2025 will see the Bright Smiles Charity Ride enter its tenth successful year raising funds for the Royal Flying Doctor Service South-Eastern Section Dental Program.
Thursday 1st May 2025
Welcome drinks and dinner in Batemans Bay. We are booked into the Zorba Waterfront Motel in Batemans Bay.
Day 1, Friday 2nd May 2025.
Batemans Bay to Corryong
Tonight we are at the Corryong Hotel/Motel (we stay at Corryong 2 nights)
Approximately 442 km, 5:45 hours riding time
Today is a longer day than normal, but the hero of today’s ride - the section between Jindabyne & Khancoban - makes it all worthwhile.
We start the day with a ride on the back roads along the coastline via Malua Bay, then join the Pacific Highway at Moruya and turn south. There are lots of places to pull up for coffee and to stretch your legs (and don't forget fuel - maybe at Nimmitabel - as Jindabyne is 300 km from Batemans Bay). You turn right off the Pacific Highway about 10 km north of Bega and from here ride through Nimmitabel, Dalgety and Jindabyne. Then we ride up and over the top of the alps at Thredbo, then down the other side through Khancoban and along the Thowlga Valley into Corryong.
HAPPY HOUR will be at the Corryong Hotel from approx. 4:30 pm, and dinner tonight will be at the pub.
(Suggest everybody fuel tonight. The BP is 24x7.)
Map link: https://maps.app.goo.gl/GdahoHyeUTnMmB5R6
Day 2, Saturday 3rd May 2025
Corryong to Hume Weir, and return to Corryong
Approximately 285 km, 3:25 hours riding time
Today is a more leisurely day, and the suggested route out of town follows the southern side of the Murray River through majestic valleys full of postcard like vistas. There is fuel is at Walwa and if you are coming back this way I suggest, if you can't make the 300 km return trip, you fill at Walwa on your way to the Hume Weir. They only have small tanks; don't run the risk of them running out on a Saturday afternoon.
After Jinjellic the Murray River widens at Thologolong, and we ride along the twisting and winding banks of the north arm of Lake Hume for 60 km to the Bethanga Bridge. This road is custom built for motor cyclists and the views are spectacular all the way into Hume Village.
Once we cross over the Murray River back into NSW you have a decision to make. Do you head back to Corryong along the Murray River the way you came, or do you head south-east, and travel back on the main roads, along the equally picturesque southern arm of Lake Hume, past Tallangatta? This trip past Tallangatta and through Koetong is slightly shorter, however there is no fuel on this leg.
HAPPY HOUR will be in the Corryong Hotel from approx. 4:30 pm, and dinner tonight will be at a location TBA.
Map Link: https://maps.app.goo.gl/TaDXaF2pguznjb6g6
Day 3 Sunday 4th May 2025
Corryong to Cowra
Tonight we are staying at the Club Cowra Motel
Approximately 336 km, 3:45 hours riding time
Today we head north, riding along the top of the western ridge of the incredibly beautiful Jagungal Wilderness Area. After about 30 minutes we pass the Southern Cloud Crash Memorial lookout and it is well worth a short break here to take in the views and grab a few happy snaps on your phone.
Our suggested route takes us through Tumut, reknowned as one of the best coffee culture towns in the Snowy Mountains, and then at Gundagai we join the M1 for a short while, before turning off at Coolac to ride via Wallendbeen, Wombat & Young to Cowra.
If you get into town in time, I strongly suggest a trip to the Cowra Japanese Gardens.
HAPPY HOUR will be in the car park of the motel from approx. 4:30 pm before we head off for a chinese feast at around 6:30.
Map Link: https://maps.app.goo.gl/6Ek1FKyNjr9FmwCZ7
Day 4, Monday 5th May 2025
Cowra to Kurrajong Heights for lunch, and then HOME
Approximately 230 km, 2:45 hours riding time, to lunch
We head for home today, and for most of us home is either Sydney or Newcastle. Don't despair - we will still have plenty of good motorcycling roads before we get to the Archibald Hotel at Kurrajong Heights for lunch. (That might include a quick spin around Mount Panorama?)
After lunch we will split up and head off in different directions, and perhaps the Newcastle-based riders will head home via the Putty Road for that last exhilarating fix!
Thank you for coming along on the TENTH Bright Smiles Charity Ride. Whilst we have kept the ride deliberately small, you have collectively achieved big things through your generosity towards the Royal Flying Doctor Service. Thank you.
Safe travels home, and we hope to see you on the BSCR next year.
Map Link: https://maps.app.goo.gl/A3zeD8QnzWrG2NBK8
To make things a little more comfortable for riders, a luggage car is provided to enable you to take a suitcase without loading up your bike too much. There will also be a breakdown trailer following our group, just in case.....
I HAVE PRE-BOOKED 15 ROOMS IN EACH TOWN FOR OUR GROUP, TO BE ALLOCATED ON A FIRST COME BASIS, SO GET YOUR ENTRY FORMS IN ASAP.