| Author | Message | ||
| atlas
FJR Top Gun Username: atlas Post Number: 536 Registered: 09-2003 |
Hi All, My darling wife & I went on a bit of an adventure yesterday,though not on the FJR, the Vulcan, but thought you may get a laugh out of this, those from the SE corner of QLD surely will... Misguided Tours: Our Excellent Adventures in Recreation Motorcycle Riding A Pillion’s Point of View Written by Tonya P Ride destination - Queen Mary Falls, Queensland, Australia Day – Saturday Date – 1 October 2005 Today is a gorgeous day for a ride. Not a cloud in a clear blue sky. Atlas, my dear husband, and I geared up for our day trip on Kawasaki Vulcan VN1500. Our ride commences from Plainland. 12pm. Riding from Plainland to Gatton for fuel stop. Kilometres traveled during our day will be counted from this fuel stop. Heading south from Gatton toward Tent Hill/Clifton turn off. The road between Tent Hill and Clifton is twisty in places with views of mountain ranges from the valley floor. The area is green and appears lush, due to recent rainfall. Riding through the hills there are roadside stops and picnic areas. I haven’t traveled along this road before so the scenery was lovely. Signposts along the way included Heifer Creek and Pilton Hill. Being a main road that meanders through mountain ranges, speed limits varied according to the terrain. Once through the mountains, rolling hills and fields were seen to the distance. The speed picked up also. Reaching the intersection indicating Warwick, we turned left. New England Highway. Highway 15. From this turn, we headed toward Warwick. 40kms to the first stop on our trip. On the New England Highway, it was clear that Atlas was itching to open up the throttle. It felt that we were now flying to Warwick, very quickly. As we approached Warwick, the farming scenery changed and became more urban. The region appeared very green and lush. We stopped for a break at The Bramble Patch Café on Albion Street, Warwick. Not a bad little place for a bite to eat. We were ready for the next leg of our journey after purchasing locally made jam and steak sauce. Rider and pillion are off again. About 1.30pm. Now heading toward Killarney and Queen Mary Falls…. Signs were posted yet were not as obvious as we had hoped. After asking for directions at a local servo, we were heading in the right direction. Heading out of town on the New England Highway we turned left toward Killarney. The road is the main road between Killarney and Warwick. Old gum trees lined the road. The view east was a delight, mountains near and far. Heading toward Killarney now. An attractive little town surrounded by hills and farms. Signs were clearly positioned for us to find our way to Queen Mary Falls. I would have liked to stay longer in Killarney, yet I think that will be another day trip. Meandering our way along the main road now through hills, streams and farms, we head toward the falls. The road makes steep inclines as we travel to our destination. The views of the valley below are stunning. Green, lush, impressive. The road makes for good riding. Reaching our destination, we gladly dismounted. After stretching a few moments, we gathered our bearings and headed toward Queen Mary Falls walking trail. I was reminded by my tour guide, my dear husband, about correct and appropriate footwear to wear when riding motorcycles. It is always best to wear comfortable shoes without heels, just in case you make a stop to the local national park for a nature walk. The walk to the falls was very scenic. The falls themselves were spectacular. After doing the tourist-thing and taking snapshots to record our time here, it was time to walk back up the walking trail. Combine the fact that my shoes were not the best to walk in as well as my distress to discover that I was feeling so unfit as my dear husband walked briskly on ahead of me. I was walking or jogging as regular exercise now, compared to one round of golf a week…. I needed a break. Then what frightens the life near out of me, a very large frill-neck lizard scooting into the shrubs. This was not the break I needed. After reaching the car park, we noticed people feeding parrots at the kiosk. We decided to take a closer look. Visitors can hand-feed rosellas and parrots. The kiosk was well stocked with souvenirs and trinkets to purchase. Naturally, I purchased a teaspoon to take home. Next stop was Boonah. Directions to travel along the Summerland Way were sought. After gearing up, we were on our way again. 