Winter Solstice ride plan

[ACTCapo]

I missed the Autumn Equinox due to work commitments, so that will have to wait till 2023. I’m scratching my head to come up with a suitable winter route, something easy, mainly highway so it’s as quick as possible.

Engonia looks to be about the right distance; any advice on the roads up that way (Via Forbes/Nyngan/Bourke)?

Thanks in advance.

 

[ACTCapo]

Or maybe Mildura.

 

[tj189]

I missed the Autumn Equinox due to work commitments, so that will have to wait till 2023. I’m scratching my head to come up with a suitable winter route, something easy, mainly highway so it’s as quick as possible.

Engonia looks to be about the right distance; any advice on the roads up that way (Via Forbes/Nyngan/Bourke)?

Thanks in advance.

coffs harbour and return

 

[ACTCapo]

coffs harbour and return

I’m always worried about roadworks north of Sydney, but that looks good (8:30hrs estimate on Google Maps). Thanks.

 

[thommo]

You know it's err... cold in the middle of winter?

 

[ACTCapo]

You know it's err... cold in the middle of winter?

I’ve heard that..

 

[tj189]

I’m always worried about roadworks north of Sydney, but that looks good (8:30hrs estimate on Google Maps). Thanks.

Not sure how long ago that you may have ridden up to Coffs Harbour, but as of a couple of weeks ago, there were no roadworks that I remember.

 

[Vlad]

I rode down Anzac weekend, hit the M1 at Urunga, gassed at Kempsey and didn’t put my foot down till my front gate. No road works, not a lot of traffic either. The west is a different story, rode 1650k on Sunday via Gunnedah , Goondiwindi ,Tenterfield and then the New England. Lots of average road and pot holes and damaged road surface. Cold in the mountains but you expect that this time of year.
Take your adventure bike, your spine won’t be as short when you get home.

 

[Martin Little]

Go north, Coffs, Byron Bay all make a good out & back ride mid winter. You can also mix it up with some detours with Thunderbolts & the Oxley

 

[ACTCapo]

Consensus says North. Thanks folks!

 

[ACTCapo]

Not sure how long ago that you may have ridden up to Coffs Harbour, but as of a couple of weeks ago, there were no roadworks that I remember.

It’s been a few years.

 

[Biggles]

Consensus says North. Thanks folks!

North is always warmer when you're in the southern hemisphere.
Be prepared to give your toll account a hit using the freeways and tunnel around Sydney.

 

[ACTCapo]

Be prepared to give your toll account a hit using the freeways and tunnel around Sydney.

Speaking of; has anyone used Pennant Hills Rd since the tunnel opened? Is it much less busy? I'ts always been my first fuel stop heading north but the traffic was regularly a pain.

 

[IBA-Tiger]

Re: Pennant Hills Rd - Significantly better, as most of the trucks are required to use the Tunnel. Traffic in Sydney generally hard to guess, but I regularly avoid the Tunnel and other toll roads in Sydney (the toll charges add up quickly!).

 

[Vlad]

These days Pennant Hills to the M4 is 6 mins. Used to be 35.
So From the M2 exit with fuel stop say
15 mins give or take.
Bill is right the new tunnel ain’t cheap but it is fast.

 

[Biggles]

Bill is right the new tunnel ain’t cheap but it is fast.

I also found it inordinately loud on the bike, and I wasn't especially near any noisy vehicles.

 

[Martin Little]

21st June is looking attractive for a day off work and a run up the coast, with the Oxley thrown in for good measure

 

[ACTCapo]

21st June is looking attractive for a day off work and a run up the coast, with the Oxley thrown in for good measure

I could tag along and see how the experts do it…

 

[Martin Little]

I could tag along and see how the experts do it…

I don’t know about that “expert” thing but come along and share the journey.

 

[ACTCapo]

Well, this little issue threw a spanner in the plans for today’s ride. It looks like Martin is off on his own though. Sorry to let you down, Martin.