South Coast Forests - Ride Report

[gco0307]

So to the report which has had to be split into 2 posts due to character limitations on the board but here goes.


Well I went, I rode a bit and now I am back way earlier than I had originally intended but what the heck, a bit of a ride report anyway.

Rode down Sunday and decided to do the easy Princes Highway run with a deviation in via Bermagui to sample the Bermagui => Tathra road I had heard some good reports about. Suffice it to say that anyone, and yes I mean anyone who heads south and does not do this road is missing out big time.

Whilst it starts slowly enough as you leave Bermagui the views to the left are awesome as you ruin along the cliff tops before dropping onto the beaches. After Barraga Bay (from memory) the road climbs slightly and the fun starts as it just corner after corner of very well surfaced blacktop. The road undulates over a few ridges and has many blindish corners of variable speeds from 35kmh - 65 kmh signposted. After a while you hit a flay valley area and the fun appears to have ended but that is just a small lull as you then hit the Mimosa Rock National Park end which has the same quality of surface but 25 - 45kmh corners instead. All up this road is sensational fun and as said a must do.

Anyways, after Tathra it was to Bega for the night and ready for Mondays trails.

Woke up Monday and it was already stinking hot at 07:30am, damn this was gonna be a tough day.

First it was off to the newsagent to get a collection of local forest maps and place them in the 'just in case' filing system (ie. topbox) before heading south on the Highway with the aim of hitting Candelo.

After a quick photo stop on Wyndham Lane it was into Candelo on what was a nice little road which ends with about 5 tight little corners before the town.

First the bike.
http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b100/gco0307/SE%20Forests/2007_02190003.jpg

And now the View.
http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b100/gco0307/SE%20Forests/2007_02190002.jpg

A quick stop in town to check the map to identify the intersection for Tantawangalo Mountain Road. But before it was even open a local was over giving me a hand with a warning that there had been 6 inches of rain the week prior and that the road was rutted, sage advice.

So following the directions it was off only for a quick stop a few moments later to drop the tyre pressures for the dirt but not before snapping another pic of some of the 'locals'.

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b100/gco0307/SE%20Forests/2007_02190004.jpg

Ok, tyre pressures down it was off onto the dirt which was more a fine grit so although loose in places still offered very good grip but with the undulations and corners there was no need to get to confident. This is a nice piece of the road actually and well worth the trip as the scenery is quite nice and the road challenging but comfortably so. Anyhow, after what felt like about 5 kays of dirt I rounded a corner on a crest and saw something I found funny so just had to stop and take a pic.

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b100/gco0307/SE%20Forests/2007_02190005.jpg

Now many may not find it funny but the nearest house was some 300 metres away and well, I just smiled when I saw it actually.

So onwards I head and eventually the good surface starts to deteriorate into loose rocks and then you hit the mountains and immediately there is evidence to back up the locals warning of earlier in the day. The road is steep, tight and heavily rutted some of which were about 6 inches deep. There are rocks everywhere and the bike is sliding all over the place but man, the fun was huge and the smile bigger. After a while you hit the Six Mile Creek Campsite where I decided to have a short rest and recuperate session.

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b100/gco0307/SE%20Forests/2007_02190006.jpg

After the rest it was back onto the road and the ruts, rocks and smiles continued all the way to what was the top of the ridges where the gritty surface returned. So it was off towards Cathcart but wait, a track on the right looked of interest so it was down Postmans Track with the intention to hit the Tantawangalo Creek camping ground 5 kms down and head back.

Well this was fun wasn't it? Single lane track with a bit of everything, downed trees, mud, ruts and some steep sections where it was first gear, lean back and slide down the loose rocks but through sheer luck I found the campground and took the obligatory photo.

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b100/gco0307/SE%20Forests/2007_02190009.jpg

But being honest, I was starting to have second thoughts about being in these areas alone in case something was to go wrong as I was isolated but enjoying myself but at this stage it was a brief thought, although it was to grow louder.

A quick read of the nearby sign indicated that this track came out near where I was interested in going and that there was an old historical settlers hut to be found on it so I thought why not, it is only another 18 kms of this :o.

So down and around the corner I find my very first ever Creek crossing to negotiate which is done ok, not great but ok, no moments until I got out of the water where I got bogged slightly (shouldn't really stop to pat myself on the back I suppose).

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b100/gco0307/SE%20Forests/2007_02190010.jpg

So after celebrating getting through the 12 inches of water it was further up the track and after rounding a corner or two it was rethink time as mentioned earlier. The track looked 'ok' but I didn't have the right maps so with reluctance I turned back and looked forward to the water crossing again.

This time I take a different line and get soaked upto my thighs whilst seated so I guess I found a deeper hole but got through. Anyhow it was a return up the track to the Tantawangalo Road and into Cathcart for a refreshment.

