TOP TOURS & TRAVEL

DRINK THE WATER COMPILED BY THE BEAR

BAY OF BEARS INVASION

You may have heard it said that New Zealand is the only Third World country where you can drink the water. It seems that that is not quite true.

Recent reports suggest that this applies to Cuba as well, and what’s more, Cuba has an outstanding public health system.

In order to check this (I’m nothing if not public spirited) and the rum, I will be visiting Cuba in February/March of next year on an Edelweiss Bike Tour.

Dates are from the 24th of February to the 5th of March (see other dates below), but I’m adding on a day at each end to wander around Havana. That means leaving Sydney on the 21st and returning on the 9th, but you can do it in two fewer days. I can put you in touch with my travel agent who can sort the trip for you with a minimum of pain.

Want to come and check out the water (and the rum) as well as the amazing cars, scenery and wonderful people – and incidentally see Cuba before it disappears under an avalanche of American tourists?

At this stage, Edelweiss tours are on the following dates:
Jan 23 – Feb 02 – Classic Cuba
Feb 06 – 13 – Best of Cuba
Feb 14 – 21 – Best of Cuba
Feb 24 – March 05 – Classic Cuba
November 06 – 13 – Best of Cuba
November 16 – 26 Classic Cuba
Check them out at www.edelweissbike.com/en/ touren/ and book while you can. I’ll even buy you a mojito if you’re on my tour!

Showing the flag – is that the Bay of Bears in the background? / That puts rolling your own into another dimension entirely.

JUST SAY MOO MOO

A favourite joke among the locals in Australian country towns and even cities is to decide on a particularly odd pronunciation of their or other nearby settlements. That way you can pick strangers, and make fun of them at the same time. Hence you have Lon-cesten for Launceston and Fre-mantel for Fremantle.

At the bottom servo in Dorrigo I once asked for directions to Dundurrabin, and it took ages for me to get the pump jockey to “understand” what I was talking about. He then came up with a pronunciation which seemed to have bugger all to do with the name written on the map.

This would be a cow of a thing to ride, we reckon…

There’s a similar problem with the NSW far north coast town of Mooball.

You might think that it’s pronounced the way it’s spelt, but in fact it’s called Mobil by the locals. That hasn’t stopped them from adopting a cow theme for the town. Where Maclean, a little further south, has tartans painted on anything stationary, Mooball has lavished black and white paint in Friesian cow patterns on everything that isn’t mooving.

And now there’s the themed Moo Moo Roadhouse which displays a giant Yamaha as well as its cow paint, and offers classic hamburgers which you can wash down with a milkshake before browsing the vintage memorabilia – old cars and newer bikes are on display and for sale.

The roadhouse has everything: fuel up, grab a bite to eat, have some of the reputedly excellent coffee and check out the great hot rods, motorcycles, memorabilia and antiques that are on display. There’s even free Wi-Fi. It’s at 5886 Tweed Valley Way, Mooball, phone 02 6677 0057.

SERENDIB CALLS YOU

And not only that… The beautiful island of Sri Lanka was well known from antiquity and attracted travellers, merchants and colonisers because of its strategic geographical location, natural harbours, spices and precious gemstones.

One of the island’s exotic names was ‘Serendib’, the origin of our word ‘serendipity’ meaning an unsought lucky discovery. That is exactly what motorcyclists will feel when exploring this unique island, riding a Royal Enfield motorcycle.

Sri Lanka is the size of Tasmania and gives travellers the opportunity to visit pristine beaches, misty mountains, spectacular ancient cities, incredible wildlife reserves, European military forts, lush tea plantations and other unique attractions … all within a fortnight.

You can also experience the food, drink, religions and cultures of the diverse people who call this island home. In spite of three decades of civil strife, the people are still friendly, willing to help and have smiles on their faces.

‘Serendib Motorcycling Adventures’ (www.SerendibMotorcyclingAdventures.com) was established by motorcycle enthusiasts who were born, grew up and rode motorcycles all over Sri Lanka. They are keen to share these experiences with other motorcyclists on guided tours, self-guided tours or just rental motorcycles. Guided tours begin early in 2016 but the fleet of near new Royal Enfields can be rented immediately.

On offer is personalised planning of your trip based on local experience to make your trip memorable.

Contact Michael on 0438 264 632 or email info@SerendibMotorcylingAdventures.com.

The latest in safety gear – a few years ago

THAIME FOR SMILES

Thailand was never colonised by a European country. The country was known as ‘Siam’ for many years until 1948 when it was changed to Thailand which derives from ‘Muang Thai’ meaning ‘land of the free.’ But somehow the name ‘Siam’ seems to have endured until this day and gives a feeling of religiousness, tranquillity and harmony. This is what motorcyclists will experience when riding through the ‘Land of Smiles.’

