Power To The People 25/4/2025
- Thread starter ACTCapo
- Start date
ACTCapo
Well-Known Member
I had a trip to Erina for the ANZAC weekend cancelled at the last minute, so I thought I'd try and knock over a Power To The People ride. The back tyre on my Caponord was close to shot, so I thought bugger it, I'll take a chance with the RF600 I'd bough to put on Historic rego and tootle around town on. I'd done less than 150km on it before today...
A quick cobbled-together plan the night before, as well as jerry-rigging the Caponord's seat bag on the back, and I was off just before 6am with 36696 on the odometer (didn't want to ride towards Cooma in the dark).
In the spirit of the name of the ride, I had to grab this photo at Belconnen on the way out of town.
Heavy fog from Williamsdale on had me second-guessing my choice. I had to stop for a pee at Bredbo and almost turned around then and there. But I pressed on to Cooma for my first fuel stop and told myself I'd give it until Adaminaby and make a call there. It was obvious the 17L tank and likely worn carbie parts were going to mean more regular fuel stops than I was used to on the Capo.
As I crested the hill out of Cooma, the skies suddenly cleared and I was greeted with an amazing sunny autumn morning. I turned off to Adaminaby and gave the RF it's head for a bit (within the posted speed limit, of course...). I love those fast sweeping bends!
After the obligatory photo at the Big Trout, I retraced my route, turning off towards Middlingbank for a bit of a short cut across to Berridale and onto Jindabyne. More fuel at Jindabyne, then onto the twisties...
The tight stuff was harder work than I'd hoped. The bike fell almost awkwardly into the tight corners and had a really unnerving feeling mid corner. It felt like loose steering head bearings or maybe it was just the tired 32yo suspension. Or it could have been the tired old 51yo rider, not sure. But I made it to the Murray 1 Power Station Lookout and took a leg stretch and grabbed the required photo.
It was then just a short run to Murray 2. I couldn't see on the map where I could get a photo of the actual station, so I'm hoping a photo at the (closed) gate will suffice...
Fuel for me and for the bike at Khancoban. Pretty good sausage roll and very good coffee at the General Store/Cafe (rennovated since I was last there).
Then it was on to Cabramurra, about which I found the ride rules a bit confusing. I got a photo at the radio tower, saw the closed gate to Tumut 1 (I think), then went down Goat Ridge Rd to find Tumut 2. I didn't get a picture in Cabramurra Village, but my SPOT track shows me going through there.
A quick cobbled-together plan the night before, as well as jerry-rigging the Caponord's seat bag on the back, and I was off just before 6am with 36696 on the odometer (didn't want to ride towards Cooma in the dark).
In the spirit of the name of the ride, I had to grab this photo at Belconnen on the way out of town.
Heavy fog from Williamsdale on had me second-guessing my choice. I had to stop for a pee at Bredbo and almost turned around then and there. But I pressed on to Cooma for my first fuel stop and told myself I'd give it until Adaminaby and make a call there. It was obvious the 17L tank and likely worn carbie parts were going to mean more regular fuel stops than I was used to on the Capo.
As I crested the hill out of Cooma, the skies suddenly cleared and I was greeted with an amazing sunny autumn morning. I turned off to Adaminaby and gave the RF it's head for a bit (within the posted speed limit, of course...). I love those fast sweeping bends!
After the obligatory photo at the Big Trout, I retraced my route, turning off towards Middlingbank for a bit of a short cut across to Berridale and onto Jindabyne. More fuel at Jindabyne, then onto the twisties...
The tight stuff was harder work than I'd hoped. The bike fell almost awkwardly into the tight corners and had a really unnerving feeling mid corner. It felt like loose steering head bearings or maybe it was just the tired 32yo suspension. Or it could have been the tired old 51yo rider, not sure. But I made it to the Murray 1 Power Station Lookout and took a leg stretch and grabbed the required photo.
It was then just a short run to Murray 2. I couldn't see on the map where I could get a photo of the actual station, so I'm hoping a photo at the (closed) gate will suffice...
Fuel for me and for the bike at Khancoban. Pretty good sausage roll and very good coffee at the General Store/Cafe (rennovated since I was last there).
Then it was on to Cabramurra, about which I found the ride rules a bit confusing. I got a photo at the radio tower, saw the closed gate to Tumut 1 (I think), then went down Goat Ridge Rd to find Tumut 2. I didn't get a picture in Cabramurra Village, but my SPOT track shows me going through there.
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ACTCapo
Well-Known Member
I'm a big fan of Link Rd from Cabramurra back across to the Snowy Mountains Highway, but I may have been a bit "enthusiastic"; I had to switch over to reserve on the fuel tank about 20km from Talbingo... So I re-fuelled there (12.5L for 170km) at the now-24hr servo and shot up to get the required photo at Tumut 3 Power Station.
