Biblio Turismo

Biblio Turismo 2011 Trip Maps

2011-10-10T22:06:00.001-07:00

Day 1 Map:

http://maps.google.com.au/maps/ms?msid=214401595705494451249.0004aad16270dbe46ed7a&msa=0

Day 2 Map:

http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?msid=214401595705494451249.0004aad185c41ec356f35&msa=0&ll=-31.099982,151.495972&spn=3.367481,4.916382

Day 3 Map:

http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?msid=214401595705494451249.0004aad1b1474159554f4&msa=0

Biblio Turismo 2011: December 1st -4th

2011-09-07T01:54:00.000-07:00

Yes, it's that time of year, so dust of your motorbikes, scooters or cars, there are libraries to be visited and roads to be ridden......

For more information refer to Biblio Turismo 2011 invitation

THE BIKERS FROM BIBLIO

2011-01-25T01:09:00.000-08:00

THE BIKERS FROM BIBLIO By ALAN FLORES WITH A LOT OF HELP FROM A.B. "Banjo" Paterson

Thursday

From across the state they gathered...

Excuse me sir, can you please return the motorcycle via the chute......

There was movement at Campbelltown Library, for the word had passed around
That the librarians from Biblio where on their way,
And were to join the wild librarians – whose bikes were worth a thousand pound,
So all the cracks had gathered to the fray.
All the tried and noted riders from the libraries near and far
Had mustered at the central library overnight,
For the bikers love hard riding where the wild bikers are,
And the sports bikes seem to snuff the battle with delight.

There was Ross Balharrie, who made his pile when he got promoted to the State,

The three young Alans (Flores, Arnold and Walker ) with their hair as black as coal

But few except Roger Clark could ride beside them when their bikes were fairly fast

They would go wherever bike and man could go.
And Leon of Blacktown way came down to lend a hand

No better rider ever held the bars
For never bike could throw him while the saddle girths would stand
He learnt to ride while racing in the burbs.

Mittagong Library

2011-01-25T01:08:00.001-08:00

And so we left Campbelltown for Mittagong, bypassing the Hume and hugging the old rail line past cute villages and old trains. The spring weather with a cooling breeze made for a perfect ride. At Mittagong we criss-crossed the main road until we found a beautiful lake with moms pushing prams. Up the road and to the right they said and there was Mittagong library, well hidden in an 1860 sandstone building that has been renovated with exacting perfection from a school. The children’s room was alive with story time and the staff offered us tea and cake on the lawns out front. This is what Biblio was all about.

There I was going a hundred miles an hour and then...

See a friendly biker librarian at your local library..

Tea and biscuits the way to a Biblio Turistas heart

Ok Alan, I think ten Monte Carlos and five cups are tea is enough

Goulburn Library

2011-01-25T01:07:00.001-08:00

We then moved further south, getting closer to the Alps. Again following the rail line through Bowral, Moss Vale and Bundanoon. The Irish green landscape a blur as we enjoyed the windy road through the small railroad towns. At Marulan a quick fang downs the Freeway to Goulburn and we arrive at their Taj Mahal. “We’re the Biblio gang on our way to Kosciuszko’s side I said” the blank stare convinced me that our intricate and detailed plans had not penetrated as far as Goulburn and it was only day one.

Some read Mills and Boons, others ride a Ducati..

So why are you here again?

Ok, turn the key, a bit of throttle and a mono.....

Braidwood Library

2011-01-25T01:06:00.000-08:00

A long discussion with the staff, a photo shoot followed by a sumptuous lunch and then the back road to Braidwood.

The breeze was cool but not strong and we fought back the urge to spend the rest of the day in the pub. The old gold mining town had a pleasant little library and we took photos of some children on our bikes, had tea and cake, sat on the toilets in the foyer and did a quick tour of the attached one hundred year old building. The toilets were a council initiative to encourage efficient water usage; they were tastefully placed at the front of the library’s entrance for a month or so. The gang wondered what attracted such beautiful women to work in rural libraries; we decided it must be the great pubs over the road.

Wow, look behold our quest is over....we have found the ancient audio book of chamelot

Can we help, no wait, dont run away, librarians, honest, that's right, all of us....really.....

Oh wow, a book on bush pubs, one of these at the bar would come in handy.......

Alan inspects the Braidwood library

Braidwood library staff member, a possible Biblio Turismo convert?

Hey mum can I borrow one of these from the library?

A lazy but fast tour back through the hills to Queanbeyan via a little bit of the ACT saw us finish the days ride, contented that we had brought joy to the people we met and satisfaction that we had a good day’s ride. Then to the pub and the club.

Hi ho Hi Ho it's off to Queanbeyan we go..

Queanbeyan Library

2011-01-25T01:03:00.000-08:00

FRIDAY

Friday saw us gather for breakfast and then on the Queanbeyan City library for more coffee and croissants.

No words can adequately explain this photo..

I was busily talking with Peter Conlon our host when I was asked to speak to the press. It is a marketing tour so this is the price we pay. The press was a camera man from WIN TV and Peter had organised for me to be interviewed by the most gorgeous female journo they had. As the boy revved their bikes for the camera, walked into the library and out again and in again and out again and in again and out again and in again and out again until he had sufficient film to leave on the cutting room floor and pretended to read and then donned their leathers for the day’s ride I muttered words about how great libraries were and enjoying the company of the interviewer who I did not take my eyes off until she said “Aren’t you going with them”. By this time they were in Canberra.

This photo sheds no more light....

Wonderful hospitality from the Queanbeyan staff, a great breakfast to kick start the day...

They also let us inside..

Lights, Camera, Action.....

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Library

2011-01-25T01:00:00.000-08:00

We were on the news that night and again I got my two minutes of fame. I did not see the interview but Alan Walker did and he said the journo looked fabulous.

A quick rush to our next appointment. No red traffic lights, for which I took the credit. We arrived at Civic library at 10am. On time for once. We parked in the ACT Chief Minister’s parking spot. A functionary whose job it was to look out the window all day rushed out on our arrival and we were warned that unless we moved immediately we would be heavily fined for illegal parking. I told him we were the Biblio gang and to bugger off. Alan No 3 saw that the pub across the road was now open and suggested we leave the bikes and quench our thirst. But we were true professionals so we sent Alan over for some cold ones. Our 10am appointment was closed so we moved on to the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander’s library which was not in Belconnen where I took the guys but by the lake back in the city. It was a nice ride and we did get to see more of the ACT. Unfortunately we lost Leon. Here we met the Library Director and were immediately ejected from the library as they had a fire evacuation drill which was organised to coincide with our visit, to give them more time to talk with us outside.

Great hospitality by the team at ATSIS

Great talk, but the delivery was a bit muffled..

Amazing research space

Fantastic building but alas little funds for resources. I tried to give a short talk in the theatre, but the gang were not in the mood to listen. We had a call from Leon to say that Civic opened at 11am and were expecting us. Knowing how much he hates to share female company with other males we told him to entertain them and we would go on to the National. The library ladies had their pictures taken on the bikes and then were off.

National Library

2011-01-25T00:59:00.000-08:00

On leaving this library and racing to the National Library for another meeting with the press we saw two bikes race by us. It turned out to be the Griffith mob.

Brian in deep thought, I love my Aprilla.....

Pam, wow from Griffith to Canberra in only 2 hours, wonder how fast we were going?

We accelerated, but they caught up to us anyway at the steps of the big library. It was good to see them again. A child’s wedding interrupted last year’s attendance. Poor excuse I thought.