Thailand is a big country. Most of the landscape is fl at with straight roads but there is a lot to see and do. The road infrastructure, outside congested Bangkok, is generally very good.

Thailand offers motorcyclists the opportunity to visit beautiful beaches, peaceful mountains, extraordinary ruined cities and other unique attractions. The mouth-watering variety of food will tantalise your taste buds.

‘Siam Motorcycling Adventures’ (www.SiamMotorcyclingAdventures.com) was established by a Thai motorcycle enthusiast who has ridden in the USA, Australia, Sri Lanka and Thailand. He knows the best motorcycling roads, fantastic attractions, delicious food, great places to stay and activities you must experience in Thailand.

SMA offers motorcycle guided tours, self-guided tours or motorcycle rentals.

Its guided tours will begin early in 2016 but its fleet of new Benelli Tornado BN302 motorcycles can be rented immediately.

You will experience an immersion in Thai culture with personalised planning of your trip based on our local experience and the backing of friends and partners to make your trip memorable. Contact Michael on 0438 264 632 or email info@SiamMotorcycling Adventures.com

HISTORY WITH YOUR COFFEE

Graham outside the front of the building.

You might think that Boonah is out in the boonies, but hundreds of motorcyclists disagree. They head out there from Brisbane on the weekend, so the manager of Flavours Café on the corner of Railway Street and Yeates Avenue told me, for the food, the atmosphere and above all the coffee.

But that’s not all.

“We didn’t have roll bars on speedway cars when I was first driving them,” says Graham Neilsen as he shows me a very early AGV helmet that’s on display in the café, “we were just supposed to duck down when we looked like hitting something.”

The helmet’s inside consists of cotton straps held together by string, and it’s amazing that Graham isn’t held together by stitches when you hear the story of his racing life.

With his partner Jeanette Richardson, who does all the work while he schmoozes with the customers, Graham leads a slightly more sedate life nowadays.

The building, put up in 1916, was originally part of the Boonah Butter Factory but has been in Neilsen family hands since 1999.

It has been renovated very sympathetically and offers both inside and outside (shaded) seating.

It’s a top place, and to the food, atmosphere and coffee you can add the attraction of Graham’s racing paraphernalia.

Get him to show you that AGV helmet…

ALONG THE EDGE

I’ve often looked at that “road” they call Highway 1 along the bottom of the Gulf of Carpentaria and thought about tackling it. Never got around to it, but you can ride it if you’d like to, and not only that: you can do it on the Savannah Way tour guided by Dakar legend Simon Pavey.

The organiser, Compass Expeditions (a part of the Bike Round Oz group), is calling it “Australia’s ultimate adventure ride along the northern edge of the continent. Departing Cairns on August 1st 2016 and running from the Coral Sea to the Indian Ocean, this 21 day adventure motorcycle tour “encompasses unbelievable dirt riding that ventures across a staggering four world heritage areas and offers a chance to experience some of the fi nest off-road routes in Australia all whilst under the expert guidance of Dakar legend Simon Pavey and his Off Road Skills team.

“This is an incredible ride that needs to be shouted from the mountaintops,” said an excited Simon Pavey after yet another day fi nding tracks that haven’t been used for 30 years, (according to locals), “this certainly isn’t a wide open fl at dirt track tour of Australia,” continues Simon.

Compass Expeditions co-founder Mick McDonald went along on the research ride.

“I can’t believe some of the tracks Simon has found, not super technical or enduro, but unused and some through private cattle stations and some we made ourselves,” says Mick. “We do a lot of rides around the world but this is going to be one out of the box.”

“Accommodation is a mix of camping and some of the best hotels available at stunning locations. Riding is incredible with each day having a “Special” section in it. A qualifi ed chef will accompany the group preparing superb lunches and dinners when camping while Simon will lead the ride on his BMW X-Challenge that he raced in the 2009 Dakar, one of 10 Dakars Simon has raced in.

“We have truly found some incredible riding through some beautiful and very remote regions of Australia” says Mick; “this can only be done by very thorough research and navigational skills, something that is paramount when competing in the Dakar.”

Bike Transport to Cairns and from Broome has been arranged if you wish to bring your own bike, for a one off fl at fee no matter where you live in Australia, (except Tasmania). Our Tassie clients will need to get their bikes to Melbourne where Compass will take care of the rest.

For more information visit http://www.compassexpeditions.com/tour/short-adventures/savannah-way-withsimon-pavey/ or www.bikeroundoz.com, email info@compassexpeditions.com or call 1300 887 327.

Simon looks for a nice, enjoyable, fun track somewhere up in northern Oz.

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