Then it was off to Tumut (through some great fast sweepers) for a liquid top up (me) and that was pretty much it for the fun cornery stuff. It was only going to be highway and more efficient mile-eating from here on.
I'd planned to zip down the Hume and turn around at Wodonga after a fuel stop at Holbrook. As I was cruising Wodonga for a servo to grab a corner docket, I spotted a suitable photo opportunity...
A U-Turn was in order, then it was just fuel stop after fuel stop as I cruised back up towards Sydney. Holbrook again, Gundagai, Yass, Sutton Forest before another U-Turn at the M4/M7 junction. Fuel on the way back was at Pheasant's Nest and Goulburn where I did a quick calculation of my trip distance. It seemed as if I was going to come up short if I went back the Federal Highway, so I went back to Yass then headed home via the Barton Hwy. I did a bit of a loop through Gungahlin to make sure I was well over the required distance, then pulled back into Shell in Charnwood where I'd started 23hrs and 15min earlier for a KitKat and a finish docket. All done with 1637km for the day, tired, cold but satisfied.
Then it was off to Tumut (through some great fast sweepers) for a liquid top up (me) and that was pretty much it for the fun cornery stuff. It was only going to be highway and more efficient mile-eating from here on.
I'd planned to zip down the Hume and turn around at Wodonga after a fuel stop at Holbrook. As I was cruising Wodonga for a servo to grab a corner docket, I spotted a suitable photo opportunity...
A U-Turn was in order, then it was just fuel stop after fuel stop as I cruised back up towards Sydney. Holbrook again, Gundagai, Yass, Sutton Forest before another U-Turn at the M4/M7 junction. Fuel on the way back was at Pheasant's Nest and Goulburn where I did a quick calculation of my trip distance. It seemed as if I was going to come up short if I went back the Federal Highway, so I went back to Yass then headed home via the Barton Hwy. I did a bit of a loop through Gungahlin to make sure I was well over the required distance, then pulled back into Shell in Charnwood where I'd started 23hrs and 15min earlier for a KitKat and a finish docket. All done with 1637km for the day, tired, cold but satisfied.
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Biggles
Premier Member
23:15 for just 1627km meant a lot of time refuelling and photographing! Goodonya for sticking with the plan when things weren't going your way. Well documented with extra bonus "power" shots. I was half expecting you to buy a Powerade drink! "Up & Go" just doesn't quite fit the theme.
HACKLE
Premier Member
As said above, great ride, pictures and report. Skidoo's comment about going down in Dad's Morris to the very large viewing/parking platform. I also have been down that long slippery rutted concrete road. twice. First time was on a Yamaha DT250 two stoke trail bike back in the early 70's whilst attending the Alpine Rally at Yarrangobilly Homestead campsite. The second time was on the very last visitor bus ride down to the power station along with an escorted tour of the complete power station. I had organised a trip for members of my 4WD club [Dandenong Ranges]. Pretty special to be on the last escorted tour, won't forget it in a hurry. Cheers.
ACTCapo
Well-Known Member
ACTCapo
Well-Known Member
Might be it’s one and only IBA ride…
ACTCapo
Well-Known Member
That is pretty special, yes.
Kimmie
Well-Known Member
Well done Shane for sticking with it but having the sense to make the decision to pull the pin if it turned out that way.
Great pics and report.
The Pickled Parrot at Khancoban is very popular, especially in winter when they have the fire going.....don't do a bad milkshake either (just saying).
Great pics and report.
The Pickled Parrot at Khancoban is very popular, especially in winter when they have the fire going.....don't do a bad milkshake either (just saying).
Well done Shane!
That’s a cracker of a route, with so much scenery packed into some of our best riding roads. I reckon your timing & route was spot on for the daylight hours. I did the Middlingbank Rd in the dusk/dark & there was plenty of wildlife about.
Congratulations again & thanks for sharing!
That’s a cracker of a route, with so much scenery packed into some of our best riding roads. I reckon your timing & route was spot on for the daylight hours. I did the Middlingbank Rd in the dusk/dark & there was plenty of wildlife about.
Congratulations again & thanks for sharing!
ACTCapo
Well-Known Member
Thanks!
In hindsight, I probably should have started via Gundagai then Tumut, Adaminaby, Cooma, then done the clockwise loop and back out to the highway to Wodonga that way. I sort of regret not completing the loop between Adaminaby and Kiandra.
ACTCapo
Well-Known Member
Agreed. I really should make time to do it more often.
Last week I rode a couple of latte day rides with a few guys from Newcastle.
Day 1: Bega > Bombala > Delgate > Bonang > Orbost > Buchan > Bruthen > Omeo overnight.
Day 2: Omeo > Mitta Mitta > Granya > Towong > Jagumba > Cabramurra > Tumbarumba > Tumut.
Cold mornings, nice days, awesome roads, off the road by dark, into Tumut in time for a great meal, a beer and and the joy of seeing Potato head Dutton lose his seat all before bed time. Excellent