The departure point for this long weekend’s Jindabyne adventure was Berwick and that suited me to a tee. In fact it allowed a short sleep-in before heading out into the long and hot day.
A full crew of 14 assembled at our starting point.
Pina, as her usual bright self, was already mixing it with the boys and stirring us up. Fortunately or unfortunately she had earlier in the week run into a kangaroo and sufficient damage to the bike meant that Misho had Pina on his back for most of the weekend – as a pillion.
Ben delivered his usual precise instructions before the start of the ride, nominating fuel stops, rear rider, places to ride sedately. Being such a long day, frequent stops had already been planned.
All that said, we set off into the distance
and headed towards Tyers via freeway and the back roads around Drouin and
Yallourn North, which is the fairly normal way for the Club to escape suburbia.
The
Nine kilometres past Tyers at Glengarry we
observed the local law enforcement agent doing a fine job booking a reckless
motorist. Nevertheless, Tony zipped past our group ‘with a rush’ and it didn’t
go un-noticed. When quizzed by the policeman, Tony wasn’t sure of his speed at
the time of passing, so was issued with a stern warning! I recommended to Tony
that the next time he is asked the question of how fast he was going, he should
reply “ Isn’t that your job?”. He noted that for that
for future reference.
Ben has found roads by-passing the highway heading for Licola around Glenmaggie Weir. We rode past the water outlet of the dam which had quite an impressive flow of water that we rode over, thanks to the bridge of course. Later we heard some stories from Rob about crossing a river on a dirt bike. Apparently, if you hit the water fast enough and hold the throttle flat out, you can ride on water for quite a distance.
At Briagolong we stopped for fuel and met up with Peter Hill on his KTM950. He decided that a weekend riding with the boys was just the tonic he needed and felt no guilt leaving Lyn behind. (Lyn was working at Dargo in the General Store …Ed.) Pete is great to have along during these motorbike adventures because he knows plenty about bikes, can tell a good yarn and enjoys a beer or two.
After the re-fuel, we headed in the Bruthen direction, but this time Ben took a new route and instead of a travelling the long and straight. We veered off towards Dargo for more fun twisties followed by a small 1.7 km stretch of dirt. Then we picked up the road to Wy Yung via the eucalypt and pine plantations and in no time arrived in Bruthen for lunch.
While we intended the break to be on the short side, a few of the boys had ordered hamburgers at the local shop and they had to wait up to 30 minutes before receiving their ‘with the lot’. Most of the group departed after I was nominated to lead the stragglers (Misho, Pina, Jean and myself) into Orbost, allowing the guys to finish their lunch.
Next thing I see is Tony on his Hayabusa being pushed down the road by some of the locals. Despite their best efforts the bike would not jump start. Time to take a look… So I sat on the bike and performed the following checks – ignition, headlights on, stand up, neutral – there’s one problem – still in third gear so back two clicks, clutch in, press start – VROOM! Let’s go.
We all arrive in Orbost to fuel up and discuss the stationary, white police car halfway between Bruthen and Nowa Nowa, watching to see if motorists were passing over double white lines. As conscientious and well behaved riders, we smiled as we rode past.
Upon leaving Orbost, Ben took us on a
scenic tour down a dead-end street, much to the delight of two grannies who now
had a biker encounter to add to the day’s excitement. Ben was really looking for
a new road that Lyn told him about. Apparently the maps say that it is still
mostly dirt, but in fact there is only 11 km of dirt before Bonang and another
6 km just over the NSW from
We finally made it into Delegate and then Bombala to fuel up. Ben advises that we have another stretch of super-dirt, which is super-smooth and super-fast. Rob and Hayabusa mounted Ben Fuller opted to ride via Cooma to Jindabyne, as they were staying in town for the weekend. That suited them anyway!
For the rest of the crew, we took the super-dirt highway and reformed just outside Dalgetty, as Ben’s ocky-strap came loose, giving us time to regroup. Then we rode en-masse to Jindabyne and the lodge.
There to greet us were Ron, Julie and their grandson Keon. We had arrived in time to enjoy dinner at the food hall. We all sat on the balcony and enjoyed a cool breeze and a fine meal though we didn’t hang around too long as Paul has acquired a slab of beer and the boys enjoyed a quiet drink back at the lodge while talking bikes.
