It's on again, Brisbane to Tintaldra "08
 

HU Travellers Meeting
Time to put the word out for riding companions. Might have to back off the daily km tally as last year nearly killed me. Must be getting a little old to do the 900+km per day.
This is the route we took last year, always open to alterations or complete new routes.

Brisbane,
Rathdowney,
Kyogle,
Casino,
Grafton,
Ebor,
Armidale,
Walcha,
Stroud,
Singleton, overnight stop
Wilberforce,
Lithgow,
Bathurst,
Cowra,
Young,
Cootamundra,
Gundagai,
Tumut,
Cabramurra,
Tintaldra.
1,720 kms

Last year we did the return trip in 6 days including the weekend at Tintaldra. I will try for 10 or 12 days this time depending on work commitments. Swags and tents were the norm last time, but I could be tempted to use country pubs. Anybody keen to join in???? Pace is tailored to ability and preference.

Let me know what you reckon

Glen

HI loxsmith
I am defineatly interested. Do you stick to the bitchy or do you take dirt roads. I have a 1000 v strom that I could take, but what I would really like to do is follow the dirts roads etc as much as possible on my 640 adventure. I would also prefer to swag it it with the occassional stop over in country pubs etc.
The world supers are on the weekend after at Phillip island and I was thinking if taking this in ( even if its just the saturday)

Would be every interested in discussing this further with you. Would also like to pick your brains about some of the other rides you have done that I have read about here and on other websites. (canada etc)
Cheers
saab:thumbup1:

Hey Saab, I have a friend on a 640 that might be keen to do some dirt stuff with you. I try to do mostly bitumen stuff on the DL but will do the odd dirt road if the quality is good. The DL is a little heavy to slide around on the dirt.
Are you in Brisbane???? If so we could catch up. Let me get my house move out of the way on Friday week and I will get a little spare time.
Hadn't thought of the Supers, but that's another option worth considering.

Do the run over to Canada you won't be disappointed! :thumbup1:

Yep am in Brisbane
Let me know when youve got your move outta the way, and we can discuss it more.

So you got up early this morning to eh! Look forward to catchng up, I live at Eatons Hill about 18km north of the CBD.
I will send a link for this thread to the Brisbane Community to open it up a little more.

Where do we get the info...
 

Guys, new to this forum and am prepering a TTR 250. Where can I get the dates for the meeting etc. Keen to tag along but as you can appreciate 900+km's per day would kill me and probably the bike. Setting up the bike now and would be keen to meet up at some stage. Is there a Brisbane 'chapter'. Live on the Gold Coast...

Cheers.
Julian.

Welcome
 

On the LHS of the Home Page look for EVENTS then meetings just under it. Scroll down to Australia, dates are late Feb from memory

After that go to COMMUNITY on the LHS then down to Join a Community
You can then send a message to just people in the Brisbane area for get togethers or local rides

Other general info is available direct on the HUBB forums. Try the Yamaha one for bike specific info.

We are yet to agree on travel dates for the run down to Vic but all classes of bike and rider skills are welcome. Some may want to leave earlier or later than the majority. Whatever fits in.

I will pick some dates out of the sky soon and go from there

Glen

February 22-24 2008 . Register here - http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/meetings/Aus2008.php

It is on the border between Vic and NSW .. some good riding avalible.

You migh be best with the dirt riders .. little speed difference between the 640 and 250s on dirt .. well less than on tar. Depends on the ridering experience and the dirt too. If you are judged to be slower (? or is it distance travelled in a day?) then set off a day or so in front and meet up later on? How far do you want to travel in a day .. and on what surfaces.
For me ... touring .. well 400km is good. 1,000km per day is just travel, not touring and it would be tar or really good dirt. 200km is being lazy, or doing a few walks..

I have a couple of starters so far and a visit to the World Supers is gaining momentum.

Glen

Hiya Glen,

I may be a starter for the ride down anyway. At the moment I'm in Noo Zulland and am due back towards the end of January. I'm trying to decide whether to ride down with you guys or leave earlier and do a lap around Tasmania.

When are the Supers?

Cheers(G&T for me),

Ken

P.S. The Fushing is bloody good here at the moment!!

Hey Ken, can you wait 'til Sept and October '08 for the Tassie run. We are heading down there for 5 weeks.

I am told the Supers are the weekend after the HU meeting, perfect timing

Enjoy the Fushing, stay away from that G&T stuff it's poison! Remember??

Glen

Brisbanites!
 

Hey Guys!!! I'm from Brissy aswell and have just come back from an African trip.... so would love to catch up in Brissy or the Gold Coast (got a locum job here)

Would love to come to Tintaldra but infortunately I sold my trusty steed in SA so have no bike to ride... arrrgghhh

Stay well everyone
Amy

Saab and Amy we will catch up soon. My house move is now completed and life is returning to as normal as it gets.
Looks like I have 3 firm starters so far for the run to Victoria.

