Day Seven – Amazons on Thunderbolts Way!
This morning was cool and clear in Walcha, and after breakfast we filled
up all the bikes and headed south on Thunderbolts Way. This is an
absolutely amazing road for motorcycling – great road surface, long
straight-aways and sweeping curves through farmland, before climbing
high into state forest.
From the top of the ridge lines we had incredible views through the
forest of mountains stretching away either side, and more fantastic
twistys to ride. On our way back down the range we got stuck behind a
logging truck which was pretty tedious, but the helpful driver pulled
over as soon as he could to let us past and continue sweeping through
the valley to our lunch stop at Gloucester.
Clear, cold mountain streams were still running fast with the rain of
the past week, but all the bridges were clear, and we rolled into
Gloucester to be met by a group of Ulysses riders who had supported
Julene in her riding and fundraising, and who had helped organize lunch
for us on arrival.
The local Gloucester breast cancer support group put on a fantastic
lunch for us all in the church hall, and two local town councilors came
out to welcome us, along with the local paper.
After a great lunch, we filled the bikes up again and headed south on
Bucketts Way. We haven’t ridden this road for two years, and last
time there were more potholes than tarmac, so we were thrilled to find
the whole road has been re-sealed and we enjoyed the flat track and
sweeping curves past the Barrington Tops.
Our next challenge was a right hand turn out on to the busy Pacific Hwy
but the group managed it in style, finding a gap for the whole group (no
mean feat) and forming up instantly into our highway patrol riding
formation.
A quick trip down 20kms or so of highway to the turn off for Newcastle,
and then into the city itself for our night’s accommodation at Quest
Newcastle Apartments – who did an incredible deal for us to stay in
luxury for a night!
Tomorrow’s ride takes us out to Wisemans’ Ferry, and then the next
day to Katoomba. We may not have internet access there – so if there
are no updates, sit tight until we reach our destination in Sydney on
Friday!
up all the bikes and headed south on Thunderbolts Way. This is an
absolutely amazing road for motorcycling – great road surface, long
straight-aways and sweeping curves through farmland, before climbing
high into state forest.
From the top of the ridge lines we had incredible views through the
forest of mountains stretching away either side, and more fantastic
twistys to ride. On our way back down the range we got stuck behind a
logging truck which was pretty tedious, but the helpful driver pulled
over as soon as he could to let us past and continue sweeping through
the valley to our lunch stop at Gloucester.
Clear, cold mountain streams were still running fast with the rain of
the past week, but all the bridges were clear, and we rolled into
Gloucester to be met by a group of Ulysses riders who had supported
Julene in her riding and fundraising, and who had helped organize lunch
for us on arrival.
The local Gloucester breast cancer support group put on a fantastic
lunch for us all in the church hall, and two local town councilors came
out to welcome us, along with the local paper.
After a great lunch, we filled the bikes up again and headed south on
Bucketts Way. We haven’t ridden this road for two years, and last
time there were more potholes than tarmac, so we were thrilled to find
the whole road has been re-sealed and we enjoyed the flat track and
sweeping curves past the Barrington Tops.
Our next challenge was a right hand turn out on to the busy Pacific Hwy
but the group managed it in style, finding a gap for the whole group (no
mean feat) and forming up instantly into our highway patrol riding
formation.
A quick trip down 20kms or so of highway to the turn off for Newcastle,
and then into the city itself for our night’s accommodation at Quest
Newcastle Apartments – who did an incredible deal for us to stay in
luxury for a night!
Tomorrow’s ride takes us out to Wisemans’ Ferry, and then the next
day to Katoomba. We may not have internet access there – so if there
are no updates, sit tight until we reach our destination in Sydney on
Friday!
Dear Beth and All,
Glad to hear and see that all is going well despite some obstacles. we're eagerly following along from Napa and can't wait to see you soon. Safe travels and sunny skies. Love,
Andy , Nano, Hallie and Logan
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Otter,
I am gald that to sun is staying with you. I have told all our biking buddies here that al of you ladies would put us to shame. No "Posers" in your group.
I am very proud of you and glad that things are going smoothly now....
"The Young and Boobless" That is cute.
Somebody should post "Women will o the damndest things to loose 5 lbs" Remember when I said that! That morning I found out what love truely meant!
I love you more than I can ever show.
By the way I miss you terribly.
