Toowoomba Weekend Ride

Article by John McNair

WITH THE 2020 NATIONAL RALLY CANCELLED DUE TO COVID19 RESTRICTIONS SOME OF OUR MEMBERS EXPRESSED INTEREST IN HAVING A WEEKEND IN TOOWOOMBA STAYING AT THE TOOWOOMBA MOTOR VILLAGE (TMV), WHICH WAS TO BE RALLY CENTRAL. Along with at least a dozen Brisbane members we also had two members from the Sunshine Coast and one from the Gold Coast. A really good effort. The Saturday ride to Toowoomba from Bundamba west of Brisbane took place on August 29, up the Brisbane Valley Hwy, passing over the wall of the massive Wivenhoe Dam then on to Esk and Toogoolawah, where one of our riders sustained rapidly (make that instant) deflating rear tyre on his Honda 750, and as he was twoup this provided some heart stopping moments. We waited at Collinton a few kilometers along the D’Aguliar Hwy but the bike had to be transported home with the RACQ.

On the road again we climbed the Blackbutt Range to the town of Blackbutt about 460 metres ASL then dropping down a little to Yarraman, where we turned south on the New England Hwy towards Cooyar. This road is quite picturesque as it runs along the Cooyar Range at almost 500

metres above sea level before dropping through lots of twisties down into Cooyar.

We had lunch here and also caught up with Mark Sweeney, one of our Toowoomba members on his immaculate Yamaha TRX850. Lunch was at ex Aussie MotoGP racer Gary McCoy’s Cafe. With good food and lots of memorabilia around the walls and several motorcycles throughout the

cafe it is a great place to stop.

From here it was on to Toowoomba via Crows Nest and then a little detour down Spring Bluff to Murphy’s Creek and Helidon before heading south across Back Flagstone Creek Rd to Flagstone Creek Rd for the run up the mountain to the TMV.

Meanwhile our flat tyre rider had arrived home changed bikes and arrived at the TMV not long after us on his Triumph Trident. Soon we were in the hotel next door having a beer and a relax before heading off to the Toowoomba City Golf Club for tea with Mark and wife Julie joining us to top off a great day.

Sunday morning we were joined by another Toowoomba member on his immaculate Suzuki 750 RE5 Rotary Peter Fisher along with Mark again. Great to see some of these local members taking part.

The Sunday ride was a rerun of the ride planned for the Rally Sunday, which took us back down Flagstone Creek Rd then onto Blanchview Rd for several kilometers, before turning onto Spa Water Rd through Back Flagstone Creek Rd. After a few kms we turned right onto The Tops Rd which twists and climbs sharply, including one first gear hairpin up to the amazing Silver Pinch Rd which runs along the saddle of a very high ridge, about two house blocks wide, with spectacular views down each side. Lunch was at The Barn/Scotties Garage which also had a large group of classic cars visiting too. This was very enjoyable here with good food including a massive hamburger and fantastic surroundings.

With lunch over it was goodbye to our Brisbane and Sunshine Coast members before Brian, myself and Cheryl and Mike and Sutini headed off to Jondaryn via the Toowoomba Bypass, where we turned off to Brymaroo and Quinalow on the way to the Bunya Mtns.

The ride over the Bunya’s was beautiful with afternoon tea at a beautiful cafe high on the mountains before making the run into Kingaroy for the night. Had tea at the RSL with a few ales before a pleasant walk back to the motel.

Monday’s ride home took us through Wondai, Murgon, Goomeri, Gympie to Imbul for lunch. From there it was on to Kenilworth, Reesville Lookout near Maleny then Woodford and onto Wamuran and home. All up we covered just over 1,000 klms in perfect weather for the three days.