More Exploring in the Bremer Valley

Charlie's purchase of a WR250R prompted a couple discussions about a weekend rides. With nary more than a meeting time and a barely amenable weather forecast, we hit a variation of this ride.

Essentially, we left my place and followed what is my go-to route to Mt Barker to meet Dean. From Mt Barker, along Back Callington rd, past the mine and then out to the NE toward Mannum. This time we crossed the Bremer Valley road and kept heading NE.

Link for route: https://goo.gl/maps/AFn7nX9MrXA2

Preammina Rd/Panican Hill road were narrow and reasonably kept dirt, nicely windy but still quick. Good visibility. I could see we were approaching the edge of the river flats and the Bitumen of Reedy Creek Road and turned back to the NW, along Talbot road, until we hit Black Heath Road.

Black Heath road was dirt, but a much wider and much more well groomed road, albeit some spectacular views. It's hilly country, with a lot of rocky outcrops. Winter rains have filled the creeks and dams and it's as lush and green as it can get out there.

There were some huge winds out here and it could get quite precarious negotiating corners at speed, leaning into the wind and having the back get loose. At one point Charlie looked to be on a 10 degree lean in a straight line.

After the last trip, I was keen to check out the untraveled ends of Bondleigh and Range Roads, thinking they might intersect Black Heath Rd (didn't plan overly much), which wasn't the case. More for next time.

Black Heath intersected Harrogate road, as spot I recall from some 10 years back with Dad. We took Harrogate Rd north to the bitumen Terlinga road, and back down Hoad Quarry road, which was a short but fun stretch. There was also an interesting old timber bridge on the side of the road reserve we stopped for a look at.

We scooted towards Harrogate and turned off toward the West, down Bloomingdale Road/School Bus road. Snuck through the Appleton road reserve, similar to last time.

Second section: https://goo.gl/maps/w38jnR7KZPu

We also did the complete Sandy Waterhole road, we only did half last time, the second section was awesome, very fast and with a bunch of puddles and chewed out sections.

Beers at Lobethal, Charlie was low on fuel and had to get home. Dean and I had a light snack and then took the bitumen home.

Traffic was rubbish along the Woodside-Hahndorf road, I took Greenhill, cut down Rangeview, around Woodhouse to Crafers. Much quicker.

Last of all, I cut down through the Olave hill Rd fire track, next time I'll take Charlie up that one on the way out!