The Bulahdelah Bends

Took the GRiSO for a run from Dungog over Stroud Hill, Booral and onto Bulahdelah. It's been over 20 years since I've had a run through the Bulahdelah Bends (back in the days when that was the Pacific Highway). They are still a blast but pretty neglected. Bit sad - they were legendary in their day. Next to no traffic means lots of leaf litter on the road and moss on the shady bits. Kicked on from there along the Lakes Way to Forster, then back along the Bucketts Way to Gloucester for lunch at Roadies then home. Great ride.

Sadly you are correct about the condition of the bends, with heaps of leaf litter and slippery sections that weren't present when it was the main highway and there was lots of traffic.
Went through there 18 months ago and had to drop to a pedestrian pace as I nearly crashed 3 times in about 4km's due to the dangerous road surface at the time.
A local told me there had been at least one fatality when a guy on a Ducati drifted across a couple of lanes and hit a barrier. There have been a number of other crashes of both bikes and cars on the shitty surface.
Still an interesting ride but be careful.

Appologise to all. I have to excuse myself for the following drivel, its late i am pished. Feel free to ignore all I was trying to say is great road....




I still recall my first run through those bends when I was late teens.

It was, Mid week late at night with my then girl. I recently had over taken a couple of Semi back down towards Hexam, It was my first time heading north on the Pacific Hwy and I was not keen to open the bike up even though the road was pretty straight from what I could tell. I was cruising at a leisurely 70 mph.

The night was brisk I had my girl and life was good, then one of the most harrowing yet satisfying experiences of my life occurred. In the distant darkness behind, lights appeared. At first barley noticeable, they quickly became rather distracting. I decided to up my pace and rid myself of the glare that I could now tell was the two trucks. Open the throttle and they will be gone (or so I foolishly thought) it was time to place some distance between me and the behemoths I had no intention of getting overtaken by. The clock hit 80 and yet they gained. With the speedo nearing the ton I was becoming alarmed, every passing metre had them closer.

My vision was becoming rather hindered and i bottled out, i just did not know the roads. I slowly backed off so that they could pass and settled in to around 65. Too my dismay the first semi did not overtake but closed to within what seemed like a meter or so and began to tail gate us.

I was in the middle of bloody nowhere, had seen the movies of disturbed truckers on lonely byways. Fear had pretty much taken hold and I was like a deer in head lights, literally!

I am unsure how long this went on for but it felt like many miles when suddenly the second semi , pulls and out comes past me at arms length. He proceeded to swerve in front of us not pulling away, we were sandwiched between them for what again seemed an eternity. Eventually the truck ahead accelerated and with that the one behind pulled out over took. Barely had he cleared my nose when he swerved violently dropping wheels of the tar, flicking stones and dirt all over me.

Sweat pouring from my noggin, I fell back and followed at a discreet distance, in stunned silence.

Down the road a while and a second lane had appeared which led to the trucks going into tandem, ensuring none could pass. It was here that we met the foot of the "mountain" .

Holy crap I waffle, really need to not drink and type....

...with the grade increasing the trucks slowed and with the second lane ending formed single file. Something primeval took control (ignorant youth) fear, indignation now anger. I gunned it beat them to the merge and flew away up the hill. The ride that followed took me some where, well almost spiritual, or trance like. It was one of those experiences we have that really make us feel alive! What I recall was that it dawned on me that we would not climb for ever and the trucks would be soon thundering behind again.

I crossed Bulahdelah enjoying an incredible series of rights, lefts, ups and downs. I know it is ingrained in my mind for what went on before the bends, but wow when I think of that ride it still makes me want to find a quiet bit of tarmac.

Great recollection, felt like I was a part of it.

good story teller! My wrist was pinning the trottle at times.

That's not the throttle sunshine.

Somebody get that man another case of beer and set it right next to the keyboard!

Excellent story CD

Sometimes The Gods just smile at our "daring" yet inexplicably will shift to SMITE just fer shits an giggles - seems many of us have either been smiled on or dodged the SMITE - but then again the ones that didn't make it don't say much ......

Nice essay there, CD.

I had no clue what the Bulahdelah Bends were; had never heard of the place.  Have been trying to pronounce since I read of it here.  

Looked 'em up and found this: [You must be registered and logged in to see this link.]

Haven't watched it all, but skimming it seems to show the better riding road to be the first half.  

Would not wish to find myself in mortal combat with big trucks along it!  

Bill

You guys are speaking some weird shit but I understood the part where you rode the Mighty GRiSO.

Pascal, this was prior to the GRiSO being dreamt up, a long long time ago.

OK, I'm fine with it too^^^^^^^^...

Coincidentally, I went through there Saturday morning, on the way from the Central Coast up to Taree.  Went back home yesterday via Nabiac, Krambach, and the Buckets Way.  Still love Bulahdelah Mountain, even with the leaf litter.

Yep
Guys I did them on a ride not long ago.
[You must be registered and logged in to see this link.]
Great ride, did them on the way to see the Swan series at Surfer raceway.
Yes the trucks were an issue, like on a mission scary.
That year I watch all three Swan Surfers, Oran park and Calder, great memories.

Harry