Sounds good Glen.
Myself and another mate on a 950 are definates. We plan on departing Bris Tues 19th or Wed 20th and have plotted a route taking in mostly good quality dirt roads. Will be camping / swagging most of the time. Might stay in a pub a couple of nights. We will also be taking in the World supers at PI, although not sure if we will stay for the Sunday as I need to be back at work on the 5th March.
I'm still keen to do a cracow run with you on my strom as well. Have you heard anything about the back to Cracow weekend Fred is putting on?

Amy just read your blog.....what an awesome effort. You make Eve McGregor (Ewans wife from long way down) look like an amateur. :-)
Well done. :thumbup1::thumbup1::thumbup1::clap::clap::clap:

What a shame you cant make the HU meeting. I am sure there would be heaps of people that would love to hear of your adventures.

Perhaps we could have a Brisbane mini meeting and you could share some more info.

Cheers
saab

Cheers
saab

catch up in Brissy
 

Hi guys,
would love to catch up sometime for a few beers and exchange of some stories. I am heading back to Brissy in a few weeks as I'll be moving back from the Gold Coast. Home sweet home
Amy

Africa
 

Thanks Saab, Africa was truly a fantastic experience and I would drop everything to go on another trip! ( planning again)

Funny that you mention about Ewan and Charlie, someone gave me the first 3 episodes of long way down CD recently and I thought they just complained the whole time, Even me as a girl thought they were pansies!!

I still take my hat off to them for doing it, but it's not real adventure motorcycling. We actually missed them by two weeks in Capetown ( and beat them to the Cape of Good hope!) We also got told by a source that they had two spare BMW's with them on their trip down through Africa!!! Now thats' some serious spare parts.

Would love a mini HU meeting in Brisbane! I'm dying to talk to other like minded people. the real world is so mundane in comparison.
Always Amy

I will be going again, will send some Jesse luggage and some of my own panniers down for a display and carry what i can, if i can get away on the Wednesday would be great other than that its Thursday morning to get there Friday arvo and that makes for a couple of long days.

By car...
 

Guys, probably against the 'spirit' of things but it doesn't look like my bike will be prepped in time.:( I may look at taking the car down so could run support if you need it and take some people down that are bikeless...

Your thoughts...

Cheers.

Julian.

Trashed my Strom on the weekend in Tenterfield NSW, hope to get it repaired or replaced before the meeting. I suppose I could always be a co-driver with Julian

I will call Fred and get an update on the boxing tent weekend.

Hey guys? If the car support is still cruising down, When are you guys heading down? and coming back?
Amy

Sorry to hear about your bike Glen. Hope you can get it sorted in time.:(

Amy would be cool if you could come down with Julian.:thumbup1:

Hi there

I am intending to travel down, but my itinary will be via the inland route as follows, or something similar, lets see where the GPS takes me <g>

Rocky
Moura
Miles
Moree
Narrabri
Dubbo
Forbes
Wagga Wagga
Albury
Tintaldra
If anyone is interested in doing this route, let me know. I intend doing it hardish, it is 1700km, which is shorter than going via Brisbane. I will most likely do 1000km Thursday then the final 700km Friday, arriving in the arvo. I will be camping and then leaving probably Sunday arvo or Monday morning

Car to Tintaldra
 

Guys, if I do take the car down I will probably leave Wednesday and returning on the Sunday/Monday. Cruise down the inland way.
Car is a Territory so room (comfortably) for another 3 (and gear).
I would love to take the bike down but don't think I could get it ready in time...also time is of the essence and given it cruises at 80 would take 3 days to get there). Didn't buy the bike to race around.

I'll keep you posted and oh, would leave from the Gold Coast.

Cheers.

Julian

Cruising
 

Hey, Would also love to ride down but alas I don't have a new bike yet!! Still mourning over having to sell my steed.
Anyway, sounds like a good plan, will be in touch
Amy

Called Fred Brophy at Cracow and wouldn't you know it, the Boxing Tent is on the same weekend as Tintaldra. This is likely to be the last time he does this as his children are not keen on taking over from Dad, and Dad has just about had enough. Getting harder and harder to get fighters from the crowds.

Still waiting on word whether the bike is a repairer or written off. Fingers crossed for the later.

That'd be right:(
Would still be keen to head up some other weekend when we get back anyway.

Hope your bike is written off:thumbup1:
Is there stock available for a replacement?
Cheers
saab

My Strom is headed for the scrap heap, but there is still time to get a new one before the meet. I will follow the old bike to the auction yards and maybe buy it for a spare. Can't have to many bikes now can you.
Oh well it almost made it to 12 months old, (1 week short) was just starting to get in the groove and loosen up with 14000km on it.
Stripped all the good bits off it today before the Tow Truck took it to the auction yard.

Cracow Pub is a classic even without the Boxing Tent in action.

Good to see this thread is gaining momentum, should be a good turnout.

Hello Guys,

Im up for a ride to Tintaltra, Im driving a KTM 660 so dirt would be preferred!

Saab, are u still going at 19/20-th?