And one was there, a stripling on a small and weedy bike,
Her bike was something like a racehorse undersized,
With a touch of Timor pony - three parts thoroughbred at least -
And such as are by mountain bikers prized.
Pam was hard and tough and wiry - just the sorts that won't say die -
There was courage in her quick impatient tread;
And she bore the badge of gameness in her bright and fiery eye,
And the proud and lofty carriage of her head.
But still so slight and beautiful, one would doubt her power to stay,
And the old man said, "That bike will never do
For a long a tiring ride - girl, you'd better stop away,
Those hills are far too rough for such as you."
So Pam waited sad and wistful - only Brian stood her friend -
"I think we ought to let her come," he said;
"I warrant she'll be with us when she's wanted at the end,
For both her bike and she are Dolomite mountains bred.

I got a phone call from Leon, his stead had thrown a hoof and he was waiting for a tow, he wanted to know if we could help. Being the considerate bikers and understanding and compassionate colleagues I discussed his predicament with the other six. The sun was shining, we had an appointment to meet, and Leon was left to fend for himself.

The National Library was amazing and after lots of photos and an interview by another gorgeous journo a local lady librarian on a fast bike led us out of town to out of space.

The National Library rolled out the reserved parking for us......

Ok guys, now please listen, whatever you do don't go anywhere near the green tubes...

Ohh Alan.....

The national library and a capital bike...

Another interview, another opportunity to promote public libraries....all in a days work for the Biblio crew

Tidbinbilla

2011-01-25T00:58:00.000-08:00

The ride to Tidbinbilla was fast and furious.

"He hails from Snowy River, up by Kosciuzko's side,
Where the hills are twice as steep and twice as rough,
Where a bike’s tyres strike firelight from the flint stones every mile,
The man that holds his own is good enough.
And the Snowy River riders on the mountains make their home,
Where the river runs those giant hills between;
I have seen full many bikers since I first commenced to roam,
But nowhere yet such bikers have I seen?"

Wow, they must have foxtel...

Great tour by an incredibly knowledgeable host. In one hour he took us to Mars to travel overland on a rover; to the outermost limits of space and to the planets in between.

Ok, it's agreed, in 2011 Biblio Turismo will go to Mars...

Our road map...

Alan's new Ducati

It was then on to Parliament House.

Parliament library

2011-01-25T00:57:00.000-08:00

Reserved parking! Being met by the Parliamentary Librarian! Security staff briefed! Talking with a MP and dining with a senator! Your full of bullshit said Pam. Well she was partly right.” You’re organised, but not that organised,” she said.

The man in shorts on a mountain bike looked at me when we stopped and I looked back. The Glock on his hip indicated that the Australian Federal Police standards were slipping. Where was the car? He cycled over, looked me up and down put his hand to his revolver and told me to” Piss off; we’re waiting for real terrorists”.

A likely story Mr Flores, now get on your bike, but officer I'm on my bike?

I thought I should outrun him; it wasn’t going to be easy as my bike only had 130 horsepower and his had none. Just then Roxanne Missingham, the Parliamentary Librarian came running down the grassy knoll like Julie Andrews in the Sound of Music. She begged the cop to holster his gun and let us go. He was not convinced and called for backup.

It's ok Alan, it's only a small bullet wound....

Only the presence of Dr Andrew Leigh, member for Fraser and his photographer saved the day.

Dr Andrew Leigh dropped by for a chat and to verify if a motorcycle librarian gang really did exist...We were classified mostly harmless...recomendation provide 500 million dollars funding to Australian public libraries....I'm sure that's what he said...

After the 500 million annual funding bill for Australian Public Libraries was passed we all posed for a photo...

A first for Biblio as we passed through the metal detector to enter the big house. “Bloody big, I heard Brian say, “nothing like this in Griffith”. “10,000 workers a day?” he went on, “more than the population of the Riverina.”

Afternoon tea in the staff room with Library staff and Senator Gary Humphries was a highlight. If Bibliog. keeps rubbing shoulders with any more dignitaries we might get a bad name. We talked and talked and forgot about the time.

“Where are you” the lady from the ABC radio asked. “Its 5.35 and you said you would be here in Dickson for an interview at 5.50. It’s Friday and peak hour. “She went on. “Who was that my fellow bikers asked?” “Oh nothing important”, I said, and then I turned to Pam and said “We need to ride, ride fast!”

The rest were sent to Civic Library to show the flag since I screwed up in the morning and Leon saved the day.

The monster eats traffic like toast, the car with its hood engulfed in smoke was not going to slow me down, lane splitting, red lights, speed limits, meant nothing. I entered the studio at 5.50, on time. Pam rode fast, real fast, however took a wrong turn and was last seen heading for Goulburn.

Civic Library

2011-01-25T00:56:00.000-08:00

I returned to Civic Library to find the male contingent being surrounded by beautiful women telling them how nice Leon was and asking where was he. “Disappeared “I said. “Last seen on Commonwealth Avenue Bridge”. They were disappointed. Drove the monster through security point, had lots of pictures taken including one of a customer on the Duke and then off to dinner and find Leon.

Opps, I have ridden into another library...

I think this Ducati has been in more library foyers than any other on the planet...

Library staff and a Ducati go together like a horse and carriage...

Visiting a library near you....it's super Leon....

Ok, smile and then lets get out of here, there's a traffic cop....

I was at the circulation counter and I checked out a book that was this big....

Yep, that's the Biblio Turismo blog, pretty impressive ehh...

Amazing sculpture at the Civic, probably not ocean going though....

That night the whole gang including Leon dined at the club and told tales and true about the great rides of old and the Italian mountain passes and the bikes they still wish they had. It was agreed that a good biker needed seven bikes to ensure they had a bike for every occasion. Honda whipper snippers, outboards and mowers did not count.

Cooma

2011-01-25T00:55:00.000-08:00

SATURDAY

Saturday saw us head for Cooma. The Snowy Mountain Scheme Town. A nice ride, testing the reins of my beast past the 160 mark and overtaking every car in sight. Once we saw them, we overtook them. The 150 Cruiser riding Neanderthals that we passed at Bredbo gave cause for concern, especially when Brian threw dirt in their faces as he slid pat on his Aprilla at 140 k. They chased, but once there was a curve in the road, they fell behind.

Cooma was in a temporary building while they renovate. All the bosses came to say G’day. Much cake, talking about the job and in Pam’s case meeting old friends.

Cooma library (temporary)

There was rain; it was a Biblio at last. We made the decision to climb the mountain, donned our wet gear and followed Pam to Jindabyne and on to Thredbo.

Thredbo

2011-01-25T00:54:00.000-08:00

So we went - we found the cafe by the big mimosa clump -
We raced away towards the mountain's brow,
And the old man gave his orders, "Boys, go at pies from the jump,
No use to try for fancy eating now.
And, Ross, you must wheel them, try and wheel them to the right.
Ride boldly, lad, and never fear the spills,
For never yet was rider that could keep the bikes in sight,
If once they gain the shelter of those hills."

And a great lunch under the shade of the snow covered mountains.
Another great Biblio moment. We raised our glasses to Ian and Sherrey and looked forward to seeing them next year. And then to Cooma and Queanbeyan.

So Ross rode to wheel them - he was racing on the wing
Where the best and boldest riders take their place,
And he raced his Beemer past them, and he made the ranges ring
With the exhaust, as he met them face to face.
Then they halted for a moment, while he swung the dreaded bars,
But they saw their well-loved mountain full in view,
And they charged beneath the motors with a sharp and sudden dash,
And off into the mountain scrub they flew.

