Today didn’t disappoint… Off I went heading for the Gillies Range Rd as suggested by a club member. It didn’t take long to hit the twisties.
The speed limit was only 60 kph, but with many 40 corners. It’s 19km of road with an elevation change from top to bottom of 800m, with 263 corners. Motorcycle bliss.
I’m not sure I even hit the 60 limit much… being the one who drives like an old granddad, on a big bike, on a road never ridden before, towing a trailer… I wasn’t going to take risks.
I spotted these Porsche guys lurking on the side… I wonder what they were about to do?
While the scenery looked like it was impressive, I’ll never know. As a motorcyclist on these roads you’re forever looking for and setting up for the next turn. If you choose to glance anywhere else for some sight-seeing then you’re likely to miss a turn and become a stain on a Porsche’s windscreen.
Back in 2014 (I think) I went to Atlanta for a work conference. I managed to get there a day early and rent a Kawasaki 1400GTR to ride a road between North Carolina and Tennessee, commonly called the Tail of the Dragon. It was 11.5mi long with 318 turns in it (similar speed limit of 35mph). While it had more turns over a shorter distance, many were only slight kinks in a straight section. Comparing both for fun-factor… Gillies wins! I’m told there are many others around here that are similar… so I need to keep looking.
Although trying to avoid population centres, I went through Cairns on the way to the Daintree. It was the most direct route from the bottom of Gillies Range Rd, but it also passed a Supercheap Auto where I could buy, change, and dispose of oil. I figured 7,000+ km of hot temperatures and poor roads while towing a trailer that the old girl needed a refresh.
After that, on to the Daintree for 3-4 days (probably only 3) of R&R. I settled in at this quaint old caravan park in Daintree Village. A hot humid night, but it was a time to relax.
I even had a late-night visit from a wild but not-too-timid Bandicoot:
Tomorrow is a day for washing (my m/c pants are walking around on their own), a long walk, some blogging. Then perhaps the day after I’ll take one of the river cruises to have a look-see.