Whoota Breakaway 2014

This topic contains 6 replies, has 0 voices, and was last updated by  Gavin Brown 10 years, 9 months ago.

Viewing 7 posts - 1 through 7 (of 7 total)
  • Author
    Posts
  • #103989

    Gavin Brown
    Member

    DSC03534_zps90444372.jpg
    A few of us have gathered together with the Breakaway Group for a lot of years now and have an annual ride once a year. Once again this started at Bulahdelah. The Plough Inn Hotel.

    https://mw2.google.com/mw-panoramio/photos/small/19485003.jpg
    The demented adventure group composed of Mickp, Mark1957, Steve P, Tryhard and myself Gavb.
    Where will we go? Was the question. There are heaps of trails & decent roads in the close proximity of the town its self, so we hit the map and made a rough plan to zigzag a heap of back roads & trails and emerge somewhere for lunch at a respectable hour. And if it’s not too much trouble, end the day at a close proximity to Gloucester. We thought if one was to ride in that area, it would follow through nicely as a second day run round the top end of the Barringtons.

    DSC03517_zps3dc17b12.jpg

    I took off a couple of hours late to ride up to Bulahdelah. Took a few back roads along the way including Wallaroo State Forrest & Nerong SF. Steve & Mick and Joe all took Nugera Lane. Joe pulled in the car park 3 mins after me just as it was getting dark and Mick & Steve finally rambled in a beer & a half later, well and truly in the dark.

    After the rain in the last week the team found the trails to be quite slippery. We checked out a trail that climbed the hills east of the town and crossed through to check out the rather large tree.

    DSC03519_zps2e542f0d.jpg

    36037dab-cd54-4f9f-851c-26c4294982ee_zps68833e78.jpg

    We found the local bike wash along the way to check out Wallingat Nat Park. You can also get to this via Sugar Cr Rd off the Lakes Way.
    Mickp
    DSC03524_zps6ae50cb9.jpg

    Stevep
    DSC03525_zps5e9a6dea.jpg

    Joe then Mark
    DSC03526_zps0b40aa5d.jpg

    Whoota Whoota Lookout was one of Joe’s favourite lookouts because he didn’t have to walk to it.
    I have never seen Joe walk to any lookout. They are all the same!

    DSC03533_zpsfd019440.jpg

    DSC03534_zps90444372.jpg

    We found the boat ramp and the camping area looks decent enough as well.

    DSC03538_zpsfa06557f.jpg

    Mark
    DSC03540_zps3a52344b.jpg

    Joe’s bike was very dirty. Better give it a heavy duty rinse off. Much better but didn’t wash off the thing attached to the seat.

    DSC03542_zpsd3fda0c2.jpg

    DSC03544_zpsc5c48634.jpg

    Bachelor state forest is quite a nice run with these nice whoops along the main road out.

    DSC03546_zpsc4d72516.jpg

    DSC03570_zps23ca6e39.jpg

    Hey! Who has gone past the Salty Dog at Col Coolon how do you spell it…? Coolongolook (thanks Google)
    It’s a ritzy fish n chip alfresco diner out the back. Food was really good. Company wasn’t bad also.

    DSC03557_zpsb968f0d7.jpg

    DSC03558_zpsfa0994af.jpg

    DSC03561_zps1e99d5df.jpg

    Well satisfied we headed directly west ish. Curreeki Cr Rd

    DSC03565_zpsdb26db10.jpg

    There was heaps of these shots as I was taking most of the shots on the fly. Most did come out but a bit more blurry than usual.

    DSC03576_zpsba3097b7.jpg

    Through to Bunya

    DSC03577_zps99e073a5.jpg

    & Tipperary Rd & Titaatee Cr Rd never let us down weaving through the farms and hills.

    DSC03583_zps173d9eb6.jpg

    DSC03591_zps45874842.jpg

    This is where we said good bye to Mark as he could only get out for the day. So with a couple of hours to spare we headed up Bakers Cr Rd to Bundook and looped back to Gloucester.

    DSC03592_zps05017ac3.jpg

    The Round About Inn is quite nice to stay at these days. Everybody enjoyed the Food & entertainment. sorry no pics. We popped down the street to check the entertainment at the other local establishment and the band was going off.

    90% rain was the forecast. What a spectacular morning. Glowing

    DSC03605_zps94f7d083.jpg

    Even got a pick of the ghost rider. Can you see him smiling.