Then fast the riders followed, where the gorges deep and black
Resounded to the thunder of their exhausts,
And the pipes woke the echoes, and they fiercely answered back
From cliffs and crags that beetled overhead.
And upward, ever upward, the wild bikes held their way,
Where mountain ash and Kurrajong grew wide;
And the old man muttered fiercely, "We may bid the bikes good day,
No man can hold them down the other side."

When they reached the mountain's summit, even Flores took a pull,
It well might make the boldest hold their breath,
The wild hop scrub grew thickly, and the hidden ground was full
Of big potholes, and any slip was death.
But the man from Snowy River let the Beemer have his head,
And he swung his bars round and gave a cheer,
And he raced him down the mountain like a torrent down its bed,
While the others stood and watched in very fear.

He sent the flint stones flying, but the Beemer kept its feet,
He cleared the fallen timber in his stride,
And the man from Biblio never shifted in his seat -
It was grand to see that Sydney biker ride.
Through the stringy barks and saplings, on the rough and broken ground,
Down the hillside at a racing pace he went;
And he never pulled the brake till he landed safe and sound,
At the bottom of that terrible descent.

He was right among the bikes as they climbed the further hill,
And the watchers on the mountain standing mute,
Saw him ply the gearshift fiercely, he was right among them still,
As he raced across the clearing in pursuit.
Then they lost him for a moment, where two mountain gullies met
In the ranges, but a final glimpse reveals
On a dim and distant hillside the wild bikers racing yet,
With the man from Biblio at their heels.

And he led them single-handed till their exhaust was white with smoke.
He followed like a bloodhound on their track,
Till they halted cowed and beaten, then he turned their heads for home,
And alone and unassisted brought them back.
But his hardy mountain bike he could scarcely raise a trot,
It was mud from fork to fender from the ride;
But his pluck was still undaunted, and his courage fiery hot,
For never yet was Beemer bike a cur.

And down by Kosciuszko, where the pine-clad ridges raise
Their torn and rugged battlements on high,
Where the air is clear as crystal, and the white stars fairly blaze
At midnight in the cold and frosty sky,
And where around The Overflow the reed beds sweep and sway
To the breezes, and the rolling plains are wide,
The gang from Biblio are a household word today,
And the librarians tell the story of their ride.

At last Thredbo, no library to visit but great views and fresh air..

All accounted for...

Snow on them there hills..

And then back to Queanbeyan for a few ales a thunderstorm and a feast at the local Thai.

Coffee stop

This Biblio gig can be hard work....

And at dinner there was talk of that days ride to the mighty mountain up the road, of rides we had and bikes we rode and how we would rather be there than work.

The Mild Ones are: Ross Balharrie, Pam Young, Alan Arnold, Alan Walker, Brian Young, Leon Alavoine, Ian McCallum, Sherrey, Roger Clark, and Alan Flores.

The Capital Tour

2010-04-23T02:51:00.000-07:00

For the fifth installment of the Biblio Turismo annual ride were heading to the Australian Capital in November 2010!!!

CLick here for the 2010 Biblio Turismo Ride Itinerary !!!

Were you BORN TO BE WILD?

Biblio Turismo is on again.

We are on our way to our Nation’s Capital. The Cruising the Capital Tour
will leave Campbelltown on the 11th November at 9.30am.

Get your motor runnin’
Head out on the highway
Lookin’ for adventure
And whatever comes our way.
Yeah go make it happen
Take the world in a love embrace
Fire all your guns at once
And explode into space.

If you work in a NSW public library come with us by motorbike, scooter or car to Canberra along the pleasant back roads of the Southern Highlands. As you race past the bucolic scenes of grazing cattle you can enjoy each other’s company. Make new friends or just ride like you stole it.

Come discover Mittagong, Goulburn, Braidwood and Queanbeyan get to know your state and meet fellow librarians who will greet you with scones and tea and talk the night away over smooth wines and great tasting food.

We are real riders, rain or shine, sleet or snow WE GO. Refer to previous rides to see how much fun we have. http://biblio-turismo.blogspot.com/

Canberra will be an exciting day though a short ride of only 100 k. This is your opportunity to visit the Tidbinbilla tracking station, see some of their new public libraries, visit the Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders Studies Library, lunch at the National Library and be a guest at the Parliament House.

Haven’t you ladies always wanted to walk around Parliament House in your black leathers and meet a few senators for afternoon tea? I’m sure the men do.

If you live in the ACT, please join us for the day, the more the merrier. If you work in a library or know someone who does, you are invited. Remember you can come by scooter, bike or car. This is a publicity ride so the more of us the better the publicity.
We will spend the three nights in a motel in either Queanbeyan or the ACT.

On Saturday
I like smoke and lightning
Heavy metal thunder
Racin’ with the wind
And feelin’ that I’m under

And so to Cooma. One hundred ks down the road. Last one in town pays for morning tea. A visit with our southern cousins.

THEN

Like a true nature’s child
We were born, born to be wild
We can climb so high
I never wannna die

And so off to Cabramurra NSW highest township for a photo op.

Before you get to have lunch a bit more hard riding so the females in the group can show us how wild they are.

Born to be wild
Born to be wild
“Steppenwolf”

Off to Jindabyne and then Thredbo for lunch.

Back to our motel for a final dinner and some cool ale before an early start Sunday and back to our Walter Mitty lives as humble librarians.

So if you want a wild weekend you can tell your grandchildren about, plan to be at Campbelltown at 9am on the 11 November.

You pay for all your own accommodation meals etc. We give you a free t shirt to celebrate the event. Although the event is organised by Gosford City Council and is sponsored by Keith Ainsworth Booksellers, all the responsibility is yours.
Make sure your vehicle is suitable for the trip, take a mobile phone and as few clothes as you need. Remember the lighter you are the faster you can go.

Dust off your helmets, fill up your tanks and pack your smile, it's time to meet our colleagues in the ACT and celebrate all that is great in the world of libraries whilst enjoying the exhilleration of two wheel motorized travel aboard the greatest invention since sliced bread....the motorcycle!!!

If you want to join the ten of us already going then email me now so we can make final preparations.

Interested riders contact alan.flores@gosford.nsw.gov.au

Some Motel Options
Queanbeyan Mid City Motor Inn - 02 6297 7366
http://www.midcitymotorinn.com.au/
Single $95
Double $110
Central location, good reviews

Hamiltons Townhouse Motel – 02 6297 1877
http://www.hamiltonsmotel.com.au/
Single $121.50
Double $141.40
Good reviews

Walsh’s Hotel – 02 6297 1001
http://www.walshshotel.com.au/
Single $85
Double $90
Central location, Pub, no reviews on accommodation, good food
**Can accommodate large groups for dinner!**

Thursday November 5th Overcast, showers and windy.

2009-11-20T02:50:00.000-08:00

That morning as I rode into the park outside my office I could see myself tearing up the road faster than any other boy has ever gone. I felt that my skin was rough but my soul was ripe and no one was going to stop me now.

This year we were but two. But it only takes two to Biblio.

After innumerable photos of the group by the press photographer surrounded by all the beautiful people from the Library we were off on Alan Arnold’s Kawasaki 250 and my new red Ducati Testastretta powered S4Rs Monster.

The two Alans set off on their two-wheel odyssey to see the Central West and take greetings from the city to the country. As usual the staff at Gosford put on a good feed and Mayor Holstein was there resplendent in his BT4 T shirt.

