Simons Tour de Dirt

SIMONS TOUR DE DIRT

In keeping with the original intended use of the WLA as a “dirt bike”, I thought a week long ride on as much dirt as I could find might be a bit of fun. With the WLA loaded with everything I hoped I wouldn’t need, the trip was completed with almost no trouble. The only thing that went wrong was one of the stays on the rear rack broke. This was wired up and repaired that evening after making a very steady exit from the forest.The trip could be completed in less time than I took but the rest days were greatly appreciated...

Day 1

Sydney to Wisemans ferry on the tar, then dirt to St Albans and dirt to Wollombi, stopping once at the northern end of the original convict built Great North road. Tar to Cessnock, Maitland, Dungog then Buckets way to Gloucester.

Dirt from Gloucester then to Lansdowne just north of Taree. No extra fuel required. Rest day spent in and around Taree and Crowdy head.

Day 2

Dirt from Lansdowne to Ellenborough Falls, then onto Gingers creek which is on the Oxley Highway. No extra fuel required. 15k’s of tar up the Oxley mountain then onto approx 70klm of dirt heading to an overnight camp supported by National Parks and Wildlife at a place called Carrai, west of Kempsey. This stretch of dirt took 4.5 hours. The cabins are very well laid out and include a kitchen and shower although the water is cold! This leg is approx 170klms total, extra fuel required.

Day 3

Carrai huts to Marys view lookout, 18klms each way total time required 5 hours, sections are quite rocky and slow going.

Day 4

Carrai Huts to Willawarrin (next fuel stop) 60klms. Then on to Kempsey approx

30klm.

Day 5

Rest day in and around Kempsey.

Day 6

Kempsey on the tar, to the turn off to the Pub with No Beer, Taylors Arm. This section is dirt then tar to Bowraville. Dirt from Bowraville heading west on Missabotti Rd, rejoining the tar at Bellingen. This section requires extra fuel. Then onto Southwest Rocks for an night stay, repairs and servicing before the ride home on the tar.

Day 7

Down the highway and home.

If anyone is interested in doing this ride I have maps and can advise things to look out for. Be aware that sections of this trip are very dependant on the weather and can only be completed when there has not been any rain for some months.

May even be keen to do it again if there’s interest ;-)