Oxley Highway Report

15-17 September 2000

Usual Suspects:
Byron VTR
Brendan CBR6
David ZX9
Heath YZF1000
Mike CBR6
Richard CBR9
Rud R1

Day-1

Byron wakes up with a bung ear quick visit to the Medical Centre (in full leathers mind you) has him meet at Chez HH at 7:45am. A wave goodbye to the family with an errant thought to strap one of the little ones to the tank with some spare gaffer tape and we are off 1700KM of nirvana ahead of us.

First stop is at Macca's at McGrath's Hill with a refuel at Windsor sees the famous crew ready to depart for the Putty Rd at 9:15am.

Soon a pace is set after Wilberforce with a Number-1 stop past Colo and a bike change for Brendan CBR6 becomes R1, R1 pilot becomes CBR6 throttle-jockey. WF1.5 is set on the open stretches by the new R1 pilot with David scoring a puncture Byron/Richard stop to assist and the tire is plugged and inflated within 15 minutes top job Mr Metzler. This was to be one of many impromptu roadside breaks.

A planned regroup at the Half-way house occurs those not involved in the repair are tucking into steak sangers. Byron does a splash of dinosaur juice and we are soon off Rudi's offer to Richard of a blast on the R1 is postponed to Saturday an ominous decision.

Richard sets off as point and a brisk pace is set Rudi in pursuit and the rest closely follow. Soon the rhythm of up-hill down-dale begins with a sharp breaking session for the wooden bridge at Howes Valley. Rudi and the others keep close formation as we go through Howes Valley Richard focused on the road ahead but not what's behind fails to realise until an open stretch that there is no Rudi or anyone else behind. A slow down to a crawl follows, when the Ninja Pilot aka Stealth Dave appears Rudi has come off !!

A slow run back to the crash site reveals all A banking left hander is where the R1 has had the back step out into a lowside. R1 and Rudi have separately hit the armco R1 is now in pieces ruptured tank and Rudi's shoulder/blade neck has hit the armco HARD ! Nothing appears broken but a passing motorist offers to take him into Singleton Hospital for checks.

Next job is to work out what to do with a busted R1 the thought to race back to the Halfway house and call Ghostriders (motorcycle recovery) is agreed upon.

While getting ready to leave an older lady drives by with a trailer Richard and Byron set of in pursuit and flag her down. Not before Richard does the stupid thing and tries to get off the bike before putting the side-stand down. With the weight of a full tank and the Ventura pack he tries his best to keep the bike off the ground no such luck and Byron assists in righting the CBR9. We then find the magnesium side cover is scratched bugger. Pride in tatters bike will survive another day.

The kind woman who has returned to the crash scene, allows us toss the remnants of the R1 in the trailer and we decide to leave the dead R1 at the Halfway house just as well, as Ghost riders confirm that they are unable to collect the bike today if even this weekend.

An attempt at calling Brendan and David on their mobiles fails so messages are left. As we are about to head off the station owner says she has had a call from Brendan that they are at Singleton Hospital. We agree to depart ASAP - a blast to Singleton and a top punt through the Putty Bends gets the trip back on focus a slightly feathered CBR9 rear tire indicates fun is now on the agenda.

A meet at the Singleton hospital and some flirting by Nurse Katherine gets everyone smiling. A few of us pop in to check on Rudi but matron kicks us out of the emergency room as she doesn't like bikers. Funny how the world over, nurses/emergency rooms/bikes do not make the ideal mix.

Rudi's X-rays confirm nothing is broken even though Rudi is in some pain due to the bruising another 6 inches either way and this could have been a sadder ending.

We promise to have some chocolates dropped off to Nurse Katherine Byron doesn't let up on the cute nurse all weekend.

Refuel and lunch at a Scottish establishment for lunch (2nd time for the day) and we are off to Gresford/Dungog via patch of dirt and some road-works slows down our progress. The road is a bit of a shocker in parts due to buckled bitumen the odd hippy-hippy shake occurs for us all, without it ending in tears thankfully just spirited riding.

A regroup at Gloucester and more dinosaur juice for the bikes and water to rehydrate and we are off to start on Thunderbolts way woo-hoo. Just prior to departure a call to Russell at Gingers Creek to let them know our progress is delayed ETA is now 6:30pm 2 hours behindwe don't want a repeat of last trip when the lights were off and the gate shut.

Brendan takes led and before long some serious carving is interrupted by more roadworks. The local road crew has put down fine blue gravel kitty-litter over the fresh tar serious sliding is experienced if we are not careful. We all make it through and start the 11km climb to the top nirvana here we come.

The CBR's are gunning it hard, the CBR9 is locked in 3rd gear with WF0.6 being seen going uphill this is such fun. A ute follows in pursuit and we regroup with a Lexus 4wd and the ute at the top for a natter and drink in the view.

The race across the top on the way to Walcha kicks in with WF1.4 coming into view until Brendan scores our 2nd puncture for the day. A quick stop and repair and we are on again in 15 minutes.

