|
Ron Johnston |
Honda CB1000 |
Pina Garasi |
Yamaha R6 |
|
|
Honda CBR954 |
Peter Feistl |
Suzuki GSXR750 |
|
Misho Zrakic |
Honda CBR1000 |
Ben Fuller |
Suzuki GSXR1000 |
|
Cliff Peters |
|
Rhys Williams |
Yamaha V-Max |
|
Ken Wright |
Aprilia RSV1000 |
Barb Peters/Julie Johnston |
Car |
Notes and Reflections:
Barb and Julie had set off on the Friday and stopped at a motel en-route, breaking the journey in to two easy days. Ron rode his bike meeting up with them. There were some navigational issues on the second day and an extra scenic 100 km around Granya Gap was inserted into the route. Barb had kindly offered to take people’s bags so that they could ride without the extra weight. This really makes the trip a lot easier. Thanks Barb.
Saturday
Day 1.
The bikes met at Berwick for a 9 am leave. Today’s route would encompass Berwick (115km) Tyers (85km) Briagolong (90) Bruthen (65) Orbost (165) Bombala (50) Nimmitabel (80) Jindabyne. 648 km in total. This included 17.5 km of dirt between Orbost and Bombala in two sections, the first and most difficult 10.8 km long. Heading into Dalgety there is another 11 km long section and from memory it took about 7 minutes. Easy and fast. Peter tried really hard to catch up. I digress. Back to the start.
At Robin Hood (near Drouin) we stopped to put our wet weathers on, the misty rain closing in and looking decidedly serious. No sooner had we dressed than it stopped. That was the last rain we saw for the whole weekend. I chose the most direct route to Tyers, and then the now well worn route around towards Licola and on to Briagolong for the first food break.
The 85 km of twisty road between Orbost and the dirt is motorcycle heaven. The road gently rises working its way up various valleys. It is a logging truck road and very well made. We regrouped at the end of the first dirt section to share the exhilaration.
Bombala saw Pina’s bike expire, #4 plug blowing out as we were about to leave, an ominous chuff, chuff emanating from the motor. We removed the tank and airbox and various plastics to get access to stick coil and plug, clearly sitting proud. The theory was that either the plug was going to screw back in - hoping it was loose and had just wound itself out – or, in the worse case scenario, the thread in the head was stripped and the bike was going nowhere. It was the latter.
Pina (or was that me?) chatted up the local cop filling his 4WD with petrol and negotiated to leave her bike parked under cover at the police station, alas with the steering lock on – despite me consciously noting not to do that. But I did remember to leave it in neutral! This would later prove problematic for the trucking company who had to load the bike amongst the hay bales and wood. The bike suffered various injuries en-route – fairing rubbed through, pillion seat rope burn. Pina is being very stoic about the whole business.
We lost an hour but gained a few paragraphs with this incident. Pina pillioned with Misho for the next 2300 km, a feat none of us would even contemplate, let alone do. True love.
Accommodation was excellent with all of us having rooms to ourselves due to the lack of numbers. Ha Du (sick) and Danny Hawker (sick) had cancelled late and other possible starters, Ern Reeders and Paul Southwell were out of action. Marty Thompson, Trevor Harris and Dave Ward (work) were also potential starters. Luckily, Ken Wright and Rhys Williams, former long serving club members who still follow the Club via the web, were heading out on their own ride, and were happy to spend a night with us, arriving the second night. Their presence helped defray the financial loss to the Club. They also provided a good dose of humour, having done it all before, recalling some occasions thought forgotten. Misho was particularly interested to hear some of the old stories, mainly crash related!
First night we had the BBQ pack instead of the three course meal, as the cook was not working that night. There was a mountain of food including sausages and steaks, bread and butter, green salad and various sauces. They even threw in a large Sarah Lee chocolate cake which we were still eating three days later. The BBQ fed us for two nights, a bargain at $9 a head. Probably take up the offer the next time we visit.
Barb and Julie looked after us each morning by cooking bacon and eggs and tomatoes to go with the toast and coffee. Barb wouldn’t accept any compensation, her way of supporting her man and the Club. She even made a trifle for the second night. Much appreciated by all.
The night’s entertainment included the Club DVD on the big screen, once we worked out how to drive it. Of course, the Australian Open (tennis) was in full swing with plenty of 5 setters to wile the night away. Another option was to sit outside and tell yarns while quaffing a few ales.
