RideAdv Bridge to Bridge 2022

[Rider 101]

Well, the 2022 B2B has come and gone. An awesome week of riding from Brisbane to the Hawkesbury was had by ( nearly ) all.

Day 1 was a gathering under the Gateway Bridge; probably more correctly the Sir Leo Hielscher Bridges. All up there was about 60 riders on bikes varying from BMW 1250 to the ageless and capable WR250R plus support crew in the Ram with custom gooseneck trailer and 2 4x4s with bike trailers for any dysfunctional bikes.

 

Leaving Brisbane we headed west towards Ipswich then looped south to Boonah before heading through backroads to Killarney and on to Stanthorpe for the night.

 

 

 

 

 

Edited September 5, 2022 by Rider 101

[Rider 101]

Day 2 was Stanthorpe to Casino. The morning dawned clear but a chilly -1°c with a hint of frost and ice.

After the mandatory 7:30 rider briefing we head out in dribs and drabs as this is "your ride" and not a race.

A series of linked back roads had us in Bonalbo around 11:30. Heading south we were stopped by a sweep rider and asked to remain in Bonalbo for a while as there was an issue with access to  the state forest. It seemed the forest was closed as the loggers were working flat out and the risk of running into the logging trucks was too great.

After a leisurely lunch the organisers instructed us to take the direct route to Casino via the Bruxner. Not what we had expected but it was still good to be on the bike.

[Rider 101]

Day 3 and after the briefing we were heading away from the coast and back up into the new England Ranges. Back roads roughly mirroring the Bruxner had us pop out onto the tar east of Drake. It was then a left on Long Gully to join up to Rocky River road. These roads wound through the hills along side of the Timbarra River. 

 

 

Eventually we turned up hill and landed in Tenterfield for lunch

 

 

Nothing like a loaded ham salad roll and a fresh cream eclair!

Edited August 31, 2022 by Rider 101

[Rider 101]

After lunch it was time to saddle up again. The temperature had dropped considerably and was down to around 10°c. Heading west then south we went through Torrington, Emmaville

and with snow clouds looming a very fast run into Glen Innes. 

After checking in and a hot shower it was time for a local beer.

 

 

A Deepwater Notorious brown Ale and highly recommended to those that like beer with a strong flavour.

 

Edited August 31, 2022 by Rider 101

[Rider 101]

Day 4 was an icy start and a  fast run from Glen Innes heading west to Inverell and Delungra

 

 

 

 

A stop at Myall Creek was a sobering reminder of Australia's early pioneering days.

 

 

 

On through Upper Horton before coming into Tamworth from the north west and a well earnt rest and a beer at The Long Yard

 

 

 

Edited August 31, 2022 by Rider 101

[Rider 101]

Day 5 Tamworth to Wauchope. This turned out to be the best day of the ride. Again a chilly start and a loop through Limbri to Woolbrook just to get the body going. A quick detour down Brackendale and Tia Diggings

 

and we then headed along Kangaroo Flat to join up with Racecource and Coachwood trails to end up in Willawarrin for lunch.

I had a bit of a lie down on the only real hill and required a second pair of hands to right the big girl. Damn rookie mistake that shouldn't have happened. 10 minutes later my riding partner had a flat tyre. He had never done one in anger so I had to jump in.

 

This put us a little late for lunch at Willawarrin but the trails through Werrikimbi were dry and fun.

 

After a quick bite it was on to Wauchope with a pit stop at the local bike shop to get another tube. I had given my 18" to Steve for his DR650.

A shower, dinner and a few beers and I was ready for bed!

 

 

 

Edited August 31, 2022 by Rider 101

[Rider 101]

Day 6 and the last big day was Wauchope to Scone. Out of Wauchope and back roads to Comboyne then up to Dingo Tops and Cooplacurripa and Nowendoc. Sad that the general store is now closed. I guess though traffic not stopping along with covid and rising prices have taken their toll. I feel for the locals that now have to travel to get a cold beer.

West through Nundle Forest 

 

 

or what is left of the plantation pines and on to Nundle for lunch.

Over Crawney and Steve gets another puncture. Gav was riding with us so I gave them the kit to change the tube and sat back.

 

They were quick learners and we were underway again in no time. I was minus another 18" tube.

 

I didn't stay in Scone that night as home is only 50 minutes down the road. A good home cooked dinner ( thanks to Mrs 101 ) and a very generous free poured JD and coke and I was ready to rack up zeds on the lounge.

Edited August 31, 2022 by Rider 101

[Rider 101]

Final day!

I had negotiated with the organisers to short cut and meet up near Branxton. I was a little early and met up with Greg and Lincoln who were the zero riders for the day. I tried to be patient and wait for the group but 10 minutes was too long. I headed off through Cessnock, Brokenback and on to Wollombi in blissful solitude.

 

I puttered along and only 1 rider passed me. We were to regroup a Jerry's Cafe Kulnura and I was the 2nd bike in. No waiting for fuel or food!

 

When everyone was in we headed en masse down the old Pacific Hwy to Brooklyn. A mandatory group photo, lots of goodbyes, exchanging phone numbers and time to back track to the Upper Hunter and home.

 

 

A epic ride through some of the East Coast's spectacular scenery with a great bunch of people run by a professional organisation; what more could you want............B2B number 7 in 2023?

 

Edited August 31, 2022 by Rider 101

[Rider 101]

If anyone is considering an organised tour you won't go wrong with this crew.

 

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Oh, and my melon is in this promo pic !

[Plantymon]

Lots of the pictures are missing for me, its a real shame because I went on many of those routes in 2019 with my pal from Gold Coast. Would be great to see the photos if you can get them back.

We are planning a lap of your amazing country in 2023

Thanks for the write up

[Rider 101]

Pictures not showing? I will reload tonight when I am home. ( currently in the salt mine )

Edited August 31, 2022 by Rider 101

[Rider 101]

Let me know if photos now showing

[Eric W.]

Thanks for sharing!

[Rider 101]

For those whow may be interested in an overview of the east coast and ranges of NSW and Qld.

 

https://youtu.be/XO3a5B2uGJM