Greeetz

Hi Gozelle
Yep leaving the 2oth.
You may need to leave a bit earlier if your coming from the netherlands :-)
I will pm you my details.

I should be there.There's a few guys from ADVrider turning up also.I don't have to go as far as you guys from up north though.

Andrew

No new bike yet but I am hounding the insurance company hourly. Must get the tickets organised for the meet and sort out the costs for Phillip Island. How many starters have we got for the ride down so far???

If the bike does not turn up in time there is always the car, the up side is it has a 60 litre Engel fridge that could come in handy. :thumbup1:

What, only 60 litre????

Cheers
TS:clap:

Riding down to Tintaldra
 

Hi, I don't post here often. I live in the Coffs Area (1100GS) I'm leaving early on the Tueday prior to the meeting at Tintaldra.

I'll be heading down goodish gravel and tarmac back roads as much as I can using the following as rough guide...Oxley Hwy to Walcha, try and bypass Tamworth via Woolbrook. Then Werris Creek, Gulgong, Mudgee, Hill End, Bathurst, Oberon, Crookwell, Yass, Wee Jasper, Tumet, Batlow, Tumbarumba. Then I want to find an interesting way to get to the road that travels along the northern side of the river to Welaregang then it's over the river to Tintaldra.

I'm aiming to get there by Thursday lunch. If that roughly fits in with anyone's plans and they want company I'm open to suggestions.

Steve

Steve
I just found out that the guy that was coming with me has had to pull out. I think Gozelle is still coming though and we may be able to meet up with you at some stage, possibly Walcha. I was planning on leaving Bris on Tuesday morning, so would need to look at travel times etc to see if it would all work. I probably could leave Monday instead.
Your route is essentially the same as we were going to take from Walcha anyway.
What are your plans after the meeting? I am going to spend a couple of days or 3 looking around down ther and was going to go to the world supers the next weekend, but now may just head back after a few days.

Other option is thake the Vstrom instead of the 640 and go with Loxsmith & co, but I was really keen to stick to take the 640.

If there is anyone elese from up here heading down, let us know.
Cheers
saab

I'll talk to you about it on the Advrider site

Pickup the new DL tomorrow, so that's the end of the 60 litre fridge. Will have to do an oil change on the run but if that's the worst then I am happy. :thumbup1:

Glenn
If you need someone to put a few kays on it before you go, I would be happy to help. Its the least I could do.:mchappy:
i could do a quick blast out to Cracow and back on Sunday:scooter:

Sorry Saab, no chance of a ride before we head south, if you are good you can have a ride later. I only got time to put 250km on the clock and now I have to head west for 9 days to work in Western Queensland. Unfortunately this trip is in the Troopcarrier. Still has a fridge but only a little 15 litre Engel, still that's better than nothing. Then 2 days back at work, then off for 2 weeks of riding. Now there's a plan.

Seeya!

Glen

So hows eveyones plans going?. Gozelle & I will be leaving Tuesday and should be there some time Friday.
Glen, the original guy that was coming with me has pulled out, so I might hook up with you guys for a day or 2 during following week. Will talk to you more down there. Hope the weather clears.
Cheers
saab:thumbup1:

Hi

I am still leaving Thursday morning at this stage, depends on the floods:stormy: up here, should get there late Friday arvo.

Cheers
TS

Back from the bush
 

Got back yesterday and not looking forward to 2 days in bullshit city before the ride down. Will be a couple of late nights doing the final fitout on the new bike.

At this stage we are down to 2 riders, John and myself heading down for the meeting then on to Phillip Island for the Super Bikes via the Great Ocean Rd. We intend to leave early Wednesday morning, 20th, and will be sleeping in swags for most of the trip.

Hard to get used to locking the car and stopping for those things with red lights again!

Not long now, can't wait

I'm off in the morning. (meeting Gozelle at Beaudesert at lunch time)
Looking forward to seeing everyone there. I will be updating my blog as I go. If anyone is interested the address is
CHASING THE HORIZON

Cheers
saab:thumbup1:

I am also off in the morning, Thursday, down the interior Highway, just me and shit load of nose to tail semi's from what I hear :)

I am also swagging it, got to get used to it sometime, See you all there.

Cheers
TS

I must be the luckiest man alive!
 

2 weeks, 5600km door to door, some of Australia's best roads and scenery, great company, heaps to drink, and a brand new bike to boot. Some of the highlights were, the HU meeting of course, Echuca, Grampians, Great Ocean Road, Wilsons Prom, WSBK Racing at Phillip Island, the Heli flight over the track and the ride home with my mate Guy (saab463) who helped me find the limits of the new Strom on creek crossings and various goat tracks on the way home.
As I say, it's back to bullshit city only long enough to make some more cash to pay for the next big adventure.
Congrats to Sian and her team of helpers who made the meeting a huge success, thanks guys! Hope the chocolate business takes off and makes you a fortune Sian.
Now off to clean that bike and make it look all sparkling and new again, like that's going to happen.

Now get out there and ride this great country of ours while you can still get your leg over!

'Til next time :funmeteryes: