Melbourne Cup Weekend , November 3^rd – 6^th

Saturday morning and I was dead keen to get away on the bike for awhile. The weather forecast for the next few days seemed really promising and the roads we were heading for, probably among the best in the country.

Filling up with Optimax at Hallam, I had just paid when Bruce Saville cruised in on his VFR. I explained that I had to shoot into Dandenong to get some octane booster for the 9r, a real p … off, but no premium unleaded at a lot of the places were we heading.

Arriving back at Hallam there was a pretty full contingent: Dave Ward 996, Bron 600 Monster, Bruce VFR800, Ben Fireblede, Ray GSXR600 with Derek FZR1000 and Trevor Harris YZF1000 arriving at the last moment. A quick run down from Ben and we were soon on our way.

The first stop was at Tyers for a bit of a break, then onto Dargo via Maffra and Briagolong. Corner marking at the Dargo turn off and it soon became apparent we had a drama further back. I nipped back only to find a totally despondent Bruce Saville with an equally despondent looking VFR. The battery had overheated and had a meltdown. DerekkKindly offered to stay with Bruce until the RACV arrived, after which we would meet them at Bairnsdale.

Gathering the rest of the corner markers, we headed onto Dargo. Ray was setting a cracking pace, but knowing the road reasonably well I figured on clearing out. I wasn't counting on a particular 996. Reaching Dargo I was happy to get some food but not so happy when I checked my rear tyre…Damn. Thanks Dave. Dargo was out of unleaded fuel so most of us dropped in enough to get to Bairnsdale, with another fine ride back in the opposite direction. I believe Ray now knows the approximate limits of adhesion, the back stepping out on way in and the front on the way out. At Bairnsdale we fuel up and there is a short wait for Derek. Bruce’s bike was terminal for the rest of this trip.

On to Orbost for the night where we had a good meal and a bit of a wait (11:30 pm) for Pete and Liz to arrive after a ride day at Phillip Island.

Day 2: Getting away reasonably early we it was down to Ben, Pete, Liz, Trevor, Ray, Derek and myself. The rest: Dave, Bron and Dianne were heading back home as they had only planned an overnight stay.

The first stop was Cann River for fuel and breakfast. While sitting down eating in the Cann River café we noticed Tom and Andi pull out of the servo, unfortunately missing the chance to say "Hi".

On to Rockton Junction where we turned toward the coast on the Imlay Road which is getting really cut up these days by log trucks heading east to Eden. A quick regroup at the highway and on through Eden where we turned off and headed onto Bombala, via Wyndam and Cathcart. At Bombala it was time to fuel up again, take a bit of a break, and get something to eat.

Our next target was Jindabyne for lunch, via the Monaro Highway to Cooma and down through Dalgety. These roads are sensational and the views are real treat. Though the weather was warm and sunny, the snow on the mountain peaks was picture perfect.

Jindabyne and Ray is convinced that roads just can't get any better. Everybody nods in agreement. Fuel and lunch at the "Chit Tai" take away and we are sitting under umbrellas to keep out of the sun. Everyone has peeled off at least a few layers of clothing; just fantastic weather.

So onto the Alpine Way and Thredbo. Then back down Mt Kosciuzsko to Tom Groggin on the newly sealed section is a real hoot after the times we've been through in dust and greasy mud. Ben decided on a bit of a regroup and visor cleaning session before heading off on one of my favorite stretches, the road down to Khancoban. This piece of road is pretty tricky and unfortunately it caught out Trevor toward the end. It may have been a bit of target fixation or momentary loss of concentration. Anyway you can't argue with a cliff face of solid rock… Cliff wins, Trev. loses. After a bit of organization, Ben took Trev's bike down to Khancoban, some tourists took Trevor to Corryong hospital, I pillioned Ben back to his bike and we were on the road again.

Covering the 60 kays to Walwa with the sun in our eyes, the Pub was a welcome relief. Once the rooms were organized, I thought the bar was pretty good place to be, as I pondered the days ride. Next a great dinner, and plan the next days’ itinerary.

Day 3: Monday morning and it's an early start for me: a quick trip to Albury to get another rear tyre. What a p**s-off. Anyway, all goes reasonably well and I'm soon on my way to meet up with the rest of the crew at Corryong Hospital to visit Trev.

Derek had decided to cut out on his own for the day, and take in some roads at his own pace.

Pulling in to the servo at Corryong, Ben, Pete ,Liz and Ray had just filled up and so headed on to the hospital where I caught up a short time later, after I caught up with an old mate of mine running the service station and caravan park.

Trevor seemed in pretty good spirits, despite having both Peter and Ben cut off his wedding band with a surgical saw. (His fingers were swollen and the ring was cutting off the blood to his finger…Ed.) Departing the hospital after leaving our best wishes, it was back to some serious riding….well maybe not so serious but definitely grouse fun.

It was up to Cabramurra for lunch and a bit of a town tour before heading off to Kiandra. Heading up the Snowy Mountains Highway to Tumut, the scenery, as usual, was simply awesome. A bit of a break at about Talbingo to regroup and watch the kangaroos, then on up to Tumut for some more fuel. The temperature had been rising all day and by now everyone had shed any extras under their jackets…..fantastic.

The next mission: Rosewood via that most magnificent piece of .. race.. err sorry roadway. It was a take no prisoners effort, with huge numbers on the dials and Ray jammed in my mirrors. The 50 odd K's of extreme concentration was voted a true "Wow Factor" road by everyone.

Pressing onwards, Ben led us down through Tumbarumba where we picked up some more fuel. Then on to the Elliot Way. This is a road that seems to have more than its' fair share of wildlife. But it has nice constant radius bends before tightening up and heading down to the lake at the bottom. Liz stayed firmly glued to the back of Bens' bike and surprised herself just how quickly she could get through those tight twistys. By the time we reached the bottom Peter was having doubts about the condition of his front tyre and decided that he would be happy to rear ride the rest of the afternoon.

After a short break at the lake, we were mobile again heading back along the Elliot Way the same way we had come. Then through Tooma and Towong arriving back at Walwa.

Back at the Pub it was showers, dinner and a few cold drinks…not necessarily in that order, but all welcome. Just as we were wondering where Derek may have gone, in he came after a huge trip all over the countryside.

A few more drinks and the pondering of the next day’s trip home. It was a real pity Bruce's bike letting him down because I know how much he enjoys these trips. Trev didn't get to see to much of the countryside this time around either.

Day 4: Tuesday and it's time to head home. Everyone seems pretty eager to get on the road, but there is no fuel available in Walwa. Ray is pretty low and decides to press on, but Derek is almost empty. Derek decided to head back to Tintaldra for fuel. The rest of us went on to Tallangatta for fuel and a quick break. Unfortunately the break also meant a break in our great weather. This was the first rain we had encountered over the last few days, but thankfully it didn't last for very long.

The trip home included the Dederang Gap to Ovens, a fast winding piece of road that was in excellent condition and is always good fun. From there up to Myrtleford and the back roads down to Swanpool via Moyhu for lunch. After filling up with fuel and food we were just about to get underway when Derek cruised past. On to Yarck for a breakup.

Everyone seemed to agree that the whole ride had been great fun (sorry Bruce, Trev ) And so we split up for the ride home, Ben and Ray one way, Liz, Peter and I the other. A great four days without the intervention of Mr. Plod. Thanks again to Ben for an outstanding effort of leading and to everyone else for the great company.

Rhys Williams (Kawasaki ZX9r)