Bike Story #1 - Dave told us about his new bike and some spare panels. Apparently, someone had purchased a new bike – the same as Dave’s – but the bike unfortunately fell off the trailer when loosening the ocky-straps. The panels and tank were replaced under insurance and with only scratching to the panels, Dave acquired them so that he could put them on his bike for Club riding thereby preserving his pristine panels for when he trades up to the next new model.
Bike Story #2 – As many of you will know, I crashed my original Black GSXR750K7 last February. Fast corner + gravel + Alpine Way near Tom Groggin = OUCH. The bike was written off and the cheque was in the bank! Now, having crashed a bike and wishing to replace the bike with another, insurance is still fairly important. The best prices I could get were still obscene - $1500 plus. With the Tassie trip coming up soon, it was time to either pay-up or bail out and Tassie really is a great ride not to be missed.
So, after MUCH shopping around, eBikeInsurance insured my CBR1100XX and the replacement GSXR750 for $567 for the two bikes. UNREAL!!
The GSXR was purchased from Ballina in
Ben, as always, spent some of the evening planning the next day’s ride and importantly, fuel stops and great roads. The tennis was on and the girls were playing.
Day
Two started and we would head down the coast to
First up and we had to traverse Super-Dirt and head towards Nimmitabel for fuel and wait for Rob and Hayabusa Ben who don’t do super-dirt. Judging by the appearance of their trusty steeds, it would appear that a washing may even have taken place overnight.
Nimmitabel, however, does NOT have fuel. And the service at the bakery is mind-numbingly slow. Even the local had a whinge about it.
So now with little fuel left in our tanks and Jean already running on reserve, another 50 km was stretching it. Ben was quick with the siphon and the 21 litre tank of the Blackbird was quickly nominated for donation, followed by Clifford’s ZX10 – after all, his bike won the Club’s economy run. Then we realised that Ron’s Bandit was probably full, as Ron had been in Jindabyne for a few days. That was the case, so we siphoned fuel from the Bandit into the Blackbird, Jean’s CBR600F and even Ben’s bike received a precious 600ml.
Then we headed for Bombala and fuel before
heading for
Plenty of good roads were enjoyed during
the afternoon including
As we headed for home we again traversed Super-Dirt. This is where Peter and Rod excel. Their dirt bikes/tyres handled the road exquisitely and they passed us road-bikers like we were stuck in second gear. I reckon they might have chuckled and thought – eat my dust – every time they passed us. Rod had a moment just before we returned to Jindabyne: as the main group passed a T-intersection, a car, thinking the road was now clear, proceeded to turn in front of Rod. Impressive riding from Rod as the tyres squirreled and squealed, the car easily avoided.
For the record, I must say that I was impressed with Misho’s riding and Pina’s pillion work. We all rode through the countryside at impressive pace. Good stuff!
Arriving at the lodge and it’s time for a quick chat, quick beer, quick shower and for Misho and Pina, a quick nap!
Then it’s off to town for a $10
cook-you-own steak or chef-cooked
A good time was had by all before returning to the lodge and more bike talk. It was at this point we discovered both Hayabusa’s had severe tyre wear and would need to enjoy a rest day, so Tony and Ben Fuller would have a relaxing day tomorrow.
Several discussions centred on the
Pina, mixing it with the boys as always, was in deep discussion and felt she needed a 5 minute warning before departure. Making sure everything is tucked in, makeup, earplugs – all takes time. We ensured Pina that she would get advance warning where possible…
Pina also proceeded to tell us that we all had issues, despite the fact that she was chasing the boys, trying to hit Ben and others and generally being aggressive in her special fun way…
Ben, Bronwyn and others watched the tennis where Kornakova won over the other Russian girl. Jean was sleeping soundly in the lounge room with his mattress on the floor and Tony had fallen into bed very early and was enjoying a peaceful snore.
Day Three starts with Dave Ward rattling can lids and waking those with closed eyes.
Clifford is keen to get going because he has been up since dawn and he knows that we are headed to Cabramurra via sensational twisty mountain roads. He also wants to leave early to beat the heat as today is likely to be very hot.
