Walcha Loop 2023

Day One 24/3/23 – Sydney to Coffs Harbour

It seems like Gibster is taking his motorbike trip to Morocco very seriously, even giving up carbs and lunches to fit into his leathers. I suppose dropping 20 kilos is worth it for the sake of looking cool on a motorcycle! It’s funny that he only believes what he reads in a book, instead of listening to Russ’s advice from a year ago.

Their first day of the Walcha loop trip took Gibster, Russ and Andy R to some interesting places, such as a hippy cafe in Buladelah that served crappy coffees with attitude and only took cash; Andy R had to reach into his secret stash to pay. I wonder if they had to trade in some of their motorcycle gear for some flower crowns! (Thanks chat GPT for that insight) The journey up to Coffs Harbour also had some grinding curves on the Wooton Way that got them some well needed practice for the coming sojourns.

Of course, after a long day of riding, the Foxes needed some rest and relaxation. Despite the fact that Gibster wanted to go for a surf, It sounds like they enjoyed imbibing their usual G&Ts and savy blancs in the motel car park before heading out for dinner at the Hoey Moey with 700 other people. Andy R insisted that he rarely drinks, so Russ and Gibster must have polished off the 4 bottles of wine between them. Gibster called bullshit on that but couldn’t recall the next morning.

Day Two – Coffs Harbour to Walcha

The usual early morning cluster buck. Andy R taking photos of the beach at sunrise and Gibster is wandering the streets deliriously at 5am looking for a large latte. Russ woke up at the appointed hour to find other two exhausted from all their ridiculous frivolous activities. Didn’t the Silver Foxes realise they were on a motorcycle trip (Thanks Chat GPT) The Cafe was right next door but the foxes got on their bikes and rode to the next driveway. After an omelet, no toast…. Gibster is off the carbs, the foxes rode stealthily to Grafton via Nana Glen. Rusty Crow was nowhere to be seen, but he was probably practicing for his Hoey Moey gig. The road was nice and curvy cruisy, just like Sunday morning except it was Saturday. Just right to get back into the swing of things.

After refueling, we hit the Gwyder Highway which was magnificent; newly repaved, it was 150kms of sheer bliss. The sun was out, the air was clean, the rainforest sparkled. If it wasn’t for the roar of Andy’s Indian, you could say it was Surreal. Regrouped for Coffee at Glen Innes and had to put up with a busker sitting next to us who was regurgitant all those songs you hated when growing up. Gibster didn’t notice coz he still had his earplugs in.

Next stop Copeton Dam. Special conference was held on the dam wall to talk about the two weather fronts closing in on us. Russ suggested wait 30 mins so they could pass, but Gibster overruled and said who you going to trust …. the BOM or me. So, like the light brigade we rode directly into the fiercest electrical storm front. Bolts of lightning cracking either side of the road, intense rainfall and zero visability…yes another Fox tour I hear you say (Thanks chat GPT). Russ and Gibster rode out of the storm and waited for Andy. After 10 minutes, no Andy. Gibster looked back and said there’s no alternative we have to ride back into the eye of the storm….we leave no Fox behind. With rain bucketing down we surveyed the sides of the road for lightning struck motorbikes. Luckily the phone rang and it was Andy saying he had got to Bundarra and where were we. We said we were on the road to Bingara. Long story short Andy had come to a crossroad, and it was a 50/50 chance. In fact, he had gone the fastest route, but Gibster wouldn’t concede on that. So, Russ and Gibster rode another 30kms through flash flooded roads knee deep in water and finally rocked up to a general store where Andy was attending his emails. The rest of the trip was uneventful as we rocked into Walcha and reunited with Singo and Pete.

A Gin and Tonic while Gibster and Jackie Lambie attended to Gibsters leathers, then off to the local Chinese where Pete regaled us with many tank stories (the water not the army ones). On the Chinese restaurant ratings scale Singo gave it a 5/5. Everyone knackered after the day and only Pete standing at 8.30

Day Two (a) Sydney to Walcha

Lewy, busy putting tanks together & Singo, having just returned from Perth, delayed their start til the Saturday morning.

The first matter of business was to affirm Lewy’s choice of bike, BMW RX1000. Low suspension; low seat setting; feet on the ground. Check. Lewy was frothing.

Singo assumed that Pete would adopt the standard sweeper position at the rear on the road north. Never assume! Pete was a new man. With a “Singo, you old fart, keep out of my way and eat my dust” he mounted his beast.

Having cast their votes for various no-names, the bros. departed Turramurra quietly at 9am. There was no fancy send off for these bikers. (The question did materialise in Singo’s head, “what did he do with Janelle & Ash who would normally be out with pom poms & bells on?”)

Destination Walcha. We rode at pace up the M1 attempting to avoid rain & having to put on the wet weather gear. A few bits of drizzle but nothing to upset us.

First stop to rest & a quick lunch was at Karuah. Not much here except red necks & One Nation spruikers (the same thing). We thundered up to Wauchope where we had a forced stop as the rain belted down. Hid under a leaky awning reading how good the weather was for the other Foxes. They’ll get theirs we thought. After 20 mins we figured a light drizzle was about as good as it would get and we set off up the Oxley Highway. The rain stopped.

It is a wonderful ride. Very curvy (road in need of significant repair) but pleasant on the eye. Magnificent valleys & rolling hills. Once over the range, the road flattened out. It was time to test the new BMW. Singo, sitting obediently on Lewy’s tail, opened the throttle & left him standing. That will get him going! Nothing. His lights faded into the distance. There was no ticker. At the next stop, Lewy explained that he was still getting used to the clutch/throttle combo and was mentally building a glass infused tank!

We arrived at Walcha having put a fair few kms on the clock. We filled up & rang Russ to find out where we were staying. The Royal Hotel. We arrived and raced in to pick the best rooms. Coming back down we bumped into 3 dripping Foxes! Gibster looked 30 years older and his leathers were squishing. They recounted the story of losing Andy R at ‘the fork’ and having to revisit a storm of biblical proportions on 2 occasions trying to find him.

Toni (sounds like Jacquie Lambie) is our host at the Royal and serves up some G&T’s and a bottle of Pinot Gris. The Gibster, in shorts and t-shirt cos everything else is drying off, has booked us into the authentic Chinese restaurant in town. On a saturday night it appears to be the only gig in town.

Refer to Russ’ account of the 5 star rating attributed to this fine establishment. Don’t forget the head waitress who was 9 years old and could stare down a Wild Buffalo.

Day 3 Walcha to Sydney

It was a usual start to the day. All Foxes (except Russ who insists on using all allotted sleep time) are up well before the appointed time to polish their boots and wipe down their machines. A Labor victory in the NSW State Election has everyone scratching their heads. Who are these people?

We heard rumours that Hydro would be making an appearance in Walcha. No sign of him at breakfast. He subsequently arrived at 9.00am.

We had departed at 8.30 and took off down Thunderbolt’s Way, a favourite ride. The sun was up and so was the fog. It was thick. The roads are in a bad way and visibility is about 50m. Boxy would have loved this. Still, as night follows day, the fog burnt off and we are powering through magical landscapes.

We arrived at Gloucester for a coffee and to decide the route home. “Quicker the better” was the unanimous decision. Gibster’s leathers had shrunk and he was moving around in an agitated way. Pete was dreaming of polishing his bike. Andy R was planning to warehouse a new batch of smart meters. Singo wanted to see the Swans play & Russ always has better things to do.

So it was straight onto the highway and home after another “Great Fox Adventure”. Thanks to the Gibster for planning & execution.