The Bushranger Tour - Day 2

Band of Bikers Run Down Thunderbolt’s W
 - Leigh Keilar 

The new day dawned to see the rides sipping coffee at the Australian Cafe to sharpen slumbers dull nerves. It was here in Inverell that Lethal Leigh (Keilar) fell from the mighty tiger when his tootsies did not reach the ground that slopped beneath.

Leigh giving thanks that his little tumble wasn't worse ...but he had lot sof help at heand

The bikers they did rush to set right the mighty tiger & its fallen rider mate; Crusty Paul he did stand back clutching desperately for his camera, for never would he miss the chance to capture such a scene to display for all to see upon the blog. There was coolant upon the road which brought speculation from the Band, was it from the bike or rider? With assurance I can confirm it was from the tiger that it spewed, I can assure no incontinence had I suffered!

Thunderbolts rock

To Uralla they road hard as breakfast was alluring to their bellies grumbling; on arriving in Uralla the band rode straight up to Trina’s on the corner to dismount and rush right in where big breakfasts were consumed to still those grumbling bellies.

Trina's for breakfast was well worth the ride...it was cold but sharing some great food with mates...awesome

With appetites now slatted the Biker Band made haste as they heard there was a bike museum full of delights on the edge of Tamworth. On walking in Lethal Leigh was asked by William the curator, ‘what do you ride tiger?” well what else could I say but” a tiger!” The bikers stared in awe at the bikes arrayed before their wide eyed stares. After much debate of what mach & year & make it was time to depart for who knows where; William did delay the departure on this day as he regaled the bikers with his tales. Reluctantly poor Des (Mad Dog Morgan) was dragged forth from the alluring shapes & forms of his beloved motorcycle memorabilia. William was left to mop copious amounts of drool upon the floor left by the motorbike aficionados’. It was sad to see Captain Dave Midnight, tears streaming down his cheeks on seeing his beloved armchair BMW on display in the museum; it’s not that old he did bewail to the jibes & jest flailed toward him by his so called mates.

A memorable visit to Tamworth bike museum

On the gentle twisting road to Walcha, lined with stately popular trees the countryside did reveal a panorama of verdant rolling hills with willows weeping over streams meander in curves the streams wove sensual their course around the feet of the hills to flow to who knows where into the ocean. 

the camera can not do it justice

While cruising quite sedately along the Oxley Highway heading toward Walcha, I was startled by a streaking white flash at warp speed did they pass to leave behind a supersonic boom. Two bikers did tear off to test their mighty steeds around the curves on the road ahead. I will not mention here the names of the riders lest their families bend their ears, so Phil the streak & Richard the flash, you can rest assured I will not tell of your fearless sprint, oooops I did!.

we encountered had some interested bystanders on part of the trip, some had a closer encounter than they would like.

resting at Royal cafe in Walcha, centre of riding universe... not sure who invited ZZ Top

Rested & refreshed at the Royal Café in Walcha, Dave Captain Starlight did lead the charge south down Thunderbolts Way at a speed not to unnerving; the charge it did last for 30 minutes to resume again retracing our course with 142 km reading on the speedo. It was here that Fang it Johann did push the Honda cruiser to its limits with the throttle wound out four times around the handle bar, the poor beast worked up quiet a thirst. The charge along Thunderbolts Way had caused the Bikers mounts quiet a thirst, requiring most to pausing and replenish with fuel at the local watering hole in Walcha, Crusty Paul, Mad Dog Des & Lethal Leigh did post a watch around the corner as they were well prepared not to be caught short of fuel to reach their destination.

Day two drew to a close with the biker band hold up at Thunderbolt Inn in Uralla; where good rooms, good food, good company did prevail upon the Biker Band. It was quiet disconcerting that Phil the streak (aka Captain Calamari) did receive his meal first once again to his great pleasure &delight.The Band of Bikers post dinner strolled, down the high street looking for good coffee; women dragged their children safe into their homes on sighting the roaming band, and their men moved back into the shadows, the local dogs were cowering and aquiver at the passing of the band who retired out of sight to partake of coffee and a Freddo. With warm coffee in their bellies the band they did retire to the Inn to pass the night unhindered.

Check out a long video below...still struggling with editing..sorry






**** UPDATE UPDATE UPDATE *****

The "Oompa Loompa" Man discovered at Walcha!!!

The Bushranger Tour - day 1

Band of Bikers Run Down Thunderbolt’s Way - Leigh Keilar

It was a balmy morning with suns early light filtering through palm fronds at the biker bands hideout on the Gateway at McKenzie in late November.

For the word had got around at the news the 

Biker Band would make a run for the border and the Traps they were a nervous when they heard they would run with the Tasmanian, Leigh (Leroy) McQueeney in disguise as a Queenslander.

The riders lulled about posticulating whose mount was supreme; the testosterone redolent atmosphere had the riders ready to race with their points to prove. Their steeds sat idly waiting chrome glinting and reflecting the waxing suns light in the early morning.   
The time had come for the headlong rush toward the border; riders mounted, caressed their steeds and with a twist of their keys, mornings early quiet was shattered with a mighty roar as their steeds quivered expectantly for the off.

Through the madding crush of people in their vehicles whizzing by, the Bike Band did forge their way toward the border, to take a break and wet their whistles, for an hour had transpired since the breakout had begun with a run through pleasant farmland into the Fassifern Valley to find a watering hole at Boonah in the hollow of the hills.