The Somersby plateau is a beautiful part of the central coast with its green fields and bucolic countryside scenes. We were cruising at about 120k when a few trucks and some grey nomads in a Toyota coaster, no doubt heading to Cessnock for a day of bowls and beer, slowed us,

The odour was familiar. I lent over to switch on recycling until I realised my new Duke had a lot of things but not AC. The odour became a smell. This was the chicken capital of NSW so it should not have been a surprise that we were following a truck loaded with chicken poo doing 80k. I hoped he would turn off soon and after ten kilometres the red poo truck turned into a farm; pity the neighbours. We accelerated back up to cruising speed and the two rockets crossed the range and hugged the corners as we sped toward our Singleton appointment.

The Singleton boarding party welcomed us to their Taj Mahal and gave us welcome coffee and cake. The tall one turned up to join us on his yellow steed and I asked him where he was going and for how long because he sure didn’t look like he was planning to come with us.

I digress. Us Duke riders are clean-shaven, neat and lean and only take what we need. No sense having a bike covered in carbon fibre if you carry one sock too many. Speed and handling are everything. Power to weight is king.

The Mule

2009-11-20T02:49:00.000-08:00

Back to the story. Ross, as the tall one was known, had a pack pony and draught horse rolled into one. I asked him how long he thought it might take him to get to Darwin.

His Beemer had a swag over the pillion seat, two side panniers full of gear and another bag full of tools. This man was prepared for anything and as we were soon to find out, travelled over any mountain through any river and faster than a rabbit being chased by a hawk. I thought the bottle of VB in the brown paper bag hanging out of his left pannier was a mark of the man. This was no ordinary librarian, he was from MANly.

We drank coffee, ate cake and took pictures, thanked them for their hospitality and sped off to Denman. It pured rain and then it got worse, but the big sky country seen from the vantage point of a speeding bike as you slide into open sweeping curves is addictive. The 40 to 60k winds were a slight nuisance, though I often saw Alan A. slide from the left to the right lane and back again, that is, when I saw a glimpse of his taillight. Boy could that Kwaka go. I thought I smelt racing fuel.

We turned into the main highway into Denman but the Beemer was not to be found. I circled back but soon saw the pack mule flying up past me. Ross had stopped to do some running repairs.

Denman library

2009-11-20T02:48:00.000-08:00

Denman library was open and all three staff came out to greet us. A nice new building that could become the standard design of rural libraries. A phone interview with the Central Coast ABC and then off to lunch at a local eatery.

The pub had stopped serving meals so we went to a local café. As I was about to bite into my repast one of the library staff came in and advised us that although it was 2.45pm we were expected in Mudgee by 4pm. I asked her how long should it take if we were to travel the sealed road via Ilford? About two and a half hours she said. No problem, I said, I’ll send Ross along ahead and he should be able to cover the 130k in an hour or so. He will easily make it by 4pm.

I looked across at Ross; he smiled and said, “An hour, an hour how slow do you think the yellow one goes?”

Alan A. called the waitress over and ordered another cup of coffee, “What’s the hurry,” he said, “it’s just over the next hill, and we’re librarians.”

Paris Dakar

2009-11-20T02:47:00.000-08:00

Ross did go ahead, but we found out later it was not directly to Mudgee. The library staff showed him a map of the area, which indicated a dirt road, he had not been on before and he was compelled, as GS riders are, to give it a go. After all, the road was there.

Now I told Alan to ride in front so that I would not leave him in my smoke, but when he got to a side road that had an arrow that said Mudgee he took it and kept riding.

I caught up to him and said 30 bloody k of dirt, we are on road bikes, are you mad? Alan just grinned, dropped his visor and gunned the Kwaka. I was left looking at a cloud of dust. This was turning into an every man for himself trip. Alan had never taken the blue one on a dirt road before and thought it was only 13 k and it would be fun.

So here I was eating dust and thinking do I turn back to the carefully researched newly-sealed road and cruise my new very expensive road machine to Mudgee, or follow this idiot and pretend that just because the Duke has high bars it could be ridden like a scrambler. As each k passed I could feel the life of the tyres being reduced as huge pieces fell off. One of the potholes was so big Alan could have been in it and I would not have known.

And after the dust came the rain.

Mudgee

2009-11-20T02:46:00.001-08:00

The Mudgee town clock indicated 4.15pm and never looked so nice. The lady at the vet told us where the library was. The chocolate box old town hall cum library was warm and dry. The Mayor, quite an affable man, should have been pissed off with our late arrival but welcomed us to his town with open arms. Ross, the bastard, who should have been here earlier was still cruising the back roads, quietly singing the Bavarian National Anthem.

While Alan A. made small talk with the welcoming committee, which consisted of the Friends of the Library committee, the Ulysses Club, Mayor and library staff and the occasional customer, I asked if they wanted to take pictures and when they said “yes,” I went outside and fired up the Duke and rode it into the library.

That’s one of the good things about auto doors for the disabled - they open for bikes as well. When I got to the circ desk I turned into the front reading room and hit the kill button. The locals took it in their stride and lots more pics were taken. Gorgeous women must be attracted to work in rural libraries, Mudgee was full of them. I asked the library manager an easy reference question. “Where is the best pub?” And with the answer we were off.

Ross did turn up eventually and charmed the ladies with his rough macho look. Sometimes it is fashionable to be late.

There followed a nice evening at the Criterion pub with a few ales and tales of the day.

Friday November 6th Overcast, showers and windy.

2009-11-20T02:44:00.000-08:00

A Mr Biddel rang me the previous night. Said he had received a press release from my Council and wanted me to do an interview the next day at precisely 8.15 with Sharmayne. Any later and I would conflict with the funeral report, which would never do.

I rang Sharmayne from the Lachlan Valley Community Radio station at 8.15am and did the interview.

Friday morning saw just what we wanted, more bloody rain. Off to the library, bike back in to the circ desk then, photos with the press and off to Wellington, rain and wind. As we passed the Wellington Gaol we knew we were soon there. The library is in a nice park right in town. More pictures then on to Dubbo.

Arrived at the city library and parked the bikes out of the wind otherwise they would blow over. Talk about the crows flying backwards. Then out of the corner of my eye I saw two bikes approaching. I thought there is a huge empty car park here, why are they parking near us? Big black bikes. Big black English bikes. I reached for my phone to ring the cops, then one of them called my name. Councillor and his colleague from Parkes were here to guide us back to their city, the Gracelands of the South.

Parkes

2009-11-20T02:43:00.000-08:00

As we entered the outskirts of Parkes a gorgeous woman on an Italian bike flagged us down. She told us that we could not enter the town unless she led us in. Who was I to argue with a lady, so we grouped up and followed her into town and as we did photographers filmed us along the way. Soon we entered the street graced by the library and were greeted by about thirty people including councillors, the general manager and library staff and two of the original crew from BT 1 , Ian and Sherrey from Canberra. The helmeted women turned out to be the library manager who then invited us into her library for refreshments. Of course some of us took her literally and rode our bikes in. There followed more photos and lots of food and talk about libraries and bikes. We thanked the Councillors and parted company.

We were soon off again for the short ride to Forbes and more refreshments and wonderful stories from an 82 year old that managed the library’s local history collection. He used to ride a 1941 Harley and told us of his many trips on it.

Forbes

2009-11-20T02:41:00.000-08:00

On departure to freshen up for the night, Ross asked the local journo who came to cover our story were he could camp for the night, having been banned from any motel due to his outrageous behaviour on past tours. His advice was “You go down the road and turn left at the traffic lights, then over the level crossing and past the old pub. You then take the first turn right then next left and follow the Cowra road … To Cowra. There is a great camping spot there. Ross smiled, knowing there’s no such thing as too far, and fired up the Beemer once more.

