Thunderbolts Way

To the central Newsouthwelshers or anybody who's been through there recently -

Has Thunderbolts/Bucketts Way improved any over the last few years or do you still need to pack a spare pair of kidneys?

The stretch from the highway at the Medowie end to Gloucester is still a mix of poor to terrible with bits of awful thrown in. It's the daily milk and now Woollies semi trailers that kill it as quick as they can lay new stretches. 
I drove to Gloucester on a call out a week ago. The limit has been dropped to 90km/h on the good bits. That tells you how good the authorities think it is. 
The stretch from Gloucester to Nabiac, which I haven't been on for over twelve months used to be in a lot better nick and far more fun to ride. 
Having said the above, it's still a nice scenic ride, just not a blast along at warp speed one anymore. 
Don't forget to add half a day for the Motorcycle museum at Nabiac, when you get there. Well worth it.

Having re read your post, the Thunderbolts way was under repair in patches the last time I rode it. But overall in better nick than the Buckets way.

Thanks Bosco. If we were to come through from Singleton - Gloucester - Walcha (see link), how much of that would be "crap"?

https://goo.gl/maps/yaBfEmM1u8P2

PS: where's your thread on the starting problems - I wanted to ask if you'd solved that problem.

I'm beginning to see a plan here.  You could always head out to the coast somewhere and then do the Oxley from Port Macqaurie. 

Hammy wrote:I'm beginning to see a plan here.  You could always head out to the coast somewhere and then do the Oxley from Port Macqaurie. 

You'd be right! We're planning our pre-WSBK route up and back.  I'll have to give you a bell to see where you'd like to meet (been assuming it would be Tamworth or Armidale based on options we have to get up there and then back).

We're planning to avoid doubling up (ie taking the same route back as we took up) and we can do that by taking the following (either up or back): https://goo.gl/maps/NyJj3JHYc5n

One route involves The Putty and Thunderbolts Way (ie as discussed ealier in the thread), the other (above) the Bylong Valley.  As #Tag and I are likely to do both, do you and Barry have a preference on your way to the Island where you'd prefer one over the other?

Ewok1958 wrote:Thanks Bosco. If we were to come through from Singleton - Gloucester - Walcha (see link), how much of that would be "crap"?

https://goo.gl/maps/yaBfEmM1u8P2

PS: where's your thread on the starting problems - I wanted to ask if you'd solved that problem.

The Singleton to Stroud stretch is a scenic country ride, a few badly patched sections around Dungog. 
Don't let my earlier description of The Buckets Way put you off. It's not unrideable, just not what it used to be. The semis have made a few ruts in the bitumen on what used to be awesome sweeping bends. The road from Gloucester to Walcha is a great ride, with a spectacular look out worth stopping at if the weather is clear. 
Your route will not disappoint. 

As for Rolls' old girl. I sourced another black box and had no joy with it. Unable to test if I now own two dodgey ecu's or two good ones, I put her on the back burner for a bit. I really need a running bike next to her that I can swap parts with until I find the culprit. I have been keeping an eye out for a crashed Bandit on eBay. But that has it's own downfall as I keep seeing some great bargains that I have to stop myself from buying. 
I still have three other bikes to choose from, and letting the rego laps on the Bandit has eased the pressure on the wallet a little. 
She will run again, one day. 

Ewok1958 wrote:Thanks Bosco. If we were to come through from Singleton - Gloucester - Walcha (see link), how much of that would be "crap"?

https://goo.gl/maps/yaBfEmM1u8P2

PS: where's your thread on the starting problems - I wanted to ask if you'd solved that problem.

I did that last month leaving Port then the Oxley (yum) to Walcha - Gloucester - etc
If your going that way please keep a eye out between Walcha and Gloucester for a black wallet.
Last time i used it to fuel up at Walcha.  Arriving in Gloucester at the sevo for more fuel found that the wallet had jumped ship outa my tank bag.
Was a pain in the bum to say the least.
Sorry about the little jack
Btw The new road (Oxley) leading into Long Flat is a must

Ewok1958 wrote:

Hammy wrote:I'm beginning to see a plan here.  You could always head out to the coast somewhere and then do the Oxley from Port Macqaurie. 

You'd be right! We're planning our pre-WSBK route up and back.  I'll have to give you a bell to see where you'd like to meet (been assuming it would be Tamworth or Armidale based on options we have to get up there and then back).

We're planning to avoid doubling up (ie taking the same route back as we took up) and we can do that by taking the following (either up or back): https://goo.gl/maps/NyJj3JHYc5n

One route involves The Putty and Thunderbolts Way (ie as discussed ealier in the thread), the other (above) the Bylong Valley.  As #Tag and I are likely to do both, do you and Barry have a preference on your way to the Island where you'd prefer one over the other?

Fine with whatever you two come up with.  If the roads Crap !.  It's your shout. 

I posted this topic up on another site ( which will rename nameless ) .  A couple of replies came back. One had ridden it on the way back from the GP. He said it was a little rough in the twisty sections , but overall not too bad. Just slow down and enjoy the scenery.  So I recon you should put it on the route. Either to or from.