3.30pm. We saw 2 wallabies bounding about when we drove back down to the main road. We traveled back along Queen Mary Falls road and turned left at an intersection, heading toward Legume. It wasn’t far to the Queensland/New South Wales border. At next intersection, we were veering left again. The road from Legume was a sealed road and t-t-terribly bumpy and narrow. There were signs posted stating that this road was in need of upgrading, they weren’t kidding. The road skirted along hills and farmland. The view was just lovely as we bumped our way to the next turn. This was the slowest part of our ride. Either the shock absorbers needed a bit more air in them or the tyre did. We felt every little bump and pothole in this road. We passed a few trucks along this road, they appeared to have right of way taking up most of the road. I had no idea where we were, and as it appears, neither did my tour guide, my dear husband, at the handlebars. I just held onto my body parts that were bouncing and hung on. The road seemed to go on for ages, when there was a signpost to White Swamp and Boonah. We turned left at this intersection. All was going well until the sealed road became a dirt track. Dust was flying up behind us yet this track was better than the sealed road we were driving on before. Farms were scattered on the hills around us and there were many herds of cows on the countryside. The hills were growing taller and large rocks of granite formed mountains to our right. Hubby slowed the bike down so we could speak. It was decided that as long as we reached Boonah by nightfall, which was an hour and a half away, we would be OK. The dirt track was a slow road to travel with very few road signs, houses or sealed sections. Many herds of cows were across the road as we traveled up hill and down dale. There were some really big cows in these herds. It appeared as though they didn’t like this noisy motorcycle interrupting their afternoon grazing. All I could do was hang on and hope they didn’t chase us. After much of this dirt riding, we needed a break, if anything, to re-circulate blood to our backsides, have a drink and a good shake to clear our heads. I don’t know where we were or if we will ever be able to find this place again. It was lovely. We got back in the saddle and endured more of this riding. There were many cattle grids along this road as well as herds of livestock. On this route there was a very steep hill. It was really steep. The tyres were losing grip and I was a bit worried whether I would have to hop off and start pushing the bike. I should state that my dear husband at the handlebars, took the track slow and steady and we made it up the hill. After many more kilometres of sealed roads and dirt tracks, a familiar word on a sign appeared. Queensland. We were almost home, or so I thought. Homes became more frequently positioned along this road. It was all sealed now and in good condition. I noticed one letterbox number, 2278. We were clearly a long way from the beginning of the street. We could pick up speed now. The scenery was glorious. The shadows were growing longer. Signs that we were nearing urban areas were increasing. 100km hour sign, woohoo. We must be nearing Boonah. A few kilometres down the road was an intersection. Rathdowney to the right, Boonah to the left. We were definitely going left. A few more k’s down the road and Boonah outskirts were in sight. We arrived in Boonah main street at 5.30pm. We dismounted grabbed a drink and some snacks from the local takeaway. A nice quiet town for a late Saturday afternoon. It felt really good being here. After a discussion with tour guide and driver, my dear husband, it was decided that we should drive to Yamanto, head toward Amberley then on to Rosewood and Laidley via a chinese food restaurant for takeaway dinner then home. We were still an hour or so from home. Dusk was upon us and the shadows were growing increasingly longer. 5.50pm. Gearing up once again, we were heading away from Boonah, north toward Ipswich. Terrain was looking familiar to me as we drove past roadworks at the Beaudesert turn-off. I knew where we were once again. That was a good feeling. Turning around, doing my best rubbernecker impersonation, I saw a sunset view of the border mountains that we had recently ridden through. The hills were all smoky. A delight to see. Peak Crossing came and went quickly, Yamanto was the next turning point on our journey home. Amberley is about 30 minutes from Laidley on the back road, by estimates; we should be home by seven. The road from Amberley through Rosewood then onto Grandchester was familiar. Next stop, Laidley, passing through the hills. Thinking that we hadn’t fuelled up for a while, I peered over my dear husband’s shoulder. The