Hello All, Since our torrid summer has prevented me getting out on a decent ride, due to my self imposed limit of not planning a ride when the forecast is for over 38 degC, since Smithy's event last October, and with the Snowy Mountains 2017 event fast approaching I thought I would get in a little practice run to the Cold Flame Rally (camp out for those in other domains).

This event is organised by a Victorian motorcycle club and is advertised as a "Back to Basics Rally" which just means there are no facilities at the site at all except for a couple of picnic tables and long drop toilets, so take everything you need in with you and take all your rubbish back out again. It is held at the junction of the Pinch and Snowy Rivers. Click the Read More link to the left of the photo at the following link for some description of the Snowy River National Park.

I contacted Waz to see if he was up for it and we hatched a plan. I would leave home first thing Friday morning and travel to Bungendore, just north east of Canberra, via the scenic route through the Bylong Valley, Bathurst and Goulburn. A nice 600 km day. Waz would head down to Bungendore to meet me as soon as he finished work as he usually finishes a bit earlier on Fridays and his trip would only be about 200 kms and we would overnight there and head down to the rally on Saturday morning.

Well, plans being what they are; I was delayed getting away due to important family matters and didn't get rolling until 3:00pm so left a message for Waz advising the accommodation venue for the night as I was sure he would now get there before me. The late start also necessitated a change of route to the dreaded run down the freeway from Sydney but at least I gave myself a nice ride down the Putty Road before entering the mayhem of the big city crossing.

Well mayhem it was! the M7 motorway that skirts the western side of the city region was first gear stop/start instead of 100km/hr for many kilometres and it was just on dark when I reached the Sutton Forest service centre to have a break for food and fuel. A message from Waz advised that a late call at work counted him out so it was to be a solo run. Once fed and fuelled I took off in the dark for the remaining 140 kms or so to my overnight stop. Besides the madness of some drivers that seems to be the norm these days the evening run was quite pleasant and I was into Bungendore about 9:15pm.

Since I had no one to lead astray I reverted to my preferred Road Less Travelled mode and chose to head to Cooma via Tharwa and the Boboyan Road, which was a mixture of sealed and gravel surface, because I hadn't been on it before. Supplies were obtained at Cooma and I headed to Jindabyne. Pleased to report to the Krew going this coming weekend that it is still there and with water in the lake. I pulled up in front of the visitors centre for a quick photo while taking a drink break.


The route to the rally site is due south of Jindabyne down the Barry Way (note they don't call it a road). After a few kilometres of sealed narrow country road the gravel begins and I was soon into very very serious potholes and corrugations (bouncing up out of the seat type potholes). The descent down the Snowy River Valley really begins at the Wallace Craig Lookout.
Looking south from the lookout towards Victoria.


The info boards tell some of the story of the area.


Couldn't help taking this photo on the way back as it looks like two of my bikes parked together (R80G/S virtually identical to mine).


Here are a few photos looking down on the Snowy River as you wind down the valley.




Here is the road down the mountain (note the protection to stop you going over the edge).

and that edge goes a long way down.


By Saturday evening the bush camp site was well populated and the yarns were flowing almost as fast as the fluid required to lubricate the dusty throats.




Mother Nature had turned on a pretty warm weekend despite most of us turning up with copious amounts of warm clothes as is usually required in that part of the world and a brief shower of rain late in the afternoon did nothing to dampen the enthusiasm of those attending.
After goodbyes to new friends and old I headed home mid morning on Sunday and since I didn't need to be home until Monday I took the aforementioned scenic route up through Goulburn (with a wave in the general direction of where Bill lives as I passed) and onto Oberon for the night at a local pub.


A testament to how torrid our recent summer has been was that I cannot ever recall seeing the high country up around Oberon and Bathurst being completely brown - not a spec of green grass anywhere.

A pleasant evening was had in the hotel with a group of adventure riders who were on the second last day of a 10 day trek and then away this morning about 7:15am for the 5 hour run home enjoying the sights of the Bylong Valley.
Round trip was 1,612 kilometres - a suitable warm up for this coming weekend's Snowy Ride.

Cheers

Nice report Gaz and some beautiful wilderness photos to get (some of us) yearning. I also prefer the road less travelled whenever possible - you miss too much scenery and considerably limit the adventure by sticking to the main highways. Pity Waz couldn't accompany you, but good that you pressed on regardless.

You mention how brown the countryside was towards the end of your report...I was thinking how incredibly green it all looked considering the blistering temperatures you've been having down there! Goes to show just how big and diverse Australia is.
I was also surprised to see a picture of a camp fire in the wood - I thought those would be totally banned. Lucky Stan wasn't out and about in his fire engine or he might have dampened your enthusiasm - just because he could!!

Hi Paul, the camp area was just the usual end of summer dry and the river valley was reasonably green. We could have fires as the current weather pattern down there is regular passing showers. The Oberon district that I referred to as unusually brown is about 300 kilometres or so north of the rally camp.

Cheers

Nice report and photos Gaz, I am even more disappointed about missing it now.

Been to that one a few times, the Barry Way can be a challenge.  Did you go for a swim?  The temp in the junction can be very variable between the two rivers.

Al

No swimming for me Al but there were a few who braved it and reported it as very cold.

Cheers

Waz wrote:Nice report and photos Gaz, I am even more disappointed about missing it now.

Well you're gonna have to get over this stupid work thing then you can come on all the good rides

Thanks Gaz - nice report!

Hey Gaz, Pic four looks like you are shadowing yourself. Top pics of the camps mate taa very much. A great read too.