night a chill had settled over Ebor,
a frost greeted us as we broke free
from sleeping bags and tents.
Beneath my shelter, listening to the
laugh of kookaburras, the warble of
magpies, and activity all around, I re-
flected on the previous few days. My
mind wandered and reflection moved
to wonderment and appreciation for
the simple things; camping, watching
the stars, listening to nature, appreci-
ating good mates.
Eastward along the Waterfall Way,
the bends of bitumen created seven
different worlds for each rider - an
opportunity for each of us to im-
merse ourselves and reflect, and
amazingly, focus on the road ahead.
The bitumen wound past ubiqui-
tous country town buildings as we
entered Dorrigo; coffee shops, rural
supply shops, municipal buildings
and papered over windows - evidence
of rural decline and dwindling popu-
lations, furthered by the presence of
weeds growing through rusted and
disused railway lines.
Again, on dirt, roadside attractions
became tall timbers and tree ferns.
The ride from Dorrigo to Glenreagh
an absolute assault on the senses -
emerald green vistas, the perfume
of spring flowers trying desperately
to pierce through the acrid, pungent
omnipotent bushfire smoke.
Wooden bridges and moist dirt
roads interspersed with loose gravel
and rocks made for interesting rid-
ing. Lowanna provided an opportu-
nity not to be missed - a photo on the
railway platform.
Glenreagh bakery beckoned with
an array of gastronomic delights - as
well as coffee and chocolate milk -
road trip essentials.
Headed toward the Pacific High-
way, Macca decided it was a perfect
opportunity for another tyre chang-
ing lesson. Matthew drew a crowd as
he removed the cover from his new
seat, like bullants to honey they gath-
ered to view a demonstration of the
TRAVERSE 66
buttons and controls aboard the now
dusty, new, R1250 Rallye.
As time got away from us we
reluctantly made the decision to
ride the mind-numbing route along
the Pacific Highway, a timetable of
celebrations and beers needed to be
adhered to, and as we pulled into
Darryl Bailey’s place in Gulmarrad we
quickly removed our riding gear and
leapt into the cool, inviting pool.
It was another great ride, the green
light earlier in the week undeniably a
green light for great time with great
mates. Bring on the next one … PL
Phil is often on the road exploring his
native Australia, with his great eye for detail
he often sees things that many others and
shares that through his stunning photogra-
phy. Check out his Instagram for the many
images.