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Ride Central NSW Dualsport Australia has just released the second disc in the‘Great Rides’ series. This instalment has over 2500km of varied riding with the same easy-to-follow GPS data and route sheets as the first disc.
It’s all amazing riding for bikes of all sizes, and the planning and route finding has been done for you.
Following on from the well-received Volume 1: Northern NSW rides set in and around the NSW Hunter Valley, Dualsport Australia’s second disc takes a rider through the undulating granite of the New England area, the sandy roads and Pilliga Forest of the NSW northwest and down to the central-west’s iconic Bridle Track.
Made up of smaller loops in four regional sections, this disc offers a week or more of varied riding through some of the best adventure-riding country NSW has to offer.
The format means the information is easily broken up to make shorter rides, and there’s even an emergency shortcut that opens up more options, especially when combined with the first disc, previewed by Adventure Rider Magazine in issue #06.
The same handy info on road surfaces, fuel distances, accommodation and alternative routes (east or west) is here in this second offering, and best of all, it joins seamlessly with the first disc at Moonan Flat. The east and west routes aredesigned with one alternative more adventurous than the other, and one better-suited for wet weather. That’s clearly shown in the information panels, and all the routes have loads of photos to give a good idea of what the rider can expect and to make sure the landmarks are recognisable. Google Maps links allow features such as satellite or street view, and both routes are rideable on all adventure bikes. A couple of spots may be a little tight in places, but the whole disc is designed to be comfortable for bikes right up to the big adventurers, and it’s meant to be fun.
Look for disc two in the Adventure Rider Magazine e-store.
User friendly
Just slip the disc into the PC – the discs aren’t Mac compatible – and download tracks straight to your GPS and/or print up your choice of route sheets. Pick your start point and direction, taking note of the handy info on fuel distances and accommodation, and you’re on your way to a week of adventure riding.
There’s stacks of information about fuel, accommodation, distances and landmarks, as well a few stories from the making of the disc.
It’s all about the riding
All this info and easy-to-use formats are fine, but, “What about the riding?” you ask.
From the upper Hunter’s green, grassy valleys, the river crossings and winding, range roads offer truly spectacular riding.
Once on top of the range it’s a blast through Nundle Forest where a rider can easily exceed his daily quota of flowing corners. It’s a section that’ll have the blood pumping.
The New England region may only be a day away from the Upper Hunter, but it’s worlds apart in riding experiences. The crisp air and brilliant New England skies enhance the feel of the undulating granite roads that twist and turn through sheep-dotted pastures. It’s an absolute hoot on an adventure bike and guaranteed to bring a smile to any rider’s face.
Just make sure you carry warm gear most of the year.
We rode the routes of the first disc in issue #06 and had a ball.
Getting around
Northwest NSW brings another huge change in riding conditions.
Once over the ranges the landscape flattens out and the roads become sandier. It’s not deep desert sand, but throttle-on, front-wheel-light riding that’ll have riders grinning. The lanes and backroads through farmland are firmer with a sandy surface, or slightly deeper with sand in The Pilliga Forest – which is more enjoyable than any straight road has a right to be.
It also has lots to see: towers, caves, sculptures… the track even turns to loam after rain.
Central NSW offers a mix of all of the above: light, sandy, tighter forest sections, picturesque backroads winding over ridges and through valleys, reddish gravel roads stretching out through fields of crops, and plenty of adventure trails down to the Bridle track and Hill End.
Where do you get it!
Dualsport Australia’s Volume 2: Central NSW is available from the Adventure Rider Magazine e-store. Log on to www.advridermag.com.au and get with the program. A disc will set you back $32 delivered. That’s less than the cost of a tank of fuel for a week |of quality adventure riding full of options and without fuss.
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