We have been on the road now for a bit less than two weeks, and we are really only a good days drive from home.
On the way though we have spent some time with friends, camped in some beautiful spots, done some great walks, and I have cycled down a good stretch of the Oxley Highway.
What is so special about the Oxley? Well, if you are a motorcyclist like me then you have probably either ridden it or it is on your bucket list to ride, and if it isn’t then it should be.
For the non motorcyclists, let me try to explain, although the best way to explain would be to put you on a motorbike and get you to ride it, then you would understand.
The Oxley winds it’s way up the Great Dividing range from Port Macquarie on the central NSW coast up to Walcha near Armidale on the tablelands. For much of its 180k stretch it has a speed limit of 110, although the limit on the best 40k stretch has recently been reduced to 80 despite a longstanding petition signed by just about every motorcyclist who has ever riden it, including me.
This road though is just so much fun to ride. When the road is dry and the sun is shining, and you get up before the caravaners, it is just awesome fun. I have had the pleasure of riding my Ducati up and down this road quite a few times and it really is what riding a bike is all about.
So, on this trip I didn’t come on a motorbike, but I do have my push bike on top of the car, so I wondered if it would be anywhere near as much fun coming down the best bit on a pushie.
We camped the night before up at Apsley gorge up near the top which was pretty spectacular. The next morning coming down to Port Macquarie I got my bike off the roof when we got to the really good bit and got Ali to drive the car down. The first thing I learned is that in a car or on a motorbike you don’t notice that even downhill has some fairly significant uphill bits.
In total I cycled about 40ks of the highway, about 10ks of which was a tough uphill slog, but that was well worth the effort for the 30ks of downhill. Not quite as exhilarating as doing it on a Ducati, but still heaps of fun and thoroughly recommended. I tried my hardest to exceed the 80k limit but the most I could get was just over 50 before having to brake for the next bend.
Anyway, that’s another thing ticked off the bucket list, maybe next time I will give it a go on rollerblades.
Take The Leap 