Unseasonably warm day forecast, both for Canberra and the Coast. Bernie, the faithful steed was up for it so we hit the road just after 8:30 am One bit of roadworks held me up for 15 minutes before Bungendore but that was OK (had I known, I would have turned the engine off and gone for a walk). The road between Tarago and Nerriga isn't the best in the world but it is quite scenic. Lots of shade though, that can hide the potholes but I kept a speed I was comfortable with and being midweek, there was very little traffic. But once one has passed the village of Nerriga, the road becomes truly fabulous, especially on a bike. Long sweeping turns, good visibility and when the time comes, just saying, plenty of places to pull over for a leak.
I probably didn't navigate the best way through Nowra as there were lots of little traffic jams but they were soon in the mirrors. Not far North of Nowra, the freeway starts but I was surprised how long it had taken me so far. I think I blame Google Maps as it forecast I would be probably maintaining 100 kph on the windy pot holed bits. The Reserve fuel light came on just as I approached the outskirts of Wollongong so I filled up near my forecast lunch spot at 1:00 pm
Lunch was at the Headland Hotel, the weather was a balmy 21 c and I wondered why everyone was sitting inside. My burger took ages to arrive and for the price, I was a little disappointed. AND, I didn't even finish all the chippies. I really thought I would be having lunch 2 hours earlier and the wind was quite strong. I decided against one of the real reasons for the trip (a blast up the Macquarie Pass) and decided to proceed along Lawrence Hargrave Drive, past our usual Easter accommodation to the scenic "Sea Cliff Bridge". I had Michael's GoPro on a chest harness (my next task this morning is to YouTube that) so all was not lost......except when I got to the bridge, I had to follow a slow ugly bus. After ascending from the coastal strip, I pulled over to turn the GoPro off and as I touched the off button, it fell from the harness - that was lucky.
The wind was really picking up so it was a bit unnerving. The only really scary part of the trip was when I turned onto the Picton Road and a huge semi began to pull out in front of me - he had no excuse for not seeing me and he did slam on his anchors and we all lived to tell the tale. Once I hit the Hume Freeway, either the wind died down or it was in my back. I had my "highway" play list pumping tunes into my helmet and I set my sights for home. I was getting a little stiff and sore when I got near Goulburn so I pulled over once I hit the Federal Highway and had a little stretch. It was dark as I hit the 'burbs and I haven't ridden at night on this bike before. Good lights but it was good to hit the driveway. The garage door wouldn't open for me and I soon figured out the reason for all the Electricity trucks next door - power had been off since 1.00 pm so good thing I had been out and about. I was knackered though, some 570 km over the day (200 the day before). Still time for a birthday feast with the family and then this achy body hit the pillow. Might not go for a ride today !
I probably didn't navigate the best way through Nowra as there were lots of little traffic jams but they were soon in the mirrors. Not far North of Nowra, the freeway starts but I was surprised how long it had taken me so far. I think I blame Google Maps as it forecast I would be probably maintaining 100 kph on the windy pot holed bits. The Reserve fuel light came on just as I approached the outskirts of Wollongong so I filled up near my forecast lunch spot at 1:00 pm
Lunch was at the Headland Hotel, the weather was a balmy 21 c and I wondered why everyone was sitting inside. My burger took ages to arrive and for the price, I was a little disappointed. AND, I didn't even finish all the chippies. I really thought I would be having lunch 2 hours earlier and the wind was quite strong. I decided against one of the real reasons for the trip (a blast up the Macquarie Pass) and decided to proceed along Lawrence Hargrave Drive, past our usual Easter accommodation to the scenic "Sea Cliff Bridge". I had Michael's GoPro on a chest harness (my next task this morning is to YouTube that) so all was not lost......except when I got to the bridge, I had to follow a slow ugly bus. After ascending from the coastal strip, I pulled over to turn the GoPro off and as I touched the off button, it fell from the harness - that was lucky.
The wind was really picking up so it was a bit unnerving. The only really scary part of the trip was when I turned onto the Picton Road and a huge semi began to pull out in front of me - he had no excuse for not seeing me and he did slam on his anchors and we all lived to tell the tale. Once I hit the Hume Freeway, either the wind died down or it was in my back. I had my "highway" play list pumping tunes into my helmet and I set my sights for home. I was getting a little stiff and sore when I got near Goulburn so I pulled over once I hit the Federal Highway and had a little stretch. It was dark as I hit the 'burbs and I haven't ridden at night on this bike before. Good lights but it was good to hit the driveway. The garage door wouldn't open for me and I soon figured out the reason for all the Electricity trucks next door - power had been off since 1.00 pm so good thing I had been out and about. I was knackered though, some 570 km over the day (200 the day before). Still time for a birthday feast with the family and then this achy body hit the pillow. Might not go for a ride today !
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