light, indicating low fuel, was distinctly orange in the darkness. I just looked at the light; we weren’t even near the big hill yet. The light did not flicker. Beauty. Memories of running out of petrol flashed before me – this happened many a bike ride ago and I recall the feeling unpleasantly. I am not pushing this bike. Thinking very positively and willing the bike to go onward and upward over this big hill was excruciating for me. I gave my dear husband a good thump in the arm once we reached the summit. It was all down hill from here. Rolling into a petrol station in Laidley, we were apparently not going to run out of petrol. My dear husband informed me that the motorbike took only 11 litres of petrol and the tank was full: we had plenty of petrol in the tank and the gauge was showing to refuel. Still not a comforting thought when you are nowhere near home. Next stop, dinner. 6.45pm. Then home. 7.10pm Important notes from our misguided adventure: Total kilometres - 330kms from Gatton to Plainland Fuel tank capacity - 19 litres. (Things to do for next outing - We were not even close to running out of petrol – light is going to be checked.) Footwear – Heels, no matter how low, are great to ride in yet not appropriate to hike in. (Things to do for next outing – buy decent footwear that has a heel yet is as practical as hiking boots for size 7 lady) Jeans – to avoid slipping on sheepskin seat, it is best to wear denim jeans. (Things to do for next outing – make sure that black thin jeans stay in the cupboard or go in ragbag.) Summerland Way – is the road that Atlas wanted to travel, not entirely certain where it is – about 100 kms away from where we were. (Things to do for next outing – check the map.) Well there you have it, my wife's record of our little adventure. I hope you all had a laugh as I did when I read it... Cheers, Atlas & Tonya | ||
| bernie
FJR Top Gun Username: bernie Post Number: 1082 Registered: 09-2003 |
Good write up, I enjoyed it, but there's something missing. WHERE ARE THE PICTURES??? | ||
| david1300
Moderator Username: david1300 Post Number: 2022 Registered: 09-2003 |
@Tonya - the sign of a good guide is that he gets you home safely - everything else is just an adventure to be enjoyed  @atlas - you took the road to Legume, then towards Woodenbong, then the White Swamp road - man, you need a guide!!  And you planned to do all that after leaving home at 12:00 - you also need someone to help you estimate the time a trip will take And Tonya will still ride with you Seriously, though - enjoying time like that together is priceless. And if you ever want to find those roads again (and they are great), just call - we know them all, including most of the bumps. BTW - if you hadn't turned off to White Swamp, soon you would have been at Woodenbong, then down the Mt Lindesay pass to Rathdowney. If you had found the Summerland Way, you would not have got home before 10:00pm And, like Bernie said - Where are the pictures? | ||
| atlas
FJR Top Gun Username: atlas Post Number: 537 Registered: 09-2003 |
Guys, The pictures... since th 50K rule, its just too hard... Anyway will give it a go. Cheers, Atlas | ||
| atlas
FJR Top Gun Username: atlas Post Number: 538 Registered: 09-2003 |
Alrighty, Some pics...All be them small....  Queen Mary Falls  King Parrot  Somewhere ...... Cheers, Atlas | ||
| bernie
FJR Top Gun Username: bernie Post Number: 1084 Registered: 09-2003 |
There we go, those turned out all right, thanks. | ||
| rib
Farkle Trainee Username: rib Post Number: 74 Registered: 05-2004 |
Atlas You didn't have to try to beat my adventure of stuf ups where i failed with the panier supports. But alsa you are now by reckoning the King Stuffer PS With our ride to Philip Island i have been planning for my dear wife on her bike | ||
| david1300
Moderator Username: david1300 Post Number: 2024 Registered: 09-2003 |
@rib - did you get the Vista Cruise fitted to each bike? I've done mine but am not 100% happy - using the RHS mirror mount, but struggling to get something to hold adequately in the hole. | ||
| belly
FJR Top Gun Username: belly Post Number: 501 Registered: 10-2004 |
Interesting reading atlas. Sounds like a real adventure. The pictures are ok too. Belly | ||
| atlas
FJR Top Gun Username: atlas Post Number: 539 Registered: 09-2003 |
Rib, I have no idea what you are talking about...he words you are looking for is Top Gun by the way  HAve fun down south Atlas | ||
| belly
FJR Top Gun Username: belly Post Number: 502 Registered: 10-2004 |
Hey Me Too. Just noticed 501 posts Me TOP GUN too. Congrats Atlas, this calls for a beer (pshssss), arr that twas good  |
