Dargo via Licola Saturday 14^th and Sunday 15^th April, 2007

Paul Southwell (leader)	Honda CBR1000	Lyn Duncan	Suzuki GSXR1000
Ian Payne	Honda CBR1000	Peter Feistl	Suzuki GSXR600
Ben Warden	Honda CBR954	Peter Hille	KTM 950

After hearing so much about last years trip to Dargo I was determined to join the club on this weekend away. But disaster struck on the Wednesday before when an awkward movement put my shoulder and neck into some sort of painful spasm! An immediate visit to my physio failed to cure the problem but after a further two visits I felt well enough to ride.

Saturday dawned fine for the easy trip to Berwick where we waited in anticipation to see whether Paul would have his bike repaired in time to lead the ride. When he arrived, I swore he had a new bike, but no, just his old bike clothed in some 2005 limited edition “Titanium” bodywork plus a 2006 sourced, underseat exhaust and blinkers! Very nice job.

With Peter, Ben and myself in attendance, Paul gave a quick rundown of the route and we were away, heading for Pakenham, Bunyip and Longwarry before north to Jindivic and the Old Sale Road to Moe. From here across to Yallourn North where a large truck towing a trailer tested Paul and Ben’s braking prowess as it stormed out of a side road in front of us!

We stopped at Tyres to refuel man and machine, then pushed on to Toongabbie and Heyfield where Lyn was waiting. An elderly woman walking past asked us whether motorcycles were exempt from speed limits. “Of course!” replied Ben.

After a top-up of fuel we left for the 110 km return trip to Licola. As the general store at Licola was closed we continued along the extra 23 km of sealed road to Wellington River. This section is in the National Park and had certainly been in the ‘wars’ recently. Firstly, with the recent bushfires, and then with a torrential rain storm and no vegetation to stabilize the ground, all the top soil had washed away, the flooding river depositing it all over the surrounding area. Consequently, the ground around the blackened trees was denuded, a brown sludge covering all the low lying areas. To make matters worse, this great section of road was awash with sand and debris.

I usually enjoy this section of road but this time it was literally a-real-pain-in-the neck with every bump jarring through me AND we still had the return journey to do! The only answer – more painkillers!

The return trip bypassed Heyfield as we headed straight to Boisdale for fuel. As none was available, onto Briagolong for another break. While stopped it began to rain. Nothing much, just enough to wet the ground and make riding awkward. We pushed on to Stockdale where Paul almost lead us on the wrong road and, although the sign did say ‘Dargo’, we knew the 24km of dirt road wouldn’t be that much fun!

We continued on to Fernbank and the magnificent 60 km road to Dargo. From this point on it was “ride at your own pace” so it was the last I saw of the group as the wind pressure on my neck limited me to just over the legal limit. But what sensational piece of road: tight twisties, open sweepers, long straights, short straights. It had everything!

By the time we reached Dargo, Peter Hille had arrived. Peter had travelled up from Stratford via the many dirt roads that criss-cross the area.

Paul had booked two log cabins next to the pub but as there was only the four of us, one would be ample. Lyn would stay with Peter over the road with the general store owners. The owner, Danny, was a mate of Peter’s and also a dirt bike rider.

A quick shower and freshen up saw us in the bar having a few ‘quiet ones’ – well they would have been except for Peter Feistl’s very animated encouragement of his beloved Essendon who were being diddled out of another AFL win!

Our cabin booking also entitled us to a two course evening meal and a fully cooked breakfast, and what a meal! Sensational - the perfect end to a great day’s riding.

After dinner we were invited back to the ‘Store’ for a cuppa night-cap. Paul declined and on his way to bed stumbled into the wrong cabin and then couldn’t work out where all our gear had gone!

Sunday dawned fine and cool and although there had been some overnight rain, it wouldn’t take it too long for the roads to dry. Over our cooked breakfast, the topic of sleep cropped up. From experience we all know when sharing a cabin full of males, ear plugs are a must and although none of us could actually hear any snoring, Ben insisted that he could “feel” Paul snoring in the next room!

After breakfast we packed up and headed north out of town on the last 20 km of sealed road to check out the recent bushfire destruction. Then back for fuel and our goodbyes before tackling ‘that’ road again. Peter Hille joined us for some of the ride before branching off on to the dirt to meet us halfway to Briagolong where we stopped for fuel again. We said goodbye to Pete and Lyn who were heading directly to Stratford while we would negotiate the myriad of back roads that eventually bought us out at Toongabbie and Tyers for a late lunch.

Earlier in the day we had discussed the possibility of meeting up with the Club ride to Thompson Dam but due to the time, felt they had already passed through. So imagine our surprise when they appeared enroute to Walhalla. We quickly scoffed our lunch and scrambled on to our bikes to head off in pursuit of them! Unfortunately, we caught them sooner than expected due to a first-time rider “failing to negotiate a bend”. But you can read all about that in the official write-up.

We continued with the Club run to Walhalla, Thompson Dam then back to Moe but I’d had enough by this time and continued straight home.

Thanks to Paul for putting the sensational Dargo weekend together. It was just unfortunate that more members were not able to participate! With great roads, good company and ideal accommodation, what else could you ask for!

Ian Payne

PS. The run into Walhalla usually gets the heart rate going but this time for a few of us the heart rate went off the scale as we encountered one of “Victoria’s Finest” coming the other way. Fortunately, he didn’t stop until the intersection where he remarked to the corner markers “The way those guys are riding they’ll be lucky to make Walhalla”.