Day Four - Wet and Wild
Today we woke to the news that the low pressure system that had been
causing the rain and flooding of the past few days had not moved as far
south as we hoped, and record floods were sweeping through a number of
towns on our planned schedule for the day.
After extensive checking with the police, RTA, RACQ, NRMA and phoning
ahead to locals, we were told the roads we planned to ride that day were
listed as open, but the situation could change as the day wore on.
We decided on that basis to persist with our planned schedule and
backtrack if necessary. The skies were mostly grey with the occasional
patch of blue, but as we left Warwick the first of many showers for the
day began to roll across us.
Our morning route took us on a country back road through beautiful
farmland and into the hills through Killarney and on a tiny road to
Woodenbong. At each turn we checked in with the locals to make sure the
road was still clear, and as we made our last turn for Woodenbong
chatted to a local farmer who assured us we could get through and there
was no water on the road or above the bridges.
We took off down a tiny road at low speed, as strong wind gusts
occasionally shook the trees and the group, and patches of blue sky
alternated with absolute downpours. The lead van saw 4 kangaroos on
this stretch of road but the riders didn't see them at all!
The road took us over several bridges across swollen streams but the
water remained well below, and after 50km as we reached the outskirts of
Woodenbong we thanked our luck - until we saw right on the edge of town
that the main bridge had collapsed, and the only way across was down a
muddy slope, across a wooden trestle bridge, and back up a muddy rocky
slope on the other side.
We crossed the dip one at a time and at low speed without a wobble -
showing not only the capability of the Harleys but the skill of our
riding group!
As we rode into the tiny town of Woodenbong and parked, we saw pink
balloons and signs festooning the town hall - the locals had put on a
fundraising morning tea for cancer research, and were thrilled to see us
all pull into town.
We dripped our way inside, hung up our wet weather gear, and enjoyed a
wonderful early lunch while entertaining the locals with stories of our
adventures. Time to head back out on the road, with some urgency as the
only road out of town was starting to go under water at the other end.
We made it out in the nick of time riding through 4 inches of water.
On to the next stage of our ride to Kyogle - a beautiful road, and at
times the sun came completely out, so we could all enjoy the fantastic
views. Once again our local reports and luck held, and we made it
through with no problems, although we could see in places where the road
had been under water in the last 24 hours.
Stopped for gas in Kyogle and encountered our first insurmountable
problem - Dimi's bike had a punctured rear tire, and was no longer
rideable. The locals helped us out again with storing the bike until
Harley-Davidson could pick it up, as there were no mechanics on hand to
repair it. Dimi was disappointed but joined the dry crew in the support
vans.
We were told that the flood waters had gone down and the roads re-opened
in Lismore and Casino, but our planned route may well still be flooded,
so we took a slight detour through Casino to Lismore.
The rain really started to pelt down now, and as we were no longer
sheltered by the trees in the hills, the cross wind gave us a hammering.
As we came through Casino and finally into Lismore we crossed flooded
rivers and fields that looked like an inland sea - huge amounts of
water.
The roads all stayed clear for us and as we regrouped in Lismore for the
final run through to Lennox Head, we though the worst was over, until we
tried our planned road through Bangalow and found it two foot under
water.
A quick u-turn and we headed instead to Ballina, deciding to skip our
planned stop in ByronBay as the day was getting late and weather reports
from there were wild and wet to say the least.
We got through to Ballina in driving rain but with no problems, and then
checked on the road conditions one last time before winding our way
through to the coast road to Lennox Head.
The ocean was an incredible sight - the rain lifted so we could see the
huge rolling swells heading in to the shore, and white water reaching
for a mile out to sea. After a few short minutes we were at our
destination in Lennox - wet, tired but exhilarated by our day's ride and
triumph over the conditions!
All day we saw little traffic given the conditions, and not another
single motorcycle - this is truly an extraordinary group of women and
riders.
causing the rain and flooding of the past few days had not moved as far
south as we hoped, and record floods were sweeping through a number of
towns on our planned schedule for the day.
After extensive checking with the police, RTA, RACQ, NRMA and phoning
ahead to locals, we were told the roads we planned to ride that day were
listed as open, but the situation could change as the day wore on.
We decided on that basis to persist with our planned schedule and
backtrack if necessary. The skies were mostly grey with the occasional
patch of blue, but as we left Warwick the first of many showers for the
day began to roll across us.
