Townsville Tales

They say “What Happens on the Trip, Stays on the Trip”

This page is for those tales that can be told.

Here’s to tall tales & True from the Townsville Travellers

The first installment is from President Jen & Treasurer Leo

22/5/2008: Here we are in Lightening Ridge, weather is lovely and warm!! so different to yesterday morning when we left Canberra - didn't ride out of that fog till Boorowa!! Rob's CBR1000 decided it needed an overnight in Cowra - it decided to lose all power about 15 kms before Cowra and we were rescued by Steve from the NRMA who managed to get us into Cowra to Cowra Motorcycles where after fitting a new battery it was discovered to be more serious so we reluctantly left Rob. This morning we had a SMS from Rob to say it was fixed this morning and he's on his way, aiming to meet up with us in Yeppoon.
So, Leo and I stayed at the Gulargambone Pub, had a few drinks with the bridge building crew! Good sleep, up early this morning, through Walgett. The weather has been good - we are shedding layers as we go - suffice to say it's good and warm here! On to Surat tonight!
There are quite a few Ulyssians on the road - met people from Adelaide and Shellharbour - apparently all roads lead to Townsville.
Jen and Leo

24/05/2008 - more tales from the road to Townsville..

After leaving Lightening Ridge and having done a drive by tour through the opal fields, Leo and I continued to Dirranbandi through St George (pretty), deciding to push on to Surat. The light was fading and the wildlife was active so it was fairly interesting but we made it and found the New Royal pub where we stayed the night! The beers were cold and very welcome!

Rob McNeilly had sent a message to say the bike was fixed and he had ridden to Moree, not too far behind us so we arranged to meet in Miles. Friday was a bit cold - well, by Queensland standards - so I still had my liner in my jacket although I'd shed a layer (or two). We left Surat, and turned right onto the road to Condamine, which turned a bit exciting with the sign that indicated this was a Road Train route and to proceed with caution - a good warning as the road became a single lane fairly quickly. We just stopped at the side of the road and waited for the road trains to pass...

We found Rob in Miles, and had brekkie and coffee while Rob filled us in with his adventures. There seems to be a lot more Ulysseans on the road today - we found two people from Queanbeyan!! It seems all roads lead to Townsville - and people at the towns we stop at, all ask if that's what we are doing

After Miles we rode on, through Taroom and Theodore where we stopped for lunch and fuel...I am not getting the fuel efficiency I usually get so only just made it. On to Banana, then Mt Morgan (one of The Bear's favourite runs), through Rockhampton and found our rooms in Yeppoon - right across from the beach. The total kilometers travelled so far has been 1804 so about 700 still to go.

Tee shirt and thongs weather and we have a lay-day here, on the road again tomorrow. Having no trouble at all sitting around having a morning- long breakfast with one of Leo's Navy mates, and spending the afternoon relaxing - life is good!

Jen, Leo and Rob

29/05/2008

Silence ....rang Leo’s & Jen’s mobiles ....nothing ...left messages ...no reply ...hmm AGM fun & not a care in the world .....figures :-)

Gary Mac

30/05/2008

So, it's been a while since the last update - too much fun to be had! The last night on the road to Townsville was at Bowen - lovely place and the home of the Big Mango (I have the photo). Arrived in Townsville at about lunchtime - went straight to rego, and then to the showground to make our camp. Tuesday was spent out on Kelso Reef - that's a two hour trip in a boat, 90-odd kms out. Judy, Leo and I went snorkelling - absolutely sensational!! The water temp was 24 degrees - the locals thought it was cold!
An early night that night....well, after a couple of cold ones and a good meal. Since then there has been a steady stream of Canberrans arriving, so much time spent talking about our various adventures on the way up. We'll have to have a competition for the most test rides taken by Canberra members - there's a constant stream of bikes all day. I test rode a Spyder - a lot of fun and took a bit to get used to! The weather is fabulous - tee shirts but already we are saying "It's getting chilly" when the temp dips a degree or two.
Leo and I represented the branch at the extended NATCOM meeting today - and I can tell you that the AGM in 2011 is at Newcastle/Upper Hunter. There is of course much talk about Albany and trailers being purchased for that trip.
The grand parade is tomorrow morning and then the actual AGM, and of course the dinner tomorrow night. Sunday I'll be on the road again to head home - -some people are heading north again to continue the trip. I'll try to send more news as we travel home via Winton and Longreach.

Jen