Walwa Resort, Melbourne Cup Weekend

Saturday 2^nd to Tuesday 5^th November

Ben Warden Honda CBR929 Rob Langer BMW R1150GS

Darryl Chivers BMWR1100S Renzo Cunico Yamaha R1

Rhys Williams Kawasaki ZX9R Dave Ward Yamaha R1

Darryn Webster Suzuki TLR1000 Clint Vertigan Suzuki GSXR750

Julie Warden car 7 bikes, 1 car, 8 people

This write-up is only a cursory one – written two months later – details have faded from memory.

Day 1: Destination: Commonwealth Hotel, 182 Nicholoson St, Orbost, via Whitfield, Bright, Hotham, Omeo and Bruthen. 9.30 am Yarck (Saturday) The route says it all. We arrived at about 6 pm in high spirits after a top day’s riding: weather great, roads great, good high skilled group. My odometer indicated 687 km for the day. Upping the rebound damping at the front significantly improved the bikes handling, for the next day, eliminating the front end bobbing up and down on direction changes.

Day 2: Dave, Clint and Darryn headed home. They ran into rain and ended up spending time on the highway rather than the Dargo road as first planned. Meanwhile we headed for Walwa Resort via Cann River, Eden, Cathcart, Bombala, Dalgety, Jindabyne, Thredbo and Corryong. Top roads, top ride.

Two cottages were booked. Julie had arrived by car joining myself and Darryl in one cottage, leaving Rob, Renzo, and Rhys in the other. Given the cottages are two storeys high with three separate sleeping areas, accommodation was very spacious and comfortable. That night we had the fixed price $20 three course meal at the on-site restaurant. Later we sat around watching the kangaroos and birdlife, while overlooking the valley across to the mighty Murray River. An early night as we were pretty buggered.

Day 3: Checking my little book for petrol stops I see Cabramurra and Adelong listed. Hence the route must have been Walwa, Corryong, and Cabramurra for morning tea. It snowed while we were there – an icy snow that looks like hail but floats like snow. On to Kiandra and the Snowy Mountains Highway to Adaminaby – sensational roads. The rain disappeared and the roads were dry and grippy within three kilometres of leaving Cabramurra.

Heading for Adaminaby along the open plains Rhys speared off the road on a 65 km/h corner resulting in minimal cosmetic damage and a short delay before continuing. It was actually a bit more spectacular than that with the bike landing upside down 10 metres from the road in a clump of snow grass, missing many large rocks. He was extremely lucky. It took a few people to push the bike back up onto the road.

We regrouped at Adaminaby before returning to Kiandra and then headed down the Elliot Way stopping at Sin City at the pondage before the steep climb up and out. I think Darryl and Rhys left us at the Tumbarumba intersection, fatigue affecting Darryl, and general soreness Rhys. Rob, Renzo and myself continued on to Tumbarumba, by-passing Rosewood and picking up Rhys’s favourite high speed twisties through the pine plantations to Adelong for fuel and late lunch. It was hot. Then we headed back to Walwa Resort via Tumbarumba and Tintaldra. Another great day’s riding.

Day 4: Home via Mitta Mitta, Dartmouth Dam, Whitfield, Yarck. The ride around the lake and across Granya Gap was sensational. Rhys’s normal grinning face had reappeared with a vengeance, yesterday’s problem now only a historical moment. Mitta Mitta for lunch, break-up at Yarck, home by 3.30 pm.

Great weekend. Thanks to all who participated.

Ben Warden (Honda CBR929)