landed close by , only enhancing the appearance of Matt Armour ’ s Triumph Tiger 800 , and perhaps adding to the value of it . Matt Armour believes the parrot just knew a good place to roost . Others thought the bird was putting shit on the bike , like a few of the rider ’ s did the night before .
Tuesday was a loop day , leaving Nundle , heading towards Nemingha , cutting through a wonderful piece of dirt road climbing up a hill , then blasting down to a connecting piece of bitumen . The transport leg taking us past Chaffey Dam - full and providing a source of water and recreation for the local community . A stark contrast to our 2019 ride in the area , with brown dirt and dead grass being a constant companion .
Riding through wide river flats , primed with green lucerne and wheat , a yard holding some young calves , frolicking , and jumping , full of youthful exuberance , their excitement abundant and evident , not too dissimilar to the emotion I ’ d felt leaving home a couple of days earlier .
Snaking along , adjacent to the northern railway line , a tight and twisty well-formed gravel road , provided plenty of entertainment and enjoyment . Accelerating out of corners , the rear wheel sliding , braking for the rapidly approaching next corner , shifting weight onto the outside peg , pivoting the hips outside the line of the bike , looking where I want the bike to go and hoping it went that way !
Roadworks in the middle of nowhere , a water truck kicking up dust plumes with a thickness you could taste , slowed our progress . Passing the water truck , a roller and grader blocked our way . A narrow slice of roadway opened next to the imposing hulk of the roller and grader . Cambered down into the roadside drain , it was a matter of commitment and looking forward ,
TRAVERSE 64