Day 1, Monday 17 November, Sydney to Wagga (526kms, 6hr 20mins)
The remnants of the Spring tour had latterly been pulled together (unfortunately as a mid week tour) which resulted in the Russ & Singo duo departing Sydney on an overcast morning. They met up with Hydro at the General Store in Exeter. 3 is a quorum. A quick breakfast & coffee (Christopher Armstrong has turned up for a free brekky!). We resumed our trip south to Goulburn & took a turn towards crookwell; we then carried on to Boorowa, Harden & Cootamundra. The towns were looking a little run down. It was still cool & overcast.
The best was yet to come. At Bethungra we travelled the road with the same name, transitioning thereafter to Oura Rd. The roads were a treat with plenty of curves through the fields & hills.
Arriving in Wagga, we checked in to the Townhouse Hotel, at first blush a hotel far above our usual Fox standard. We didn’t need to worry.
A wine at the bar then wandered down for dinner at the William Farrer Hotel. Wagga is quiet on a Monday night.
Day 2, Tuesday 18 November – Wagga to Rutherglen via Berrigan (home of Federation)
Wheels up at 7.30am. The track to Berrigan could best be described as flat & yellow. We were riding through some of the finest wheat country. It was 2 hours to Berrigan.
Berrigan is often called the “Birthplace of Federation” because it was home to one of the first Federation Leagues, and the idea for the pivotal 1893 Corowa Conference was proposed by a local man. The Corowa Conference, however, is more widely recognized as the “Birthplace of Federation” as it was held in Corowa and passed the resolution that paved the way for the Australian constitution. Berrigan’s Federation League was among the first of its kind, inspired by the Australian Natives’ Association and its location on the New South Wales and Victoria border made it a key player in the movement. A Berrigan man, William Drummond, proposed the conference in 1893 that would eventually lead to the formation of the Australian Commonwealth in 1901.
After a crappy coffee stop we set our sights on Rutherglen. The Foxes were building to a long lunch.
We checked into the Woongarra Motel about 12, changed & walked 50 metres to our venue, the Tuileries Restaurant at the DeBortoli Winery.
We settled into a wine tasting before lunch & added our own contextual descriptions to the various wines such as:
*Sucks the moisture out of your tongue
•Benign
•Neither here nor there
•A bit ‘How’s your father?’
Legal Matters: As the Gibster was currently riding somewhere in NSW (paper map in hand) to meet us in Rutherglen, we took the opportunity to discuss his preparation of this Spring Tour. As he had dropped the ball (I’m so busy!) & caused a rupture between the productive (working & available weekends only) Foxes and the lazy (non working & will go anywhere anytime) Foxes, it was resolved that he be referred to the disciplinary committee & that his role henceforth in any planning would be carried out with supervision. For some reason, we also agreed to Amend the constitution such that any actively touring members (a new class of member to be established), as long as there are 3 of them, may resolve any matter from time time. In hindsight, Russ, Hydro & Singo noted that this probably appears a little self serving.
We enjoyed a wonderful repas before taking up residence in the wine bar (happy hour from 4, and we were happy).
At this point the Gibster arrives to regale us of his journey. He didn’t seem to acknowledge the severity of his referral to the disciplinary committee as he started to propose the Autumn Tour he would organise.
A quick pizza in town for dinner (place is like a ghost town) & then crash.
Day 3 Wednesday, 19 November – Rutherglen to Albury (via Omeo)
We departed Rutherglen on a mild morning about 8.30 and headed south to the Alpine Way, a rollicking rampage through the Snowy Mountains.
Hydro has assumed leadership of the group (offered to Singo who declined as he had no idea where he was going and had no aspiration for the role) & heads up to the peak of Mount Buffalo. We were warned that the last 3 kms were dirt so no surprises. The climb was long & provided a wonderful example of curvetage. At the top it was cool but provided an expansive vista of the Snowy Mountains. The clouds were being whipped around us by a strong wind. We smelt the flowers, had a coffee & moved on.
