with eyes as wide as saucers , not prepared to deviate their sight from the task at hand .
At the bottom of the hill , there was the expected piss taking and cajoling . After that , attention turned to ensuring bikes were fit and ready to continue . The driving light was re attached to the GSA , with a secret hope there were no hills like the one we just descended , that we now had to climb .
The weather was quite warm and humid with storm clouds starting to build in the distance . Clay and rain , with heavy adventure bikes don ’ t always mix . Fortunately , the track improved , and soon we were making good ground along well defined , smooth gravel roads . As we made our way southwards , towering dark black , rain laden storm clouds
continued to gather on the horizon , with ever increasing wind gusts . At times bike and rider were leaning well to the right to maintain a straight heading .
As we crossed on to a sealed bitumen surface , the heavens opened up , pouring rain , delivering bolts of lighting and almighty claps of thunder . Visibility dropped with the rain and lack of ambient light , with riding styles adjusted to the prevailing conditions . As we snaked our way toward Singleton the road crossed several rivers , some causeways proving more hazardous than others , especially for one F800GS rider .
Despite what was described as a ‘ spectacular lose ’, and a few scratches on a dislodged pannier , all was well with bike and rider . Nothing an ‘ occy ’ strap and some cable ties couldn ’ t fix . Through the wind , rain , and limited visibility the Nuttas persevered , arriving in Singleton for fuel and some cover from the weather . While refuelling and waiting for ‘ a lost rider ’ the weather began to clear .
As a procession of four motorbikes made their way from Singleton , mining activity dominated the landscape , yellow markings on every second vehicle , utes and trucks the mainstay of the traffic , along with railway lines , locomotives and loaded coal wagons adjacent to the road .
A short but entertaining run along the Wollombi Road culminated with the welcome sight of the Wollombi Tavern , and our overnight stop . Accommodation wasn ’ t high on the list of priorities , dismounting
TRAVERSE 51