Royal National Park, Sea Cliff Bridge, Wombarra Bowlo and a little gelato to finish.
Sometimes you don't need a big adventure, an elaborate itinerary or even an overnight bag. Sometimes all you need is a motorcycle, a beautiful stretch of road and somewhere good to stop for lunch.
And living in Sydney, we're pretty fortunate to have some spectacular riding country right on our doorstep.
So I fired up my Harley-Davidson Heritage Classic and headed south for a leisurely ride through the Royal National Park, across the iconic Sea Cliff Bridge and down to the Wombarra Bowling Club for lunch.
There was also a little detour for gelato on the way home. Because why not?
The Royal National Park – A Great Way to Start the Day
There's something about riding through the Royal National Park that never gets old.
The winding roads, towering trees and changing scenery make it a brilliant escape from the busyness of Sydney. One minute you're surrounded by thick bushland, the next you're catching glimpses of the coastline.
It's the sort of road that reminds me why I love riding motorcycles.
My Harley-Davidson Heritage Classic might not be the lightest or sportiest motorcycle around, but that's not really the point. It's a bike that encourages you to settle into a comfortable rhythm and simply enjoy being out on the road.
No need to race anywhere. Just enjoy the corners, the scenery and that unmistakable Harley rumble.
Bald Hill and the Spectacular Sea Cliff Bridge
Coming out of the Royal National Park, the scenery really opens up as you approach Bald Hill at Stanwell Tops.
It's one of those places where it's almost compulsory to stop and take in the view.
Looking south, the coastline stretches away with the ocean meeting the dramatic escarpment. It's a view I've seen countless times, yet I still find myself appreciating it.
From there, the road drops down towards Stanwell Park before continuing along the coast to the magnificent Sea Cliff Bridge.
For me, this is one of the most enjoyable little stretches of road in the region.
There's something special about cruising across the bridge with the ocean on one side and the cliffs rising on the other.
It's not a long ride across, but it's certainly memorable.
And on a beautiful day, with the sun shining and the Harley ticking along beneath you, it's hard to imagine wanting to be anywhere else.
Lunch at the Wombarra Bowlo
Of course, every good motorcycle ride needs a decent lunch stop.
This time the destination was the Wombarra Bowling Club, affectionately known as the Wombarra Bowlo.
I have a soft spot for these smaller, local clubs. There's usually a relaxed atmosphere, friendly people and none of the fuss you sometimes find at more fashionable dining spots.
The Wombarra Bowlo fits perfectly into the kind of day I enjoy.
Nothing complicated. Just a laid-back place to sit, enjoy some food and take a break from the road.
Lunch was calamari and duck, making for a pretty satisfying stop after a morning on the bike.
It was exactly what I was looking for.
One of the things I've come to appreciate more as I've got older is that a great day out doesn't need to involve anything particularly extravagant.
A simple lunch at a local bowling club, surrounded by beautiful scenery, can be just as enjoyable as a meal at an expensive restaurant.
And frankly, sometimes it's even better.
A Sweet Detour to Helensburgh
With lunch finished, it was time to start thinking about heading home.
But there was one more stop I had in mind.
Helensburgh.
More specifically, The Gelato Man.
Now, I'm not going to pretend that stopping for gelato was some spontaneous, unexpected decision. A good gelato is always a pretty convincing reason for a detour.
And after a morning of riding followed by a decent lunch, it seemed like the perfect way to round out the day.
A little chocolate and creamy gelato was just what was needed before climbing back aboard the Harley for the journey home.
It's these small indulgences that make a day memorable.
Why I Love These Little Adventures
One of the ideas behind Plenty Left is that adventure doesn't always need to be something enormous.
You don't have to travel halfway around the country, spend thousands of dollars or disappear for weeks at a time to experience something worthwhile.
Sometimes a few hours away from your normal routine is enough.
For me, a day like this ticks all the boxes.
A beautiful ride through the Royal National Park. Spectacular ocean views from Bald Hill and Sea Cliff Bridge. A relaxed lunch at a local bowling club. And a gelato stop on the way home.
Nothing particularly complicated.
But a thoroughly enjoyable day out.
As I get older, I'm finding that I'm less interested in rushing from one thing to the next and more interested in appreciating the experiences along the way.
And that's really what Plenty Left is about.
Getting out there, exploring a little, trying something new and making the most of the opportunities sitting right in front of us.
Even if that's just a motorcycle ride and a good lunch.
Because there's plenty left to see, do and enjoy.
Watch the Ride on YouTube
Want to come along for the ride?
I've put together a video of the day, taking the Harley-Davidson Heritage Classic through the Royal National Park, across Sea Cliff Bridge, down to Wombarra for lunch and finally to Helensburgh for gelato.
Head over to Plenty Left on YouTube to watch the adventure on Sunday night at 6 pm
And if you enjoy motorcycle rides, road trips, travel and making the most of life, I'd love you to subscribe and come along for future adventures.
There's Plenty Left.
Plenty Left | Adventure • Travel • Strength • Life
