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A few weeks ago I was lucky enough to be involved in a test session of a small track complex at Marulan to check the suitability of the complex to host motorcycle ride/track days. The idea was to check both the suitability of the circuit itself (only 1km long) but also safety and more importantly it’s noise impacts on neighbouring properties.
Of course I took the camera for the day and somehow I fluked it and got some decent shots so the track owner had asked if he could get copies to use on the website to publicise the track, and of course who am I to say no.
Album of pics of test day: http://s17.photobucket.com/albums/b100/gco0307/RIDES%202009/MDTC%20-%203105/?start=all
So yesterday I decided that I wanted to ride but with it being so damn cold I was wimping out until I decided to use the day as a test session for my new thermal balaclava. So a small and quick ride idea was born.
But first a warning.
The roads ridden are roads, not tracks, trails or firetrails so many will find the report pathetically boring so you may want to change threads now if you find these type of reports uninteresting. :cheer:
But by the time I had made up my mind is was already past 1200pm an d needing to be back to pick up Michelle from work meant that I had to get organised and so it was that I found myself kitted up and with the bike started ready to roll. But first things first and I needed fuel so it was down to the local servo for a top up of the IMS tank.
That done, on went the balaclava, on went the helmet and on went the old tried, true and trusted summer road riding gloves which I expected to be a possible limiting factor.
Now, without trying to bore I found myself in a super aggressive mood when I hit MacPass and so it came to pass that I caught and got around a number of vehicles, all safely and with a big wave of thanks top the drivers. Oh yeah, I also caught a line of cars being held up by a bike who seemed to be the only one unhappy when I got around them, go figure.
Once at the top I knew the test of the balaclava would come as really I do regard Robertson as the a**hole of the world as it is always cold, even in summer it is cold and it was to be no different, but the balaclava was holding up well. Needing to get this trip over quick I just took the Highway run to Hoddles Crossing and decided to tackle the ever enjoyable Canyonleigh Road to Marulan.
Canyonleigh Road does start sealed until the Tugalong turnoff but after that the surface is a fun hard packed red soil that allows some good speeds to be maintained, although it can be slippery on the marbles that accumulate in the wheel tracks.
First rest stop showing the road travelled, and that ahead
And one of the DR enjoying the view
Rest over it was a quick remount and back to the road only to have to stop quickly to let a truck through, although he did not need the room I was in no mood to rush and felt that courtesy is the best way. A quick wave of appreciation from the driver and I was on the way again, still barrelling along at a good rate enjoying the surface, grip, views and the fact that the balaclava and gloves were working well as I was still warm.
After a while the road intersects with Inverary road which heads back to the highway, but I wasn’t interested in hitting the freeway yet so kept on going. It is around this point that the road narrows initially and wanders through a few trees, never difficult but is quite narrow by comparison to the earlier road, although the speeds are still good. At the end of this little section is one of the few slow corners on the entire road and one I love as I can always throw the bike sideways and feel as if I have ability, this ride was no different. Man I am a powersliding god ………………………… not.
From here the road got a little loose as it had recently been regraded and was quite soft in places which meant that the rear wandered a little bit, but that the front gripped well which allowed some careful fun as you never quite knew how much grip was around.
While I made mention of the earlier corner, there really is only one small section on this entire road that has anything resembling a corner combination and that is when the road drops to the Paddys Creek then climbs again. Whilst this little section should be quite easy the northern side always causes me problems, particularly in the direction I was heading as it is always a loose surface but more because it is fully off camber. So as usual it was a gentle decline to the creek where I decided that another rest and drink was in order.
The road in.
The creek.
The road out.
This area is farming country and so it is heavily used by Cattle and sheep, sometimes there are reminders that life ends for all of us.
The climb up from the creek was sealed yeas ago to avoid wear and is only 200 or so metres long, but once at the top the track again opens a little wider and continues following the undulations of the land.
The road.
After a short while you come to the first of three gates that take you across one of the properties.
The scenery around these parts is good as well, this is the paddock to the side of the road.
And of course the DR likes these parts.
This is a public road and it is passing through unfenced paddock and in the past I have shared the road though the property with Sheep, horses and of course cattle but today there was to be no company.
Passing through the remaining gates, making sure to close them as I go the road really starts to open up now, but al to soon I came across the grader and had to back off a tad. Once past the graded though and the road can best be described as quick, like freeway fast and then some if you want it as it is wide. Although the surface was a little loose in places and the bike did wander slightly this is a great fun piece of road and allows one to play the boy racer as you twist and go on the throttle.
Nearing the end the road surface changes from a little loose to hard packed, almost sealed surface like as it crosses another property with more unfenced paddock. Whereas the road thus far could be described as quick, this section can be blindingly fast and with the two cattle grids in the middle, if you want the fun is limitless, provided that the paddocks aren’t beings used of course.
The freeway like road in with cattle grid in the far distance.
The road out
The cattle grid on the way out is a little more difficult to hit flat out than the other grid, but still is fun.
The scenery around these parts isn’t that bad either.
Of course the DR has to get in some pics
So after taking the pictures and enjoying the scenery it was back onto the bike for the to short remaining dirt section before hitting the tar at Bannaby Road and heading to Marulan. Well that was the plan but I was enjoying myself and having fun twisting the throttle to near stop, so instead of left turn it was straight ahead and onto Carrick Road which I had done in the pas and new to be another fast road.
Carrick is as said fast but also slightly undulating and again with a great surface. It is another of those roads I like simply because of the scenery and the fact it is a pleasure to ride, you do not see other vehicles yet know the road is used while off to the side all just looks so damn peaceful and relaxing.
Well that is the last of the pics as from here it was a simple following of Carrick Road until the Hume freeway, although the temptation to do Mills road was real I did somehow manage to avoid it. Once at the freeway it as a left and up to the destination so that I could drop in the CD of pics taken at the track test as well as have a chat and drop a few hints around whether they needed help at the moment.
But, by now it was after 2:45pm and I had to be back in Wollongong by 5:00 so it was a simple mad dash back out, on to the freeway but not for long as I took the Highlands Way back through Bundanoon before heading the backroads home.
All up a good little ride that gave a solid test to the balaclava which passed with flying colours as surprisingly did the road gloves which were no doubt helped by the EGO barkbusters as wind onto the hands was limited. Mind you, it was good to get back on the bike as it had been a week or so but feeling a little sore this morning.
Garry
The only bad ride story in my book is “The One That Isn`t Shared”
Way to go Gazza, once again an interesting story & nice pics mate,,,
Cheers
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