Honeymoon is over ride

This site may earn a commission from merchant affiliate links, including eBay, Amazon, and others.

Leon H

Pack Dog
Joined
Feb 22, 2006
Messages
204
Reaction score
0
Location
Townsville, Australia
Bike
BMW R1200GS
Well, as promised, Melissa and I said we would get back into riding after the wedding. And 2 days after returning from our honeymoon, we were into it. The destination was Mt Fox, a volcanic crater up in the highlands about 120km directly NW of our place. Of course the route was not direct, there was some dirt (baout 100km) and ranges and stuff - just what we wanted...

We ended up sleeping in a bit and didn't leave until about 0930.

IMG_0001.JPG


First up was a boring ride for an hour north up the Bruce Highway to Ingham. It was a good ride to get used to being on the bike again, but like all national highways it was extremely dull. Once at Ingham we headed SW again, towards the bottom of the escarpment that would take up about 800m above sea level to the high country. The dirt begins....

IMG_0004.JPG


Once we hit the range itself, it was a combination of dirt and very crappy bitumen and gravel, and very tight and very steep. Climbing up the mountain the vegetation and temperature changed drastically, and it was very refreshing after the always warm conditions down on the coast. The gravel across the top of the range was well graded, smooth and fast.

IMG_0068.JPG


After about 40km we spied the old volcanic crater to which we were headed.

IMG_0070.JPG


We turned off the nice gravel road onto a less used 4WD track that lead to the Mt Fox Crater National Park. This road was a tight little track, but the mighty KLE took it all in it's stride. The KLE really impressed today, and any doubt we had about it being suitable for heavier off road work.

Soon we arrived at the park, opened the gate and headed to the base of the crater.

IMG_0006.JPG


IMG_0065.JPG


IMG_0031.JPG


IMG_0015.JPG


The beauty of having such big and solid panniers is it is easy to cart coffee and lunches! Plus you are never without a table or chair!

IMG_0023.JPG


IMG_0036.JPG


Big KLE thumbs up from proud owner!

IMG_0019.JPG


It was very pleasant up on the mountain. We had only come about 150km, but it felt like were worlds away from our home in Townsville. But all good things must come to an end so we headed back out the way we came, pausing to grab some KLE action shots in the process.

IMG_0042.JPG


IMG_0052.JPG


IMG_0058.JPG


So in the end, it was a great day. Got to go rising together for the first time in ages, and the day passed without incident. This was Melissa's first real "adventure" ride, and she is all fired up and ready for more. Next up, to take her on a small 1 or 2 night camping trip, with a whole lot more dirt. Can't wait, it should be a blast!
 
Top