Yarrangobilly caves

I awoke this morning very much rested, compared to my night in Canberra I slept in a comfortable and warm bed last night at the Alpine Hotel Cooma. It's funny although I have been on the road for a little over two weeks I am only beginning to feel like I am on holidays. I guess because I had done the trip to Sydney on my old bike last year and it was only after I left Cranebrook that I was venturing into new territory as far as motorbike riding is concern.

I had a top day of riding today, I rode out along the Snowy Mountain Highway, the first small town I arrived at was the new Adaminaby when they created lake Eucumbene they flooded the old town, however before doing that they moved everything over the mountains to where the town exists today. The Snowy Mountain Highway is an excellent Motorbike road, although I have been told that early morning and on dusk there are lots of Kangaroos so be warned if you choose to venture along it during those times, admittedly the only roos I saw were dead ones on the side of the road, although I did see heaps of piles of roo poo along the road.

Another danger along this road are other Motorbike riders especially those that are on sports bikes, I had a couple overtake me on blind corners and across double center lines, I think those sporty types feel like they own the road, myself I like to do the speed limit and enjoy the scenery, although I can see their fascination for going fast however nowdays I enjoy the scenery just as much as the bike ride.

My goal for today was to visit Yarrangobilly caves, I arrived at the signposted turnoff only to realise that the road to the caves was approximately 10km of dirt road, The Spyder handled the road with no problems thanks to traction control, I am glad I wasn't on my old Honda it would have been an interesting trip. Luckily the road to the caves was one way, because I would have hated to come across a tin top coming towards me on some of the blind corners.

The rough road was well worth negotiating once I arrived at the cave complex it cost me $25 dollars to visit two caves the first cave was a self guided cave and what an amazing structure, I had taken a few photos however It's a case of you would have to see it for yourself to appreciate the size, just the same I will include the photos on the blog. The second cave I toured was with a group of seven other people and a National park guide the cave was called Jersey Cave, unfortunately my camera's batteries went flat so I didn't get many photos.

I did a total of 200km's today and the Spyder handled the roads with great ease. When I returned to the alpine hotel I met the owner whom was down for the weekend he lives in Sydney, for a rich guy he was very down to earth, he used to own a Harley so we had a chat about bikes, he noticed the dust on my Spyder and asked me if I would like to give it a hose off, he produced a sponge an a bucket of detergent and as I cleaned he helped me hose it off, after that he produced a spray can of tyre black and sprayed my tyres for me... now that's service for you.

After cleaning my bike I went and had an hamburger in the hotel dining room, the food there is very nice and reasonably priced, I would not hesitate to recommend The Alpine Hotel at 170 Sharp street Cooma 02 6452 1466. Use it as a base for exploring the many great roads and other sights in this great part of Australia. And know I didn't get paid for this endorsement. all the staff are friendly and helpful and the rooms are quiet in fact you wouldn't know that there is a bar down stairs.

I have a big riding day ahead of me tomorrow so I am up for an early night. Take care all Steve......