As they say in the classics, the best source of cycle touring info is other cycle tourists, especially if they are coming from where you are going. Or not going in your case.

I’ve just been chatting to Ian W. by phone. He was keen to hear how you are progressing. He’s been offline up in the high country for a few days.

It seems that missing out on Ballimore wasn't the worst thing that could happen to us. We're now in Mendooran and have bumped into another cyclist doing a loop in the area who has told us that she skipped Ballimore because the hotel, where we hoped to camp, is now closed.

It’d be interesting know why the road was closed, and if it was impassable to bicycles as well as motor vehicles.

Occasionally they close side roads because a low level bridge is damaged which can create a traffic free road opportunity for cycle tourers who can walk across.

Without know the closure details though, you couldn’t take the risk of going that way and then having to back track.

It seems that Dubbo was determined to have you visit it.:)

When I first started travelling through that area in the mid 1970s, Dubbo and Wellington were a similar size. Very different to each other nowadays.

Yikes! What a detour. That’s a bit rough. Hope tomorrow goes well. That’s a long stretch in the heat and hills.

Oh, it’s that Angela! Its nice to have a picture to go with a name I recognize.

Might not meet some folks idea of a great picture, but for me, it really captures the early morning feel.

What a treat to meet you in person! It was fun get tips from cycle touring veterans. Thanks for letting us snoop and inquire and for your friendly warmth. We hope to meet again one day.

A few other thoughts:
- The Orange Visitor Information Centre in Byng St is a great source of local and regional information. eg the Orange 360 cycle route maps will give an indication of ride routes.
- DG Cycles in Summer St (the main street) is an an excellent bike shop. Also a source of local ride route info.
- The Central West Cycle Trail could also provide some ideas for routes and sights. It’ll be busy with cyclists at Easter.
- Beware of extra traffic and worse driving at the start and finish of Easter.
- Molong is also a lovely town. A few km (by bike path) out of Molong is a moving memorial to a grim piece of Australian history. The transport of British ‘orphans’ to Australia and their internment on a rural estate near Molong.

Thanks Graham. Please keep these bits of handy info flowing. We're thinking of heading on through Orange to Molong and then Wellington thereafter (this sounds like long term planning relative to how we normally do things) but Leigh might want to spend a day in Orange itself.

Orange is a lovely town, especially the central area. If you have the option of passing through the village of Millthorpe on the way to Lucknow, it’s well worth a visit.
Within Orange, there are many historic homes and sites. Cook Park for example.

It’s quite a climb on a bike, but the nearby extinct volcano Gaanha Bula (Mt Canobolas) has magnificent views. It’s the highest point between Sydney and Perth.

40 years of driving and cycling through the Central West of NSW and I’ve never been to Koorawatha. Thanks for bringing my attention to it.

Cowra has quite a few attractions, with a large Japanese Garden, and the remnants of tragic prisioner-of-war WWII breakout, topping the list. They are few km out of town.

In town, the Lachlan River has a beautiful rest area near the low level crossing adjacent to the caravan park. The Aboriginal art under the main bridge is impressive.

Beyond Cowra, Canowindra has a wonderful small museum. The Age of Fishes. Well worth a look, as is the historic main street of Canowindra.

Ugh. Throwing things at cyclists! Not a good look, Australia! Normally that stuff only happens in the USA. Hope it heals quickly, Leigh!

What an awful thing for someone to do! So sorry that happened, Hope Leigh isn’t too sore.

So sorry to hear about Leigh being hit from a vehicle by some idiot. That sort of dangerous behaviour beggars belief.

I recall there is a police station in Boorowa but it might not be attended full time. If you are up to it, it’d be worth trying to report the incident to the cops. If there have been similar incidents, the report can add to evidence which might lead to a conviction.

Ooh, now I want to see one!