With Saturday December 21st 2024, being our summer solstice, it seemed like an excellent opportunity to get some riding in. A check of the weather forecast confirmed west of the Dividing Range would be HOT, while the south coast of NSW looked comparatively cool. Saturday would mean the start of the Christmas holiday traffic surge, which meant anywhere on the coast was going to be busy, but after a lengthy period procrastinating, the coastal route was plugged into the GPS, with hopes that my timing would have me missing the worst of the traffic
Bright eyed & bushy tailed, ready to roll!
Start Docket, at dark o'clock 21st December 2024.
With my start docket in hand I rolled out of Canberra just before 2:00am, heading north for the Picton Road junction with the Hume. Federal Highway was relatively busy with plenty of passenger vehicles, (on holidays?) to keep me company. Passing Lake George, a largish roo in my lane was spotted well in advance (Thank you Clearwater Ericas), and as I washed off speed, the roo took off heading northbound, in my lane also, hmmm, not much to do but let the roo decide where its going and when. The ute behind me (who had been happy to sit there since Canberra) decided I was going way to slow and pulled into the fast lane to pass at about the same time, as the roo veered across the fast lane and into the median strip. There was lots of braking and swerving by the ute at the last moment, as the roo passed in front, narrowly missing the ute by millimeter's.
Joined the Hume with the usual wall to wall semis, and I made good progress northwards. Refuelled at Pheasants Nest, and as planned I took the Picton Road off ramp to turn eastwards to the coast. Mount Ousley was busy with trucks grinding there way down the escarpment, but once clear, the traffic thinned out and I had an easy run south towards Kiama. Stopped at Billys Lookout (just past Kiama) for a sunrise photo, the view across to Gerringong Beach was spectacular.
Sunrise over Gerringong Beach, NSW.
Continuing southwards, I pondered detouring through Berry but decided to stay on route and headed through Nowra. Traffic was non-existent to date and I was congratulating myself on the earlyish start. Stopped briefly at Macca’s in South Nowra for coffee and breakfast. Back out on Princes Highway heading south, the traffic remained light. Milton came and went, followed by Batemans Bay, then Eden.
Eden, NSW
The further south I went, the heavier the northbound traffic got, with a large number of caravans and camper vans all heading north from Victoria into NSW. The ride through the forests between Cann River and Orbost was sublime, dappled sunlight, cool temperatures all made for perfect riding conditions. At Bruthen, I took 15 minutes to have an early lunch from the Bruthen Bakery, ensuring my energy levels were topped up ready for the Great Alpine Road.
Bruthen Bakery and the pie was delicious
Bruthen was busy with holiday makers, who apparently seemed to be all heading up the coast, as once I turned west up the GAR, the traffic became non-existent, and I had the road mainly to myself.
Good times ahead, AKA Great Alpine Road
Omeo, VIC
Crossing over the top of Australia at Mount Hotham, came the first signs of the bush fires raging through Victoria, with smoke hanging in the valleys, which as I descended to Harrietville the smoke became very thick.
Mount Hotham tunnel, VIC
And hot, with the temperature jumped from low 20’s into the high 30’s in the Ovens Valley. This section of the ride from Harrietville to Wangaratta was the hottest and also the slowest of the day, with holiday traffic dawdling through the towns of Bright and Myrtleford and I was glad to see the back of this section and jump onto the Freeway at Wangaratta East. Mid 30’s and thick bushfire smoke were not conducive to great riding conditions.
Santa looking for a ride, with temps in the high 30's and thick bushfire smoke
Time to jump back on the M31 Freeway to head north
Heading north up the Freeway, I refueled at Wodonga West Truckstop, before taking the Olympic Highway to Wagga. The temperatures, remained in the mid 30’s and I took some time off the bike in Wagga to have a cold milkshake and sit in air conditioning.
Dog on a Tuckerbox, Gundagai NSW
Stopped at Gundagai for the Dog on the Tucker Box photo, at about the same time as an easterly wind arrived, which cleared away the smoke and sent the temperatures, down to the mid-low 20’s, which made for an awesome summer evenings ride past Yass and into Canberra.
Rolling up the Freeway in the early evening, how good is this?
Sunset on the Barton Highway, "soon be home, only just a few miles down the road"
Finishing docket
Overall, a great Summer Solstice Ride. This one was a lot of fun, with a very scenic route of Princes Highway and the Great Alpine Road. Well worth the effort!
