Friday 8th May26
Ride day and it’s a start docket from the local Corryong BP servo at 12:02pm and a full belly for Fergus and off we go. It’s a bit chilly 5 degrees so the heated suit is on and an easy ride out through Jingellic, through the first of the roadworks, nice and slippery too, could feel all the yuk sticking to Fergus then Holbrook across the freeway and a steady ride into Wagga. Just before Wagga though I had this new warning light come on and this one made me panic. Pulled over took a pic and rang Karl to see what’s going on and did I need to stop. OCABS Disabled flashing, not going to affect my brakes and has something to do with a cornering sensor (at home in the manual it says it’s disabled when in off-road mode but I don’t remember EVER making that change). Anyways, with the heart rate back to normal, I continue on.
Now, I put a new taller & wider screen on Fergus to help with the wind buffeting and it’s a great improvement. Only thing is the low position has the top of screen through my line of sight so moved it up 2 possies and much better. Also trying to get comfortable in the saddle so thought I’d try turning the airhawk around and what a difference the change made. Made the long day a lot more comfortable and enabled me to focus on the actual riding….who’d have thunk it 😝
Temora came along and not long out of there a huge grey roo decided to make an appearance, thankfully I had time to downshift and slow down in case there were more on their way. Into West Wyalong for fuel and a short comfort break then headed towards Parkes as the sun dipped his head and decided to go to sleep. It was proper dark when I reached the BP Gateway Parkes before continuing onto Dubbo.
I was feeling good, comfortable, not sore and fidgety like I have been on previous rides. The new bar risers I think making a big difference also. Karl & I installed a Spot & Flood lights on Fergus a while ago but haven’t had the opportunity to test them out until now. Well, I can say they are a success and lit up the road and verge perfectly, still on alert but relaxed riding through the night. Into Dubbo for fuel and dinner, a servo sambo, a quick call to Karl and make sure my Spotwalla link was working now before heading off for the final stretch for the day in Wellington.
Pulled into the Crown Motel Wellington at 8pm – shower, check in at home then into bed. Most comfortable ride I’ve had on Fergus.
Saturday 9th May26
On the road at 6am, it’s cold and foggy. I had to stop before leaving town to put the screen down so I could look over it instead of through it cos it was all fogged up. The back road to Dunedoo is unmarked, narrow and tall grass on the verge and I was a little more alert and the fog was so thick that you couldn’t see properly. Slow and steady wins at the end of the day and slow it was down to 60kph for a good portion of the journey to Dunedoo as visibility was difficult. I’d rather be late then the alternative. Pulled up just out of Dunedoo as the sun started to rise to get a pic..naturally and a heap of bikes went past and the last rider checked in to see that I was ok…thanks mate if you are reading this.
Into Dunedoo and the previous riders had all pulled into a brand spanking new servo in town…fancy. I continued on to get my Silo Art photos when Skidoo & Hagar come through. Hagar sees me and pulls in, Skidoo nowhere to be seen, so Hagar says we’ll catch him up – well we never did.
Now that the fog had lifted the only thing Hagar & I had to contend with was the rising sun blinding you. More back roads and a nice steady pace all the way to Tamworth where we stopped for fuel. I felt bad about hi-jacking Hagar but he tells me that he’s happy to ride with me and we keep going.
Onto the New England Highway and it’s been ages since I’ve been on this road. I couldn’t believe the amount of roadworks on the NEH up the hill to Moonbi then past an old and very familiar Bendemeer….wondering whether the pub there is still as good as it was (for another day).
It’s not long and we roll into Uralla, park up out front of the Bolt Inn, say hello to Hackle and then it was a search for coffee before check-in. Was great watching everyone roll in and assisting with check-in. Hugs all round to some faces I haven’t seen in a very long time. Congrats to new riders and a special mention to Lindsay who completed her first solo SCDR ride and another female joining the ranks. We have a great catch up before it’s time for her to head off again.
With the official things done, time for a good lunch, more reminiscing and as the hands of time tick by it’s time to say farewell until next time to those still around.
A tidy and comfortable 1038.4km for the Uralla ride.
Thanks for reading.
