Latest news on the Adventure Travel Film Festival

Tickets are now on sale at http://www.adventuretravelfilmfestival.com/australian-festival/buy-tickets/

The line-up just keeps on getting bigger and so far includes Mal Leyland, Gaby Schrott, Michael Dillon, Lisa and Simon Thomas and 11 films. I'm most looking forward to seeing "Twice Upon a Caravan", which is the film made from Robert Fulton Jnr's overland trip from London to New York on a Douglas motorcycle in 1932. Post depression years, pre World War II Europe, pre-communist China, pre tarmac just about everywhere.

If you don't make it to the film festival, you are just plain missing out.

Goombungee Kindy Ride - 27 October 2012

Saturday 27 October 2012, my second time on the annual ride to raise funds for the Kindergarten and childcare centre at Goombungee. Last year's ride was an absolute hoot and so I was looking forward to this one. On top of the actual ride it was a chance to catch up with my cousin Peter, his wife Lynn and cousin-in-law Kerri.

Things did not go according to plan as I had hoped to ride up on Friday and stay up at Peter and Lynn's place on Friday night. For a week in which I had only one day booked in for work, I ended working right up until Friday afternoon at 2:30 and thus riding up to the farm was now not going to happen. No matter, left Saturday morning at 6:00 AM and arrived up at Goombungee with plenty of time to spare. Even had time to take some photos on the way:

Halfway between Goombungee and Kingsthorpe, just past the Al Paca farm.

The ride itself crossed through Crows Nest, Cooyar, Maclagan, Kaimkillenbun and Quinalow, finally heading back to the Goombungee showgrounds for an overnight stay with band etc. A Car and Bike Show was on the next day.

Kerri and Peter enjoying the ride

About 57 bikes and 67 riders and pillions showed up. A really nice bunch of people.

This BMW R1100RS is in immaculate condition and highlights the true essence of form and function in a bike.

Back at the Goombungee Showgrounds.

Unfortunately due to commitments on Sunday, I had to head back but next year I will try to stay overnight. The trip back was a bit soggy with the V-Star living up to its reputation as the Rainmaker. Whilst mentioning the bike, it was great to feel that the jetting changes are all fine, giving that little bit extra power in the higher regions. I could probably go forward ( richer ) one clip when at home at sea level and leave it the way it is for everywhere else. The luggage all seems to work fine but I broke a clip when I got home going around the side of the house and so will replace that and similar clips with carabineers perhaps. The other straps I have sewn on held onto ths saddle bag just fine and so I know I have good redundacy on the bags.

Overall though, about 700 kms riding, meeting up with some great friends, even an old face from my time in the RAAF at Amberley. I recommend this ride to anyone for a great day out. See you next year.

Simon and Lisa Thomas - Motorcycle Adventurers

Below is a press release for Simon and Lisa Thomas who will be attending the Australian Adventure Travel Film Festival in Bright in Feb 2013.

Lisa and Simon had  talked for many years about quitting their jobs and leaving everything behind to explore the horizon. One Monday morning, they sold their house, cloths, cars and furniture and set off for a planned 18-month trip.  After a decade (ten-years) of continuous bike travel the two have now ridden over 400,000 km, explored 77 countries, traversed 6 continents and surpassed 4 world records on their two GS motorbikes. As of late 2012 they estimate another 2-3 years on the road before reaching their goal of 122 countries. For more info check their website:  http://www.2ridetheworld.com/

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.