It's not often we're lucky enough to get to borrow a motorcycle while on holiday, and even less often are we blessed with a guided tour and fine weather. By 'we' I probably mean 'me', but I digress.
Anyway, this weekend afforded such that opportunity. With only a couple days up my sleeve and many other things to do, my wonderful (for an Australian, anyway) host took me on a bit of a tiki tour.
Leaving Brisbane at the arse-crack of dawn (6am), sun already up, we trundled out to fuel up and head out. Not a cloud in the sky, but still just the faintest chill in the air - enough to get through the unlined leathers. Off we headed, south of the city and up into the hills. The ride up to Mt Tamborine is reasonably windy, however the road is quite rough. The little run takes you up to a view point where you can see across the expanse that stretches west of the city and out to the boonies. Down the other side, via 'The goat track', a twisty (several 20km/h corners), downhill run with a couple of single-car width, one way lanes to the bottom to where the roads and the bush starts to open out.
From there, a mix of main highways and back roads (including a bit of sport-tourer safe light gravel) takes you past Beaudesert and through to the small township of Boonah. Pick up little sis, stop off at the bakery for a pie, then head back more directly into Brizze for lunch.
The whole thing is not much more than 200km, so definately no more than an equivalent quick run from Auckland - Clevedon - Kawakawa - Pokeno, and certainly less technical. Much more suitable for sport touring and touring than sport bikes, given the straighter stretches and rougher roads, but still all types of bikes can be catered for out this way. You can take even more of the gravel options and make it adventure bike friendly too.
All in all, a good run for any Kiwi Biker who's over the ditch and looking for something to do where time is short and your bike bum/wrists/back/neck isn't broken in (or has softened somewhat like mine has). Not too technical except for maybe a complete L-plater/noob, although experienced/fast riders may want a longer or more technical challenge.
Best part: Aussie weather.
Worst part: Aussie pies.
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Originally Posted by Drunken Monkey
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