Australia Day Weekend, Jindabyne Day 1 Friday 25^th January

Ben Warden (leader)	Honda CBR954	Misho Zrakic	Suzuki GSXR750
Dave Ward	Honda CBR600RR	Pina Garasi (rear)	Yamaha R6
Tony Grande	KTM 950	Jean Eldridge	Suzuki Bandit 250
Geoff Jones	Yamaha R1	Ron & Julie Johnston	Hyundai Elantra
Rob Langer	BMW 1150GS	Cliff Peters	Suzuki GSXR1000
Renzo Cunico	Honda VFR750	Nic Jacka	Honda CBR600

Weather: fine and hot (sticky) in the afternoon. Distance: 650 km door to door. 11 riders, 1 car, 12 people. Marty would join us next day. Geoff Jones catch us in the evening.

For the last two weeks I have been involved in the installation of five new ovens at work. We did as much as possible on the Thursday and so it was all systems go. These work commitments prevented me from booking into the trip early, so I wasn’t sure if I would get a get bed but a call to Ben told me to come anyway and we would sort it out later. I must admit I was not in the mood for going away but sure am glad I made the effort. Great roads and great company is what makes these trips so enjoyable.

I packed up the gear the night before and did the usual check over on the bike. Brake pads down a little but would last the trip until the next service which is now! New tires were fitted, after the Melbourne Cup trip rapid wear experience, and it was a good choice. They’re now stuffed.

Left home at 7.30am after feeding the dogs and made good time with all the traffic to arrive at 9.15am. A quick coffee and greeting before our leader Ben shows up, followed by Rob and his mate Tony on the KTM. After the pre-ride spiel (are you listening Tony?) we set off around 9.40am. Some will need to fuel up at Merton as unusually, there was no fuel at Yarck.

I had decided to go rear rider as my mind was still at work; I was happy to sit down the back and watch the action.

A little way up the road a small sprinkle of rain resulted in Pina stopping and putting on her wet weathers. I pointed to the blue skies in the direction we were heading, trying to convince her otherwise.

Near Maindample at the end of a long straight, Mr Plod was sitting in the bushes, radar poised, preying on suckers. He was well hidden.

The group made a break on me at Mansfield and I had a lonely ride up the Whitfield road eventually coming across Pina taking off her wet weathers and trying to stuff them into the rear ducktail with a lot of force! We then both enjoyed the run to Whitfield for a quick break including fuel for some. Next stop was Myrtleford for lunch. Along this stretch, Tony, on the KTM, showed how much torque his bike has with a couple of stand-up monos to keep us amused.

After lunch we headed over to Tallangatta via Happy Valley Road and one of the bypasses Ben knows. All the roads are very in good condition with hardly any gravel and very little traffic to contend with. The weather was now heating up and with me wearing my touring gear instead of leathers, it was a little toasty to say the least! I swapped the Rear Rider duties with Jean as we were now heading into the best part and now my mind was on the job.

After the fill up of fuel and lunch at the new lower air conditioned bakery, the next stop would be Walwa. To get there we rode across the good old Granya Gap which is a favourite for many. Tony and I had a great run over it. Then onto the Lake Road for many fast sweepers and spectacular scenery.

It was now getting well into the arvo and I wanted to get a move on as I still had a bed to find. After a few phone calls to Bron, the best accommodation she could find cost nearly $100 a night. The thought of sleeping in Ron and Julie’s car became a real possibility.

A quick fuel stop at Khancoban had everybody jumpy and keen to make a run for it. Both Ben and I were last to go and had a lot fun catching the others one by one. A few cars were not happy with us, one in particular giving Pina a lot of grief. No centre white lines a problem and being out front we often surprised cars on the wrong side of the road.

We regrouped at Tom Groggin for a visor clean and bullshit session and then watched the entertainment of Tony doing a stoppy, losing balance and falling over. Very little physical damage was sustained but maybe a little pride.

There was some minor road works before the Dead Horse Gap where we regrouped for the final time. Ben was surprised by a dingo crossing his path in the steep section. Back to the bikes for a great run past Thredbo and onto our final destination, the NSW Sport and Recreation Centre, Jindabyne.

This place is fantastic and great value for clubs like ours. Ben said I should take Geoff’s bed as he wasn’t expected until next day but I didn’t want to as he might come early (which he did). I noticed that if the couples were sharing a bed, then I could have the spare mattress and put it in the living room. I asked Pina and Misho and they thought that I wanted to share the room with them! I wanted to sleep, not be kept up all night. After all that I took the mattress out of Ron and Julie’s room. Thanks guys.

The complex had a kitchen across the road and we managed to get a three course feed for 20 bucks each which was great value. Ten past eight Geoff rocks in after leaving Gisbourne at 3 pm. Something about road speed matching water temperature – which reads in Fahrenheit! You do the maths!

Both Ben and Geoff brought along bike mags and also some games for all to play while Ron and Julie provided tea and coffee which was most appreciated.

That was Day 1. After roughly 650 kays, we were all pretty stuffed.

Thanks guys for a great weekend. It shows it doesn’t matter who goes, we still get along and have a laugh.  Special thanks to Ben for doing another fine job leading each day. Also to Ron and Julie for providing tea, coffee and food for breaky. Next time you will be riding, Ron, as you do not make a good spectator!

Finally, thanks to all for a great trip.

Dave Ward