The run to Walcha albeit brisk, is a safe affair with the YZF munching up the distance as only a 1000cc machine can do FAST. Now we are on the famous Oxley WF1.7 comes into view on the YZF with the Ninja and CBR's in hot pursuit. The aging CBR of Mike's does all proud there's life in the old girl yet. Byron attempts to find the top speed of the VTR based on revised jetting and gearing - a good result all round.

Once the twisties start some of us regret not swapping our tinted visors for clear the shadows combined with the impacted bugs makes high corner speeds a concentration affair. > Soon the 4KM sign (more like 6KM) appears and in a blur the 200M sign- bikes are parked grins all round and the business of sorting out who has what bunk begins. Beers are cracked, and the reminiscing of the day begins but not before a toast to out fallen comrade Rudi.

The owner has dinner on by 8pm and the beer and wine flows along with stories such as I was catching you on the corners but couldn't match your punch out on to the straight.

We retire to our bunkhouse and continue for a while till about 10pm the batteries fade (alright those over 30) and conversation slows it has been a top day one and there are two more to go.

Day two

Route:

We start to stir at 7am with 6 showers needed we get moving quickly. Richard pops up to see Russell the owner to say G'Day. Russell is in a rush because he needs to take one of the pups to the vet paralysis tick is rife and he lost one pup on Friday as he doesn't want to lose another so he asks us to shut the door on our way out.

Breakfast is announced via a shotgun blast they do things different to the city folk out here.

It's a hearty affair (not too mention a cholesterol one too boot) and we consume with much gusto. Heath agrees to make the YZF the packhorse for the day and we load him up with cameras, spare visors and assorted crap gotta slow him down somehow.

A decision to depart with clear visors is a wise one as we encounter cloud on the way down to Long Flat. Richard in lead soon has David on the ZX9 biting at his heels. A decision to wave David through is made and the final run through the back and forth twisty road is met with straining leg muscles we have just finished 65KM of twisty road. (include photos of signs 25 Km + 45 Km)

We regroup near long flat Byron's thirsty VTR with the smallest tank refuels at Long Flat. The rest continue on to Wauchope prior to the run into Port Macquarie. Richard manages to lose his rain-gear Heath the faithful tailgunner collects it from the centre of the road it has some scars but will still do its job if called upon. Heath guides us to the bike shop in town for air cartridges to replenish those used to repair Friday's punctures.

We now have THE MOST BORING BIT of the whole trip the Pacific Highway for 144KM. Heath and others decide that bike swapping is the way to break up the monotony.

Soon we find the shortcut to Bellingen (how you ask cause there is a sign saying shortcut) and the road scenery changes for the better lush countryside. We motor into Bellingen quietly except for Byron, and find fuel and top up the bikes. Heath notices his oil light has come on so a top up of oil follows for him. Next where to for lunch? Opposite a pub beckons, so off we go in search of refreshments and food. The public bar is a sight Miss Peroxide is pulling beers and God knows what else behind the bar. A few feral scrags try to eye us at the bar - we avoid eye contact in case they think they could be on a promise.

We setup camp at a table outside and wait for beers and food to arrive soon we are tucking into great food and downing the light beers although we keep mixing up who's beer is who's can't mark the glasses like you can a stubbie sophisticated lot aren't we.

Now bikes and bikers are fuelled and we head out of town we then come across Macquarie Pass Mark-2. It's a 10Km scamper up from sea level to the table land some enjoy the run up others not, due to shadows on the tarmac causing some folk to baulk mid corner.

The race across the top to Armidale is uneventful and we regroup in town for fuel. A respectable exit pace is set as we leave Armidale we have not attracted the attention of plod so far and we intend to keep it that way. The run to Uralla via the New England Highway is a sedate one now we turn off for Walcha for a bit of throttle twisting fun. In Walcha we top up the tanks and begin the blast to Gingers all top speed records are set although not as impressive as the ZX12R's WF2.2 - with video footage to boot.

When we park the bikes and crack the beers Russell informs us that the pup will make it good news a positive omen for the rest of the trip. We are challenged to the water-tank run for one us to ride of our bikes up to the water tank and back cross country style.

Mike with the CBR6 decide to give it a go must be his youthful enthusiasm, because even Brendan thinks it's a bit daft. After a brief walk of the course pace notes prepared, he begins the run up the hill on the venerable CBR6 house record is 1:45. Byron videos the whole show for later scrutiny by the Russell.

As there are some other folk staying tonight the shotgun to announce dinner is put away. More beers and wine over dinner followed by stories of the day. We depart for the bunkhouse and light a fire as the night is bloody cold. Russell rides down on the pushy to check on us and switch off the generator for the night an all mighty crash signals the pushbike bingle. He returns nursing some bruising the morning reveals a need for stitches and a broken left arm must have been the liquid anaesthetic that numbed the pain at the time not to mention probably blurring the vision in the first place.

