Bikie wars spill over up on the North Shore

Bikie wars spill over up on the North Shore

The sleepy calm of the North Shore was shattered this Friday. The Bikie wars, synonymous with Queensland and Western Sydney reared its ugly head on the leafy avenues of st ives and Turramurra.

Our reporter on the scene says the argie bargie spilled over on Bobbo. A notorious stretch of road known as a hot bed of Bikie activity.

By all accounts, the altercation occurred between the JFR,  a group more renowned for its pacifist nature and the Northern Suburbs hard chargers. In times past these two were known allies, typically pitting themselves against a common foe, the Turramurrans.  It appears the JFR 'Youth' leader, a very vocal kiwi, reputedly with a 'sleeve', Benjo, (renowned for his Larsonator and local supplier of contraband to Bikies in the area) voiced his disapproval of the itinerant behaviour displayed by the Northern Suburbs patriarch, George. George of Lebanese decent, with a front business in 'panel beating' who has adorned a mo since the seventies, well before Movember became popular, is not to be messed with. He clearly had the demonstrate his authority in front of his followers. 

Bikie wars spill over up on the North Shore

While both refused to comment, the legal counsel for both parties (strange but true, having bought abundant Bikie contraband and in need of a panel beater) and senior JFR member,  known as one of the originals, is apparently preparing a statement. It could be a long time coming as he's out secret training at Monte.

Attempts to contact other JFRer's proved futile. One, affectionately known as the Down Hill Racer, just said he was charging ahead, as there was a Strava Segment approaching, for Kudos!  

We also attempted to gate crash the JFR 'Club House' better known as Stanley St. This proved difficult. There was quite a raucous at this fortified establishment Friday evening. With even some of the members bikie chicks hanging till quite late in the evening. Well late for a Bikie gang. As all needing to be up for the early loop the next morning. Whatever that 'code' is meant to be.

I suspect this is not the last we will hear of this.   

Patonga to Newcastle - a gentle morning ride

Excellent day adventure.
What else do you do on a 'day off' but take a gentle ride to Newcastle. Not quite from Sydney. From Patonga. Why Patonga? See tomorrow Tracey and I do another adventure. A section of the great North Walk. Wondabyn to Patonga. So instead of catching bus and train back., we Jump in the car after the hike. That's if It's still there.
Had map printed out. Just needed to look at it more regularly. Met a fellow rider, so tagged with Paul for coffee at Terrigal. Sweet.
Terrigal to The Entrance ok. Then took wrong turn. Taking long way round Brisbane waters and Lake Macquarie. So +/-20k more with few hills. Didn't follow the coast line as planned.
Steak n potato pie and coke in Swansea. Man tasted too good.
Highlight was the thorn? Track. Reclaimed rail trail approx 20k to Newcastle. Excellent. Through bush. Through train tunnel. A fine ride.
Fish n chips on Newcastle waterfront . Train home.
More fun tomorrow.

GNW Teralba to Newcastle

Dammit. I wrote this up a week ago.  Now I have the pictures from Peter, can't find the sucker. Must have press the wrong button.  Not the one that says SAVE.

The mission to finish the GNW must continue. So went on a recruitment drive. with email to all. Well not all, just the Jelly's who's normal Saturday fun is Manly Swim Run. Much enthusiasm. Except for one who was busy conveyancing that day.

We had a quorum. Hedgie, Ivanovic, Padre were all game. Good onya boys and Not deterred by a somewhat unfriendly start time; 5:23 Hornsby Station platform 1.

While most, no all of the other passengers dozed off, much merriment from this JFR splinter.

Peter sporting latest Scody tights. Trendy.

Teralba stop-off. A now familiar locale, having turned left to do the GNW to Paxton. Obligatory Selfie at the Trackhead and with a right turn we head off. 

Keep a watch out for The Post Boys! These three Great North Walk neophytes were clearly not familiar with the GNW signage 'The Post'. At Warner Bay, ran passed, comeback fellas. A great run round Macquarie Lake all the same, note this for future visits. And a real growers market. And fresh mushrooms to boot, definitely remember this place. 

Another missed Post. Man, how many times do you have to hall these boys back. Emerging out of a bush track to the edge of a suburb, i noticed a descrete Post pointing to the right, back into the bush. Of course The Three Happy Chappies charged up the hill. Payback time. So waited till they reached the top before feeling compelled to haul them back down. At least i'm now leading again keeping the pace under control. We were all now alert to posts, i suspect. 

 A lot more bush trail than I imagined and from what looked like on the map. Not complaining though. All troopers far happier in the scrub than the road. 

