Queen Mary Falls Ride
Unfortunately life got in the way of this one and I could not make. However looking at may calendar next week, I have one booking on Thursday, so watch this space.
Queen Mary Falls Ride - 20 October 2012
This Saturday I'm going to give making videos a proper go, using my son's GoPro hero camera. For a thorough test, I will be off over Queen Mary Falls and back through Warwick. Watch this space for some hopefully AOK, but no guarantees of quality, videos.
A blatant add for the Adventure Travel Film Festival
The Adventure Travel Film Festival is on again in Bright, Victoria from Friday 15 February 2012 to Sunday 17 February 2012. Put in your leave applications and buy your tickets now or you will miss out.
Testing ... Testing
Not motorcycle related, just my first attempt at a post using the Samsung Galaxy Note.
In theory, I should be able to keep the posts up without using a PC at all.
Grace to Toowoomba via Cobb and Co Route - 1 September 2012
Spring is here, cold days are over, sun is shining and bikes to ride; right? Well sort off; it still can be a bit cool for Queenslanders but everything else is just about perfect.
The riders from Grave Lutheran Church and Grace Lutheran Primary School all gathered by 8:00 AM to travel to Toowoomba via back roads, lunch at the Cobb and Co Museum and then back via the Cobb and Co route as far as Ipswich and then the final transport/highway stage home. Jump to "Some rides for you" for a more detailed route guide.
If you include Mount Mee, the timings are just about right. If you skip Dayboro and Mount Mee, the timings on the PDF are fairly generous; we had time for several breaks and re-fuelling. One important note for those using 98 octane fuel, there is only 91 octane available at Hazeldean, so you will need to wait until Toogoolawah or Esk to fill up.All three towns offer good places to pull over and bunch up although my preference is Hazeldean.
After Esk we rode up the Esk - Hampton road which winds through the range up through Ravensbourne. A nice quick run with great views if you take the time to look. To do that though you must pull over as the road conditions demand your attention.
A quick detaour to "Kuhls Reserve" as we were running early. This place and the road it is on where actually named after one of my Grandfather's Uncles.
The cafe at the Cobb and Co Museum was just superb and the staff are so welcoming. Its a great museum to take the kids but anyone who is interested in either the local history of Toowoomba or transport history of Australia will just have a great time.
Our last group stop was at Rosewood. From there we rounded RAAF Base Amberley and then up the highway to home.
The next ride for this group will probably be Saturday 8 December 2012 with a bit more adevnture. Perhaps the Queen Mary Falls loop or a trip through the Sunshine Coast hinterland that one of the guys has memtioned.
Hopefully in the meantime some parts for the Suzuki carburettors arrive and the Horizons group can arrange a ride to Queensland Moto Park. I'm very keen to take the Suzuki through some new trails.
The riders from Grave Lutheran Church and Grace Lutheran Primary School all gathered by 8:00 AM to travel to Toowoomba via back roads, lunch at the Cobb and Co Museum and then back via the Cobb and Co route as far as Ipswich and then the final transport/highway stage home. Jump to "Some rides for you" for a more detailed route guide.
If you include Mount Mee, the timings are just about right. If you skip Dayboro and Mount Mee, the timings on the PDF are fairly generous; we had time for several breaks and re-fuelling. One important note for those using 98 octane fuel, there is only 91 octane available at Hazeldean, so you will need to wait until Toogoolawah or Esk to fill up.All three towns offer good places to pull over and bunch up although my preference is Hazeldean.
After Esk we rode up the Esk - Hampton road which winds through the range up through Ravensbourne. A nice quick run with great views if you take the time to look. To do that though you must pull over as the road conditions demand your attention.
A quick detaour to "Kuhls Reserve" as we were running early. This place and the road it is on where actually named after one of my Grandfather's Uncles.
The cafe at the Cobb and Co Museum was just superb and the staff are so welcoming. Its a great museum to take the kids but anyone who is interested in either the local history of Toowoomba or transport history of Australia will just have a great time.
Our last group stop was at Rosewood. From there we rounded RAAF Base Amberley and then up the highway to home.
The next ride for this group will probably be Saturday 8 December 2012 with a bit more adevnture. Perhaps the Queen Mary Falls loop or a trip through the Sunshine Coast hinterland that one of the guys has memtioned.
Hopefully in the meantime some parts for the Suzuki carburettors arrive and the Horizons group can arrange a ride to Queensland Moto Park. I'm very keen to take the Suzuki through some new trails.
Grace to Goombungee - The back way - 19 August 2012
Headed off a bit later than I had planned due to the fact I hadn't finished getting the bike ready the day before. I had spent the day playing with jets and needle clips and found that the 115 jets are the best for the current air filter and exhaust setup but using needle clip groove #3, whereas I had it in #1. The main jet needles have five grooves, the first groove is the one closest to the jet and thus raises the needle making it the most rich setting and groove number five lowers the needle closer to the jet, letting in less fuel and thuis is the most lean setting.
The Grace to Goombungee route is my second listed ride and a bit of fun. The road from Hazeldean to Somerset was as lovely as it can be and there must have been at least 200 bikers along various stages of this road. Whilst of was envious of the riders on the very sweet looking Suzuki GSX-Rs, I enjoyed the extra power provided by the exhaust and jetting changes.
After Somerset I took the first left down towards Mount Glorious and Fernvale. This added a fairly long dog leg to the trip of about 35 minutes; normally I would take the road straight to Toogoolawah but this diversion was quite enjoyable as it takes you past areas of Lake Wivenhoe including the old hydro-electric power station.