[gco0307]

Wanting to head back towards the coast it was time to check the maps and Big Jack Road stood out so that was the route chosen.

This is another very nice piece of road. The first Kay or so is just finding your way through the paddocks and then a sign warns of a steep descent and you find that this part of the road has been tarred. But not for long and the descent just goes on and on for what feels like 5 - 6 kms of road though dense forests with occasional glimpses of the Valleys below. This section actually reminds me of the Dirt on the Victorian side on the Bonang Highway.

After the descent you hit the valley floor and the road opens up slightly as it follows the Towamba River for much of the roads length. This is another very fine piece of road with a decent surface but the real cooker is the river right beside you teasing and tantalising you with its cool water. So rather than jump in for a swim I took a few pics.

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b100/gco0307/SE%20Forests/2007_02190012.jpg
http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b100/gco0307/SE%20Forests/2007_02190015.jpg
http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b100/gco0307/SE%20Forests/2007_02190016.jpg

Just before Towamba I rounded a corner and saw something scurry off the road, that something was this little fella (the photo doesn't really do justice to just how big he was).

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b100/gco0307/SE%20Forests/2007_02190018.jpg

After about an hour of sheer enjoyable riding we get to Towamba township (I blinked sorry, apparently it was there) and the road commences climbing again. This little piece is sealed and damn fun but quickly gives way to gravel but the fun just does not stop with some of the scenery spectacular.

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b100/gco0307/SE%20Forests/2007_02190020.jpg

But it was onwards and upwards to the top of the ridge on what was a serious piece of fun which ended when I came upon the regrading crew. The road had been watered and was loose so one can imagine the crap starting to clog the tread pattern on the tyres.

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b100/gco0307/SE%20Forests/2007_02190022.jpg

Anyhow, that was to be it for the photos as the batteries died (forgot to recharge the day before) but the ride was to continue down Ben Boyd Road and onto the Princes Highway. Before hitting the highway though I took a detour down a side road *Durlin Road?) but it was another of these roads that made me have those thoughts I mentioned earlier so it was backtrack to Ben Boyd and the huge fun it offers (a quick road) and onto the highway.

So the decision was made, head north until near Pambula and then take the Wyndham turn-off and take it through to Bombala to stay there the night, but all plans come unstuck don't they?

So the first part achieved and I head off towards Wyndham before seeing a side track to Pambula River and something called Wolumnia Peak, sounds interesting. First step, find the river which was easy, check maps and the track appears to go through so what the heck, continue on the remaining 13 or so kays.

The track continued on and was ok with the only real problems being sand on some corners but the loose stones that were just like marbles. Until the last climb that is. This is steep, with deep ruts, rocks of all shapes and sizes and overgrown shrubs but somehow I got to the top to find the firetower and the 4wd ute used to get there. A quick check found that there were two ways down, the way I had come of the continuation of the track and I sure as with a few other experiences today. I was not going there alone, so backtrack it was. The trip off the peak was hair raising as I just put it in first covered the rear brake and leant back but I got there and found my way back to the river for a quick refreshing splash before heading to Wyndham.

Now time for the good plan to unravel as I notice storm clouds brewing, then no mountains can be seen due to the rain. On go the wet weathers and I plow on but I have never ridden this road before and just west of Wyndham the rain is so heavy I have less that 25 metre visibility with more water on the road than found in dams in the area.

Deciding it was way to dangerous to continue and knowing that the rain was ruining my next day plans I decided to head to Bega for fuel and to then decide what to do from there.

So I refuel the bike and body and have a decision to make which being honest I found quite easy, I was heading back home and cutting the trip short.

Not that I didn't enjoy myself as I had huge fun but the day had made me realise that I really needed others with me just in case something went wrong. For much of the day I had no phone coverage and at times did not see anyone for 50 or so kays and with my exploring instincts already having had me make some 'interesting' choices I figured best to stop now before I end up stuck.

So now the plans are to try to get better tyres and figure when to head back and find others that want to or can go and maybe make a 3 day trip out of the thing.

Ok, sorry to bore all.



Garry

[Laava]

Good one Garry, nice pics. Aren't you glad it's not winter down here?

[boomslanger]

Great stuff and welcome to my backyard, well the far far far end of my backyard. Lot's of places I haven't done on my Vee yet so will have to follow in your footsteps.

Would have been an interesting ride after the very much needed dump of over 100mm in the area a week or so ago?

[Spin]

Well written. I wish I had come out for a ride with you. It does seem strange seeing places I know well on a forum. I live in Bega and have travelled all of the roads you were on numerous times.

I seen you other post about heading down this way but was too late to talk to you. I did keep an eye out for a loaded strom passing through, unfortunately I didn’t see you.

I live on the highway and see 4 or 5 stroms every week, most of them are local to the area but there are often ones that are loaded up and on tour.

Next time you head down this way I might have to do a few k’s with you.

Spin