Day one, Sydney to Narooma

Location: Sydney

Miles: 0

If you really like bends, then the first day out of Sydney is definitely one for you. Today offered the best twisties available anywhere on the planet. You don't need to be itchy to do a lot of scratching, of your footpegs that is. The road surface was like that of a racetrack.  Add great dry sunny weather and this make a  pretty good day to be on a bike. It is hard to believe, but it is going to get even better than this as I head down the track over mountains and around the coast.   I think I am going to like this ride.

I picked up a new DOHC R1200GS at Pro Cycles St Peters (02 9557 1610) this week for the ride.   Great guys, couldn’t be more helpful.   The throaty exhaust note reminds me of the F800GS, but with more torque and the familiar and comfortable riding position of a boxer GS it is like coming home to an old friend.   My old GS is waiting for me in Perth, 6 weeks away.

I had a dream run today, covering 392 kms. I set off at 5.30am. I found myself on the street after waking early and thought might just as well get going! One hour and 30kms later after clearing the city I am turning into the Royal National Park. The various critters of the Australian bush were just waking up at dawn when I stopped off to soak it all in to listen and fall in love with it all again. 

Many jaw-dropping scenes presented themselves as I reached the coast running along the beaches, climbing up and down the escarpment the road continued to impress and the numbers of bikes sharing them grew staedily. A well postioned Gloria Jeans was fully utilised at one point, then later fish and chips on the beach under the warm wintery sun.

Riding through Kangaroo Valley was a real highlight of todays ride, well more the getting in and out of it to be precise.  Narooma proves to be a lovely town in another incredible coastal setting. I quickly found a great hotel atop the hill, rooms were checked and deals made before sealing the booking ready for next year. I am enjoying those views over the bay right now as I write.

Tomorrow gets all alpine and possibly a bit nippy around the pippy I suspect!

Jeffrey Condon

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