Our morning route took us on a country back road through beautiful
farmland and into the hills through Killarney and on a tiny road to
Woodenbong. At each turn we checked in with the locals to make sure the
road was still clear, and as we made our last turn for Woodenbong
chatted to a local farmer who assured us we could get through and there
was no water on the road or above the bridges.
We took off down a tiny road at low speed, as strong wind gusts
occasionally shook the trees and the group, and patches of blue sky
alternated with absolute downpours. The lead van saw 4 kangaroos on
this stretch of road but the riders didn't see them at all!
The road took us over several bridges across swollen streams but the
water remained well below, and after 50km as we reached the outskirts of
Woodenbong we thanked our luck - until we saw right on the edge of town
that the main bridge had collapsed, and the only way across was down a
muddy slope, across a wooden trestle bridge, and back up a muddy rocky
slope on the other side.
We crossed the dip one at a time and at low speed without a wobble -
showing not only the capability of the Harleys but the skill of our
riding group!
As we rode into the tiny town of Woodenbong and parked, we saw pink
balloons and signs festooning the town hall - the locals had put on a
fundraising morning tea for cancer research, and were thrilled to see us
all pull into town.
We dripped our way inside, hung up our wet weather gear, and enjoyed a
wonderful early lunch while entertaining the locals with stories of our
adventures. Time to head back out on the road, with some urgency as the
only road out of town was starting to go under water at the other end.
We made it out in the nick of time riding through 4 inches of water.
On to the next stage of our ride to Kyogle - a beautiful road, and at
times the sun came completely out, so we could all enjoy the fantastic
views. Once again our local reports and luck held, and we made it
through with no problems, although we could see in places where the road
had been under water in the last 24 hours.
Stopped for gas in Kyogle and encountered our first insurmountable
problem - Dimi's bike had a punctured rear tire, and was no longer
rideable. The locals helped us out again with storing the bike until
Harley-Davidson could pick it up, as there were no mechanics on hand to
repair it. Dimi was disappointed but joined the dry crew in the support
vans.
We were told that the flood waters had gone down and the roads re-opened
in Lismore and Casino, but our planned route may well still be flooded,
so we took a slight detour through Casino to Lismore.
The rain really started to pelt down now, and as we were no longer
sheltered by the trees in the hills, the cross wind gave us a hammering.
As we came through Casino and finally into Lismore we crossed flooded
rivers and fields that looked like an inland sea - huge amounts of
water.
The roads all stayed clear for us and as we regrouped in Lismore for the
final run through to Lennox Head, we though the worst was over, until we
tried our planned road through Bangalow and found it two foot under
water.
A quick u-turn and we headed instead to Ballina, deciding to skip our
planned stop in ByronBay as the day was getting late and weather reports
from there were wild and wet to say the least.
We got through to Ballina in driving rain but with no problems, and then
checked on the road conditions one last time before winding our way
through to the coast road to Lennox Head.
The ocean was an incredible sight - the rain lifted so we could see the
huge rolling swells heading in to the shore, and white water reaching
for a mile out to sea. After a few short minutes we were at our
destination in Lennox - wet, tired but exhilarated by our day's ride and
triumph over the conditions!
All day we saw little traffic given the conditions, and not another
single motorcycle - this is truly an extraordinary group of women and
riders.
Hey Michele,
Just read the blog. What an amazing, wet time you are having. Miss you in OKC. Is this the time of your life?
Will cont to follow you.
Be safe, Love your friend, Vicki
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Wow, this is a ride that would make most men park and wait it out. As we all know you ladies are special and hard chargers, of course that is why you are "Survivors" because you were determined to win.
Diana, I am very proud of you and glad that although you are wet the "Otter" took over and you ride on. Maybe some year you will purchase some rain gear --- doubt it... ;-)
Hank is happy and sporting a new blue collar with his new home on it.
New Zealand next year?
Kids are all up to date.
I love you,
Dan'l
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Hey AH thunderers! What a huge effort in getting to Lennox. Wow, I'm so pleased you made it safely,( sorry to hear about Dimi's puncture) we have been watching and waiting to hear your news.
Yes the start was intimidating and exciting for the watchers... determined women on thundering away on those HD bikes! A very emotional time!
