Not A Mid Life Crisis, Just An Extended Tour (Part XVIII) - The Sydney Contingent Arrive

 DAY 24

We were leaving Hobart today and heading west. First order of business though was to source some breakfast. The guys had spotted Jackman And McRoss in Battery Point yesterday so that was todays breakfast bakery. 😁

I have eaten here numerous times in the past so knew it was a good choice but I have to say, the meat pies are next level! Large and filled with quality beef that just melts in your mouth. 10 out of 10 stuff! I also grabbed a lemon curd tart for ‘Ron.

We threaded our way out of town in peak hour traffic as we watched rain showers approaching from the southwest. I was going to lead the guys over the Molesworth road but decided to stick with the main highway along the Derwent as this gave us more distance from the approaching showers. This seemed to work as we kept ahead of, then got around the northern edge of the rain into New Norfolk. We grabbed some fuel here then took the southerly route (B62) rather than the main A10 to the north of the river. Both roads would have taken us to our destination of Westerway. The B62 was bumpy and twisty. Perfect on an Africa Twin.😁

The Tuonos stopped for fuel at Westerway as it was a 210km return ride without fuel. I pressed on as I knew they would catch me quickly. I took a quick look at the deserted Westerway railway station. Another potential rail trail…?

The road in to Strathgordon is a cracker. Bend after bend through thick forest with the occasional open vista to remind you how remote this area is. The little hamlet of Maydena is in the process of being reborn  due to the mountain biking trails that have been carved through the ranges above town. $15 000 mountain. bikes are the norm - where a year or two ago $15 000 would have likely bought you a house in town. Much like Derby in the north, the locals are being priced out of town…

After what felt like an eternity of bends I came around a corner to this vista. I stopped for a photo. When I remounted and went around the next right bend I found Steve on the left of the road, also taking photos!

We stopped a few more times for photos, then eventually got to the Pedder Wilderness Lodge at Strathgordon.

This huge old Huon pine log was under cover and was matched with dates in history on it's growth rings. It sprouted roughly when Jesus was a boy......😲

There were some other interprative signs around and I got a laugh out of this one. It also highlighted how incredibly lucky we had been with the weather so far.

Then it was out to check out the dam wall itself.

Simply stunning. Amazing. I was so glad we rode out here to see this feat of engineering.

I was so amazed all I could do initially was scoff my lemon curd tart down....

Before walking across the dam wall for a look at the other side.

After a break here where we chatted to one of the hydro workers and observed a BMW S1000R with 2 inch chicken strips.....(we WERE at the end of 105km of some of the most superb sweeping roads in all of Australia and no, there isn't a tyre fitting shop at Strathgordon. WTF?!! He must have kept it near vertical the whole way in!!😯)

It was about 300 very twisty kilometres from the dam wall to our accomodation for the night in Queenstown. We sort of broke up as a group on the way out. The Tuonos would need to stop for fuel again (there was actually fuel at Strathgordon AND Maydena this year) and the Twins and Vstroms would chug on.

There was a single lane bridge just after Ellendale. The road from Westerway to here was a little ripper too.

I went on ahead and eventually stopped for fuel at Ouse. The others caught up here, then drew away. I ended up following Scotty for quite a while

The road down into the river crossing at the Tungatinah Power Station was another cracker. Continuing west through Derwent Park, I didn't stop. It was getting late in the afternoon and the sun was getting in the eyes, making it hard to see. What I DID see as I approached the Frenchmans Cap viewing area was a mother wombat and here offspring waddling onto the road. SHIIITTT. Just as I began to panic brake they must have spotted me and wheeled around, back into the bush. That would not have been pretty had I collected either of them.

All of these corners eventually gave way to the 99 Bends section of road that drops into Queenstown. Whew, I had made it! I don't say this lighlty bit I was DONE with corners for today. Easily the best roads I have ever ridden for sheer numbers and general quality of bends. Do try it. 😉

The guys who hadn't done the Strathgordon road were firmly ensconsed in the big leather sofas in the Empire Hotel. We soon joined them, gabbling about all we had seen and done today.

What a day!

480 kilometres total with about 430 of that being TOTAL concentration. No wonder we all felt a little beat.

Steve’s take on the day is posted here.