A Solo Adventure Continues... The Oxley Hwy? Just Another Road!!

...Especially on a rainy day with road works every couple of Km!!
But actually my point was not to get excited about a road with a great riding reputation and forget how to ride safely.
This was the third, and thankfully last, rainy day of my trip.
Sunny skies after this one!!
Bike: 2013 Honda CB500Xa now over 123000Km of Adventures!
Stock wheels and suspension - a few, off-road suitable & protective mods:
Evotech Performance Radiator Guard
Honda Centre Stand
Honda Hand Guards
Palmer Products Adjustable Screen Mount
Hepco & Becker Engine Guard
MOTEA Bash-plate (modified to keep Honda Centre Stand and to Mount off Crash Bars instead of sump lugs)
RHK 20mm Bar Risers
SW Motech On Road/Off Road Footpegs
Rally Raid ABS Kill Switch
Staintune Pipe
Helmet Hook
Omni-Cruise Cruise Control
Dri Rider ZXS2 Soft Panniers
Shinko 705 tyres 170 60 R17* 120 70 R17
****October 2019 changed rear to 150 70 R17****
Gear:
Airoh Commander Helmet
EVS Epic Knee Guards
DriRider Adventure Series Jacket
Shark Kevlar Jeans
Shark Xplorer Adventure Boots (Mid)
5 Sport City Gloves
Dri Rider Superfabric Wet/Cold Weather Gloves
Cameras:
Sony FDR-X3000
Drift HDGhost
Drift Ghost S
Drift 4K (2 of)
CanonSX740HS
Drone: DJI Mavic Pro
Recording set up explained here:
kzbin.info/www/bejne/bZu2fnmXoc54gas
Music by Captain Cranky ©urgentmusic productions - all rights reserved

[@paullee6663]

Looks like Wales on a good day to me! 🤣 Drift to the rescue.... 'It ain't so bad'! 🙂 Have to say I've heard all sorts of problems folks have had with Drift cameras but my Ghost S that I bought from China just before they 'disappeared from sale' has so far been 100% reliable, touch wood. Well done for staying positive, nothing a hot shower, a tasty cooked meal, and a few beers and a warm dry bed can't fix. I've not watched the news or any 'serious' TV programmes since COVID. I don't see that changing any time soon.

[@CaptainCrankyMotovlogger]

The Drift Ghost S was the pinnacle of their cameras, then downhill they went from then on... I've had 3 - the last one fell off and was never found, sadly. The first 2 stopped working, but that was after many hundreds, probably thousands, of hours use, as I ran them all the time on every ride. My positive approach paid off big time on this day Paul - cheers mate!

[@quentinjackson6015]

Sensitivity is both a blessing and a curse! The more sensitive a person is the more they care about other people and the well being of our amazing planet.....of course, the downside is that caring has an emotional cost. Here's to the sensitive folk, the world needs more of them! Yes, sometimes enjoying a day can be an act of will......Thanks for sharing. Cheers.

[@CaptainCrankyMotovlogger]

Yes that's true - I know the people I most admire are the ones who hurt the most. It seems that the only people who seem happy are, well, selfish assholes or very oblivious ones really!!

[@anthonylimpus7189]

And don't forget me! 🤣I stayed at the Walcha with you FEB 2019 on the epic CRANK WAY DOWN series (Day 1) I think this episode is now officially a Cranky Classic. It brought a smile to my face...

[@CaptainCrankyMotovlogger]

I've lost count of the times I've been there! Yeah loved out trip past... in the next episode here I turn left at Nowendoc, instead of right like we did and ride down the most awesome dirt road!!

[@MidCoastAdventures]

The world has certainly taken a sudden turn lately, David. There's nothing you can think, say or do that will change the big picture. So focus on the little (more important) one - you and those you love. Lifes too short to agonize on things we can't change, so enjoy every day for what it is mate 😎👍

[@CaptainCrankyMotovlogger]

Wise words Phil - and yeah that's what I'm trying to do 😊

[@HippoDrones]

I think it is important to reset, especially when we know our mind is struggling with the world around it. We are very lucky to have motorcycles in our lives to help with that. What a very soggy day, am glad it didn't dampen your spirit, and you made the most of the positive things the day presented you with. That hotel looked spot on having your own private verander too, lovely stuff.

[@CaptainCrankyMotovlogger]

Very true Pete. Actually, even looking back, I'm amazed how much difference the conscious alteration of my mindset made. This could easily have been the second, miserable, wet day with plans being abandoned and me going home - but I ended up really enjoying the day and will treasure the memory of it. I think I was rewarded with splendid weather after this :) Bill and I have featured The Walcha Royal many times, small. simple rooms, shared bathrooms but everything you need, great host and a brilliant bar/cafe downstairs.

[@HippoDrones]

@@CaptainCrankyMotovlogger A Positive Mental Attitude to the day can do wonders to the enjoyment you get from it. I am sure I remember previous videos in the past of the hotel either from yourself or Bill 🙂

[@CaptainCrankyMotovlogger]

@@HippoDrones I think the last time either of us were there on the bikes was 2017 with Wyvern Biker & 02BigKev! First time was 10 years ago. Also took Wifey there 4 years ago - had the big, luxury room :) Must like the place!!

[@AutomotiveAllStars]

Another amazing video! I love watching your adventures. We all need something, to get us through this steady decline humanity seems to be taking.

[@CaptainCrankyMotovlogger]

Many thanks! Yes, gotta take our minds off it sometimes :)

[@CalmBiker]

I do like a bridge and an off-beat sculpture or two 🙂 I shall look forward to the video about the falls and gorge.

