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Apologies for throwing this one in to the mix but I just thought I woudl throw an old report into the new ADV section. This report is about a last minute trip I took last year to a destination I had wanted to get to ever since I first heard of it and saw pics, McKillops Bridge over the snowy river.
With a very late decision made on Thursday that In would be taking Friday off work, the opportunity came for a ride and given that I had wanted to get to McKillops for a while, it was time.
Well Friday dawned bright and sunny so it was time to double check that I had everything, throw the top box on and head out, if a little later than anticipated.
Well Friday dawned bright and sunny so it was time to double check that I had everything, throw the top box on and head out, if a little later than anticipated.
As usual with all rides down south it was trundle along the Princes Highway with a quick refuels at South Nowra before heading off to Nerriga along Braidwood Road with the intention to take Charleys Forest Road for a change.
On turning onto Charleys Forest Road I found that it was being regraded so thought no real problems and kept going. Well, that was soon to change as I found the grader and water truck after a kay or so and well, when you mix water, dirt and TKC80’s it isn’t always the best.
Needless to say after much skating, slipping and sliding I was out of the regraded section and onto what I will call the untouched road proper, and what a damn nice road it turned out to be. I found the surface (well, when it was dry) very grippy while the road itself was extremely enjoyable with the usual number of great views found in these parts.
Before long it was onto Mongarlowe to find that the bridge still hadn’t been re-opened so I just followed the detour signs along Clyde Road 8 which was yet another fine piece of gravel. This road has a few tighter sections (well tight for the area) but nothing that was difficult before ending up at the Kings Highway for the short tar strop into Braidwood
The idea of taking Friday off and having a ride really was starting to look good.
After a quick bite to eat it was onto the Braidwood – Cooma Road, a road which is familiar to may but in my case had only been done in part once previously, and then the opposite direction.
While the northern end is mainly sealed it is still a great ride as it undulates over hills whilst cutting through farming country, all the time with views that relax the body and mind. Then you notice the dead wombats and realise that you are in prime wombat country which at one point yielded four dead wombats in the space of 200 metres.
I was really enjoying this road and it was to get better on hitting the dirt as for some reason I just felt in a damn fine groove (guess being relaxed does that). While the road surface varies the mood never did and I found myself really having an absolute blast as the rear slid and I left dust behind for others to choke on (well, if there was anyone back there). Whilst this entire section was sensational I have to admit that my favourite was the section in the Deau NP with the small ‘old school’ fencing beside it. For some reason I was absolutely at home here and really felt at one with the Strom to such an extent I actually had to stop, laugh, take a pic and take it all in. Seriously it was one of those very weird moments that we likely all get at various times when out on the bikes, but this was just so unexpected.
Mind you, I couldn’t stay in the moment as I had roads to get to so after a quick drink it was off again and onto the wider sections of road that traverse through the forests. This surface was incredibly grippy but looked as thought it would be diabolically dangerous in the wet, so I guess that I got lucky and could really have a blast before finding the tar at the Numeralla end.
Ok, so where to now?
Well, the maps had shown Tuross Road as looking interesting, so when the intersection turned up, a left turn was made and I headed further into uncharted territories.
This turned into another good decision and another of those roads where I felt at home as the bike just took it all in it’s stride while I just enjoyed the road while trying not to run off due to the views. The surface was again varied as we always get in these areas, but always confidence inspiring as the road winds up and down hills and across some flats with interesting rocks formations and the obligatory dead wombat.
But seriously, Tuross road was just another that will need to be re-done as it provided every reason and then some of why I bought the Weestrom, as well as showed me the start of the Wadbilliga track (for another day of course).
Eventually though you always arrive at an intersection and this road was no exception. This time I had the choice, right to Nimmitabel or left to who knows where, but with a name like Old Bega Road I expected good things. So a check of the GPS confirmed that the left turn came out, so the choice was easy and ‘left turn clyde’ it was, but not before a friendly local had passed, seen me checking the GPS and checked that I was ok.
Well suffice to say that like all other choices so far this turned into another correct decision as this road started with some quick tar but soon disappeared into some wild fun dirt, complete with more weird rock formations, including ‘baldy’
Leaving ‘baldy’ behind, the road meanders up and over hills through more farming country with constant teasing glimpses of more views through the trees. Before long though you climb a nice hill up to a few transmission towers and find yourself in plantation country which begs to be explored further (another trip planted in memory), but again those views take over.
The sealed road you see in the last pic is the Snowy Mountains Highway and I was soon to join it as I headed to Bombala. Well that was the plan anyway as while I joined the Highway ok and I followed it ok, there was a road name that caught the attention so I though why not.
Yep, I saw a road called ‘Old Bombala Road’ and though that with a name like that it would lead to Bombala right. Wrong. Yep, I ended up back on the Snowy Mountains Highway near Nimmitabel so a u-turn was in order and back I headed far from disappointed in any way.
Why?
Well this little piece of road is sensational, no other word can describe it (in my humble opinion) as it has everything that I could have asked for and then some all thrown into a short little piece of bliss.
Well that little sidetrack done, I rejoined the road into Bombala and after asking around settled on the Imperial Hotel for the night which was yet another good decision with excellent cheap accommodation and great food, and it was a top spot to finish.
Garry
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