Operation: Chill Axe

All work and no play makes Neil a grumpy man to be around, so some weeks ago, me and me mate Jennings concocted a cunning plan wherein we would escape the self made confines of work and take few days to ride our bikes down to Byron Bay. Byron is a well known spot on the east coast of New South Wales, mainly for being a great place to relax - something we both needed badly. So, Sunday morning I set out to Matts place for Operation: Chill Axe.



Matt had planned the route, which would take us out west through Ipswich, then down the back roads to Rathdowney, from where we joined the Lions Road (a road connecting Qld/NSW across a range) through to Kyogle, then a push east to Byron.

The day started well, my bike was humming with brand new oil & filter and a polish for good luck.

I arrived at Matts place 5 minutes early (8:00am), keen to get moving. Matt was up and ready to get going, so we had a quick cup of tea and final checks prior to heading off. Matt realized at the last minute that his rego sticker was expiring... That day! Oops... Matt began a slightly panicked search for his new sticker... Called Ali who told him she'd paid it...

Now, anyone who knows Matt will tell you that this was a very difficult situation for him to cope with. He is very observant of the law, almost to the point of paranoia, and I was beginning to think that the trip might be over before it started. In the end, he decided to pay the bill again and take the chance... I helped, by telling Matt that in the event we got pulled up by the cops, I would advise that Matt was playing f**k tha' police on his iPod and was a habitual law breaker - that I didn't know... in fact a dangerous law breaker who should be locked up...

The roads in Qld are frankly appalling, but the ride generally was pretty good. The weather was perfect - August in Qld means great temperatures (24 degrees in the day) - so as the miles passed on the cares and concerns of the previous few weeks fell away from me.

I don't think I could ever not have a motorcycle - this ride is a perfect example of why. When you drive, your mind can wander back to work troubles. When you ride, you can't afford to think about anything else but riding your bike, or you get into trouble real quick...

Anyway, we stopped a couple of times (Rathdowney, Kyogle) but otherwise rode straight from 9:30 - 17:00, arriving just prior to dusk. Judging by the number of 'roo carcasses on the road we saw through the day, that was just as well. I wouldn't ride country roads in Australia during dawn and dusk, I've seen the damage 'roos can do to cars, wouldn't like to think what would happen if I hit one on the bike.


Now it's Monday and raining outside... not good! The bikes are soaked so we've made an executive decision not to go anywhere other than into Byron to check out "the vibe". That's a good idea, yesterday was a long ride so a chill-out day is definitely in order.