|
|
Honda CBR1000 |
Ha Du |
Honda CBR600 |
|
Misho Zrakic |
Honda CBR1000 |
Dennis Lindemann |
Honda CBR600 |
|
Paul Southwell |
Honda CBR1000 |
Ben Fuller |
Suzuki GSXR1300 |
|
John Rousseaux |
Honda CBR1000 |
Rob Jones |
Suzuki GSXR1000 |
|
Dave Ward |
Honda CBR1000 |
Ross Gellatly |
Suzuki GSXR1000 |
|
|
Honda CBR1000 |
Bronwyn Manifold |
|
|
Ron Johnston |
Honda CBF1000 |
Cliff Peters |
|
|
|
Honda CBR954 |
Pina Garasi |
Yamaha R6 |
I really didn’t know what to expect. A bunch of destinations, most of which I’d never heard of, linked together, totaling a couple of thousand kilometers. I did guess there would be a lot of riding to be had. Normally I would ride on a Sunday, come home and collapse on the couch thinking how buggered I felt, but also filled with the day’s ride. I wondered how I would cope with four straight days of that at “Club Pace”. The first day was done, and I felt buggered, apprehensive, and wondering if I had taken an extra large bite of the proverbial cherry. Our first night in Orbost had a chair out the front which I found myself collapsed in, somewhat exhausted, and a little bewildered. Ben was my room buddy, and we discussed motorcycle design evolution to the wee hours of the evening. That helped me evaluate why I was there.
Day two, and my friend Misho offered to help me with some lines. “John” he
says, “take the line wide until you can see the exit, that’s when you know
where the true apex is”, “and if there is anyone coming the other way, they
will also see you”. “This is not a race track, this is the real world”. I took
on board his words of wisdom as a matter of safety and good advice. Then we set
off that morning with him slicing through the mountains in a comforting rhythm
for me to follow and watch his words in practice.
That night we stayed at a luxurious place at Adaminaby, the place even had Foxtel and a couch to collapse on. Wrecked I was. And my butt was starting to get saddle sore. The bed was comfy as well and I was instantaneously asleep at an early hour. The early night helped me and I felt refreshed for day three.
I spent the remaining two days as rear rider practicing Misho’s advice,
I could set my own pace and drop back as required, leaving me unhindered to
concentrate, and truly enjoy motorcycle riding. I was having a great time and
noticed how all the pains and aguish had subsided. The scenery was stunning and
the road selection was absolutely fantastic. We had an entire plethora of road
surfaces, weather, flat tyres and a cable malfunction to deal with, all part of
the journey. Even the coppers were in on the party, bless their souls. What a
crazy world it would be without them.
We finished day three, after a pleasant stay at
What a great way to spend a long weekend. Lots of laughs, lots of great
riding, all spent with a fantastic bunch of friends. Thank you.
John Rousseaux