The sirens are screaming and the fires are howling Way down in the valley tonight
There’s a man in the shadows with a gun in his eye And a blade shining oh so bright
There’s evil in the air and there’s thunder in the sky And a killers on the bloodshot streets
Or so it seemed, but it was a breathalyser squad. Some four cars, three bikes and a wagon, all the cops in Forbes and they stayed there all night on the Lachlan highway. Only one thing to do, ride our bikes back to the motel on the main road through the middle of town.

That evening more drinks at the local club where we celebrated Ian’s birthday with a bottle of Cowra white, and further refined our outrageous motorcycling tales.

Saturday November 8th Overcast, showers and windy again.

2009-11-20T02:39:00.000-08:00

And wherever you are and wherever you go There’s always going to be some light
But I got to get out I got to break it out now
Before the final crack of dawn
So we got to make the most of our one night together
When its over you know
We’ll both be so alone

Forbes on a Saturday morning was like something out of a Wild West movie except that the transportation was cars. The railroad depot newly painted was a museum, a crow sat on the semaphore signal while a freight train stopped road traffic while the guard changed the points for the train’s onward journey to Parkes.

I walked the town at dawn and met Butch who was opening the local Mazda dealership. “How many do you want?” he said, “Oh just looking at the Mazda Three” I replied. “Its crap” he said, “What about the Mazda Two?” “Yeah, its crap as well”, “Then the six?”, “Crap” “What do you recommend”, “The Suzuki Swift” (they make bikes as well), and so we talked for nearly an hour and I listened to the history of Forbes and the wisdom of a man who had seen it all and told me more about rural life than any book.

The four bikes were soon on their way to Eugowra, through bushranger country, past Escort Rock, were Ben Hall and the gang robbed the gold escort in 1862. Flat roads, nice wide turns and then tight corners and small hills revealing the Australian vista exactly like the Australian landscape paintings in the NSW Art Gallery.

Canowindra

2009-11-20T02:38:00.000-08:00

Canowindra library is in a trust-listed street with curved glass front windows in a former dress shop. Another Alan runs the place with his Saturday sidekick. The joint was now packed with Alans. Anything could happen, but morning tea did.

We sat around and talked libraries and waited for Robyn, the local journo to get her camera.

I’m going to hit the highway like a battering ram
On a silver black phantom bike
When the metal is hot and the engine is hungry
And we’re all about to see the light
Nothing ever grows in this rotten old hole
And everything is stunted and lost
And nothing really rocks
And nothing really rolls
And nothings ever worth the cost
And I know that I’m damned if I never get out
And maybe I’m damned if I do
But with any other beat I got left in my heart
You know Id rather be damned with you
With those words written in the wind and ringing in their ears Ian and Sherrey readied for departure to Canberra and the rest of us for Blayney.

Blaney

2009-11-20T02:37:00.001-08:00

The original three fought the mighty wind and flew into Blayney where the local librarian gave us more tea and biscuits and we talked about the town. They had a wonderful museum in the library that consisted of farm and workshop implements from the last 100 years.

Bathurst

2009-11-20T02:34:00.000-08:00

Soon we were in Bathurst, the first library that we visited twice. It was also a destination on the original BT. Much talk about the town and soon Paul arrived and on his super fast Suzuki. We headed out of town and followed the railroad tracks to Katoomba.

The drizzle soon turned to rain as we climbed Victoria Pass and headed for our meeting with Vicky at Katoomba.

Katoomba

2009-11-20T02:33:00.000-08:00

Katoomba was the last stop on the Mild One’s Bat Out of Hell Tour, on Saturday 7 November with afternoon tea being hosted by Blue Mountains Library at the Carrington at 4.00pm. Vicki’s husband, Paul Edmunds, rode to meet the crew at Bathurst Library so he could escort us to Katoomba.

The photo shows Paul (Blue Mountains), Alan Flores (Gosford), Ross Balharrie (Manly) and Alan Arnold (Campbelltown).

A big thank you to the Welcome Committee on Saturday: Leisa Radford (Upper Mountains Library Coordinator) and John Merriman (Local Studies Librarian) who was also our official photographer and Vicki Edmunds the library

Homewards bound

2009-11-20T02:31:00.000-08:00

Sunday. More rain and fog and wind.

I left the motel at 5am

Like a bat out of hell
Ill be gone when the morning comes
When the night is over
Like a bat out of hell Ill be gone gone gone
Like a bat out of hell Ill be gone when the morning comes
When the day is done
And the sun goes down
And the moonlights shining through
Then like a sinner before the gates of heaven
Ill come crawling on back to you

Down the mountain through the fog into more rain on the F4 then into Parramatta and up to Hornsby before gunning the Duke through Mooney Mooney to Gosford.

Next year, BT 5, we’re storming the Capital!

Biblio Turismo 2009

2009-11-08T15:40:00.000-08:00

Alas Biblio Turismo 4 is over. A great time was had by all who participated and a big thank you to the public libraries that provided such a wonderful reception for the riders. An overview of the ride will be posted shortly.

If you would like to upload any photo's relating to the 2009 ride please contact ross.balharrie(at)gmail.com or go directly to the Biblio Turismo flickr page.

2009-09-19T04:46:00.000-07:00

2009-05-05T22:17:00.000-07:00

I’m gonna hit the highway like a battering ram
On a silver black phantom bike
When the metal is hot and the engine is hungry
And were all about to see the light

Greetings librarians, it is time to heed the call and make plans for Biblio Turismo 4. The “Bat Out Of Hell Tour”
The most exiting library activity of the year

BE
Like a bat out of hell
AND
be gone when the morning comes

Departing Gosford on November 5 and heading to Katoomba the long way round via Mudgee, Parkes and Blayney.

I can see myself
Tearing up the road
Faster than any other boy has ever gone
And my skin is rough but my soul is ripe
And no ones gonna stop me now
Come join the cool librarians either on your steed or in your cars and burn up the highway and visit the beautiful people in the public library.

If you want to come just email me.

Gosford City Library hosts the event with the help of fellow Biblio Turistas. Sponsorship welcomed.

We will plan the itinerary, suggest accommodation options and help organize meals, all you have to do is pay for your fuel, accommodation and meals.

We have anything from 250cc to Hayabusas join the parade. The itinerary is based on legal speed limits. No one is ever left behind. Check out our web site and flicker to see what we have done in the past.

http://www.flickr.com/search/?q=biblio+turismo&m=text

It is on rain, hail or shine.

Again their will be a commemorative T shirt and you never know who you might. We have been greeted by Federal Parliament Ministers, Lord mayors and cute librarians, the women were very nice too. All were just so happy to see us and fill us up with coffee and scones. others were sad to see us go while some just wanted to hop on our bikes and join the ride.
The press give us good coverage and you may you’re your picture in the local paper or on the tv news

You can come for all or part of the trip. Or just meet us in the evenings for the end of the road dinners.

