The Wild Geese

Trio To Tairo

On Saturday 8th, Dave, Steve Pike and Mac Wilson had an impromptu ride, when Mac rang Dave at 8.30 in the morning to see if he was keen to go for a spin. Being an enthusiastic (and somewhat simple soul) and not wanting to disappoint Mac, plus knowing that Steve is just as silly, he rang him to see if he'd like to come as well. By 10.30 the trio had met at Dave's place and headed to Widgee on the tar. Through Widgee and onto the dirt, riding up the Widgee Range past Josef's Corner (see Non Overlanders Not To Cania Gorge report). The range road has become a touch more corrugated than last time we came down, but is still a fun ride. The two 1200GS's and the KTM turned right onto the Black Snake Road. The Black Snake is an interesting gravel road at the southern end which joins a top bit of two lane bitumen in the middle of nowhere for a fast run along a steep sided spur, dropping into the lower country and then alternating gravel and tar until the Wide Bay Highway is reached near Kilkivan.

Back to Kilkivan, then turning north and onto Running Creek Road. This road is single lane bitumen at the start before turning into a fairly narrow dirt road (more of a track) which we followed through to the Brooweena-Woolooga Road (Mac tried to run over a cow in here but wasn't quite quick enough). Still going north we turned left and rode on a short section of gravel before hitting bitumen which gently winds through the open grazing country with the smattering of grids and lack of roadside fencing that is typical of this area. Turning at the Glenbar to Tairo gravel road we shot through at a fairly fast pace (Tairo Pub and food were a calling!) with Dave doing a little bit of extra "off road" work when he found that one sharp corner over a grid was not designed to be attacked at the speed he was going and had to extend the apex into the scrub a little (ok a fair bit actually). Back on the road (and still upright - more good luck than any rider skill) the three headed for the comforts of the Tairo Hotel where they parked out the front. The 6 or 8 Harleys that were parked on either side of the road looked very unused by comparison to the three "real" bikes (the riders came out of the pub just after we got there and having looked at our bikes rode off in dismay - oh well no accounting for taste).

Fed and watered (well it's mainly water in the glass anyway) we backroaded to Gunalda via Gundiah. Straight across the highway onto the Anderleigh road, another enjoyable run through the dirt to the Tin Can Bay road, down Counter Road on the edge of the State Forest and through to the Wolvi Road near Coondoo where and Steve and Mac headed left towards Noosa and Dave turned right back to Gympie.

Another great day out, beaut weather, a top bike, good company and some almost deserted roads, what more could you ask for.

~ Dave Osborne

Good writeup Dave. If I had done it the roads would all be nameless. Not that I was lost, I just didn't know where I was. The top bike you refer to - would that be the KTM?? :lol ~ Steve

Steve - I suppose if the only bike you are saddled with is the KTM then it would have to be your 'top bike'. For more discerning people it would be the R1200GS BMW - wonder bike! ;) ~ Dave

Links
  • Here is a Garmin-produced track log of Steve's day.

Category Rides ~ Category Dirt Rides