in the valleys was just as stunning . The battle for enjoyment and wonderment was winning and I had true admiration for the landscape I was passing through . Well , that was up until approximately the one hundred kilometre mark along this road when I slowly rode past a sign that said “ 4WD access only – 20 river crossings ahead ” so naturally I kept riding with some level of trepidation as 100 metres prior I had to tiptoe my bike across a mossy and extremely slippery floodway .
This is the point my anxieties all come flooding back as I sat on the edge of the small rocky river , or some would say trickle . This was the point that my ego took a backseat and my gut took over . Whilst I would have been alright with one or two or maybe even five or six river crossings the thought of twenty , in the middle of nowhere , still some seventy kilometres from Nundle didn ’ t tickle my fancy and in the
interest of actually making it to the camp I made the decision to turn back and seek an alternate route . Unfortunately , the alternate route to the camp ground I had earmarked to stay at meant I had to backtrack the one hundred kilometres I had just ridden through . What was going to be a fairly early end to the day to set up camp and relax , gave way to a long stretch of backtracking which added a few hours to my trip . This saw me get into camp , at the Chaffey Dam , around 5:30pm .
Upon arrival I was greeted by a guy , who , in my books , was an absolute legend . Just as I was unpacking my tent he wondered over with a cold beer , water , and soft drink in hand for me . I don ’ t usually drink beer , but I can honestly say that it went done well and was greatly appreciated .
After setting up camp and enjoying the cold beer I was able to sit back , relax , and reflect on the days riding .
I even found the time to unpack my newly acquired travel fishing rod and reel and flick a lure . This would be the first trip that I would take the fishing gear and found it a nice way to just stop and take the time to admire what was in front of me and who knows maybe even catch a fish . The fish clearly weren ’ t hungry but I think I will continue to take the rod along with me on other trips . CB
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