THE GREAT SNOWIES

For as long as I can remember, the dream has been to ride with my dad. For some this may be a simple task, for me a little harder. My father lives in Brisbane, myself the NSW south coast. When I was young my dad always had a motorbike, but due to certain things he sold up, bought a car and the rest was history. Throughout the years he’d always teased his motorbike return and recently, at the ripe age of 63, he’s back behind the handlebars.
About four or so years ago I needed a break from everything. I’ve never done anything for myself up to this point, my own company wasn’t something I enjoyed and wasn’t something I went out of my way to have. But life seemed to decide for me.

The snowy mountains always appealed to me as a ride worthwhile doing, so l jumped online and booked a room at Thredbo. From there, I planned the trip. My trip was just what I needed, the place to clear my head, to relax and unwind….. Something for myself!

The Snowies is glorious during the autumn and I told myself there and then, I’d be back. So, every year (except during covid) in autumn I’ve returned, each time I’ve had more people along for the ride. It’s turned into something special for me and for my friends.
This year has been more special, more significant.
My dad has come along for the ride, my lifelong dream had become reality! After what seemed something impossible, I had the chance to see my dad, my hero, on a bike right next to me!
The morning we set off it had rained all night; the drizzle was still in the air and the clouds still present.
Batemans to Tathra is my usual go to, with its glorious, magnificent views, and corner after comer, a worthwhile stretch of road! But the rain forced us to keep it safe and head straight to Bega down the
highway. While not the twists and turns we were looking for, a lovely ride it still is. From there my usual trek began!
Bega to Candelo, a quiet little town full of charm and a great spot to stop for a
coffee.
From here Myrtle mountain followed by the climb up Mt. Darragh. Words to describe this stretch? Just one! Gorgeous!! Twists and turns, ups and downs, scen- ery and farmland. A bikers dream!
Up to Bombala for some lunch at the local club before setting off through Dalgety, farmlands and flats as far as the eye can see, winding up the hills through. the middle of winds farms, fabulous! Reaching Jindabyne before our last stretch to Thredbo!
During winter, Thredbo is a winter wonderland, during summer, a mountain bikers oasis and a motorbikers pit stop paradise.

The views from my lodge at “The Denman” are magnificent, and the Kosciuszko on tap while looking up at Kosciuszko can’t be beat. But it’s the second day of my annual trip that is the reason why we we do it and the reason why having my father with me makes it the reason why, I will continue to do this every year.
The snowy mountain loop! A day jour- ney through some of the most wonderful, spectacular, gorgeous land our amazing country has to offer! Countryside, mountainside, lakes, dams, rivers, peaks and valleys! This ride has everything an adventure rider could ask for.

Twists, turns, straights, clean fresh air, sights to see and places to stop and stare. The loop we run is all tar but for the more adventurous of riders, the dirt, off roads tracks are endless.
Thredbo, Jindabyne, Berridale, Adaminaby. Cabramurra where the massive Snowy Hydro 2.0 is being construct- ed, Khancoban for a late lunch.
Then the last hour and a half push back up the phenomenal snowy mountains to Thredbo for a well-deserved beer and wood fired pizza!
In the years past, alone and then with friends, I’ve done this road, in an all man- ner of ways, on more than one bike. But as the legend is told, superstition beware, do the loop backwards (clockwise) and you’re bound to get wet!
This year I will hold so close to my heart, because at my side, in my rear-view mirror, and leading the way, I had my dad. The man, my life guide and role model. Along for the ride that meant so much to me. The ride I now hold so dear because of him.

Day three is our journey home and back to normality but not without another great ride first.
We set off after a filling breaky at our lodge, not before saying our goodbyes to the best of all Hostesses Judy “see you same time next year!
Thredbo to Jindabyne, this time to Cooma down the highway and then across to Bega via the illustrious Brown Mountain ride! The day was bliss so we couldn’t pass up the opportunity to add in what we missed on our way up! Tathra to Bermagui! Oh Yeah!
A quick zap around Tilba Tilba then through Narooma and our last stop at Moruya Waterfront Hotel for our last beverage of the trip together with an unmatched view of the river.
With the 2024 ride done and dusted, I find myself looking towards 2025 with a new found energy and a new found love of what this ride gives to me and now many others. A ride that defines the reason I love to ride, but one that completes me in a way that only I can now understand. I’ll never forget the ride I got to share with my dad, the first ride that we had together after 36 years. The ride we will continue to do together every year for as long as we can as father and son.