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So I managed to set off almost on time, everything was loaded on the bike and Megan, Maarten & Aldo came to see me off.
Of course the one thing I forgot, was my helmet, so back into the house to collect that essential item.
So to hugs and waves from the departure party I set off, first stop, the Shell on Epping Road. The new super silicon earplugs purchased from the US wouldn’t stay in, so they were dumped in favour of the traditional safety plugs.
Once I reached Bells line of Road the fun began, not much traffic and fabulous views. Stopped just before Bell to take some photos and admire the view. Up over the pass and into Lithgow it got a bit cool, 16’C and the jacket was all zipped up.
Once down the other side, the smells of the country became evident to my pleasure, the scent of livestock, sillage and growth all so pleasant.
On reaching Bathurst I thought it would be a good idea to do a lap of Mt Panorama, which was fun, so I did it a second time and had a chat with an old lady who took my photo.
The track is much steeper and narrower than it appears on TV, hairy stuff at speed I imagine, even at 60kmh it was daunting.

Then made haste for Orange, where I stopped for lunch, parked the bike and went off to a cafe. Halfway through my sandwich I realised I had left the keys in the bike. Dumbass.
After lunch headed to Molong and decided to take a detour via Yeoval on the backroads, turned out that the bridge after Yeoval had been washed out. There were a couple of guys drinking UDL who I asked how I could get around the river. They pointed out that they could help me cross by carrying my panniers to the other side while I road the bike through the gap of remaining road. So obstacle was overcome.
Road into Dubbo where after a good feed, crashed at the caravan park. Dubbo is still blockaded due to the floods a damage. The whole place smells like a muddy river, and alot of damage to buildings, roads and trees.
Feeling pretty good, not too sore (yet) aside from some sunburn on my neck (the only thing exposed) must visit Target Country tomorrow to get a bandana to cover it.
Tomorrow towards Cobar…