[@CaptainCrankyMotovlogger]

I believe you've shown us all a few of those over the years also mate! Will be a short but sweet video, probably showing an example of conditions NOT to do dirt roads in 😆

[@AfricaTwin-Stuff]

Good stuff. I’ve also done the “slow ride in the rain” on the Oxley a few years ago. Yes it can still be enjoyable when in the right frame of mind.

[@CaptainCrankyMotovlogger]

Absolutely - just accept it and enjoy the surrounds :)

[@in2ADV]

Loved the intro! hahahahaha The rest of the video wasn't too shabby either 🙂 Bring on the next one!

[@CaptainCrankyMotovlogger]

Ha ha! Cheers mate! Yeah the whole trip I just basically ran the Drift and didn't think too much about whether the footage would be any good - enjoyed ignoring it really, and was surprised and pleased I ended up with some reasonable stuff to make the vids with 🙂

[@seanb1081]

Good on ya Cap'n, not letting the rain stop you from getting out and exploring. 👍

[@CaptainCrankyMotovlogger]

Seems like we have less and less choice recently mate, rain WAY too often! Cheers Sean 👍

[@seanb1081]

@@CaptainCrankyMotovlogger Most any ride can be done in the rain, but it's always better on a fine sunny day.

[@MrAusadventure]

That looked like a great little back road you did. The old bridge is very cool! Did you know the bridge was there beforehand or was there a sign for it? Yeah! That was our ride by spot! If we'd not done that then we wouldn't have copped the sun in our eyes so much. But you get that! 🤣 It's always great at the Walcha Royal! I don't think I've been in there since 2017 despite stopping there in 2020 to meet Dave on our way to Tassie. I could handle another stay there. Just not a wet one! 🤪

[@CaptainCrankyMotovlogger]

Yeah I knew about the road and bridge because I saw Phil (MidCoastAdventures) do a video on it. Pipeclay Road goes all the way past Wauchope and meets up with Telegraph Point Rd, the road you and I came into Wauchope with Shinysideup that time. I would have loved to do it - it's a long switchback through rolling hills. Yeah I hadn't been there on a bike since 2019 but did stay with Nicole later in 2019. Brad is not there now and Toni managed to keep the place going on her own all through covid somehow, serving people coffee and food through a hatch, and unable to have guests!! Was good to see her again - I'll never forget the welcome you and I got when we first arrived :)

[@MrAusadventure]

@@CaptainCrankyMotovlogger Ah right. I've just looked that road up on maps and it looks like there are a few good back roads through there that might be an alternative if time allows. That's a shame about Brad, but at least Toni is still there keeping it going. Heaps of fond memories of the Walcha Royal after first stumbling across it on my 2013 trip. Our first stay there and having it to ourselves is up there on top.

[@JustTex]

Wow kindee bridge looked very cool , not sure i would be that game to ride a clay road in the rain though, Cheers 4 sharing sir.

[@CaptainCrankyMotovlogger]

It's a great bridge, and yeah that Pipeclay Rd was a bit challenging - about 100m ahead of where I turned around it was a low quagmire, would have got stuck and or fallen over there for sure! Cheers mate 👍

[@02bigkev]

Great adventure, The Walcha Royal is a great place to stay.

[@CaptainCrankyMotovlogger]

Cheers Kev, great memories of being there and doing the Oxley in better weather with you, Keith & Bill :)

[@berniebne8243]

I stayed at the Apsley Arms, that was good. There's been a lot of rain. We're getting ready to go to the Celtic Festival in Glen Innes, hoping for some ☀️

[@CaptainCrankyMotovlogger]

I've eaten at the Apsley a couple of times. Hope the weather is good for that mate.

[@berniebne8243]

@@CaptainCrankyMotovlogger they studied the weather records and picked Mayday weekend because it's the driest. Fingers crossed.

[@dynamadnessadventures205]

Great video ride safe

[@CaptainCrankyMotovlogger]

Many thanks!

[@systemicxdesign]

Who knows. I'm just some drunk asshole sitting here watching a damn video of some guy over across the other side of the world and I'm eating here. What am I having here? I have sourdough bread, tortilla chips, Stouffer's macaroni and cheese microwavable. That's that's my meal. Sounds pretty good huh?

[@CaptainCrankyMotovlogger]

Ha ha! sounds like a carb-fest comfort food heaven :)

[@coobye]

The world's not as bad as they make out mate. Social/media is a business now and they're all competing for the most drama. Step outside and have a look around. The sun is still shining ( or raining in your case😂), and the birds are still singing. I haven't watched television for 21 years and was shocked with the carry on during covid when I saw the news at work one day. It's all designed to keep you in a permanent state of fear mate. Think back over your lifetime and it's always been the same but 10 times worse now because of social media etc. Stay completely away from anything that relates bad news and you'll be fine. Don't believe anything you hear and only half of what you see👍😉😊.

[@CaptainCrankyMotovlogger]

Yeah, I believe nothing that I haven't seen myself - unfortunately that alone makes me grieve for the loss of what used to be "common" sense. I'm well ahead at least in my ability to disappear into nature with my one trusted companion - Wifey :)

[@systemicxdesign]

You need to stop looking so close into things as most of us do.... Typically it's a defensive measure adopted earlier in age because you need to delve deeper into yourself kinda scenario lol. .. pertaining to all of us lol

[@systemicxdesign]

Do not mean to impose my will upon any one person or anybody in any way shape or form, but I do have my points of view. I've come to recognize this shared often in such a way that it's undeniable. We're all human

[@CaptainCrankyMotovlogger]

Yep- we're all human and all different. My defence measures were born many decades ago in a place that was not safe. Now I'm just trying to be happy with whoever the hell I am. What I do know, is I am very happy to respect other's opinions and viewpoints - even if I cannot comprehend them - because they are also unique.