Bronwyn is feeling better today but has to ride home anyway as Tuesday morning she has to deliver a training program on cooking Hot Cross Buns! She will ride with us to Khancoban and then hit the highway for the rest of the journey home.
We fuel at the Shell Servo before heading for Thredbo and then down through the mountains with a rest break at Tom Groggin. Misho has the monkey off his back, with Pina travelling on the back of Ben’s Bike, so he is enjoying the freedom of solo. (Pretty sure Pina was still with Misho at this stage; definitely not with Ben …Ed.) Also he is suffering from tyre wear as well so ‘one-up’ is preferable at this stage. A quick visor clean and drink of water and more twisty roads of the Alpine Way. During this stage I am riding with Bronwyn, both to keep her company and to relax, as this is a big day of riding.
After a late breakfast/early lunch at
Khancoban and an encounter with the strange lady in the shop, it was off to
Tumbarumba for a late lunch. We travelled via Cabramurra and the
Then it’s on to the
As usual Tumbarumba is very warm, so most of us parked our bikes under the shop veranda’s. The young policeman politely asked us to move the bikes off the footpath and onto the road.
Several of the locals were keen to suggest that the Alpine Way was equipped with fixed speed cameras that are active. How are they powered is the obvious question. Not likely, is the answer.
Next stop Adaminaby, back across the
I intended riding slowly to Adaminaby to repair the puncture but had extreme trouble getting the bike off the centre stand. The bitumen was very soft and the stand had dug-in. Ron and I had experienced the same issue the previous day. After some mucking around, I got going again and finally caught up with the group lying in the shade at Adaminaby square. Rob was sure he was lying in doggy doo or something else rather smelly. Cliff assisted me with the repairs at the local fuel station before we headed off on the final leg of the day’s ride to Berridale, Dalgetty and home.
Between the
Upon returning to Jindabyne, Dave, Ben,
Peter Hill Misho and Pina headed for
Paul, Rod, Peter and I had a beer or two,
before heading into town with Dave to catch up with Rob and Ben Fuller.
Apparently Ben Fuller had watched three movies and done little else. We ate at
the pub, had a great steak and talked about speed cameras, Eastern Creek,
Returning to the lodge, Pina gave a rundown on her pillion experiences for the day and her appreciation of the 5 minute warning!
Tony had fixed the DVD player by connecting the cables into the correct positions, so we could watch a DVD. Instead we watched the tennis!
Jean has again been quiet today, riding well and enjoying the trip.
Final
Day
Everyone is up and about and ready for an 8:30 am start. First stop Corryong via Khancoban. Rod will leave the ride and head across dirt and go home via an off-road adventure. Julie is driving in the car while Ron joins us on the bike. The Hayabusa boys (Tony and Ben Fuller) are also with us as we head to Corryong.
At the bakehouse in Corryong Pina continues in her aggressive manner, trying to slap Rob about. He probably deserves it… I’m just glad the focus is not on me for the minute.
Coffee and pink cakes for the biker boys!
Ben takes us on another detour to the back
of the racecourse before setting off on fantastic new roads (Briggs Gap and
Next up it’s the
Lunch at the Myrtleford bakery and Pina is subdued for the first time in the ride. Or is she sitting inside in the air-conditioning?
Next we experience the more mundane roads that join the twisties and endure 50 minutes of hot, flat roads to get from Myrtleford to Whitfield, our next stop. Again water and fuel are replenished and perhaps even an ice cream or two.
Onward, ever onward and it’s now the brisk Whitfield/Mansfield section via Tolmie. The fires present not so long ago are hardly visible with trees again green with the lushness of a forest. Mind you, in the split second I enjoyed the greenery, Clifford has passed me and is chasing Ben and I am being left behind. So I pick up the pace only to scrape the pegs on the Blackbird, which again slows me down… darn! GSXR750 next time for sure.
The ride arrives at
Ben decides to end the ride here, only pain
and suffering form here on. We all say goodbye and head for home, which is
another two hours away. The boredom of the
Seeing as this weekend had improved my riding-in-dirt experience, I tackled the Eildon-Jamieson road and the 14 km of twisty, winding, bumpy dirt. Crazy, but fun!
Peter
Feistl