..I think I can .I think I can

Mounting once more the riders did depart to Stanthorpe for a well earned rest and food for their bellies. Brinx Deli did supply superb savoury mince & pies, passionfruit torte, coffee  and dessert; ahhh but Phil (The Streak) was caught short by a mighty sandwich delivered to his  table; Phil was obscured behind a hefty carbohydrate lump, but with a mighty chomp Phil did devour the whole lump to then stagger to his stead, mount and bring it to its knees, while mates did stiffen up its suspension.

whats the fuss about.... never would happen to a guzzi

Poor Phoenix Ken (his bike rose from the dead) did mount the mighty BMW (Bavarian Might Work) to find its heart had given out. The boys did gather round to offer consolation while Leigh (Leroy) McQueeney did compressions on the chest/tank to try and resuscitate the poor beast. Paul (Captain Crusty) blew 30 breaths per minute down the exhaust pipe, but alas it did require heart transplant. 
David (Captain Midnight, awake in the early hours) with resourcefulness did source a battery replacement, with a twist and a screw they did replace the defunct battery. At the command of stand clear the paddles were applied to elicit a thunderous roar as the patient/bike leaped to life. 

Some rain & a big sandwich..."I'll have what he is having"...Capt Midnight...and Leigh was testing rear facing camera

yes it was raining...but bikes were secure

The Band of Bikers headed off on their ride toward the border as forest clad rangers loomed ahead enticing them to ride the ridges, to sweep down curving roads into the valleys; through rain the riders forged undeterred toward their destination at the Oxford Hotel in Inverell where they lay low around the bar into the evening.

For from day 1 check out the video below...just can't do justice with a camera though

Parting the storm clouds- amazing ride around the Dams

Was woken by large thunder claps, lightning and heavy rain early Saturday morning.. the wife rolled over and said..."your NOT going riding in this are you?" to which I replied....of course! I then made a quick run to my computer and the BoM weather radar to be relieved to see the storms were a passing thin line with nothing behind them!! So, a quick text confirming the ride was on to our band of bikers...a quick brekky...geared up and off for an amazing days riding with some 22 bikes joining in.

ok the picture didn't look too good!

I arrived at Gateway the road to a completely dry road and number of newbies

Phil and his big Kawasaki cruiser

Sam and his Yamaha

Peter  and his green machine

Mark and his 250 Yamaha Virago

now where does the oil go ahain

We had another bike join with his unhappy owner all the way from Tasmania..... think his name is Leigh.. a honda with top box and fancy (loud) muffler and  a safety vest...what more could you want!

oh come on leigh..its not that bad

Oh yes...one more revamped bike.. my 900 custom resplendent with dual silver stripes (thanks Dave W) and a new sissy bar and luggage rack for our upcoming roadtrip

So with around 22 bikes in the end and a few pillions thrown in we assembled to head off to Esk for morning tea then around somerset dam and the back of Wivenhoe dams

So off to Esk bakery....another great ride with a great a great group of mates....

but I think Brenton recognised Des despite his helmet

it was fabulous riding one we got onto the Somerset-esk rd 

it was a short stop for a refreshing drink at the Somerset camp store and we witnessed the benefits of a reverse gear...thanks Drew and the Honda Goldwing

Leo can't believe it..a reverse gear

Meanwhile the boys showed of their -shirts

we then made our way back to the famous fernvale bakery , with dome riders taking the Mt Gorious run home, as we watched the very dark clouds gathered

Most bikers headed off a little north of the storm but alas I had no choice but to make a run for it... I found out what getting hit with small hail felt like, fortunately I made it into my local servo (crammed in with a host of vehicles) before the golf size ball hail hit followed by torrential rain.

fortunately all other drivers made it home unscathed...ah what a ride in the great south east.

Check out a short video of the ride below..sorrow about the wind noise..could not mute.

A great twisty ride with an interesting encounter

Another fantastic day in the great Sth East greeted 20 bikers assembled for our ride south through the Numinbah Valley. With all the publicity about biker laws I inquired who might have tattoo's ...a couple of ladies put up their hands!! Little did I know that knowledge would come in handy.

We welcomed Al and Evonne on their Moto Guzzi Stelvio and Leo's new bike yes he has a cruiser and sports bike...what a great wife!

Leo's second bike

Al & Evonne and Moto Guzzi Stelvio

Off we took south heading for the hinterland inland from Nerang, then onto the great Numinbah Valley road...with our corner-man system in place ...yep thats me with the leaders fluro vest..looks great.

it was a great ride down the valley and as we pulled into the Numinbah Cafe we were greeted with a visit from motorway police.... in the end all very innocent ( yes police need toilet breaks). They ended up explaining their interpretation of the new bikie laws and played along with some members who had tats.

interesting selfy with Al sorting out what the laws are abt

taken into custody but the vest gives it away

So whilst we enjoyed a good morning tea we were glad to get out of there and head off to the lovely timber town of Tyalgum

Love that road into Tyalgum....and what a cute town... Leigh didn't look that impressed though?

Then we wound our way towards Murwillumbah with Dave Walton leading the way to a nice lunch spot at the art galley and what a nice ride it was.....

We all descended on the Murwillumbah Art gallery with its great food and fantastic view over the Valley & river. Des certainly enjoyed his cuppa tea and bought some class to the proceedings.

ahhh....another magic ride in the great sth east...check out some video below