The plan was to to the 25.5km to Newcastle in about 3 hrs. That would get us in on time for the 10:23 back to Sydney. So we had to keep up a fairly decent pace. A task taken on by strong man Pete. Calling on all his New York Marathon experiences. He'd charge off, leaving even Andrew in his wake. There was method to his madness, he'd turn back to take happy snappies of the stragglers. Pace setter and Chief Photographer. 

note good knee lift & Ivan tipping his Cap, morning Sir

Also note from the pic above who's the pack horse. What's going on here... 

A quick stop for morning tea, with out the tea, some bananas, gu for you, supplied from the pack-horse. And the stallions are are rearing to go. 
Not before a sign, not a post, large enough to ensure you're on the right track. Just no arrow pointing which way. A photo shoot opportunity non the less. 

What's the name of this hike again?

Another Exciting Adventure and one for the ladies, is the Fernleigh Track. A reclaimed rail line that runs for 20 odd k from Belmont to Adams Town, just outside Newcastle. Confirmed a winner by Andrew AND Rhonda. goes through a tunnel as well.  looking at this pic it certainly has captured someone's imagination. 

And only 9k to go. getting closer to the ocean. 

My my, this trail has it all, rail tracks and rickety rackety bridges. 

 And finally we get a glimpse of the ocean. And a good view spot it is. As i say this trail has it all. And more to come. 

 And the lads are starting to struggle a little. Not too surprising. Heat of the day set in. And time for another selfie. Who says this selfie business is for GenX. 

And too the famous Mereweather Baths. 100m long. We had the budgies to do the obligatory lap. Alas time was not on our-side  It already was 10:30. So now we were pressing to make the 11:23. 

Only on 1.6k to go. and this was after a monstrous hill. well not monstrous to most, having done 24k it was a labour, some kept the pace up though. 

Turns out good thing we got this snappy at the trackhead as we could find the end one down by the station. 

Egg n Bacon roll was a beckoning. 

Boys look as fresh as a bunch of Daisies. ANd those that missed out. FOMO (Fear of Missing Out) would now well and truly set in. 

Good one. Thanks Fellas. 

GNW: Teralba to Newcastle 3:40min

GWN Teralba to Congewai valley

Continued quest to finish this Great North Walk. Things like new job getting in the way of progress. Sweet talking Family for rides to start or end point also.

So last time finished in Congewai Valley. BTW learnt the its pronounced Conjeeway, not like Gongawai.

So ideally would liked to start there and finish, well where i finish which would hopefully be at the end. aka Newcastle. Not to be. Despite big selling job with offers of night up at wine farm on thursday. Alas, too responsible these workers.

Having said that, having had fathers day and birthday it was like hiking heaven, with a plethora of new gear to motivate one. Like; new carbon fiber hiking poles. Some doof head laughed at the concept, huh, i bite my thumb in your general, westerly direction. these are the best hikers friend. Also cool down jacket. As spring bring out not only flowers but big mark downs on all things winter for hiking.

Train trip from Hornsby>Newcastle, I'm a regular on this, to Teralba. A two bit town really. i did find the best coffee and Egg and bacon rolls in Teralba at, aptly named the Teralba Country Kitchen:

Not only the best, the ONLY Egg and Bacon roll and coffee in Teralba. Own by a sweet old biddie who lamented that demise of the coal industry. Carbon tax know doubt the culprit. With tomorrow being voting day know doubts her leaning. Wish i'd taken a pic of her, looked the part, no end.

Right turn back across the railway station and towards hunter valley. a long walk 6k on road until eventually hitting the trail for real. Few more k and pass under the M1. through this weird area, with mining subsistance all over. warning signs, stay on the track they say.

Through Awaba state forest. following the ridge line. getting used to these hiking poles. finally come to Branxton - Toronto Rd. Stop off for Lunch at the Servo. Two guys, just finished a hike. Keen to tell me they're training for Kakoda. Not the 'tourist' Kakoda. the real one the the Diggers dug into. One guy with a cracked head. hit a rock. Another Bacon n Egg roll. best thing on the menu.

then climb up into the Watagans for real. a great walk. follows the ridge line over looking the Hunter valley and then to the North. Spring, the Rock Orchids are out.

the trail followed the ridge line, precipice each side. pictures really can't capture. Steap on one side, much much steeper on the other.

and even hard walkin' hikers need to wash at the end of the day. or at least when the opportunity arises. 

Now to the campsite destination. Map showed not too far away. Just didnt show that it hugged the edge of the cliff face, literally. Now it was dark. Now i was tired. And with water being long way, fully loaded. Now i was stumbling around. this would have been a great section hike. Just all i wanted was the campsite.