We swap stories and hear about the other clowns that have stayed in the past we are so tame in comparison. We turn in at around 10pm again, our bodies are now feeling tired with the riding we have been doing.

Day three

Route:

We pack reasonably early and head up for a breakfast definitely not endorsed by the National Heart Foundation. Bikes are assembled for a photo out front and we start the run to Walcha taking care on the still dew covered corners. Photo's of the twisty road warning signs are taken as souvenirs.

A fine clip is set through the twisties with Mike's CBR6 enjoying the cool dense air as he heads off into the distance but not for long. The scenery is fantastic in the low areas there is some fog that causes us to slow down and take stock of things. As it burns off we get to wind on some more speed and a high speed run by Richard past Byron gets exciting when a road deformation cause a serious shake of the bars full throttle brings it under control.

In the distance Mike's bike seems to slow yes it's runout of fuel the CBR6 has woeful economy at WF speeds. The rest head in to Walcha for fuel and to borrow a jerry can Heath heads back to refuel Mike and soon we are together to start the run along Thunderbolts Way. The high speeds have taken their toll on the YZF and Heath needs to top up the oil again nearly 1 litre in the weekend.

The WF speeds have suited the ZX9 and CBR9 with both returning excellent fuel economy you have to wonder what speed you would need to be doing before they became as thirsty as the 600's?

As we leave Walcha the sound of the exhausts causes the local livestock to scamper much to the amusement of the tailgunners. As we get closer to the tighter stuff roles change and a rapid pace is being set through the sweeping corners that make this road so famous. As we near the top of Thunderbolts an approaching biker signals as if plod is ahead. We slow down to a respectable pace in time for more of the blue gravel. A regroup for a Number-1 stop at the top, has us taking in the views again. We check with other motorists who confirm no plod the silly bugger must have been waving us on.

The run down the hill has forearms straining under the brutal breaking pressure as we hurtle down the 11km descent. A logging truck give us a surprise and we soon start the rolling run into Gloucester. VTR and CBR6 are in the lead with the rest in pursuit. 8KM out we regroup before we enter the township.

It is during lunch that rear tires are inspected and David discovers that the 207 on the back of the ZX9 has decided to call it quits. It is worn to the belts and David decides to have a mate come up from Sydney. We tuck into lunch, refuel and get ready to leave Gloucester it is at the regroup that Brendan's lapse of concentration has the CBR6 crashing into the CBR9 only decal damage to the 9” the 6” is fine.

David waves us off and we proceed to Dungog no roadworks this time and the dirt is crossed without incident. We stop in the shade and realise we have lost Mike he has puncture and Heath uses the YZF as a support vehicle again. Mike is lucky to have a 4WD stop with him to lend assistance with a pump later we discover he inflated to 53PSI !! Mike and Heath rejoin us and we are onto Gresford then Singleton for a refuel. The sudden heat has us drinking fluid at a rapid rate to prevent dehydration. From Singleton it is off to Broke then Wollombi for a regroup and visor clean.

Now the CBR chase starts from Wollombi with an impressive hill climb up on to Central Mangrove where we check all five with us. Peats Ridge and onto Mt White where Heath says farewell while the rest of us contemplate the weekend that was.

Richard decides he needs to lower the rear tire pressure on the CBR9 the tire is nearly stuffed so he may as well have fun with the run up from Brooklyn. Mike and Brendan's rear tires are also looking very 2nd hand.

The CBR9 WF1 run up from Brooklyn concludes what has been a top weekend tired bodies all round but it was fun getting that way. We refuel at Berowra and say our final good byes as we leave with the memories of the past few days.

Thoughts must now turn to how to make the next trip even better. All agree this is about as much fun you can have with your clothes on although we are sure that if the challenge is to do the Oxley in the nude Mike will be there.

Yours irreverently "the scribe".

Awards.

Frequent crasher points	Rudi on the R1
Sustained high speed runs	Heath on the YZF
Best high speed run for the trip	Equal tie ZX9 and CBR9
Best bike sound	Byron on the VTR
Best body sound	Byron in the mornings but the smell!
Biggest lunatic	Mike using the CBR6 as a chook chaser followed Russell the owner, on the pushbike in the dark
Loudest noise	Russell and the shotgun for the breakfast call Byron 2nd with the Yoshi's and body noises
Fastest flat tire repair	Dave on the ZX9
Biggest annoyance	3 punctures on the trip Richard's topple.
High point	The whole trip except for the Pacific Highway
Low point	Rudi's off” and the end to the trip
Biggest darkhorse	Dave the Stealth Ninja pilot
Drink the bar dry award	The crew both nights
Eat the house empty award	The crew morning and night
Best conversation on their own	Mike talking to himself during the night both nights!!
Cute nurse award	Katherine voted by Byron many times over
Most shagged tire	Dave followed by Mike then Richard
Roadside assistance	Heath on the YZF

By Richard Speedy