Island Bend Kosciusko ride Jan 30-31

[Airbear]

I've been away in Melburg for a couple of daze, picking up an R90 sister for Brunhilde from Hans. I see that preparations for the Zombie Rally have progressed well.

My preferred method of exploration is to mostly avoid the coast (the coastal highways have traffic!!) but touch it as I zig-zag back and forth over the Great Divide. A very useful reference is the Australian Motorcycle Atlas:

https://www.hemamaps.com.au/en/Buy/Book ... -Top-Rides

The Atlas includes descriptions of 200 of the best rides in Oz. These are helpfully highlighted in the maps, and include dirt as well as blacktop. I haven't met a recommended ride that I didn't like.

Neil, given your musical affliction tendencies you may wish to bring your plan forward to include the Easter Blues Festival (24 to 28 March) at Byron Bay - the eastern most point in Australia, not far below Brisbane. It is stupidly expensive, but you are a rich american tourist so it shouldn't be a problem. Here's a poster giving the list of performers:

http://www.showticksecure.com/BluesFest ... 160106.jpg

The area around Byron is magnificent and includes the legendary Nimbin, where the legenday She'llbe lives.

In planning, just make sure there's a weekend to spend in the lumpy part somewhere near the lower right hand corner for the Oz Boxerworks First Annual Zombie Rally.

ps: Should we dress up?

[She'llbe]

I've got a house in Lismore and Nimbin. You can stay at either of them if you're in the neighborhood. The bush house is a lot more fun and drug friendly for those that like a little smoko, not heavy drugs like heroin or cigarettes.

[Airbear]

A fine offer there, She'llbe, and the bush house is highly recommended.

Here's my new R90, a sister for Brunhilde:



Yep, it will be quite an adventure. It's all there, I think.
About 10 more sleeps till Island Bend.

[malcom]

Speaking of great motorcycling roads in SE Aust. The bit between Tathra and Bermagui deserves a mention, hills and hollows and bends all the way, carved out of the spotted gum forest, with a couple of single lane bridges to keep one awake. I did it on the weekend in beautiful conditions warm sunny through the forest and along the beaches, it really doesn't get much better.

Unfortunately there is an 80kph speed limit on much of the good bits, but with my pedestrian riding speed it didn't prove a problem.

A new set of tyres are going on "Rocinante" as we speak and a major service next week if the bits arrive, so we'll be ready for Island Bend

cheers malcom

[ME 109]

That area between Tathra and Bermagui is what first prompted me to want to end up living over there.
The spotted gums are one of my favorite trees and the forests around Tathra are magnificent.
And right in the middle is Picnic Point, and its oysters.
ZM would love it!

[SteveD]

Rain around Jindabyne next week, but temps mid 20's Saturday and no rain forecast. Promising.

[ME 109]

Rain around Jindabyne next week, but temps mid 20's Saturday and no rain forecast. Promising.

I always make a point of checking the weather forecast when I get back from a rally. It's a good way to check the accuracy of forecasts.
I honestly can't remember the last time it rained afternoon or overnight while away camping on the RS. Years.
I can't remember a lot of other shit that happened while away camping on the RS either, but I'd remember if I got cold or wet!

[Airbear]

Here is the Norwegian's view of likely weather for Jindabyne. At the moment they are predicting some wetness on the Friday and Saturday, but that may change over the next few days.

http://www.yr.no/place/Australia/New_So ... /long.html

[SteveD]

That would put a dampener on my plans.

[Airbear]

That would put a dampener on my plans.

The forecast for the weekend is looking better today - the Norse gods are working in our favour.

http://www.yr.no/place/Australia/New_So ... /long.html

We'll know more as the week progresses.
Perhaps we can rely on the dumb luck we've enjoyed over the last few years.