Eventually came to the Mclean point at 8pm ish. Quick nosh up and time for bed.

some great views first thing in the morning.

Good start following the ridge over looking the Hunter. this would be a good day walk. Just not too much water. then a fire down below. Maybe not such a good place to be right now. Fire in the valley. Wind blowing straight up the hill towards me. So maybe we should get down the other side as quickly as we can. So no second night stop over.

A great walk down to Congewai valley. Just running low on water. Then hallelujah, a sign, 500 m off track. Well low and behold a friendly stable horsey centre, similar to the one in hidden valley earlier on the GNW (see blog to Paxton). And a Dunny. With a view. And blow me down, i have the urge to avail myself of its patronage. And a good time to study the map. Took some time to set the camera up as you can see.

So wildlife is few and far between. Saw a Roo, early in the morning. then saw these weird critters. A bunch of catapillars, all walking ontop of each other. Weird. They saw or felt my presence, immediately stopped. then when safe, all in unison marched off, still climbing on the fella (or fella'es) in front. Must find out what they are:

And after that excitement, with reduced payload, had extra spring in the step to get down to the valley Floor. then a short walk up the road with the plan to meet up with Tracey.

So only the Teralba to Newcastle section left todo. Should be good.

GNW - Wondabyne to Patonga

A good one. Day walk with Tracey. 22k Wonda to Tonga. Actually only supposed to be 18, according to map. A few wrong turns along the way. Some one got it in the neck for that.

And a section of the Great North Walk not yet done.

Basically you start at one location on the hawkesbury hike up to the highest point on the central coast, Mtn Wondabyne and back down to another spot on the hawkesbury. Only difference, the end spot has a pub awaiting.

http://connect.garmin.com/activity/341233870


gotta love the train trip. and the drop off at Wonda siding. Just tell the warden/guard fella and stay at the back, siding only accommodates the last wagon. he wasnt there when we hopped on, put us into a flat spin. Hell wouldn't want to be dropped of in Woy Woy, heaven forbid.
I was the pack horse. Tracey's first biggish walk since her Grand Canyon days. We're talking pre-kids here. Obligatory happy snap at trail-head sign. A little chilly still:

Slog upto the top of the range of Brisbane Water NP.

finally right turn to Patonga, and meander downwards. Good amount of water flowing in the rivers. And happy!

 Came across Duke of Ed group, led by crusty old hiking veterans. some looked ok, others wishing when this hell would finish. Veterans backpacks must have wieghed 14kg odd. nothing. Kids looked like they'd bought the kitchen sink. Experience tells. One Crusty had just done 13days in NT, proud to tell us.

Next stop great waterfall and swimming pool. would be good in summer.

when there's a river, it's followed by a big haul up to the top. joys. then ajoins a fire trail before a repeat.

Made the cal to take slight detour up the top on Mtn Wonda. Could not, not after all this way [does that make sense]. Great views all around.

Lunch was calling. Suitable spot required and quickly. A visit to the camping shop day before, bought a yummy dehydrated meal to cook.Mexican Chicken. didnt realise the refried beans would have such an immediate effect on someone...

And after a good meal, some R&R time essential. hard to believe, mid winter, in Tee shirts, shoes off and enjoying the sun.

Only one hour allowed for lunch. We had a long rather uninteresting slog on the fire trails from here, to the drop down to Patonga. Great vista across to Westhead with now reluctant photo model. So selfie was the go. Not a cloud in the sky. Good to choose oh wise one.

 
And trailhead at the end. the pub nigh in sight. And car strategically left there the day before still there. How did you get the car there and get back you ask? that's another story.

And a well earned drink at the end. All parties suitably rewarded.

So only the Newcastle leg of  GNW left. needs to be done by end of month.

Great North Walk - Wondabyne to Paxton

The quest to conquer GNW continued. having done dry run one dayer's. time to do big sleep out.
Attempts to recruit partner failed. Not that i was expecting company. Was quite happy to charge off on my noggin. Nigel no friends.
Initial plan was to do P2P. Patonga to Paxton. Logistics of getting ferry to Patonga dictated change in plan. Practicality of it. Much easier to catch train. A request stop at Wondabyne on the other side of Hawkesbury. not before caffine hit at hornsby cafe, and quite good one it was too.

Damn that pack felt heavy. Ultralight backpacker reading didn't bare fruit.
Section through hawkesbury fantastic. Wet. Rain held off, not. Made good progress on the flats. Breaking into jog. More like a shuffle, still kept the pace up.