On Sunday morning you can make your way home to your loved ones…….or just keep riding like a BAT OUT OF HELL

alan.flores@gosford.nsw.gov.au
02 4325 8801

LIBRARY SERVICES MANAGER
GOSFORD CITY LIBRARY

5-7 NOVEMBER, 2009

MT=MORNING TEA; AT = AFTENOON TEA

THURSDAY 5th KM TIME BREAK TIME
GOSFORD 9.30
SINGLETON 127 1H 50M MT 11.30
MERRIWA 116 1H 31M LUNCH 13.30
MUDGEE 122 1H 30M AT 16.00
TOTAL 365
NIGHT IN MUDGEE

FRIDAY 6th KM TIME BREAK TIME
MUDGEE 9.00
WELLINGTON 101 1H 20M MT 10.30
DUBBO 51 45M - 11.45
PARKES 120 1H 30M LUNCH 13.45
FORBES 32 26M AT 15.00
TOTAL 304
NIGHT IN FORBES

SATURDAY 7th KM TIME BREAK TIME
FORBES 9.00
CANOWINDRA 71 1H MT 10.00
BLAYNEY 75 1H 20M LUNCH 11.30
Mt PANORAMA 40 35M FUN @ BATHURST 14.00

KATOOMBA 100 1H 10M AT2 15.30
TOTAL 306

NIGHT IN KATOOMBA

Biblio Turismo 2009

2009-02-04T15:11:00.000-08:00

Stay tuned for details of the 2009 Biblio Turismo ride. Heading to a Library near you!

In the begining God created motorbikes & then a Library

2008-06-05T23:29:00.000-07:00

DAY ONE THURSDAY

Alan on his Ducati at Gosford Library (requires no encouragement to ride his bike into a library)

Ahh at last my plans are coming together (mad laughter ha ha ha) (Alan and co)

A truely splendid sight

It was cold with cloudy skies as the bikes were parked outside the Gosford City Library ready for the four-day odyssey we call the BT. As I was interviewed in my office by phone by ABC radio, the mayor was outside being interviewed for NBN TV while a reporter from the Express Advocate was waiting to do a pod cast of the trip. This has become a public relations event beyond my wildest expectations. It is usually very hard to get public libraries into the news but here was event that has colour, excitement and romance rolled into one.

Pre-ride briefing; 'Ok chaps listen up, does anyone know where I placed my keys..."

As another group of bikes arrived there was breakfast served and the workers passing through the park were trying to grasp what was going on. The mayor made his farewell speech just as the state minister for Education, John Della Bosca turned up to say hello to Mayor Mcfayden. We had a celebrity send off.

We were away half an hour late at 10am which was to be the story for the whole trip. Its not that we did not travel fast, it was a combination of road works and too tight a schedule. The short days also did not help, Next year we return to the longer days and warmer weather of summer. Having it during Library Week made sense, the sun setting at 5pm when we were never near our destination did not.

Got my motor running, headout on the highway...Born to be Mild.......

The Departure!

Maitland is a greatland

2008-06-05T23:27:00.000-07:00

The Biblio Turismo gang gather at Maitland

Two of the Turistas were to meet us at Maitland and along with the librarian Keryl kept the mayor entertained and made sure he got his interview.

Keryl (Maitland Library manager) and Ian have a chat.

A nice morning tea and a chance to meet the other Turistas.

maitland Library

Soon we were off to Gloucester, The cloud built up and it got colder; the roads were great and free of traffic. The problem with the Duke was first encountered as we left Maitland. A sudden stop as if I had run out of fuel. After a few seconds the bike would start again so I was not overly concerned.

Gloucester

2008-06-05T23:26:00.000-07:00

The possie arrive at Gloucester Library!

At Gloucester
Library we had lunch in the local café and spoke with the librarian and the local press. At this time we were an hour behind schedule but well fed and enjoying the trip. This was all about to change. Up until now all bikes were running well except my Duke. Every thirty minutes it seemed to starve of fuel and come to a complete stop. After several minutes it would start and goes perfectly until it happened all over again. I felt that I could nurse it to Tamworth and get it fixed there.

Thunderbolts way to oblivion

2008-06-05T23:22:00.000-07:00

The ride out of Gloucester was perfect. Full tank of fuel, clear road, beautiful mountains, rushing creeks, autumn leaves, the sound of the duke music to my ears as I accelerated up the mountain, I was on a mission, to reach Tamworth before nightfall.

Halfway up the mountain it began to drizzle, then the fog set in then it got colder then the road became slippery and I was down to 20 k/h. After 50 kms of this I saw the turn off to Tamworth. It wasn't dirt, it was mud. Not easy to ride with clip on handlebars.

Wet wet wet!!!

Nice view midway up Thunderbolts way

Later the other Turistas told me that they saw the dirt road and then a sign that said “Tamworth 90 kms”. Sh*t, what has Flores done to us now? But it was only five kms of dirt as I said, but at the time I did feel the vibes. Character building Ian said, this is not a tour for the inexperienced or faint-hearted.

Umm, this will take some cleaning!

Pilot down--sos--

2008-06-05T23:20:00.000-07:00

I was out of the dirt and beginning a steep descent when my machine stopped. I cruised downhill using gravity and attempted a restart as I had done before. The battery was flat, It was nearly dark I pushed the Duke to the side of the road and the last rider came by as so did a car, which I flagged down and he took me to Tamworth library.

That night I managed to get the NRMA to take me the seventy kms back up the mountain to get the bike on a tow truck and have him deliver it to my motel. We even saw a few kangaroos, an owl, rabbits and a live wombat crossing the road. The Tamworth librarians were wonderful, feeding us and helping us find our accommodation as well as convincing the NRMA that I should get my bike that night, as it may not be there in the morning.

A sad ending for the Ducati....but all is not lost as the following day the phoenix arose!

Dorrigo

2008-06-05T23:06:00.001-07:00

Friday morning saw the crew leave on time and head for Armidale. After having my problems diagnosed by the bike mechanic across the road from the motel and fixed, I was off to join them. The Duke did not miss a beat for the rest of the trip. After speeds in excess of 13k per hour I managed to catch up with the others in time to be in the group photo for the paper.

Riders gather in Armidale

Biblio Bruce meanders into Armidale Library

The highway was an easy ride and cars pulled to one side as I approached at speed from the year like a man on a mission. It was still cold, but no wind and blue skies. More morning tea then on to Dorrigo for lunch. After lunch we were invited to the local child care centre to ride around their carpark for their visual pleasure, but by the time we got there they were asleep. I did manage to go in and read them a book while the others moved on to Belligen.

Once upon a time there was a little red Ducati......

Great hospitality at Dorrigo Library

The road down was tight and slow, but the road along the river to town was a dream. One of the most beautiful drives in the country with sweeping curves to enjoy.

The road was magnificent and some even slowed to 150 to enjoy the scenery, unfortunately Ian did himself some damage by using his foot to hold up the bike when he stopped rather than his center stand. Ian did not realize how heavy a fully laden Honda with pillion was. Lots of Johnny Walker medicine and rest helped ease the pain.

Belligen

2008-06-05T22:59:00.000-07:00

We were met at Belligen by the general manager and the deputy mayor who were very welcoming and gracious and eager to show us plans of their new library.

Belligen Library

Departure

Coffs harbour

2008-06-05T22:57:00.000-07:00

Soon we were on to Coffs Harbour to meet the local Ulysses club group and to talk with the staff. The Moto Guzzi in the library was raffled off and Pam was the lucky winner. Unfortunately she had to leave it as she already had her own bike. As it got dark we joined the Friday night commuters to Nambucca Heads.

Coffs Harbour the Turismo roders were greeted by the local clan.

Coffs library staff and Biblio Roger.

Alan falls in love with the local Guzzi.

Pam was also impressed....time to update?

The Coffs Harbour express book service delivery bike?

Alas Ross and Bruce did not find the Coffs Library, but they did find the beach....wow!!!

Beautiful!

That's an affirmative from me!

Nice helmet hair dude!