My Spotwalla track for this ride
Mail Call! Thanks to the IBA certification team. The Insta-Cert application process is quick and easy!
Bright eyed & bushy tailed, ready to roll!
Start Docket, at dark o'clock 21st December 2024.
With my start docket in hand I rolled out of Canberra just before 2:00am, heading north for the Picton Road junction with the Hume. Federal Highway was relatively busy with plenty of passenger vehicles, (on holidays?) to keep me company. Passing Lake George, a largish roo in my lane was spotted well in advance (Thank you Clearwater Ericas), and as I washed off speed, the roo took off heading northbound, in my lane also, hmmm, not much to do but let the roo decide where its going and when. The ute behind me (who had been happy to sit there since Canberra) decided I was going way to slow and pulled into the fast lane to pass at about the same time, as the roo veered across the fast lane and into the median strip. There was lots of braking and swerving by the ute at the last moment, as the roo passed in front, narrowly missing the ute by millimeter's.
Joined the Hume with the usual wall to wall semis, and I made good progress northwards. Refuelled at Pheasants Nest, and as planned I took the Picton Road off ramp to turn eastwards to the coast. Mount Ousley was busy with trucks grinding there way down the escarpment, but once clear, the traffic thinned out and I had an easy run south towards Kiama. Stopped at Billys Lookout (just past Kiama) for a sunrise photo, the view across to Gerringong Beach was spectacular.
Sunrise over Gerringong Beach, NSW.
Continuing southwards, I pondered detouring through Berry but decided to stay on route and headed through Nowra. Traffic was non-existent to date and I was congratulating myself on the earlyish start. Stopped briefly at Macca’s in South Nowra for coffee and breakfast. Back out on Princes Highway heading south, the traffic remained light. Milton came and went, followed by Batemans Bay, then Eden.
Eden, NSW
The further south I went, the heavier the northbound traffic got, with a large number of caravans and camper vans all heading north from Victoria into NSW. The ride through the forests between Cann River and Orbost was sublime, dappled sunlight, cool temperatures all made for perfect riding conditions. At Bruthen, I took 15 minutes to have an early lunch from the Bruthen Bakery, ensuring my energy levels were topped up ready for the Great Alpine Road.
Bruthen Bakery and the pie was delicious
Bruthen was busy with holiday makers, who apparently seemed to be all heading up the coast, as once I turned west up the GAR, the traffic became non-existent, and I had the road mainly to myself.
Good times ahead, AKA Great Alpine Road
Omeo, VIC
Crossing over the top of Australia at Mount Hotham, came the first signs of the bush fires raging through Victoria, with smoke hanging in the valleys, which as I descended to Harrietville the smoke became very thick.
Mount Hotham tunnel, VIC
And hot, with the temperature jumped from low 20’s into the high 30’s in the Ovens Valley. This section of the ride from Harrietville to Wangaratta was the hottest and also the slowest of the day, with holiday traffic dawdling through the towns of Bright and Myrtleford and I was glad to see the back of this section and jump onto the Freeway at Wangaratta East. Mid 30’s and thick bushfire smoke were not conducive to great riding conditions.
Santa looking for a ride, with temps in the high 30's and thick bushfire smoke
Time to jump back on the M31 Freeway to head north
Heading north up the Freeway, I refueled at Wodonga West Truckstop, before taking the Olympic Highway to Wagga. The temperatures, remained in the mid 30’s and I took some time off the bike in Wagga to have a cold milkshake and sit in air conditioning.
Dog on a Tuckerbox, Gundagai NSW
Stopped at Gundagai for the Dog on the Tucker Box photo, at about the same time as an easterly wind arrived, which cleared away the smoke and sent the temperatures, down to the mid-low 20’s, which made for an awesome summer evenings ride past Yass and into Canberra.
Rolling up the Freeway in the early evening, how good is this?
Sunset on the Barton Highway, "soon be home, only just a few miles down the road"
Finishing docket
Overall, a great Summer Solstice Ride. This one was a lot of fun, with a very scenic route of Princes Highway and the Great Alpine Road. Well worth the effort!
My Spotwalla track for this ride
Mail Call! Thanks to the IBA certification team. The Insta-Cert application process is quick and easy!
