters are running fine after a quick service in Cairns.  Ian's been a great riding partner and a good friend.  Will update more and catch up with the day-by-day postings as time and WiFi availability allows.
Hugs and thanks to all back home for your support and encouragement.

Wednesday, 01 August 2012

Day 4 riding

It was such a gorgeous night last night!  I walked along Byron Bay.  The full moon made the water sparkle and the waves were quietly lapping against the sand.  Perfect!  None of the pictures came out though.  Bummer!

This morning I rode up to Cape Byron Lighthouse.  It's the most powerful light in Australia, visible for 27 nautical miles (50 km).  I'm kind of glad I didn't know the Assistant Light House Keeper's cottages were available to rent.  I would have been tempted to stay a very long time.   Every day there's more picture-perfect weather and views.

I tore myself away from Cape Byron to ride north and a little inland.  I spied a sign for Tweed River Art Gallery in Murwillumbah and decided to stop in.  I met and spoke with two very nice guys who's names I neglected to note. (Sorry, fellas!)  They were riders, too and we spoke at length about bikes (of course), the local sites, etc.  Since time was short, they went off to lunch and I toured the gallery.

There was a special exhibit titled “Beauty from Nature – Art of the Scott Sisters.”  On display were notebooks, sketches and watercolors drawn in exquisitely detail by Hattie and Nellie Scott.  It seems like the stunningly beautiful butterflies were everyone's favorite.  No photos of the exhibit was permitted.  (You can look on-line, though.)  I did get to take pictures of the butterflies drawn by guests pasted on the windows.

There were doors out to a lovely distant view of Border Ranges National Park (left), Lamington National Park (center) and Springbrook Plateau (right).

 The two rock sheep on the lawn made me laugh.

I'd dawdled way too long at the museum and at the lighthouse.  And I still wanted to get to the natural bridge in Springbrook Preserve that Bill told me was not to be missed.  The roads were amazing: scenic, well paved and with light traffic.

Once I got to the preserve, I met and talked with a bunch of folks including two evangelist ministers.  They were filming a series for a Texas-based TV ministry.  I guess I looked I was in need of divine intervention of one sort or another because they offered to pray with / for me.  I figured I could use all the help I could get!  Thanks, guys.  I hope your new venture is a great success! 

I took the short loop trail down to the bridge & falls.  It's places like this that really make my heart sing!  Tranquil, beautiful, awesome!!

This was the view from the top.

and a little further upriver

I wished I could stay at the preserve to see the gondwana glow worms.  But they aren't visible until after dark.  It was getting late and I still needed to find a room or campsite for the night.  I was lucky that the YHA hostels I’d been staying at had a location in Maroochydore (not far from where Ian and I are supposed to meet tomorrow).  One bed available.  Whew!  Glad my luck is still holding.

I ended up riding in the dark and made a wrong turn.  That’s how I found this bike dealer.  They sell everything - Suzuki, Triumph, MV Agusta, Vespa, Piaggio, and more!

I found the hostel with the help of a very friendly cab driver and settled in for the night. 

Tuesday, 31 July 2012

Day 3 riding

Bill decided to head back home.  He gave lots of suggestions on routes for the way north to meet up with Ian.  He also gave me a map of the north coast of New South Wales.  I was glad to have him leading the way for the first few days, especially since I'm not quite used to riding on the left side of the road.  Thanks, Bill.  Get home safely and keep the shiny side up!

I took a short walk from the cabin at Urunga Heads Holiday Park down to the beach.

Fishermen and tourists (and me) were enjoying a quiet morning along Urunga Lagoon Footbridge boardwalk.  It’s a nice long path that extends over the Kalang and Bellinger Rivers all the way out to  Urunga Heads Beach.  There’s also an interpretive section that branches off to the lagoon.

It was nice, leisurely riding from Urunga up Pacific Highway to Coffs Harbor.  I turned inland toward Coramba.  Something about this bridge near Glenreagh caught my eye.

I stopped for fuel in Casino even though the tank still had more than ¼ remaining.  I need to get some sense of the distances I can go so I know if I need to buy a fuel can.

