Alan gave the ride brief “allow the three seconds gap from the rider in front, I’ll be sitting on 110 on my speedo, and we will have coffee in Bombala – does everybody know the way?”. Nods all round, and we set off. We arrived in Bombala, and the usual coffee shop / bakery is now closed and up for sale. The town is really struggling. Those needing fuel filled up here, and by the time the stragglers arrived in the substitute coffee shop – we were still waiting. An hour or so later, everybody had finally received their coffee. Let’s just say the service was atrocious, but so be it. We were finally ready to hit the road again.
The route from here is via Cathcart and Mount Darrah Road, through Wyndham and into South Pambula. Coming through Cathcart and up into escarpment territory, the widespread damage from fire is just so sad to see. Parts of the valleys never before seen off to the right, were now easily visible through the stubble of the trees. Having said this, the road is still a joy to travel on, with no shortage of twisties to keep the blood coursing through the veins.
We arrived at the Pambula hotel, and grabbed our lunches and a mixture of liquid refreshments. Saddling up after about an hour here, we got back on the road – heading north on the Princes Hwy for a short few km, before exiting again at Wolumla, onto Candelo-Wolumla Road. The road from here through Candelo – the heart of the Bega Valley, is just spectacular. So much drought and fire, yet here the rolling hills are a perfect blanket of green grass. No wonder the cows like it here and the dairy industry is doing as well as can be!
Turning left onto the Snowy Mountains Highway just east of Bemboka, we enjoyed a spirited uphill ride through Brown Mountain – until we had to drop to a frustratingly slow pace by a few slower larger vehicles and tin-tops out for a Sunday drive. A brief stop in Nimmitabel, and we parted ways homeward bound.
A great day, thanks to all who attended.
Chris
List of riders:
- Alan Munday (ride leader) – Yamaha FJR1300.
- Chris Dietzel – Kwaka GTR1400.
- Kevin Sherman – Indian Scout.
- Jeff Jarvis – HD Soft Tail Deluxe.
- Steve Smith – HD Limited.
- Bill Henshaw – Triumph Explorer.
- George Attard – Triumph Tiger 800.
- Terry Southberg – BMW R1200RS.
- Chas Towie – Honda ST1300.
- John Grace – Triumph Tiger 1200.
- Warren Richer – Triumph Thruxton
- Scott England – BMW R1250RT.
- Ian Patterson (non-starter) – Honda GL1800.