    DSC03616_zps6bf6ee72.jpg

    Curricabark Rd. Heading west off the Thunderbolts Way, is one of the most spectacular ways to get to the other side of the Barringtons. Its easy dirt road but meanders tightly up the valley through farmland and as you go up the trees & plant life change rapidly to suit the altitude with moss & lichen growing on trees that live in moist shadow the whole winter. Yes slippery in spots… Wahoo.

    DSC03623_zpsbf024f8b.jpg

    DSC03626_zpsa871cdfd.jpg

    DSC03631_zps9695238b.jpg

    Yes we are headed towards the mist covered mountains

    DSC03632_zps0b1dae0c.jpg

    DSC03651_zps497393d0.jpg

    DSC03661_zpsae41bcaa.jpg

    This guy was out for a run

    DSC03662_zpsad0d20dd.jpg

    The place was very green

    DSC03666_zpsad78a7d1.jpg

    DSC03669_zps2fafa743.jpg

    It would not be a trip over if we didn’t get a pic here

    DSC03685_zps9a228615.jpg

    This wombat was minding his own business when I took the pick he took offence and tried to run me down. He glanced off the motor and kept on going into the scrub. Glad I was stopped as I almost fell off when he hit me.
    DSC03691_zpsabd4ccd1.jpg

    DSC03692_zpsb39017c8.jpg

    It wasn’t our only encounter with the bulldozer built species.

    Out along the other side someone has done a lot of work planting acres and acres of green low leafy turnip style plants which is totally different from our last tour.

    DSC03698_zpsfe2b5a4e.jpg

    Moonan Flat Pub. Good information place for conditions. We were a bit early for lunch at 11.00. so the next town wouldn’t be until Singleton. No worries.

    DSC03705_zpsd17aa6c0.jpg

    Stewerts Brook with a few more bike washes Mick then Steve

    DSC03712_zps301d8d6b.jpg

    DSC03713_zpsa5810a17.jpg

    This skirts some fine rainforest with lush scenery

    DSC03716_zps14271b4a.jpg

    DSC03719_zps7571344e.jpg

    The 90% chance of rain had been threatening in the distance for a while and we were thankful it held out to after this dark soil trail.

    DSC03728_zpsf60eb183.jpg

    DSC03729_zps677725a6.jpg

    We just got off the Mountain and well on our way to Upper Rouchel when the dark & stormy rolled in and just after, when we should have put the wet weather gear on, it down poured.
    It was pretty heavy so the camera got put into the zip loc bag. And we took on the Albino rd. We could see from the mountains the squalls everywhere and in particular east towards home.
    The rain just got heavier and without the good gear we have, it would have been miserable. 3.pm and lunch at Singo.

    Thanks gents for the ride. It’s always a pleasure to ride with these guys.

    DSC03733_zps61560747.jpg
    THE END

    STATS
    Distance 850Km
    Elevation 1355Mt
    Rain Fall Excessive aprox 3Hrs
    Food All Good
    Snorer Grumble Grumble
    New Tech 7 Boots Awsome
    No Brake Downs Awesome
    KTMs & DRs no worries

    #257451

    usi
    Member

    Bringing back some memories !!!! Great pics mate!

    #257452

    Dwayne O
    Member

    Fantastic read there Gav :)
    That is a great route and looks like you picked the weather just right too,,,

    Thanx for the effort that went into that report !!!
    Top shelf ;)

    #257485

    jim cady
    Member

    Luv the photos on the fly technique you use Gav , like to be able to do it myself only I think I would come unstuck :whistle:

    Cheers James

    #257501

    Gavin Brown
    Member

    Thanks James, Mick did warn me to be careful. I was starting to get a bit out of control on a few corners. It does get a bit exciting one handed.

    #257453

    Michael
    Member

    Great report Gav

    Love all the water crossing looks like you guys had a great time , great riding up there

    Cheers

    King Strucky

    #257454

    Joe
    Member

    Great ride thanks Gav,mick,Steve & mark.

    Yep, seen 1 lookout seen them all. After all its the journey I enjoy not the destination! ;)
    How’s those guys form at the pub :huh: funny as :laugh: thought may may be in a bit of trouble :pinch: :laugh: :laugh:

Viewing 7 posts - 1 through 7 (of 7 total)

You must be logged in to reply to this topic.