When most motorcyclists think of weekends they either look forward to riding their bikes or to going to the track to watch other people riding their bikes. Or, maybe they think of spending some time detailing their bike and THEN riding them, but, in any event bikes and weekends are made for each other.
Being a non-riding motorcyclist at the moment, the above only partially applies. nevertheless, one of things that I promised my wife that we would do while I was recuperating was to go and explore some of the beaut places that I used to explore on two wheels, on four wheels instead.
So, after many busy weekends filled with family responsibilities and other necessities, we decided that we would head off for the weekend for some “us” time. As finances were limited (aren’t they always?”) we decided that a short drive accompanied by some exploration would be in order. After throwing a few essentials in the car, we headed south, destination Batemans Bay (otherwise known as Canberra East).
The first part of the trip is always a bit annoying, the traffic through Albion Park is always heavy and worse on a weekend. The next bottleneck is the run down off Mount Pleasant after the Kiama Bends. Roadworks associated with the Gerringong By-Pass will keep that area a mess till June 2015 I have been informed, but, anyway, it didn’t affect us as we decided to take my own by-pass, through Gerringong and to Nowra via the coast road and Shoalhaven heads. Traffic here was much lighter and we got in to Nowra pretty easily. The roadworks on the south end of Nowra are now complete and the traffic flows much better.
The Bay now takes just a bit over 2 hours so it was an easy run. Book into a neat motel with the beach right outside and then a early lunch at the pancake shop on the esplanade in town. On most tours south that I have done we have stopped there and it is always good, with the back of the shop open onto the waters of the bay. Very pleasant.
It was low tide so a walk along the beach was in order and, as is so often the case, the timing was just right. At the southern end of Casey’s Beach there are some incredible rock formations that are well worth seeing and photographing.
Not bad for a phone camera.
Years ago we stayed at Casey’s and I remember there was a great pizza shop just back up the road towards the Bay so we went looking for dinner later and, blow me down, the shop was still there. While waiting for my pizza I got into conversation with the guy who was operating the wood-fired oven. As you would guess, he was a keen motorcyclist, having raced an RGV250 Suzuki back in the days of 250 Production racing. As the pizza sizzled we bemoaned the state of racing today and agreed that the old days were best!
Having solved the problems of the world, AGAIN, Helena and I adjourned outside and devoured an excellent supreme.
In the morning it was high tide so the morning walk along the beach was a little difficult because of the very soft sand, which my leg didn’t appreciate at at all. However, walk completed we had some cereal and then mooched around till it was time to vacate the room. Back to the pancake shop for a coffee and a shared pancake and then we started heading home. There was no hurry so we stopped a lot; the antique shop at Milton, the lovely big Moreton Bay fig tree in the park just out of town and other sights along the way.
The further north we got the traffic became thicker as you would expect, but we weren’t out to break any records so it didn’t matter. At the Basin View turnoff we cut out and started winding our way to Nowra the slow way. Huskisson arrived at about lunch time (funny, that) and so we stopped there. If you have an interest in history you may want to read the story below of William Huskisson after whom the town was named (though why it was named after him I am not sure)
William Huskisson, the first railway fatality.
From Husky we wound through Wollamia and out onto the highway again but the traffic was even heavier, so I chose to cut out again and so I reach the point of my blog today. Just south of Nowra there is a turnoff to the east that takes you to Callala Bay. It is called Forest Road as you can see from the map. I have known this road for many years, having used it since way back in the 80’s when my brother in law used to live at Callala Bay. But back then it was a gravel road and not a particularly good one at that. There were lots of rough, corrugated corners and it required a lot of concentration to get it done, and especially when it was rainy. But, a few years ago, the local council spent a lot of money and tarred the whole 10 km stretch.
You know that song, “What a difference a day makes?” Well, what a difference it has made to Forest Road. Whereas it was narrow, windy and difficult, the same road, with the same alignment, when paved, has become a rider’s paradise. Long, sweeping corners that rise and fall are linked by straights that lead to more of the same. Even my wife, who is totally unimpressed with such stuff, said, “Wow” as we crested a rise and saw the twisty road disappearing into the distance. I can’t wait to ride it.
From Nowra we cut out onto the Shoalhaven Heads road but the traffic was ridiculous and the last part of the journey wasn’t as pleasant as I would have wanted it to be. Being carved up by homicidal women in 4WD’s isn’t my idea of fun.
Despite the last part of the journey being less than ideal it was still a great weekend. Oh, and I wasn’t aware that Jamie Hyneman from the “Mythbusters” had decided to holiday in Batemans Bay last weekend, but apparently he had.