Dan'l
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WOW...Sounds like an adventure. I have a feeling you gals are all tough warriors and I know M & M will take good care of you all. Just watched the you tube video and saw some familiar faces. Blue Lisa that looks like a big a** bike.. and Michele are you riding a red bike? What bike did you get to ride Beth? Hi Collete, your looking good girl.... Wendy, your hair looks great. Sure wish I was there but I am with you all. Enjoy what time is left of this adventure, your memories of it will last a lifetime. My thoughts and prayers are with you all.
Karen Levy AHTUSA 08
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What a wonderfully inspiring bunch of lassies you are. I consider it a privilege to meet you all. I have put most of the photographs up here http://picasaweb.google.com.au/picketty/20090526ThunderRide#
Contact me if you want a disk or photos
picketty@gmail.com
God Bless you all!!!!
Frankie
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For Jo Lovelock, All your friends from yoga are thinking of you..........we look forward to having you back soon........the coonara is crackling away nicely! xxx
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Hi Mum & All You Lovely Ladies....
Looks like your having a fantastic time!!!
Hope your journey continues to be amazing & looking forward to your safe return to hear all about it Mum!
Love you heaps
Heidi oxoxox
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Put up some more photos of the number one mother in Coorparoo!
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It was a great honour to meet such a bunch of fantastic women during your stop at Gloucester. The local Breast cancer support group was very happy to organise and make your lunch. All of you women and the ladies who belong to Breast Cancer support groups are truly amazing and inspirational. Good luck on your journey and I hope to see you again in Gloucester.
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Ladies, I'm amazed what you can do as a group and what willpower and strength you have to finish every day with huge challenges. I know after cancer this all doesn't really seem so bad. Congratulations and keep on rolling......
Ride safe,
Ginny
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Be Be
Enjoying your adventures
Difficult not being with you
Cheering for you ALL the way
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Hey Lise!!!!! The pics are gorgeous!! But, if you don't start looking at the camera.....well, let's just say "don't make me come over there!"
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Good morning love,
Well I am anxiously awaiting your return. So much so that my Steed was taken off the lift and "Clyde" assumed the position for cleaning. Man that orangutan was filthy....
By the way not that you haven't had enough riding for now But we have been invited to go to Big Bear for the Rally there the second week in June. I accepted for us....
I love you - Ride safe.
Dan'l
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Hi Lizzie - just spotted a photo of you all in our local paper. Glad to see you made it through the floods! Another Amazonian Adventure - have a brilliant trip.
Liz
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Go Girls! Looks like a fantastic ride. Annelie I wish I could have met up with you at Wiseman's Ferry, I loved that crossing and the drive up to Katoomba. Hope it's awesome and the rain stays away. Love to everyone from Cairns in Far North Queensland.
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Hi Ladies!
Was the Clarendon able to accommodate you for dinner on Tuesday night? It wasn't until I bumped into two women from Melbourne, who were up for a John Williamson play that night, that it occurred to me that's where all the theatre goers would be and that somewhere on the water front would have been a pretty place to have a meal.
Anyway, glad to hear that Quest saw you right. My Dad's bike club usually heads down to Wiseman's Ferry. It's a great ride and I hope you enjoy it.
Bill Steamshovel
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Hi Girls, asome adventur, well done so far, ride safe, born to work, live to ride
Arnie
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Hey Juliette
have been popping in to see how you guys are doing each day. What a huge adventure... and an amazing bunch of women.
Take care
Lisa
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Ladies, you were looking for an adventure and it seems you found one. How exciting it has been. The photos are great. Take care and look out for each other.
To Merredith and Megan, you can be proud of what you have acheived and I am sure all AH 'club members' are all the bestter for having the chance to be part of one of your adventures. Thank you so much.
Chris Beecham AHT 2006
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Hi Amy
We are so proud of your accomplished journey, the ride looked absolutely awesome. I know you are going to have millions of stories and pics to share with us. We cant wait to see you again in December.
Again, well done!
All our love
Craig & Kim
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Hello Annelie & Amy from South Africa!
I am so proud of the two of you that you are on this really special ride!! Annelie, you're a person of immense strength and passion and I admire how you have risen above and come through such challenging times. I listened to your radio interview on Radio 702 and was so humbled how you spoke of your experiences and what you've been through. And now in the USA again, with Amy, the two of you are an amazing pair of special kind warm compassionate spirits. Amy thank you that I am always learning from your graciousness and kindness. Enjoy your trip, ride like you were born on a bike, and have the time of your life !! Will check your blogs frequently to see how you're experiencing things.
Lots of love and hugs,
Aileen
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