I also found a café with WiFi and was able to make a reservation at the YHA (hostel) in Byron Bay.  (Not quite enough time for updating the blog, though.  Sorry, folks.  I'll do my best to catch up.)

So far, today’s been pretty close to perfect -  great weather, pretty goad road conditions (some construction) and moderate truck traffic.  I hope my luck continues to hold.

Monday, 30 July 2012

Day 2 riding

Today’s riding was so much better.  I’m finally getting used to the scooter and am almost always able to take it off / put it on the center stand by myself.  The real challenge has been getting myself on the scooter once it’s off the center stand.  My short legs haven’t yet found a graceful way to get over the “step through” area.  On this X7, the wheels are taller than I’m used to, making the floor board higher.  Plus, the gas tank is there, so there’s an additional hump to get over.  I’ll get the hang of it eventually.

Since I was more relaxed, I was able to pay more attention to the surroundings.  Lovely pasture lands with sheep, cows and horses, vast forests, rolling hills, rain forests, waterfalls.  Bill knows these roads well and picked some beautiful routes.  If every day that follows is like today, I’ll be a happy girl.

Wollomombi Falls was especially pleasant.  It’s in Oxley Wild Rivers National Park, a World Heritage Area.  It’s just a short walk from the parking area.  My pictures don’t do it justice.

Sunday, 29 July 2012

Day 1 riding – YAY!

Another rider and Modern Vespa forum member, Rory, met Bill and me at 10.  Rory was going to ride with us for about half a day.   After a few minutes of conversation and last-minute packing, we were off on the first day of our riding adventure.  Bill took the lead and Rory was the sweeper.

We crossed the Anzac bridge. I think this is my favorite of all the bridges in Sydney.   There’s a very cool graphic as you cross. (not my photo)

Next was the Sydney Harbor Bridge with fantastic views of both the city skyline and harbor, as well as the world famous Sydney Opera House. (also not my photo)

Just after the bridge crossings, Rory lost all power.  He thought it was a broken belt.  We were reluctant to leave him.  He lived nearby, was ready to phone for help, and assured us he’d be fine.  He wished us well and sent us on our way.

Bill continued to lead the way through lovely suburban neighborhoods all over northern Sydney then along Old Pacific Highway.  We stopped for lunch at pub in Wollombi.  It has the look and feel of all the biker hangouts I’ve been to (or ridden past) back home.  I thought it was funny when I overheard one of the customers who are usually engrossed in conversation about “real” bikes say “Did ya see the two scooters?”  Watch out sport bikes and cruisers – we’re everywhere! heeheehee

There was more scenic beauty as we rode past vineyards, ranch lands, and rolling hills.  We stopped briefly at the Carson Memorial Lookout.

  

It was a beautiful day but I didn’t enjoy it as much as I normally would: new / different handling scooter, unfamiliar roads, changing light conditions, looking out for other riders wanting to pass... all this lead me to have tension moving up from my hands through my wrists and up my arms to my shoulders.   I knew it was time to loosen that deathgrip!  Anyway, by the end of the day I was tense and cranky.  Thankfully Bill brought wine.  Somehow that made it all (or mostly) better.

Saturday, 28 July 2012

I was able to get everything packed and on the scooter.  I sorted out a few things that I could live without.  That leaves a little bit of room for the occasional souvenier.

I’m glad to have the new Corazzo jacket and gloves.  They’re well made.  The fit is good. And they match the scooter (I know, I know, you can all roll your eyeballs at me now.)  Plus, they’re a better alternative to what I brought.  I expected very cold temps and, so far anyway, it’s been moderate to warm.  Here's the bright, shiny scooter and the bright shiny jacket, both white, and awaiting the first splatter of bug guts.

Bill came by to give me a scooter tour of Sydney.  At Bill's suggestion we parked the fully loaded X7 at his house.  He rode his beautiful black PX and I rode his lovely (and prettier than mine) red GTS.  (I love that scooter!)  The views were picture-postcard perfect!  The city skyline and harbor are amazing.  We rode through an historic area and up to a park near the botanical gardens.  We continued to a harbor-side cafe for a calamari and fish & chips lunch.  We rode further past Bondi Beach.  At every turn there was a photo op.  I was sorry I'd left my camera on the X7.  I guess I'll just have to do it again!