If you’ve ever wanted to see Australian country side up close, I would highly recommend a bike tour – and this bike tour from Canberra to the coast to Berry and back gave you a bit of everything. Travelling together in our pack of 5 with our very capable backup was just joyful – great company, food, bikes and countryside. The tour There’s a saying that the best thing about Canberra is that it is so close to everything else – whether it’s the mountains, snow, coast, country or Sydney. This journey lets you experience up close, much that makes Canberra a great starting point and also, worth leaving (if one needed a reason). It was a lovely leisurely trip with every type of scenery. Rolling hillside from Braidwood to the top of the Clyde, tight twists and turns down the Clyde and Kangaroo Valley, beautiful forests (I love the cycads down the Clyde and spotted gums around Durras), ocean views at Ulladulla and Husky. If the views weren’t enough, the delights of spring were in full bloom as we experienced perfumed clouds of Daphne and wisteria in many of the small towns we rode through. After a fabulous feed in Berry (well actually, two – one needs a big breakfast after a feast the night before), we head off to the back roads of the Southern highlands to Goulburn and then along the back of Lake George (with water!) to Bungendore. These are lovely quiet, open, rolling, often tree lined roads that make you question whether you truly are between Australia’s capital and its largest city. It was a great way to see this region. The bikes Unlike the other riders on the M2C tour, I don’t ride a BMW and I normally ride a smaller bike. The BMW GS650 not only has more oomph than my smaller yet stylish bike (a virago 535) but is quite a bit taller (always a consideration for me being somewhat shorter than the 6 foot that I think I am). Any reservations I had about its height were dispelled within the first few minutes, the bike was responsive, comfortable and simple to ride. For any out there, whose comfort zone is both feet on the ground – these bikes take you out of that comfort zone but very happily so. As BMW riders are sure to tell you (the other 4 riders on this tour certainly did) – they are a pure delight to ride. Nora Galway |