Day three

2008-06-05T22:56:00.000-07:00

DAY THREE SATURDAY
A walk around the bay before breakfast and I was ready for a day of hard riding and meeting more of our colleagues.

Early morning walk

Our first stop was Stuart’s Point where we met the librarian who had a library full of customers. After a nice cup of coffee we were off to Kempsey where we did it all over again.

Two of our more adventurous Turistas headed off for Forster via the Oxley Highway, a few extra hundred kms at an appropriate speed was needed to let the Italian and German machines stretch their legs. It's nice to see men enjoying themselves on a fast machine and winding roads.

Taree

2008-06-05T22:55:00.001-07:00

After riding for an hour we turned up at Taree. It is not often I am waved down by a beautiful women at the traffic lights and told” All the women are waiting for you at the library”. We had a meal fit for a King. There was a large dog in the library but it was soon taken to the park next door. After viewing the new library in rented premises one of the librarians led us to their latest library at on her brand new RS900 Triumph. Great bike but I was not to sure about the huge RS on the fairing. We then toured down to the main beach at Forster where we said our goodbyes as we watched dolphins surf the waves.

Nice Triumph

Nice Scenery

Nice Library

Nice helmet...umm debatable...

Nice bear or is that a dog?

A sidetrack adventure up th Oxley

2008-06-05T22:52:00.000-07:00

An hour or two at the motel drinking wine and discussing the days ride set us up for an evening of wining and dining. Pam’s man turned up with a smile on his face and a tale of adventure on the Oxley. An accident avoided by good riding and a great bike.

Brian and Ross travelled the road less travelled (conboyne rd up and overthe Mountains)!

Brian on his adventure bike!!!

The GS in its natural element

Midway up the Oxley.

Chris, the local City Librarian met us at the Thai and Seafood restaurant (No Thai as the cook was away for the night). We all bought a bottle of wine and ate well. Ian’s leg was either feeling better or else he could no longer feel it due to his medication that was in the large red bottle on the table.

farewell

2008-06-05T22:46:00.000-07:00

DAY FOUR SUNDAY

We rose at various times and headed off to our various destinations. I to the central coast, and others to Canberra, Noosa, Ballerat, Sydney, Griffith , Newcastle.

Ian and I left at 7.30am and although the ride past the lakes and through the valleys and across the mountains was superb, the cold finally numbed my toes and I was so cold I had to stop to thaw out. A short break at Raymond Terrace with Ian and was all I needed before the very quick ride home.

Pam,Brian and Ross visited the Forster Library before heading home. Chris provided an informative tour of the Library. Whilst not a new building the Library boasted an innovative design and had some absolutely stunning local indigenous art works on the wall. The childrens area also had a once operational local fishing boat installed, complete with two inbuilt computers, so the little ones could trawl the net? (Ross)

I am already planning next year’s run but it will be in the summer with longer and much warmer days.

Alan A. Flores
Tour Leader

Library Services Manager
Gosford City Library

I will return............

2008 Biblio Turismo

2008-03-26T21:42:00.000-07:00

A LITTLE NONSENSE NOW AND THEN IS RELISHED BY THE WISEST MEN. Roald Dahl

Biblio Turismo is on again. This year it will be in May so as to coincide with Library and Information week. This is our third year and we want it to be our biggest yet.

Biblio Turismo is the NSW public library event of the year when librarians from across the state meet and visit public libraries over a three day period. We do it on motorbikes and use the event to help market public libraries. All those working in the library industry and their partners are invited to come.

So if you have a motorbike or can borrow one and do not mind having your picture in the paper then contact the organiser now. Last year we had bikes from 250cc to 1200cc. If you want to come in a car you are also most welcome.

We will be leaving Gosford on Thursday the 22nd, May and will finish at Forster on the Saturday night. We will travel via Tamworth, Armidale, Coffs Harbour and Taree.

Check out or website for more details and see what great fun we had in previous years.
http://www.biblioturismo.org/

Biblio Turismo 2007

2007-11-27T00:35:00.000-08:00

Alan Flores (narrator) arrives at Engadine Library; wet, wet, wet!!!

Day One Engadine to Bateman’s Bay
I had been watching the weather radar for the last few days and knew what to expect, but I still felt uncomfortable loading up my Duke and taking it out into the rain covered streets on the beginning of what could be a very miserable journey or a memorable tour.
This year’s tour began for me at 6am at Gosford on a very wet Thursday morning in early November. Riding the expressway to Sydney in the pouring rain with limited visibility was bad enough, but to get caught in stop-go traffic as I crossed the harbour bridge was a lot worse.

Engadine: the beginning!

2007-11-27T00:34:00.000-08:00

By the time I reached Engadine it was 9am and the rain had not stopped. We were now three and it was so wet that I brought my Ducati into the library for a photo shoot. Not an easy task to get a fully loaded bike up the ramp through the auto sliding doors and past the security checkout to the circulation desk. What the customers thought of this I have no idea. But the warm welcome of the library manager and her staff, a councilor, the local press and media officer made it all worthwhile.

Speech at send off of Biblio Turismo 2007 by councillor from Sutherland Clr McDonell .

Welcome to the second annual Biblio Turismo
Sutherland shire council is proud to be host to this years Turismo.
We ask our messengers to carry the good wishes of Sutherland Shire to all the municipalities and Shires that will be visited over the next four days as they travel hundred's of kilometres across this great state and visit public libraries big and small.

It has been said that people interact more with local government through public libraries than through any other service. There is a need to make sure that councils are aware of libraries potential and to bring libraries more into mainstream local government operations rather than working alongside local government I hope that this Tour helps in this regard as you meet councillors and library staff on your journey.

I would like to end with a quote from Dylan Thomas as good literature always stirs the soul and makes for good travelling and it is what public libraries are all about.

Do not go gentle into that good night,
Old age should burn and rave at close of day;
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.

Though wise men at their end know dark is right,
Because their words had forked no lightning they
Do not go gentle into that good night.

Good men, the last wave by, crying how bright
Their frail deeds might have danced in a green bay,
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.

Wild men who caught and sang the sun in flight,
And learn, too late, they grieved it on its way,
Do not go gentle into that good night

A welcome cup of coffee and a croissant and two of us left for Corrimal. The other Turista hurt her hand and could not ride.

Engadine staff prepare to shelve the Ducati!

Corrimal

2007-11-27T00:33:00.000-08:00

We thought it safer to go down to the coast via Stanwell Park rather than the steep corners of Bulli Pass.

The coast was dry and we had a nice ride with the surf on one side and the mountains on the other. A taste of what was to come. We arrived at Corrimal and met another Turista from Campbelltown and the Lord mayor of Wollongong. We talked with the local press had our pictures taken and were given another cup of coffee.

Two became three at Corrimal library

Bowral

2007-11-27T00:32:00.001-08:00

Then it was off to Albion Park and up the mountain to Bowral. Rain most of the way and some pretty hairy corners. At Bowral we met the rest of the crew, Pam and her husband from Griffith; Heidi from Canberra; Ross from Manly and then we were seven.

The gathering at Bowral

Bowral Library Manager and the motley biblio Turista's

Ulladulla

2007-11-27T00:31:00.000-08:00

The ride down the mountain to Nowra was one of the worst I have ever experienced. Fog, rain and more rain. We were again out of the rain and we could now make up some time and picked up some speed. Ulladulla was sunny and the two library staff were most welcoming. A short tour of the harbour and we were off to Bateman’s Bay to our motels a quiet drink and a good meal. The discussion turned to bikes and the day’s ride.

