Canberra's Favourite - the Cotter loop! - Part One

Any Canberra based motorcyclist who has an interest in bikes beyond the commute would have done this ride at least once.  Plenty to see and do on the Cotter loop and the road conditions are generally good with the odd bump thrown in to keep you from getting complacent.

I will be describing the ride moving from north to south, but the ride can be undertaken starting at either end.  From the north get yourself onto Cotter Road, from the south Tharwa Drive.  While locals will meander through most of the features on the ride I will provide some detail for visitors new to the area.

The first feature of the ride is the Stromlo Observatory.   Sadly the original installation was destroyed in the 2003 bushfires.  The cafe has excellent views towards the Cotter reservoir and for the energetic, an interesting walk with fine views over Canberra and a potted history of the site.  

The remains of Yale Observatory.

Shortly after departing Mount Stromlo you will enter the Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve and not long after that enter the Cotter precinct.   Continue past the pumping station and cross over the single lane bridge.

Cotter River Pumping Station

The Cotter campground is popular with visitors and is well appointed.

If the Cotter loop is Canberra riders' most popular ride then the patch of road most loved by the local road warriors is the Brindabella Road to Uriarra Village stretch - colloquially know as the "Mount Mac ride".   Shortly after the Cotter Camping Ground turn right onto Brindabella Road.

Turn right onto Brindabella Road

Plenty of twisties and you won't be short of company at the weekend!  

A popular meeting place for riders is also the start of a walk to the Cotter Catchment Lookout (2.8 km return) and the Mount McDonald Lookout (5.2 km return) - hence the name of the ride.

Even the local constabulary enjoy a run around Mount Mac! 

Turn around at Uriarra Village and wash and repeat as necessary. 

Once you have had your fill of Brindabella Road return to Cotter Road and head towards Cotter Reserve. 


next ... Part Two - Cotter Reserve. 

Gunning

Gunning is a small town located 75 km north of Canberra.  The highlight for motorcyclist’s being the Merino Café.  Gunning was on the Hume Highway until 1993 when it was bypassed.   The ride from Canberra is pleasant rather than exciting, being a fairly typical Australian minor road. 

Ride north on the Federal Highway and take the Sutton Road turnoff.  The ride takes you through Sutton and Gundaroo.  The road changes name to Gunderoo Road once you pass north of Gundaroo village.

At Gunning have a caffeine break at the Merino Café, no doubt you will be joined by other riders.  For those historically minded Gunning has an interesting range of architecture dating from the late 1800’s.   For something older, take a side trip to Dalton where the aptly named Fossil Rock is located.  Fossils were discovered in the region in the 1880’s and sent to Europe for study.  The specimen on display was once used as a doorstep for a local shop!  Leaves and other artefacts can be clearly seen.

Fossil Rock - Dalton

Some good options for the return ride to Canberra.  Head north from Gunning on the old Hume Highway, now Cullerin Road.  A fun section of 65-75 kmh bends awaits you although the road surface is uneven.  At Breadalbane turn right onto Breadalbane Road, which will take you to Collector.  This road is narrow and very bumpy in places.

Lake George Lookout - Federal Highway

Once at Collector you have the option of returning to Canberra via the Federal Highway or take the longer route via Bungendore.  The Federal Highway will take you along the shore of Lake George, an endorheic lake, as it has no outflow of water to rivers and oceans.  The lake is 25 km long and 10 km wide, extremely shallow, with a very small catchment.   

Resultant evaporation rates, as well as a tendency for strong winds to blow the water back on itself, explain the mysterious filling and drying episodes on both short term (hours) and long term (years) time scales.

Wee Jasper (half) Circuit

The tiny village of Wee Jasper is located about 80 km, as the crow flies, to the north-west of Canberra.   Usually a prerequisite of rides is to have a pub or eatery at the destination.  Sadly this is not the case at Wee Jasper.  But it does offer camping grounds and a cave tour if that piques your interest.  For most of us it is a nice stop for a break in the ride and a byo picnic.

The Wee Jasper circuit can be traversed in either direction, I chose the counter-clockwise route.  A benefit of travelling this way is the road is sealed all the way, so if riders are dirt averse this is the way to go.  Depart Canberra and travel towards Yass on the Barton Highway.  This is a major road so expect plenty of traffic and good road conditions.   Take the Yass Valley Way exit.

If a caffeine hit is necessary travel all the way into the business centre at Yass.  If not, you will see the left turn onto Wee Jasper Road prior to the town centre.  After exiting Yass the ride starts to get more interesting.   Wee Jasper is 54 km from Yass.

The initial ride is a pleasant enough run through some rolling farmland.   As you get close to the Murrumbidgee River the road narrows and winds its way down an escarpment until you reach the Taemas Bridge.  Good views along this part of the route but be wary of the blind turns and pay particular respect to those turns with mirrors!  The road condition is variable with some interesting bumps and don't be surprised to see traffic.  

Climb out from the Taemas Bridge and enjoy the ride as the road meanders up and down and wiggles its way towards Wee Jasper.   

The roads are used by local farmers to graze their cattle.  So when you see the Cattle road signs don't be surprised to see the evidence of cattle having been on the road and even the presence of a herd! (as I did).  

Eventually you will reach the Wee Jasper bridge which spans the Goodradigbee River and the village is on the other side.

Return to Canberra initially the way you came in.  Prior to reaching the Taemas Bridge is the Mountain Creek Road intersection.  There are two sections of dirt on the trek back to Canberra.  Both of these are about 3 km long and generally in good condition.

      

I had intended taking this route but I did not refuel before starting the ride and found myself with the fuel gauge near empty.   With a choice of 58 km to Canberra or 26 km to Yass I decided on the latter and returned the way I had come in.

A fun day ride at what-ever pace you feel comfortable with.

PS.  See Interesting Links for maps of the region.

Demo - GP Bikes

GP Bikes is a realistic motorcycle simulator, based on a scratch built physics engine that accurately simulates motorcycle dynamics and setup options.

GP Bikes also allows to host and join online races, with an integrated matchmaking server. During events data is collected, to provide statistics for riders' comparison.

Features:
- automotive industry-standard tyre model
- dynamic track surface groove buildup
- wet track simulation and dynamic drying
- dynamic marbles generation
- tyres pickup of marbles, grass and dirt, affecting grip
- output of CSV files with telemetry data to analyze riding sessions
- a plugins interface allows external programs to receive realtime data from the simulated bike
- LAN and online racing. Dedicated server available
- advanced users can build new tracks and integrate them with the provided tools.


http://www.gp-bikes.com/

Those French guys know how to have a good time!

IRON BIKERS

High Commission of India

ACT registration day and visit to the High Commission of India.

Tarago

A popular destination for Canberra riders is the Loaded Dog Hotel at Tarago.  It is about a 180 km round trip.  If you are from the northern suburbs a short run up the Federal Highway and turn right onto Macs Reef Road.  Follow this until a T intersection with Bungendore Road and turn right.  Follow this into the outskirts of Bungendore and turn left onto Tarago Road.  An interesting ride behind the wind farm on the hills above Lake George.  The Loaded Dog is the next stop.


Alternate return is via Goulburn Road, turning right onto Kings Highway and onto Bungendore.  Home via Quenbeyan or Macs Reef Road.

The Loaded Dog Hotel, Tarago

Tarago Railway Station