reasons people are passionate about their opposition to the proposed mining of this area .
Tamworth provided the opportunity to refuel the GSA , having left Dubbo with a partially full tank , 300 odd kilometres later was a good time to fill and stretch . Riding along the New England Highway , north out of Tamworth always brings a smile , the run-up Moonbi Hill always entertaining . Between Moonbi and Bendemeer , the New England is in great condition , smooth bitumen , wide open , sweeping corners , with an absence of traffic bringing a smile . I turned left into Bendemeer , interested in learning more about the home of Josh Hazelwood and the Grey Fergie Muster . Ghosts of days past dominate the streetscape , a forlorn looking former roadhouse littered with car bodies and remnants of a bygone era , whilst the Royal Hotel provides a stark contrast ; bright , bold , and well patronised , I imagine it being like a lighthouse to travellers and locals alike .
Leaving Bendemeer , I cross the New England and turn onto one of , if not the most popular motorcycling roads in New South Wales . A road that in recent times has had its fair share of media coverage , a road that is well patronised and well-liked by the motorcycling fraternity . Riding towards Walcha Road , it ’ s easy to see why so many people like it . It is the Oxley Highway . Taking the left-hand turn into the township of Walcha Road , the local hotel reveals itself , tucked onto the hill side , obviously , a popular stopping spot for many ; an eclectic collection of motorcycles parked out the front . A quick visit to the well enclosed and secured Walcha Road Railway Station , and I ’ m punting on towards Walcha .
One thing I notice as I pass into a new Local Government Area is the attention paid to signposting each property , clearly identifying the number , the name and the road , vital information to so many services : post , deliveries , and emergency services .
Grey clouds , cooler temperatures and the occasional spot of rain greet my arrival in Walcha . I know other members of the Nuttas have already arrived and are spending the day riding the eastern side of the Oxley . I take the chance to reacquaint myself with an icon of the Oxley Highway and Walcha ; The Royal Café , with a well-deserved reputation for fine road trip food and great coffee , my grumbling stomach is satisfied .
With a soy latte ( I ride a BMW ) and hamburger consumed , I make the decision to ride east and meet up with the rest of the Nuttas on their return to Walcha . A quick stop off at Aspley Falls reminds me of the grandeur and ability of Mother Nature , a recurring theme for this adventure .
About 50 kilometres east of Walcha I spot a great location to record the Nuttas coming down a long hill , with a nice right-hand bend . No sooner am I off the bike and preparing to capture their arrival and I hear the sound of motorbikes approaching , accompanied by the glow of headlights . I instantly recognise the headlights of two F800GS ’ and a Tiger 800 .
Greetings are warm , whilst the comments about each other ’ s bikes are humorous and at times downright disparaging . The tone is well and truly set for the coming week . Talk centres around the weather and route for the coming days , with local gossip suggesting part of our route along the Bicentennial National Trail being nothing more than an unmaintained track !
Four bikes snake their way back to Walcha along the Oxley Highway , three stopping at the Royal Café for accommodation overnight , with the fourth heading to The Commercial . As I pull into the kerb at the front of
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