Cowra Back Roads Weekender 8-9 March

 

Our first try for the Cowra Back Roads Weekender in November was vetoed by Huey, who threw a “double-front” across the mid-west and dumped 200mm over that weekend at Cowra and Bathurst. I’d rung the Royal Hotel on the Thursday evening and the publican said “well it’s just started to rain, so I guess you’re not coming. See you next time”.

Our next time was indeed the 8-9 March weekend.  Huey tried it again with cyclone Alfred, but we squeaked past the rain and our weekend was cool, mostly sunny, and mostly dry. Seven starters set off from St Ives at 8am to our first stop at BP Kurmond, where precautionary donning of wets was permitted due to low cloud over the not-so-Blue Mountains ahead. Mist and mizzle surrounded us from Kurrajong Heights to Mort Street in Lithgow, where we turned to a pre-booked stop at the Tin Shed Café. Clearly there’s nowhere else to stop in Lithgow on a Saturday morning as the joint was packed, and we drew black looks from waiting patrons as we pushed through to our waiting table. Yes we stayed for an hour and shot a hole in the ride plan, but the coffee and snacks and conversation were all just fine thank you.

Back on the street and out of town on the Great Western Highway and we saw a little sunshine on the dry road which was uplifting for the ride leader. Here John W turned left back towards Sydney as planned, and five bikes plus one tintop turned right. Just beyond Mount Lambie we took an un-signposted left turn onto Curly Dick Road, and our “back roads” ride had really begun.  Curly Dick joined Diamond Swamp just before the three bumpy causeways, then we went under the railway line into Tarana. A short stop outside the pub to be rid of all remaining wet gear then straight on, via Tarana Road across the river and along the railway through Tarana Quarry and Locksley to join the Oberon-to-Bathurst road just before Kelso.

Onwards to our second pre-booked table at the Harvest Café at the Bathurst Visitor Information Centre. And yes we overstayed here, eating and chatting till the sharp breeze blew our napkins away and we were another half hour behind the plan. But who cares? It was a great day and the sun was shining.

Because of a “car event” at Mt Panorama we skipped our planned “hot lap” and followed the Highway around town and struck out west up the Mitchell Hwy towards Orange, then left onto Guyong Road towards Millthorpe, then turned again down to Blayney for a fuel stop, then on the Mid West Hwy to Mandurama.  Here we turned west onto the Belubula Way towards Canowindra, turning south onto Binni Creek Rd which took us into North Cowra and to the “Billygoat Hill” lookout adjacent to the Japanese Gardens. We looked out, and yours truly showed “where I was born and grew up” which was no doubt hugely interesting to those assembled.

Then down the short but steep Scenic Drive into town, a quick loop over and under the Lachlan River bridges, a zig and zag past the old childhood home, and out the back way to the Mid Western Highway, and off to Woodstock via Pine Mount Rd, Scrubby Rush Rd, and Goodacre Drive.  Arrived at the Royal Hotel at 4.30pm, wrestled the bikes into the tiny garage, headed for a shower and the bar.

The Royal Hotel Woodstock was the accommodation of choice. Compared to hotels in Cowra it was a class above in every respect, and far, far more reasonably priced than any Cowra motel. Even the local footy club awards night and a couple of noisy kids on the stairs did not annoy. The good food, quiet dining room and sunset drinks on the upstairs verandah were indeed a pleasure.

Sunday was clear, cool and breezy, with forecast showers later. An early cuppa then breakfast in the guests breakfast room, extract and pack the bikes, then all set to roll by 8.30am. Out along Purcell Drive to the Highway, into the morning sun and easterly breeze up to Blayney, then east along the railway, over the hills through Newbridge to Georges Plains, back to the south a bit, east to Lagoon and on to the Beaconsfield Rd T junction, just before O’Connell. Here John O took the lead and took us south down towards Black Springs to his “Gatepost” farm retreat for a morning tea stop.

Time flies when you’re having fun and suddenly it’s midday. Must keep on. Thanks and farewell leaving John O and MTC at the farm, and now just four bikes heading to Oberon for a fuel stop. Leaving Oberon via Hazelgrove Rd we wound our way down to Tarana then turned east through Sodwalls and back to Bowenfels and Lithgow, then up the Bells Line to a lunch stop at the Bilpin PITS. No showers and the day now sunny and warm. A great chunky lamb pie for lunch, last chat, thanks for coming, safe riding, see you next time. Homewards, arriving 4pm.

Many Thanks to Peter S, Kevin H, Keith B, John W, John O and MTC for coming along and making the Cowra Back Roads a great Weekender ride.     Geoff W.