Paradise!

Lunchtime reading.

Allan tries his hand at the circ desk!

The charming staff at Ulladulla

Where to next amigo?

Day two Bateman’s bay to Merimbula.

2007-11-27T00:30:00.001-08:00

A visit to the Bateman’s Bay library after which we headed further south down the coast road joining highway one at Moruya. A short time later we were enjoying the hospitality of the Narooma library staff. More pictures and an interview with the local press and it was on to Bega

Bombala to Merimbula

2007-11-27T00:28:00.000-08:00

We found the elusive Mr Sun on the wall of Bombala Library!

More press pictures then we headed up the mountains again to Bombala, population 1500. Fantastic views, great corners, it was what sport bikes were made for. Then the rain a late storm and a massive drop in temperature. Still we met a councilor and the librarian opened her library just for us. The local press was summoned and more pictures.

I got left behind as the Turistas headed fro Eden by a more circuitous but safer route. Being alone on a mountain road surrounded by Pine trees and only the occasional black kangaroo and the sound of my V twin to keep me company. I was relieved to reach Highway One and begin the long ride home; I had reached our most southern point.

I was overtaken by Ian on his Honda 800 and followed him into Merimbula, past the kangaroos grazing on the golf course. We all met at the local pub for a well-earned drink and meal. Heidi came in late after parking her bike outside in the beer garden, which was quite a surprise since we were on the first floor. Awards were given out for fastest, longest distance traveled and hard luck story.

We arrived at Bombala Library via a massive downpour!

The Gods were pleased with the Hyabusha!

Day three Merimbula to Kiama

2007-11-27T00:27:00.000-08:00

Saturday morning saw us having a breakfast feast on the waterfront with Heidi’s cousin who was a local. We then visited the Merimbula library, which was in a squash court, not a converted one, but the saddest of all libraries we had visited. Considering the wealth in the town we had expected better. The library was bigger but no better than when I had managed the library service here in the 1970s.

Some fuel for the riders, before we depart sunny Merrimbula

Merrimbula Library

Warm sunny day, winding dry roads and fast bikes.

2007-11-27T00:15:00.000-08:00

We were now in a groove. Warm sunny day, winding dry roads and fast bikes. Soon we were off to Tathra, then a magic ride to Bermagui where in contrast they were about to open a huge new library. We paid our respects to the building that had served them well for the last thirty years and moved on to Moruya.

A cup of Java and a biscuit and a long talk with the pleasant staff in their well appointed library and we decided to take that great coast road again to Bateman’s Bay for lunch.

Meeting point at Bermagui

The soon to be opened Bermagui Library

Kiama; end of day three

2007-11-27T00:09:00.000-08:00

After lunch we headed on to Nowra, which was closed, as we were late. A short drive north through Seven Mile Beach and we entered Kiama. Tim from the library met us for dinners in a Thai restaurant were we talked politics and where we would go next year.

A well earned drink at the end of the day!

Day four Kiama to Gosford,

2007-11-27T00:00:00.000-08:00

The impressive Kiama Library

The next morning the Kiama staff opened up the library just for us and we were given the royal tour. At about 10 am we all headed home.

Thirteen libraries, four days and over a thousand kilometers.

Biblio Turismo 2007: Engadine to Kiama!!!

2007-08-09T00:07:00.000-07:00

For details on the 2007 Biblio Turismo ride please refer to the Biblio Turismo website.

The ride will occur 8th - 11th November.

Suggested Accomodation for first night stop over at Bateman's Bay. Click here.

Springwood, the begining

2006-11-20T02:40:00.000-08:00

The riders congregate at Springwood Library early Friday morning. The Springwood Library staff welcomed the group to the library and provided a magnificent morning lunch with fresh coffee and tea

Biblio Turismo organiser Alan Flores and the Springwood Library manager admire the new ornaments out the front of the library. Garden gnomes and fountains are passe!

Bathurst

2006-11-20T02:35:00.000-08:00

Can we buy one of these for the Library?

Riders and Bathurst Library staff chat. Once again we received a wonderful welcome, with staff out on the street waving placards as we approached. The riders were treated to an excellent spread of food and enjoyed a tour of the Bathurst Library.

The Biblio Turismo car entrants (Barbara Todes and Helen Sutherland) relax after an early morning start.
The bikes are back at Bathurst, well maybe not racing, but we did enjoy a lap around one of the greatest racing tracks on planet Earth.

Orange

2006-11-20T02:30:00.000-08:00

Ahh doesn't that look nice.......bikes @ your library, now there's a great promotion! The ride from Bathurst to Orange was superb and whilst everyone received a nice dowsing from the storm clouds, all was forgiven as the country side was parched from the current drought. Once again the riders were warmly welcomed by the library staff and yes you guessed it, more food on offer! The riders started to worry about the excessive stress that was placed upon the stitching of the riding leathers. Oh yes, the coffee was superb!!!

Cowra

2006-11-20T02:27:00.000-08:00

Cowra Library provided welcome respite from the stormy weather. The Cowra library staff had arranged a nice afternoon spread (ummm. homemade slices); good enough to entice Tony Abbott to drop by for a quick chat and photo!

The Biblio Turismo rain dance/ worked a treat!

Cootamundra

2006-11-20T02:23:00.000-08:00

After a wonderful evening at the White Ibis hosted by the Mayor of Cootamundra, the team gathered early the next day for a tour of the Cootamundra Library. Yet another example of a vibrant rural community library!

The bikes relax out the front of the Cootamundra library!

Cootamundra to Tumut

2006-11-20T02:19:00.000-08:00

The ride to Tumut from Cootamundra was superb. Alan had selected a backroad to Gundagai which twisted its way through a scenic valley. What normally would have been green hills were reduced by the drought to a dusty and dry vista.

A warm welcome at Tumut Library
Bikes @ Tumut Library

Tumbarumba and the annual heritage festival

2006-11-20T02:05:00.000-08:00

No rural street parade is complete without a fire truck!

One Horse Power

Tumbarumba residents in colonial costume

Left, Right, Left...

Corryong

2006-11-20T02:02:00.000-08:00

From Tumut we headed up and over the hills to the Victorian township of Corryong. The high country provided an excellent array of roads and an awesome view of Mt Kosciusko and Sentinel Peak.

It was a hot day in the saddle; the shade was a welcome relief!

The road to Jingellic was perhaps the best motorcycle road of the trip thus far (well Ross thought it was). Beautiful fast sweepers through a scenic countryside. The group stopped at the Jingellic pub, to stretch legs and quench a hard earned thirst!

Holbrook...Biblio Submerged?

2006-11-20T01:57:00.000-08:00

The enthralling submarine submerged in Terra Firma at Holbrook.

Departed Wagga Wagga early Sunday morning.

2006-11-20T01:52:00.000-08:00

Gundaroo

2006-11-20T01:44:00.000-08:00

Historic Gundaroo Litarary Institute and Library.

Arrived at Gundaroo after a magnificent ride from Wagga Wagga. The blanket of dark blue and grey clouds provided a majestic backdrop to the beautiful rolling hills.

The road goes ever onwards........

2006-11-20T00:35:00.000-08:00

The Last stop of the trip. The remaining participants enjoy some food and a beer at the Gundaroo hotel before heading home!

The end? No, just the beginning! The best laid plans of Librarians and motorcycles will conspire to create Biblio Turismo II. For those interested in learning more about Biblio Turismo check out http://groups-beta.google.com/group/turismo-biblio or email Turismo.biblio@gmail.com and if you are still inspired then sign-up for adventure.