The challenge of the weather just makes you all stronger! Hopefully your next leg to Coffs Harbour will be brilliant with sunshine. Take a walk out to Mutton Bird Island and enjoy! best wishes to all, Ruth
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Hi Sharon Mills & all you other wonderful women, I am eagerly reading each day your exciting journey I can only imagine how amazing it must be to actually be doing it. I hope you are all keeping dry and warm today. Look forward to reading all about it. Loving the photos and can't wait to hear more about it when you return Sharon. Be safe. Kylie, Cranbourne Physio.
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I think this ride should be renamed Storm not Thunder. Glad you have all managed to find your way safely so far. Was a surprise to see Jo leading the karaoke - NOT!!! Go our Brissie girls, Jo, Lizzie, Squirt and of course M&M.
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Hi Girls
Hope you are drying out at the end of the day...(clothes only). Sorry to hear of Dimi's bike incident, welcome to the van drivers club,special things happen in those vans, you should feel privileged not to mention staying dry.
I don't suppose there will be much 'graffiti' on them at the moment!!
Look forward to catching up with you all on your arrival in Sydney. Enjoy the time together & stay safe. Thinking of you all. With Love Peri (dancing Queen '07)
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Hey Amazon Heart sistas, I'm finally at the computer and seeing what an intrepid adventure you are having. To all my lovely friends, you know who you are, and to all new sistas... one day you will look back and this will be the most scary and amazing trip you have ever had. You've done it before, and you can do it again. Don't be sad that this is the last Aussie Amazon adventure, think of it as how privileged you are to be a part of it once again, and for the new girls that you are just a part of it. For many of us, this is an ongoing friendship that I love very much. I will always believe that Meredith and Megan have put me with me with the best friends I have had the priveledge to know. Be safe, and enjoy your trip. Love, Bad Aussie.
PS Cleansing ales all round from Stacy.
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To all my fellow AHT sista's.......I am so proud of each and everyone of you, you are all amazing.......wishing you better weather for the rest of your journey... Take care and stay safe, see you in Sydney
Love you all
Mad Mez
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You girls are just fantastic,what with all the bad weather your experiencing.
May the next few days be alot better.
Keep up the great work,& be safe.
See you on a ride soon,Julene.
Kindest regards Vic & Sue.
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ollie (sharon ) and gang,you are doing a great job and are all in good spirit keep it up and continue the journey be safe and all take care.
Karen ,sue ,dean,scott.
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Hi Elizabeth! This blog is great so we can keep up with the adventure! It sounds like a real adventure so far. The description of the rain reminds me of when Adam and I rode through NSW... and developed "ice shins" from the cold wind and rain!! It sounds like despite the weather you are all having an amazing experience. We look forward to seeing more pictures and keeping up with the blog. Lots of hugs and kisses, Ag and Adam
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Hi all
I have been thinking of you all - as I sit back in Darwin on a beautiful Dry Season day - and wqondering how you were dealing with the awful weather in northern NSW. Glad to hear that all is OK to date and thanks for the details of the trip. Ride safefully and enjoy it.
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HI there Desert Queen!! Going to have a glass of wine for you now - on the other hand - think i'll have a bottle of wine for you!!! Amy & Annelie - you both rock! SA girls are tops!!!!
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Kangaroos?! You saw kangaroos? Don't worry about those..it's the small furry koalas that will leap out and tackle you.. just ask Sandra!
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WOW - Dolfins!!! The ride looks Fabulous from here girls!! Big hello to you all! I'm following your adventures and wishing you all well - hope it drys up for you, but all in all it looks like you're having a great adventure wet or dry! I'm with you in spirit!
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OMG, I am so impressed and proud of all you ladies. What a ride..... True warriors !!!!
I do hope and pray for dry days ahead.
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Hi Michele K and all the girls
It was great to see you all riding out of Ballina and towards Lismore, I'm so proud of you Michele and all the girls, Love the blog it's great to see the photo's can keep up with your adventure,Go Girls Go
Kim
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Hi Jill, Rhonda, Wendy, Rosemary and the rest of the amazon women. Love the blog and the pictures, what a great experience you are having.
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see you all in Gloucester tomorrow.... xxx essey stay away from any more roos
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Hi Brissy Donna, gee so much rain and water! I know you're glad you're in the support van. Best wishes to you and all the crazy AHT girls. Here's to a safe and dry ride.
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