R1250 HP Rallye – a very impressive
piece of kit.
We headed north from Settlement
Point, taking another boat ride,
contributing to the coffers of Port
Macquarie Hastings Council, and in-
haling dust along the recently graded
Maria River Road through to Crescent
Head and Kempsey.
The temperature continued to
climb as we rode through Kempsey,
slow moving traffic increasing the
discomfort. It soon disappeared as
we began Armidale Road and its vari-
ous curves.
We were beckoned to stop as
Bellbrook Hotel loomed large on the
roadside. A weather front passed
and dropped just 5 spits of rain while
picking up dust that filled our riding
gear. Local advice suggested the road
ahead was in great condition thanks
mainly to recent roadworks.
What would a ride be without a
tyre changing lesson from Macca? He
didn’t disappoint and collected a rusty
nail in his rear tube. Records were
set as Macca beat his previous effort.
Young cattle attempted to graze on
slim pickings, reminiscent of Mac-
ca’s previous night on Tinder. Dust
and dry leaves tinged by sunlight
filtered through the bushfire smoke;
a constant companion for the day’s
activities. The ambient temperature
dropped to a comfortable 20 degrees
as we climbed onto the Dorrigo pla-
teau. The air flowed through riding
TRAVERSE 65
gear vents cooling sweat soaked
clothes beneath.
A shine radiated from the new
R1250 as we entered the rear of the
Ebor Hotel Motel, Matthew’s face
beamed. Camp was set as everyone
admired the BMW, we reflected on
the significant contribution made by
the R1200 over the past five years. We
laughed that Matthew has an ability
to make a big bike look small and for
Steve to make a big bike look even
bigger …
"I know all the lines to say, the part
I'm expected to play, but in the reflec-
tion I'm worlds away", mused Missy
Higgins evocatively.
The lines rang loud in my head as I
got ready for the ride final leg. Over-