Next stop Mt Hotham. It was a whiteout. Visibility was 10m and we crawled across the top of the Ranges. It was freezing with ice on the roadside. It was a relief to descend into the warmer climate.
We continued on the Alpine way to Omeo for a quick lunch at the Crazy Cow. Bikers everywhere. Russ advised that cubicle 1 in the bathroom to be avoided at all costs. Decided we could wait.
We left Omeo & turned North toward Mitta Mitta. The route took us through a number of valleys. The scenery was rich & green (magnificent) producing the most shiny cows & horses we’ve ever seen. The road was seriously curvacious which caused a rupture in the group of 4 who until this point had been riding together.
Hydro & Gibster took off for a hard run at the curves. We wouldn’t see them again for some time. This is their thing. Russ was out of sorts & Singo wasn’t bike fit (never would have kept up anyway) so they meandered at a quieter pace & at least got to see the natural world around them.
The Lightning Creek Track Incident: It was soon thereafter that Russ started waving his arms around & we pulled over. His steering was “off” so he rode forward while Singo followed as observer. One minute later the steering problem was resolved – a flat rear tyre. We pulled over onto the next turnout.
What to do!! Better ring Hydro & Gibster. No internet! Dumb & Dumber looked at each other with that confidence that says “we’ve got this!”. Russ suggested we start with water. In response Singo produced a bottle of dessert wine, a covid mask, wet weather gear & some tape & foamy stuff in a can. Russ was carrying a fine Red procured from DeBortoli yesterday & a tyre pump.
Next step was to get the bike up on its central stand. The surface was loose gravel. Russ had a plan. He sat on the bike to stabilise it and encouraged Singo to push, HARD. With much slipping & swearing, it was done.
We pumped the tyre, taped the hole & filled the tyre with the foamy stuff. It was 28kms to Mitta Mitta. No sign of our mates(?). We rode on slowly & thankfully the tyre held. Finally Hydro & Gibster returned after thinking that even Russ’ gastro couldn’t have delayed us this long. We crawled into Mitta Mitta to survey the situation. At this point Russ & Singo handed over to Hydro & Gibster.
It was decided that the tyre would be pumped & we carry on for another 80kms to Albury, our destination for the night. We rode slowly in convoy but sped up toward Albury as confidence grew. We made it to our lodging, the Seaton Arms Motor Inn about 5pm. Russ was able to locate a new tyre which will be fitted in the morning.
After a celebratory drink at the Hotel, we headed to the Bended Elbow for dinner. A pretty cool pub built in English style with its own laneway.
Back to our Hotel to taste the fine red which Singo proceeds to spill on Hydro’s bed & himself. Looks like a murder scene. Retired about 10pm. Life is good again.
Day 4 Thursday 20 November – Albury to Yass
Russ dropped his bike off for a tyre refit & we headed to ‘Thick as Thieves’ Cafe for breakfast. The tyre fitters were responsive & we were roadworthy by 10am.
Today was high in expectation. We headed back across the Victorian border to Tallangatta & Corryong. Low hills, no traffic, winding roads and a perfect climate. We then turned north and enjoyed yet more green valleys before arriving at Tumut (a pretty ordinary looking town).
We had a quick bite and continued to Brungle, another sensory ride with creeks, willows & black cows. At Brungle, the Gibster & Singo headed for sealed roads to Gundagai and then up the Hume Hwy to Yass. Hydro & Russ carried on through the valley and some dirt roads to Jugiong before heading to Yass.
We checked into the Thunderbird Hotel & wandered into town. The ‘go to’ place was Yazz Bar owned by Mel. It was a bohemian experience. We sat out in the garden & enjoyed the hospitality.
Everyone in agreement that we had had a brilliant few days. Gibbo and Singo had regained their mojo. Russ & Hydro just added a few thousand kms to the many thousand they have travelled in the last few months.
Day 5 Friday, 21 November – Yass to Sydney
Weather not promising much today so every man for themselves as we headed home this morning. 4 days of sublime scenery, banter, food & wine had come to an end.
Another great Fox Adventure!
Silver Foxes Motorcycle Club Australia 