Dargo via Licola 10th & 11th
September, 2005
Honda CBR1000 Paul Southwell (leader) Suzuki GSXR1000 Lyn
Honda CBR929 Ben Warden Honda CBR1100XX Peter Feistl
Honda CB900 Jacinta Thomas 5 bikes, 5 people
When Paul Southwell suggested an overnight ride to Dargo, my interest was sparked, but knowing that Paul also enjoys a chat about motorbikes over a cold ale or two, I was a definite starter.
As the weekend approached, the weather forecast was for storms, hail and wind, but with good wet-weather gear and some extra clothing, I was willing to tackle all that mother nature was prepared to throw our way – well, at least until we reached Moe!
The starting point was Berwick and the assembled group consisted of Paul, Ben, Lyn, Jacinta and yours truly. The weather forecast had obviously deterred many, but the mix already ensured plenty of laughs would be shared.
We set forth riding through Pakenham, Longwarry, Jindivick, Neerim South, Crossover, down the Old Sale Road and the first stop at Moe for a salad roll and drink at the Bakery! The little Chinese lady serving us was flat out preparing our food and serving customers, while we were slowly roasting in the shop! So much for the bad weather as predicted.
Seeing as the conditions were so warm the ride continued and we headed off to Yallourn North, then to Tyers and a fuel stop at Heyfield.
The next destination was Licola,
with an extra 23 km leg as we detoured to follow the
(From memory, Devil’s Point in on the way
into Licola from Heyfield. We
caught up with the kind policeman, despite giving him a good 5 minutes head
start out of Heyfield, though I didn’t want to frighten the other riders who
didn’t notice him glide by. When we stopped at the lookout, rather then risk
passing him, he stopped just around the corner, probably concerned for our well
being, it being a dangerous road. Once he realised what we were doing – taking
photos of the view as previously alluded to – see web page- he continued on. But
his concerns must have been further heightened and he did a U turn and headed
back our way. Paul met him mid-corner, Paul using “a lot of”
the road. Mr Policeman’s eyes were as big as saucers, as my mother would
say, as I hassled Paul from the rear, enjoying every moment … Ed.)
Paul had been a bit spooked by the large rocks on the road and especially by the wooden bridges which were haunts of a previous crash. We enjoyed some more sunshine, a chat and filled our bottles with some fresh river water.
On the way back, Ben blitzed past Paul on one of the bridges and I can only assume Paul’s reaction was “Geeezzzz Bennnn”.
Now apparently along this winding road was a flock of sheep that was ‘shepherded’ into the river by an unknown rider. I never saw any sheep, but Ben assured me there were sheep. Maybe that is why the farmer was waving so angrily on the way back…….. (No signage. Probably no permit. Sheep can swim, motorbikes can’t. Blind corner. It was the sheeps’ decision. …Ed.)
Anyway, we stopped at Licola for an ice-cream to cool us down from the hot conditions, but the shop was closed until 3:30 pm. Whilst cooling down, Lyn was looking for somewhere to swim and the boys discussed scraping pegs and the lack of traffic on the roads. It must have been the $1.48 per litre of Premium Unleaded that was scaring people off. So far, the ride was great but what was around the next corner?
We headed back to Heyfield, then
on to Newry, Maffra and
So off we go, to Briagolong,
Ferny Creek and the sensational car-free
So I pulled over under this huge tree to throw on the wet-weather gear, jumper and the winter gloves. By the time I get all this stuff on, I’m feeling like the Michelin man. A few minutes wait and the rain basically stops. I get going only to find Ben, Paul and Lyn around the next corner waiting for Jacinta who has been carrying Ben’s wet-weather jacket etc, taken off due to the warm weather. We finally get it all together and ride the final stretch to the Dargo Pub.
So now here’s a pleasant surprise, we get two cabins for the night, evening meal, dessert and a continental breakfast, for the huge sum of $60 per person. We met this couple also staying for the night in creature comforts, rather than camping up the road at the motorbike rally. She rides a Guzzi 1000 and he rides an ’84 VF1000R.
