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Post by rangerjack on Sept 17, 2020 9:03:21 GMT 10
Shame you didn't let us know a few days before that you were headed our way, There are Uralists dotted along the route from Gombungee to Narangba. Oops, Got a son who’s a paramedic in Narangba, I’ll be back that way sometime - Be good to get a bunch of urals together 😃👍
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Post by Uralee on Sept 17, 2020 9:35:46 GMT 10
Chris, I deleted your last two posts as they had no content.
lee Admin.
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Post by rangerjack on Sept 22, 2020 8:49:59 GMT 10
Commenced the final leg of the journey leaving Brisbane on the motorway to Nerang where I picked up the road road to Murwillumbah. Travelled through some lush country up and over the Lamington ranges and passed over the covey border crossing checkpoint. QLD coppers not interested in travelers exiting QLD, but pretty vigilant if you're anyone south of the border trying to get in. On down through Numinbah to overnight with an old shipmate at Tyalgum. Stunning valley is the upper Tweed, twisty country backroads that are perfect for the relaxed Ural riding speeds. Next morning followed the rivers up the Tweed valley to Uki for breakfast (bit suspicious of the hash browns on my plate) and on to Kyogle to pick up the road to Casino. Really pleasant riding through the Border ranges rainforest on lightly trafficked roads, spotted a Hare Krishna school and plenty of off grid alternative lifestylers. Casino to Tenterfield was good riding, even had to stop myself from singing the chorus from the earworm "when my baby goes to Rio" in Tenterfield . Quick run down to Glen Innes for 2 nights. Glen Innes provided an opportunity to do a spot of fossicking and I managed to find a couple of reasonably sized sapphires and garnets. Saw the local sights, including the standing stones etc, big Celtic theme around GI. Leaving GI down the New England passing the Red Lion at Glencoe, too early for a beer unfortunately, and on to Ural HQ in Uralla. Caught up with Claire and got an update on the Ural improvements since I bought my 2016 Ranger. Unexpectedly I met an old Navy guy I served with years ago who runs a model shop there as well, Russ French has just about any military models you could possibly want and if you've ever seen those big ship models in a corporate foyer - chances are Russ made it. Leaving Uralla to Walcha where I picked up Thunderbolts Way all the way to Gloucester for a lovely camp site by the Gloucester river. You know, Thunderbolts Way is a great route only spoiled by the road surface along its entirety, I've done a lot of travelling but I don't think I've ever seen a more potholed, crappy, surfaced road in Australia. Whoever is responsible for its maintenance does not deserve their Xmas bonus. Despite the terrible road surface there are a ton of guys and gals on their cockrockets doing crazy speeds, a couple drifted into my lane which could have ended badly....... Off the soapbox, and next morning I followed Bucketts Way to join the Pacific Hwy for the motorway experience to Sydney and the Gong. Geez I hate motorways Thoroughly enjoyed the trip, met some great folk and managed to travel on roads that were new to me as well. All up about 7000km, to anyone who thinks that a Ural can't do long distance and endurance, I say "pick a destination, chose the roads less travelled and pack your bags" you won't regret it. Oh yeah, nearly forgot, take a dog with ya!! Until next journey, Cheers Chris & Jack
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Post by Uralee on Sept 22, 2020 9:07:18 GMT 10
Great report and pics Chris. Glad you enjoyed. Agree 100% on Thunderbolts Way pot holes.....more patch than road. Hope to meet someday....
lee 😷
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andyh
2015 Tourist
Posts: 949
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Post by andyh on Sept 23, 2020 5:49:27 GMT 10
Thunderbolts Way is a great route only spoiled by the road surface along its entirety, I've done a lot of travelling but I don't think I've ever seen a more potholed, crappy, surfaced road in Australia. Totally agree that it is the worst tar road I have seen too. It is why I fitted Ikon Shocks. I went from Uralla to Sydney via Thunderbolts way and pinched a nerve in my neck that took weeks to come good. Re-did the trip with new shocks and, while the road was still rubbish, the ride was much better and my body thanked me.
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