Motorcycling in OZ: A Blue Mountains Ride

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Business travel to Austalia in January, 2001 allowed me to sample motorcycling in OZ. January means early summer "down under", and the misty grey morning I began with turned absolutely beautiful as the sun warmed the hillsides.

Only having a day to ride, I picked a day-trip to the Blue Mountains area, 100 to 150 miles west of Sydney. The Blue Mountains are a popular resort / vacation home area for Sydney residents, plenty of things to see and do.

I rented a BMW R1100GS for the day, which worked out very well: smooth ride, plenty of range, reliable as a stone since unlike my U.S. rides, I had no cell phone, no towing coverage, and very limited knowledge of how/where to summon help if needed.

Clubman Motorcycle Rentals in Sydney has very reasonable rates, and opened up the shop for me to come and go on a Sunday. Many thanks for making this adventure possible.

Special thanks also to Derrick Sutton of LDRiders list who provided invaluable advice on places to go/see.

A lunch stop at the Imperial Hotel in Mt. Victoria was a great way to spend the mid-day. Very "victorian" indeed, lots of antiques

Blue Mountains Three Sisters
All visitors to the Blue Mountains photograph the "Three Sisters" sandstone formation just outside Katoomba...I couldn't resist either

Blue Mountains eucalyptus mist
They really are blue mountains...all those eucalyptus trees exude vapors that color the atmosphere, making the mountains appear blue

The Royal Botanical Garden in Sydney maintains the Mt. Tobah Botanical Garden also to afford a place for cooler climate plantings. Really nicely done, in particular the nice terrace restaurant overlooking the mountains...a great place for tea.