Sunday,
Day 2
Route: Jindabyne (36) Dalgetty (18) Berridale (51) Adaminaby (38) Kiandra, Elliot Way, Sue City (80) Tumbarumba, Rosewood Road (72) Tumut, Wee Jasper Road, Jungabilly, almost Gundagai (150) Tumut Rosewood Road (72) Tumbarumba (75) Khancoban (110) Jindabyne via Alpine Way. 690 km total
All the really good roads, non-stop twisties, temperature
around 40 degrees up towards Gundagai, otherwise low 30’s. Brilliant riding weather. Road surface in best
condition everywhere. The usual stops at
Monday
Day 3
Route: Jindabyne (132) Bombala (109)
Easy day with Cliff, Barb,
Ron and Julie meeting us for lunch at
I decided to investigate the Dalgety to Bombala direct road, rather than going around through Nimmitabel. It is 30 km long, all dirt according to the map, but it turned out to be bitumen with14 km of good road works, likely to be finished next time we visit. This shortcut cut off 30 km of highway, an excellent discovery. Riders were given the choice of 11 km of known dirt via Nimmitabel, or 30 km of unknown surface. Misho/Pina and Ben Fuller went the conservative long way around, while Peter and I took the gamble. Peter and I reached the junction 5-10 minutes before the other pair.
In Bombala, Pina checked her bike and began
the hunt for alternative transport for it back to
The
The opportunity to visit
Tuesday Day
4, Jindabyne to
Route: Jindabyne (109) Bombala (163) Orbost (65) Bruthen (90) Briagolong (85) Tyers (74) Longwarry North 582 km total. Total of totals 2480 Berwick to Longwarry (2640 home to home)
Morning tea at Bombala before the next challenging stint. The 17.5 km of dirt proved far more difficult heading downhill (as fast as you can) with quite a few mini lockups. We regrouped at the end of the dirt and waited a long time. Agony was starting to set in for Pina, now feeling every bump. It was hot in these low lands.
The next 85 km of twisty, downhill roads into Orbost proved extremely challenging. I couldn’t believe it when the sign said another 45 km to Orbost, and then later 25 km to Orbost. We were hard at it the whole way with Cliff, Ben Fuller and Peter in that order in hot pursuit. A couple of concentration lapses resulted in very heavy panic braking, a stern talking to, and refocusing. This road requires absolute concentration.
I would get a break and Cliff and Ben would catch up. They wouldn’t pass, despite having the extra 50 horsepower and 15 kilos lighter bikes. I liked Cliff’s idea of me putting the pressure on from the front (the back I can understand, the front means I am toying with his mind). We had a brilliant time, completely knackered at the end, arms and hands all pumped and sore. Imagine how Misho felt with the extra weight which is really hard work in tight twisties. He was a fair way behind, the pain getting to him.
I have decided to change riding style after 30 years and not use the rear brake to facilitate right hand corners (rear brake application was pulling bike wide, and eating pads!), and to let the rear suspension do its thing and not risk locking up. It takes a bit of conscious effort, particularly after a week of commuting two-up and using the back brake all the time. But the bike definitely seems to go around tight right hand corners easier, (one of) my weak points. So I am happy.
We had a long break in Orbost, sipping coffees outside the bakery, knowing it was only 335 easy kays to the finish, wishing to prolong the ride just a bit more.
I’ve got all the back road routes down pat now, the turns all familiar, the roads interesting, particularly around Glenmaggie Weir, which is still full.
Breakup at 5 pm, much like a Sunday ride. Back to work the next day, sunburnt, stiff and happy.
Thanks to all who attended. We pushed harder than usual based on the tough and very experienced nature of the riders, especially on the second day where it was the Wee Jasper road or bust. And to finish off climbing up the Alpine Way with 590 km already under the belt was truly magnificent. The road got cooler and better the more we rode. Usual stops at Tom Groggin and Dead Horse Gap, and then the blast through Thredbo on the mint road. Look out for Rhys’ corner.
There were no mechanical issues (apart from Pina’s R6) – no punctures, holed radiators, worn tyres or crashes. Travelling the back roads we kept a low profile and did not attract any unwanted attention from the constabulary. We were lucky, and we made our own luck. Everyone had sensible tyres (Michelin Pilot Road II rears, Pilot Power fronts), except Cliff who had a new Michelin Race rear with a predicted lifetime of three days. Lucky he had a day off as it only just did the three. But then again, Barb did bring all the tyre changing equipment and a number of spare tyres.
The 954 odometer (if it had a working one) would have clocked over 186,000 km, 13,000 km since the motor change. The trip meters work, that is how I now count the kilometres, the odometer stuck at 99,999, a Honda CBR 929/954 model feature. New tyres, good chain and sprockets, new rear pads, new brake fluid, near new radiator and a change of fork oil after 25,000 km (oops) saw the bike running and handling really well. Backed off the rear rebound a notch and rear tyre sticks a lot better when driving out of corners.
See you on the Melbourne Cup weekend. Or maybe a private ride this Easter?
p.s.
Pina’s R6 took a couple of weeks to get back to