What numb nuts Queenslander, currently enjoying a mild winter, organises a tour south to Nabiac during a cold and wet snap and the second State of Origin game?
Me, that’s who!
I will be setting off with five fellow mad Maroons this Saturday for “Mexico” (what Queenslanders call anywhere south of the border) on our five-day Numb Nuts Nabiac Tour.
If we survive, it could become an annual event!
Nabiac museum
Museum owner Margaret KelleherWhile the weather here in Queensland is sunny and mid-20s most days, we’re heading into minus temperatures and rain to visit the Nabiac National Motorcycle Museum in Blues territory (so called because it turns you blue?).
And to top it off, we will be in Taree on State of Origin night, probably locked in our hotel bedrooms.
It might not be unusually atrocious conditions for most of you Mexicans, but for we Sunshine Staters, it will mean rugging up and waterproofing ourselves.
Winter tips
So we have been busy studying these Motorbike Writer tips:
- Wet weather riding from Chris Vermeulen;
- 10 tips for to riding safe and warm in winter;
- Safety checklist for bikers traveling in winter; and
- How to ride warm in winter.
As you can see, I’ve done this before, but we all need to brush up on our skills from time to time. If you want to brush up on your hair grooming, that’s something else!
Electra Glide
Harley-Davidson Electra Glide StandardI will be riding the new “Vivid Black” Harley-Davidson Electra Glide Standard ($A34,495/$NZ37,995) which is a stripped-down Street Glide.
It doesn’t have the Street Glide’s infotainment system which doesn’t worry me as I prefer my Sena Momentum Lite helmet to keep me in touch with the world and entertained while I ride.
It also doesn’t have some of the niceties of some other Touring models such as grip warmers.
So I will take a pack of those disposable hand warmers you slip inside your gloves. You can buy them for a few dollars at most chemists and service stations.
Gear consists of:
- Harley three-layer waterproof and windproof triple-vent leather jacket;
- Draggin Hydro waterproof pants;
- Winter Bamboo socks which I can wear all five days without them starting to smell;
- Kiwi-made Roadog windproof vest;
- Stylmartin Legend RS waterproof boots;
- Aldi balaclava, Nike long johns, Billabong long snow shirt;
- Venture Heat electric gloves (although I’ve lost the power supply, hence the hand warmers).
Fireside chat
In case you are out on the same roads and want to catch up for a fireside chat, we will be riding the following route:
- Saturday: Ipswich, Woodenbong, Drake, Tenterfield, Glen Innes.
- Sunday: Glen Innes, Walcha, Gloucester, Taree.
- Monday: Taree, Nabiac Motorcycle Museum, Forster, Wootton Way, Taree.
- Tuesday: Taree, Wauchope, Walcha, Armidale, Dorrigo.
- Wednesday: Dorrigo, Grafton, Casino, Kyogle, Brisbane.
If you see the big black Harley surrounded by a few Beemers and a Honda Shadow, give us a wave or stop and have a chat about the weather!