After a great day’s riding and plenty of tyre wear, it was time to freshen up and settle in for the night at the bar. Paul and Lyn played pool and Jacinta chased a couple of local boys - Graeme and Shultzy, while Ben and I took pleasure in viewing the noticeboards complete with pictures of crashed trucks, buses and tractors from the local area.
We all enjoyed a great dinner, plenty of wine, beer, stories and laughs.
Footy was on the big screen and the place rocked as the Crows were the flavour of the crowd and they were winning. We discussed many a varied topic ranging from serious axe wounds to breeding cows. Saturday night in a country pub is always fun!
Two inches (50mm) of rain fell overnight swelling the river and creating plenty of mud. Spare a thought for those camping at the rally – cold, wet and miserable – while we stayed warm and dry.
The continental breakfast in the morning was long and leisurely and the topic for conversation centred on the previous evening at the pub. Apparently I had complimented Lyn and Jacinta and even given them ‘scores’ out of ten. They were not going to let me live this one down and no matter how I tried to explain this, I was just digging myself a deep hole. During another moment of outrageous laughter at my expense, Ben said ‘Peter, just keep deeping digger’ which of course brought the house the down. (You had to be there!)
By the end of breakfast the girls had me believing my interaction ‘skills’ with females were so bad that maybe I had "latent homosexual tendencies”. Fortunately, the sun was shining, it was 10 o’clock and time to get going, so my character assassination was momentarily on hold.
Ben had problems with his helmet – broken visor screw meant an application of electrical tape was necessary to keep the visor permanently closed. Not good on a rainy day, even with Lyn’s special anti-fogging agent.
We set off down the wet
We crossed the highway at Traralgon and headed to Churchill, Boolarra and the twisty roads to Mirboo North. A Ulysses group of 5 including 2 young women imitated Volvo drivers by acting as ‘mobile chicanes’. With the roads wet and slightly slippery, the passing manoeuvre was carefully planned. Can’t trust those women drivers.
So on to the bakery at Mirboo North where Paul decides to remove his wet-weather pants. He sits on the chair and promptly crashes to the ground, one chair leg broken! The plastic chair is not happy. Next thing I know we are required to sit outside in the cold, whilst eating our salad rolls and sipping weak coffee. The Ulysses group ride on past and one of the girls attempts a mono. She couldn’t get it up! Women!
On to Mirboo and Dumbalk along very wet roads but somehow we missed the showers. We rode to Arawata and the infamous dirt stretch of about three kms. With the road wet, every application of throttle on the straight stretches had the rear wheel spinning…… with the tacho around 8. We regrouped on the sealed surface to re-apply chain lube, lipstick etc, take photos and to enjoy more sunshine.
Next destination was Drouin via Warragul for a final fill-up and farewells. Ben, Lyn and I were corner marking at Lardner and waiting for Paul and Jacinta who decided on the Drouin via Poowong route. There was some concern due to the lengthy wait as the gusting wind had made riding conditions tricky, so I called Paul on the phone but there was no answer. At the same time Jacinta was calling Lyn noting all OK.
We finally all met at Drouin fuel stop. Lyn was thankful as she wasn’t the butt of jokes during the weekend. Jacinta questioned me as to why I called Paul when the groups spilt. Those ‘tendencies’ were again discussed and I could see myself digging deeper with any explanation offered, so just said my farewells and headed for home.
We were greeted with torrential rain, strong headwinds, traffic congestion and every man for himself. (Oops, ‘tendencies’ again…)
I stuck with Ben, squeezing between car, bus and truck then unfortunately lost the group at the last traffic lights before the freeway. Ben and I rode off into the distance. (Oops, ‘tendencies’ again…)
After arriving home, having completed around 1000 kms for the weekend, it was time to put the bike away, freshen up and enjoy a pizza, beer and the Sunday night movie – ‘Strange Bedfellows’ starring Paul Hogan and Michael Caton. Rather appropriate and educational and my new favourite movie. (Oops, ‘tendencies’ again)
I better call my girlfriend in the morning and let her know.
Peter Feistl (Red CBR1100XX Super Blackbird)
p.s. Those who didn’t attend missed a great weekend. Make a point of doing it next time!
p.p.s. The girlfriend has since assured me I’m OK – ie a NORMAL bloke! Phew!