Then the turn off from just south of Toogoolawah to Crows Nest via The Bluff road. What I did find is that the road from Toogoolawah is not all tarmac; there is plenty of gravel road to cover. Fortunately on this day the gravel road was in fairly good condition and the bike did AOK. This is not a road for sports bikes though and I am looking forward to taking the Suzuki DR800 through it soon.
From Crows Nest to Goombungee is fairly straightforward and the contryside is looking fairly green at the moment. These are good roads to sit and think but you still need to be alert as the condition of the tarmac is not consistent and there is plenty of roadside roadkill to remind you of the dangers in this part of the wourld.
After a great lunch with my cousin and his family and friends back home through Toowoomba and along the highway. I did notice throughout the ride a bit of reasonance through the bike at about 3900 to 4100 rpm and so in Toowoomba I pulled over and put in a washer between the frame and exhausts. A little tweak that made a lot of difference. Still a small amount of reasonance there but greatly reduced.
Overall, a great day out and a trip worth repeating, especially on a dual-sport bike.
The Grace to Goombungee route is my second listed ride and a bit of fun. The road from Hazeldean to Somerset was as lovely as it can be and there must have been at least 200 bikers along various stages of this road. Whilst of was envious of the riders on the very sweet looking Suzuki GSX-Rs, I enjoyed the extra power provided by the exhaust and jetting changes.
 |
| Somerset Dam, 19 August 2012. Whitewall tyres look good, don't they? |
After Somerset I took the first left down towards Mount Glorious and Fernvale. This added a fairly long dog leg to the trip of about 35 minutes; normally I would take the road straight to Toogoolawah but this diversion was quite enjoyable as it takes you past areas of Lake Wivenhoe including the old hydro-electric power station.
Then the turn off from just south of Toogoolawah to Crows Nest via The Bluff road. What I did find is that the road from Toogoolawah is not all tarmac; there is plenty of gravel road to cover. Fortunately on this day the gravel road was in fairly good condition and the bike did AOK. This is not a road for sports bikes though and I am looking forward to taking the Suzuki DR800 through it soon.
From Crows Nest to Goombungee is fairly straightforward and the contryside is looking fairly green at the moment. These are good roads to sit and think but you still need to be alert as the condition of the tarmac is not consistent and there is plenty of roadside roadkill to remind you of the dangers in this part of the wourld.
After a great lunch with my cousin and his family and friends back home through Toowoomba and along the highway. I did notice throughout the ride a bit of reasonance through the bike at about 3900 to 4100 rpm and so in Toowoomba I pulled over and put in a washer between the frame and exhausts. A little tweak that made a lot of difference. Still a small amount of reasonance there but greatly reduced.
Overall, a great day out and a trip worth repeating, especially on a dual-sport bike.
Grace Lutheran Church Ride 15 July 2012
Who would have thought it. I belong to a church full of revhead!
Straight after the service on Sunday 15 July 2012, four Harleys, one BMW 1600 and my little V-Star lined up to travel to the Bellbird Cafe outside Kenilworth. Not to mention two carloads of happy punters, including a classic jet black Monaro.
The ride out was OK, but as this was the first time out as a group, we kept it all on the tame side. The cars and BMW travelled a more standard route and the remainder up through Glasshouse Mountains, Landsborough, Maleny and finally Kenilworth. On the way back the Harleys led the way and we tried some more interesting roads. It is clear to me though that the V-Star, the Rainmaker, needs more power. Next time out I may take the Suzuki DR800.
Lunch at the Bellbird Cafe was great; fantastic spot and the staff and owners are so enthusiastic. If you have never been there, this is an error in judgement - your judgement - that you must rectify.
Straight after the service on Sunday 15 July 2012, four Harleys, one BMW 1600 and my little V-Star lined up to travel to the Bellbird Cafe outside Kenilworth. Not to mention two carloads of happy punters, including a classic jet black Monaro.
The ride out was OK, but as this was the first time out as a group, we kept it all on the tame side. The cars and BMW travelled a more standard route and the remainder up through Glasshouse Mountains, Landsborough, Maleny and finally Kenilworth. On the way back the Harleys led the way and we tried some more interesting roads. It is clear to me though that the V-Star, the Rainmaker, needs more power. Next time out I may take the Suzuki DR800.
Lunch at the Bellbird Cafe was great; fantastic spot and the staff and owners are so enthusiastic. If you have never been there, this is an error in judgement - your judgement - that you must rectify.
First ( ...time frame TBC ) Grace Lutheran Church Ride - 15 July 2012
Who would have ever thought that I would be organised enough to write about an upcoming ride, not just review it weeks after the event? No me, that's for sure.
Yes, it has happened, so I had better mention the ride. On Sunday 15 July 2012 a group of riders from Grace Lutheran Church in Redcliffe, Queensland, Australia will be leaving straight after the service for a ride through the Glasshouse Mountains and end up at the Bellbird Cafe in Kenilworth. There should be seven bikes all up and a few cars may either follow or meet us up there. Should be a good day out for all of us. Photos and review to come, after the ride.
Yes, it has happened, so I had better mention the ride. On Sunday 15 July 2012 a group of riders from Grace Lutheran Church in Redcliffe, Queensland, Australia will be leaving straight after the service for a ride through the Glasshouse Mountains and end up at the Bellbird Cafe in Kenilworth. There should be seven bikes all up and a few cars may either follow or meet us up there. Should be a good day out for all of us. Photos and review to come, after the ride.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)