Australia Day Weekend Walwa

Thursday afternoon, Tim and I arrive at Hallam to be greeted by Geoff Jones. The weather was certainly warm, in fact make that hot. We waited under the shade of the servo for Ben to arrive. Alas no sign of our intrepid leader so we headed off to Yarragon to pick up Geoff Barton. We waited there for a few minutes and sure enough along came a new yellow Fireblade with Ben attached. After a short break we were soon on our way. Leaving at 1pm to travel around 700 km was going to be a bit of a job, but one we were keen to tackle.

Heading off through Moe, Maffra, Stratford, around to Bengworden and then the tippytoe down the Highway through Bainsdale to Bruthen. I guess this was the spot where the best part of the ride was to begin.

Over the next three and a half days we encountered the odd shower but didn't have to stop once to don the wet weather gear. The ride up beside the Tambo River to Omeo, although scenic, was a little hairy due to the damp road surface, but from there on it just got better. Any ride that takes in Hotham, the Tawonga Gap, the Granya Gap and another 50 km of grouse road from Granya to Walwa is indeed a piece of magic. Imagine I was going to get to do it again on the way home.

We arrived at the pub around 9 pm, and our host set us up with a feed of fish and salad for dinner, something we really appreciated. Wayne and Neville soon appeared both having trailered their bikes up, and as usual, the night consisted of a few coolaids and a bit of b/s…great fun.

Next morning every one was fired up for a big day, and that's what it was…. The road from Khancoban had everyone hanging on with low level cloud that all but cancelled any vision, to a couple of really wild skid pans of slimy orange clay. Tim Walker had strange tactic getting through the second one…rally car style… From here on the roads generally were dry and seriously fast with very little traffic for the weekend except for an endless array of Harleys. Our day took in Thredbo, Jindabyne, Charlottes Pass, Adaminaby, the fabulous Elliott Way with a detour to Cabramurra and some extremely cool roads back to Walwa.

On our return we found Bruce Saville patiently waiting at the Pub, and keen to get into the action on Saturday. After dinner we gathered around the maps to plot out the next days travels. I really believe that Ben's knowledge of roads is invaluable when it comes down to picking the best route.

The following day we were heading North to Tumut and back via Rosewood. These trips provide roads to suit every taste, tight and twisty through to smooth high-speed sweepers and great vision everywhere…well almost everywhere. We arrived back at he Pub pretty early and were simply too buggered to do anymore for the day, so we kicked back and took it easy. Wayne decided that with no rear tyre left he may as well load up and head on home. We gave him a hand and he was gone, the rest of us headed back to the bar. There was still the ride home and I was looking forward to the reverse trip over Hotham on the way back

Sunday , and nobody is too active, a light breakfast and start packing. With the bikes loaded we give Neville a hand to get the SP1 onto the trailer and tied down and soon he's on his way. A few minutes later we seem to have everything together and so begins the trip home. Following Ben, the procession winds down past Dederang where Ben, Geoff Jones.and Bruce leave us to head home via the Northern route. Tim, Geoff Barton and myself continued on to Mt Beauty for fuel and then a sensational ride back over Hotham and onto home. Both groups had a trouble free day, and I'm sure were happy to park their bikes for a few days. Thanks to everybody on the ride, because the company is what makes it all memorable….