After tea break to munch my Walnut Apple Scroll rain threatened, so donned on my rain gear.

Note rain 'skirt'. A bin bag with tie wrap. only problem with said apparel, too narrow so nearly tumbled with longer step. so abandoned that idea. it became the leave mattress.a cunning plan for a good nights sleep this leave mattress idea. yet to be proven.

Some spectacular views which deserved thumbs up.

All good and making fast work of trails. Arriving at Somersby Store 4:15, just before 4:30 close time for pie and water restock. 30k to that point.

Somersby primary school just across the road looked like an inviting sleep over for me and my Gondee tent. If spotted by the local constabulary could well be seen as a Ivan Millat v2, so pressed on, in hope of making campsite. Had noted campsites along the way, what we really talking about is clearings. some with a fire pit. that's it. So ended up walking through Palm Grove Gully with head light. finally tent site spotted 6:30ish. Quickly erected tent, leaves unfortunately sparse so leave mattress proved useless. Cup a soup and dosing by 7:30. Sweet. Aching hip and shoulders were noted for remedial action the next night.

So day one. Wondabyne to Palm Grove 35k. left at 8 arrived at 6:30. Hero.

Started off in the dark. Popping out of a gravel road through 'Hidden Valley'. Horsey territory. in the mist of the morning, very picturesque. 

time to locate a suitable breakfast spot and sample carefully prepared instant oats. Well blow me down, this 'Round Yard Canteen' looks like just the spot. thank you Hidden Valley Co-Operative...

and gas with kettle to boot. And that's not all, after a hearty breakfast and carefully brewed coffee one needs to perform daily rituals. Leave shovel in bag, not required.

Well Hidden valley had some hidden treasures for a merry GNW trail blazer. Note orange cup at door, indicating the urgency of facilities usage. Hikers Gross weight reduced. with new skip in the step.

Day two. target is Yarramalong 25ish:

The great North Walk as i discovered is a series of purpose built trails that connect up existing fire trails in national parks or state forests, or along farm roads. a little is over private land to get to the next state land. So the trails are down into the ravines, gorges and up the other side to the fire trail. All good. As you see, many selfies. with great use of timer. 10sec. place camera, race up the road, click. opps too far in this case. not going back for take two.














Forged with much purpose to yarramalong.
the next campsite proved to be a veritable 5 star luxury resort. A well locate couch, shower cubicle with no water, hook for BYO. Alas, for me a quick rest as it was only 11:30.

Now the map had some very important references for Yarramalong, that became particularly enticing. the Orange one in especially.

A shop equals some good grub. and as it turned out the 'works burger' was outstanding. most things of this nature are outstanding on the trial. Also at the shop was a notice for a B&B. Yes i had my beloved tent, I'm no zealot. And Charlie's B&B was open for my business. A 150year old cottage 3k up the road. And i had cunningly befriended a retired couple on a day out with their Dalmatian, so after swapping Dally stories, they offered me a ride up the road. and it was in the right direction of next days travels. And a fine little establishment Charlies was. 
I  made myself comfortable. Knocked up some risotto (Burger didnt touch sides),

Charlies B&B

So day two 20k odd.

Late start next day. hey why not good sleep in. breakfast, eggs bacon. Muesli.

Long 10k walk through the Yarramalong valley to Track Head. Broken into jog that clocked the ks away.

 All very well sign posted along the way with Track Head signage at main entry points. 10.5k down, 16k odd to go. the next 16k turned out to be quite tough, up and down through gorges and ravines.

With all this hard drudgery a few moments to freshen up. And what a looverly pool to take a dip, freeze your buttocks and pick up a few leaches on the way.

didnt find the next campsite. So any old clearing will do. this time tent site selection was more rigorous. Nice n sandy. leaves for bedding. Using little used shovel churned up ground, contoured for hip and shoulder placement and build from there. And it worked a treat.

Having been snug as a bug by 7:30, woke up at 5 for another early start. No round yard canteen here so breakfast would have to be bush. A bitterly cold wind swept up the mountain side.

Flat rock point proved to be a good spot.
Another cunning weight saving idea was to have multi-use thingies. Like my Cheesecloth scarf. Also served as towel and coffee strainer. Towel after coffee straining not such a good idea. Didnt think that through. Anyway, left it at the canteen. So night sock served as coffee filtering device. Another distinctive aroma was added to the coffee taste. A note for future. Save weight in other areas.

Flat rock look out.

With destination Paxton Pub. Where Tracey was to pick me up. and a looverly couple picked me up on the road.

And rendezvous for sun-downers





All in all an excellent adventure.