PART 1
Time to add the cruise control and coms. A run down the New England Highway from Brisbane to DMME at Swansea was in order. MCCruise and coms gear to be fitted by Dale. Will give the Sargent (low) seat a try out as well.
All packed. The AA Bagz is strapped securely to the pillion seat with the assistance of Loopz straps (all from Andy Strapz). Clothing in one saddle bag and the spare helmet (gear to be fitted to it) in the other.
Thermal's (woollen) and a couple of clothing layers later (including a Andy Strapz riding top), kidney belt and the DriRider with all liners in, goes on. I add a silk balaclava and a Spada body shield.
A fuel at the local servo and I put in the etymotic ear plugs (noise cancellers) for the first time. A run (south) along the Gateway and Logan Motorways. Indicated outside temperature is between 10 and 12 celsius. The heated grip controls get a good nudge, as I only have medium weight gloves on.
Out past Amberley and on towards Warwick. The highways not in bad condition. It is clear, fine and cool. The GTR is in econo mode and the "throttle rocker" is assisting in maintaining a speed limit cruise in 6th gear. I have to keep a good eye on velocity. I am looking forward to having the cruise control on the way back.
The Sargent is giving a wide seat, with a firm feel. I am sitting further back from the tank and am not inclined to slide towards it. Upper and lower leg angles are fine and I feel more comfortable, than with the standard seat. Not many klm's yet. Looking good though.
Traffic is light. Aratula involves a quick stop for the winter gloves and a fiddle with the etymotic's. They are proving a little painful in the inner ear. The Zumo (220) is working fine. No audio at the moment as I removed all the bluetooth setup from my helmet prior to this journey.
Departing Aratula its up over Cunninghams Gap and towards Warwick. The temperature drops on the Warwick side of the "The Gap" by a couple of degree's. No stops at Warwick as Stanthorpe is the planned fuel stop. The highway is the usual two lane with occasional overtaking lanes. The Caltex on the highway at Stanthorpe is a welcome site as I fuel the GTR and the body. I am partial to MacDonald's pancakes, so it's them and a black tea for my fuel. A full tank of premium means the GTR is good for another 300klm or so. Next stop Moonbi (NSW), just before Tamworth.
Out into the cold. The Spada body shield is proving its worth, along with the silk balaclava. The windscreen is at it's highest setting and I have changed the etymotic's for some standard ear plugs, as the ears were getting very sore. I will sort the etymotic's when I get back, as there are different fittings supplied to dial in ear comfort. It's definitely getting colder. Turn up the heated grips. I have had the winter gloves I am wearing for many, many years. Only used occasionally, always in the worst of conditions. I wonder how much longer they will last. The faring is doing a good job of keeping the lower body warm as I am only wearing thermals, thick socks, draggin jeans and boots. A stop at Wallangara for a picture, then cross the border into New South Wales. Its a Sunday, so there is a little traffic in the towns and fairly quiet on the highway. Outside temperatures are sitting around 5 to 7 celsius. It's cool out.
A slow cruise through Tenterfield, up over the Bolivia Hills and onwards to Glenn Innes. The country is looking a little dry in this top half of the New England. The 24 hour Ampol at Glenn Innes is no more. I remember standing so close to the oil heater, in full motorcycle gear (BellStaff's), in the Cafe here that I was steaming, as I thawed out from the usual freezing outside temperatures. I completely ignored the patrons looks, as I absorbed a great deal of the ambient heat in the cafe as well. I seem to ride through this area at the coldest/wettest times. No Stopping....onwards.
A picture and rest stop at Guyra. It's cold. Guyra in winter....of course it's cold. A few caravaners are around at the rest stop. The cold is not being kind to a persistent case of sinusitis either. Nasal drip forming ice is not pleasant (you didn't need to know that!!!!). A little medication is added at the stop. Climb on board, a press of the starter and the GTR rumbles to life. A little squirm on the Sargent seat, which is proving very comfortable, to settle in. Into first and a quiet 70kph to the 100 zone some distance away. Guyra continues to have a very long, urban speed limited, area.
Back to cruise. The throttle rocker is proving invaluable, taking the stress off a well worn throttle hand and wrist. A good investment. Worked well to and from Mitchell as well. But the joys of electronic cruise beckon. Everything is staying as attached. The Andy Strapz gear is working well. The suspension is handling the sometime indifferent road surface, well. I have the rear spring loading a little soft but not worrying about it at the moment as handlings still fine. Armidale and that nice multi lane bypass makes for little travel disruption and maintenance of good average speed. Airport on the right, that's Armidale gone.
A nice run over the range, a legal play in the twisties, love that handling and that loooong downhill descent to Uralla. 50kph thank you and out the other side. Soon it's Moonbi and fuel and food. Phone call to mum as I am staying at Scone and day tripping to Swansea for the fitting. Another tank of premium and out into the cold. The Tamworth bypass makes for an easy run through Tamworth's sunday afternoon city traffic and it's into the 100 zone again. Soon it's Willow Tree. Here the overnight freight trucks from Sydney and Brisbane swap trailers and return the way they have come. The New England, not in the best of condition here, as there is a fair amount of heavy vehicle traffic, mostly truck and dogs. 100 again, past the heavy vehicle checking station on the right and onto divided highway as the road climbs up and over the Great Dividing Range and deposits you in a little sleepy town called Murrundi. The start of the Hunter Valley area. Horses, wine and of course, coal. Departing Murrundi the first of the big horse studs appear, Emerites on the left. Even the the road sides are mowed and edged. The grass is green and lush. The equine stables cost more than the average home. The finest blood stock in the world. The money....the money.....In my youth this was dairy country. Blandford and the historic state school. The railway line on the right carries huge coal trains carrying coal to Newcastle, for export. The New England is hilly and winding through here. Burning mountain access on the left (a burning coal seam), cross over the railway line via a overhead bridge, the townships of Wingen and then Parkville.
The "Parkville Straight". Youthful memories here. The time of Prima Facia speed limits, Morris 1100 's, Honda 175's, Yamaha 250, hot Austin A40's, Datsun 1200 and 180B's. Giving a mates Kawasaki 750 triple (the two stroke one) a big handful at the end of the town speed limit and being instantly launched to insane speeds, as I hung on and changed gears as fast as I could. Yes they did wobble and there was a "hinge" in the frame. The adrenaline rush was just wonderful.
Oh well, I am older now and so is my mum. To Scone and a mum's welcome.