DazzaB Adventures

Archive for April, 2011

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, the Snowy Mountains are simply heaven on a motorcycle.

Last weekend I went there with a few other riders and had a great time. There was early snow up there a few days earlier so we were expecting a very cold day. It turned out our timing was perfect as it was more like a Spring day up there. Look for yourself in the slide show that I put together from still photos taken with my helmet cam.  Hope you enjoy it.

Yesterday I answered the call of the Snowy Mountains and headed south for a day of twisties and exploration. I joined a few CanberraRiders for the boring ride to Cooma where they turned left heading to the coast and I continued on to Adaminiby and beyond. I did delay a bit for a cuppa at the wonderful East End Cafe. Only cafe I know where you get visor cleaner and chain lube with your cuppa.

The wide open sweepers to Kiandra are just spectacular and the view of the mountains covered in fluffy white clouds can’t be beat.  Along the Link Road I decided to stop and have a sticky beak  at Three Mile Dam which normally I only see for a second or two as we zoom by. It looks like a wonderful place to camp and even though it was a bit chilly I think that I might go up there for a few days next Spring.

My next stop was Cabramurra for fuel. I had a chance to look at the displays there about life in the 1950s during the construction of the Snowy Mountains Scheme. I just can’t imagine what it must have been like to live up there in those days. It’s well worth a look if you haven’t seen it.

So now it was time for getting in to the twisties proper but I was more in a sight seeing mode really so I just wandered down to Tumut Ponds enjoying the beauty surrounding me. Every time I ride through that area I have a wonderful time. It’s just a perfect road in a perfect location. The traffic was light with only a few fellow riders enjoying the road.

Now it was time for a late lunch so I headed for Corryong and the lovely Pepper Leaf cafe. I ordered a toasted cheesy with ham and what arrived was the nicest toasted sandwich I’ve ever had. I don’t know where you get bread that delicious and it was stuffed with yummy cheese and ham. I took my time there, reading the local paper and taking in the sites. I even gave them a bit of advice on the decor as the walls were quite bare.

Even though it was nice and warm I knew that once I headed up in to the mountains the temperature would drop so I put on my warm clothes and headed towards Khancoban. As I arrived in Khancoban I realised that I had never actually seen the town so I took a little tour. It turns out there is a nice town there with shops, schools and even a country club. I think next time I’m riding by that I’ll take the time to stop longer.

And now for the good news. As I headed for Thredbo I hit my personal zone and everything came together. All the conditions were perfect for a wonderful run through the mountains and I felt great. This isn’t to say that I was just going fast but rather that I was riding smoothly and enjoying each corner as though the bike and road were one.

Along the way I had to stop for a Wombat ambling across the road. He looked just terrible with bald patches and crusty skin. I’ve been waiting for a long time to see a Wombat that wasn’t road kill but I had no idea they could look so bad. I really should have called a wildlife rescue service as I’ve since found out they can be treated. I also was lucky to miss a fox and a cat along the way to Jindabyne as the sun was setting.

After my final fuel stop it was off to Cooma for a rest and cuppa. Then back up the slab of boredom in the dark. Almost twelve hours later I pulled in to the garage quite happy and satisfied. Oddly enough, I was ready to go again but decided it might be a good idea to get some sleep first.

A couple times a year CanberraRIDERS head up to the Marulan Driver Training Centre to ride on the track and work on skills. I’ve only taken my bike out there once but this time around I decided to do a video about the day and try some new angles with my GoPro HD helmet cams.

These videos were made for the riders so they are a bit long in parts. Consider it the Director’s extended version. Enjoy.

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