FarRide #17 to Eungella on my ST1300 Pan European

Eungella?!! Where the hell is Eungella?

Eungella Chalet Hotel - Qld

When I saw this (just after leaving home), and thought they were attending the FarRide, I thought “Flamin 'ell guys - what have you done?"......... 

Then I thought I was seeing double for a minute.....

In actual fact, it was my good mate, and fellow ST pilot (and now FarRider #500) Ian - or "Beatup" as he is called on the forums.

We met at the Forest Glen BP to get our start dockets, and then headed north for the final destination of Eungella - just west of Mackay.

Aaah.. the stories this mirror could tell.... this time it's a ST1300....

Last time on the Ironbutt ride it was a Beemer! Seems like I'm the fastest around!...















Well... almost! Shaddup! He congratulated me on being a model citizen!

And now... ummm COWS!  Yes, cows!

As you can see... appalling weather!

And roadworks! - in Qld - we have become used to seeing this since the devastating cylcones and floods from Feb.....

But this???......

Looks like it's gunna be a bad season....

Rest of the day's ride went beautifully...

here is the sunset...

Night time, just after this stop at Biloela, and we hit dirt again for a few k's...

Then, had a great night, booked into a cabin at Rockhampton with more mates that met up for the final push. Daryl and Gadget. To keep this a family read, I will NOT describe the foul, offensive NUCLEAR snoring that took place in the cabin that night... but a FarRider quote of the month was heard the next morning, when one of the perpetrators remarked “My throat is sore - I must have snored”, the stern reply came “My ears are sore - YOU DID!!!!” At least some of us got a great night's sleep.

Woke next morning to an early start, and pea soup for brekky...

Another FarRide... another sun rise....

Anyways... on with the miles and great riding... until this.....

CAPTURED: The nuclear snorer's motorbike!!!!!

To protect the guilty - a degree of ambiguity has been retained in the above pic!  (You KNOW who you are!) - This pic was taken at the Mackay BP - possibly the southern hemisphere's BUSIEST servo this day. I counted around 17 times I was nearly run over in the driveway - just trying to purchase a drink and return to the bikes! Yikes!

After Mackay - a heap of us hooked up....

and saw sights like this.....

I TOTALLY RESPECT this FarRider on a (white) 200hp Hayabusa on a dirt road!

Same with the diminutive “Kimmie” on her CBR1100 XX Blackbird! Go Girl!

Did some of this.....

While waiting for this...

Snaked our way up to the top of the range, and in to our digs at the Chalet Hotel.

After parking....

...we were greeted by views like this.....

Anyways... here are some of the legends at Eungella...

and... to our newest, young FarRider - BOXHEAD!...

Well done Rhys - ya Legend!

Had a great night talking to great people in great surroundings. Special G'day to Dave, Bec, Danny and Grumpy! Thanks for your hospitality. Also to Tony, Bill, Gatey, Kimmie, Tack, Gags, MichaelP, Baz, Daz, Gadge, Saaz, Rendog, Jenny, John, Biggles, Spada, Bruce, Deb, Allan, Ox, TJ, CnC, Greybeard, Ghosty, and anyone else I may have missed - thanks for a great time and great company.

Sunset through the valley...

Next day, I caught this great sunrise about to fill the valley.....

Then, after packing up and saying goodbyes to most folks, it was down the windy road and over those grates again...

I had a plan.... and here were my new riding pals for the next coupla thousand clicks....

Daryl (Tiny)...

Gadget (FarRider #23)....

And me (thanks Gadget)...

On the way home, Daryl, Gadget and myself nicked up through Proserpine, and on to Airlie Beach for a looksee, and a spot of brekkie on the beach.  Oh man!

Then it was down through Mackay and off to Rocky for the night.

Next day we headed home. I split up with my two riding mates to detour through Gladstone for a looky...

Then a last few refreshment stops at Gin Gin and others, and push on to home.

Hit a tiny shower coming into the last 8kms of the trip - not bad for a FarRide...

Here is the last pic I snapped on the trip - outside my place after a fantastic weekend away...

Did 2475 klms and loved every centimetre!  Thanks to all for making it a real beaut!

Well done to Tack, Boxhead, Thommo, CNC, TigerBill, and all the usual suspects for organising another great weekend!

Cheers, Diesel