It appears to be shaping that way so far - as in from Sydney north we'll track up the eastern side of the ranges and come back down the western side. I'm pretty sure you'll enjoy the run through the Bylong Valley into Bathurst.

Any idea yet if you guys would rather come inland to Armidale/Walcha/Tamworth or down the coast and up to there?

#Tag wrote:It appears to be shaping that way so far - as in from Sydney north we'll track up the eastern side of the ranges and come back down the western side. I'm pretty sure you'll enjoy the run through the Bylong Valley into Bathurst.

Any idea yet if you guys would rather come inland to Armidale/Walcha/Tamworth or down the coast and up to there?

Now I'm starting to get really jealous, that is my all time favorite bit of road on the bike, nearly tempting to skip the GO road and head North 1st

You know you wanna 

This would provide an interesting way to join the Bylong Valley with Surf Beach, but we'd have to push a bit at times so that we can get the good stuff in.

Tue (Tamworth to Cootamundra) https://goo.gl/maps/TY7va7wsMdM2

Wed (Cootamundra to Mansfield) https://goo.gl/maps/88V3n3VT4MN2

Thu (Mansfield to Surf Beach) https://goo.gl/maps/fR44h4dQGy92

Ewok1958 wrote:This would provide an interesting way to join the Bylong Valley with Surf Beach, but we'd have to push a bit at times so that we can get the good stuff in.

Tue (Tamworth to Cootamundra) https://goo.gl/maps/TY7va7wsMdM2

Wed (Cootamundra to Mansfield) https://goo.gl/maps/88V3n3VT4MN2

Thu (Mansfield to Surf Beach) https://goo.gl/maps/fR44h4dQGy92

Those first 2 routes is pretty much the way I came back from Drake

#Tag wrote:You know you wanna 

I've had 4 attempts at the GO road, weather was worse than shit each time so I turned off at Geelong and went straight to Warrnambool / Mt Gambier, hopefully this time it's good

I cant endorse going the Rose River Rd but I'm not doing it 
ROADWAY DETAILS:   A good bush road, although quite narrow in places. No problems in the dry for any vehicle; the route is not recommended for caravans; camper-trailers should be 4wd rated. But here's the Whitfield - Tolmie (Mansfield) Rd taken yesterday (Non Bandit) 

2wheelsagain wrote:I cant endorse going the Rose River Rd but I'm not doing it 

Good pickup! Nothing too much gets past your eagle eye, does it. (like my pointy front tyre).

I tried to get a bit of intel from you, being a Whitty/King Valley boy, but I saw a squirrel and went wandering off in that other thread.

So Snow Rd would be the only sealed road out of the Ovens Valley to Whitfield without going up into Wang?

(We'll get Dave to do his 16th map rebuild - love yer work Dave  )

D'oh - navigational error!

#Tag wrote:It appears to be shaping that way so far - as in from Sydney north we'll track up the eastern side of the ranges and come back down the western side. I'm pretty sure you'll enjoy the run through the Bylong Valley into Bathurst.

Any idea yet if you guys would rather come inland to Armidale/Walcha/Tamworth or down the coast and up to there?

We will be happy with whatever route you guys plan. After all. I take me hat off to yas both for making the journey north.

ps.  Just give Dave a little tolerance.  Think it might be the age thing catching up.  But don't tell him I said that. Ta.

2wheelsagain wrote:I cant endorse going the Rose River Rd but I'm not doing it 
ROADWAY DETAILS:   A good bush road, although quite narrow in places. No problems in the dry for any vehicle; the route is not recommended for caravans; camper-trailers should be 4wd rated. But here's the Whitfield - Tolmie (Mansfield) Rd taken yesterday (Non Bandit) 

   Nice one 2W.  The VTR sounds sweet. Two cameras now eh ! Watch out Coleman.

ps.  Please clean the front brake calipers. Brake cleaner is good. Cover the rim with rags and give em a good spray.

#Tag wrote:

2wheelsagain wrote:I cant endorse going the Rose River Rd but I'm not doing it 

Good pickup! Nothing too much gets past your eagle eye, does it. (like my pointy front tyre).

I tried to get a bit of intel from you, being a Whitty/King Valley boy, but I saw a squirrel and went wandering off in that other thread.

So Snow Rd would be the only sealed road out of the Ovens Valley to Whitfield without going up into Wang?

(We'll get Dave to do his 16th map rebuild - love yer work Dave  )

Yes unfortunately https://goo.gl/dIq8Ry
But its a nice ride up through the King Valley past wineries these days. Brought a tear to my eye on Sunday.

#Tag wrote:I'm pretty sure you'll enjoy the run through the Bylong Valley into Bathurst.

I rode up to see my Dad in Coffs Harbour a few weeks ago. Bylong Valley Way Was magic - Ryleston to Muswellbrook.

Far less appealing was  Aberdeen / Timor / Nundle / Ogunbil. A good test for the GS but not again any time soon.

Chook wrote:

#Tag wrote:You know you wanna 

I've had 4 attempts at the GO road, weather was worse than shit each time so I turned off at Geelong and went straight to Warrnambool / Mt Gambier, hopefully this time it's good

Trouble is when the weather is good its full of terrorists tourists

Trouble is when the weather is bad its also full of terrorists tourists