Was feeling fairly second hand this morning. Watching the WSBK on fox and drinking red wine until late brought me a headache I couldn't shake all day, I should know better than to get on the red's. Such is life.
Luckily I'd filled up the day before and didn't have to do anything but ride. Switching to cruise control for this morning's ride out to Bombala was a breeze. Arriving I was in desperate need of a coffee. It was sometime here that someone said"Hey, where's Karen?"
Yep a rider was missing, hubby was on the phone and the conversation wasn't going too well for him. Must have been his fault she got lost somehow, all married men know this...........
Turns out she missed the turn at Dalgety and went back to Berridale and then Jindabyne again. So she was an hour behind and wanted hubby to come get her. I could see the frustration on his face. Why can't people take responsibility for their own actions and get themselves out of trouble, not like she was broken down. Fill up and ride out to Bombala, look at google maps FFS, it's not hard.
So hubby turned around and headed back to meet her along the way somewhere, whilst the rest of us non Karen's made our way down the Imlay road. Sweet, sweet Imlay. You could hold a TT race on this road as there are no houses along here at all and would make for a great race track. Alas for our nanny state mentality where anything good or dangerous is banned.
Some road works made us regroup on the grid again, holeshot device engaged and we were off and racing er riding along at a decent clip. I had plans on stopping to get some photo's of the road here but the red wine squashed any ideas of enthusiasm today so not many photos.
We stopped just before Eden at the Seahorse Inn. I tried the fettuccine and prawns, it was absolutely delicious, just what I needed. Fabulous spot here as we strolled down to the beach for a look around. We've been from snow capped mountains to the beach within a day on the trip, so much to see in this country.
Karen & Thomas turned up just before we were leaving. From here we fueled up in Eden then up Neathercoat road to Myrtle Mountain and Candelo. The group split up a bit here and went everywhere on our way to Bermagui. I followed Doug as we were on a mission for beers at the bermagui hotel.
Another good day out on the bikes followed by a few cold beers. Food at the Bermagui Hotel is excellent and this is always a great little spot to stop.
Day 5 Map
DAY 6
Sadly day 6 is just the reverse boring commute home that was day 1. I kinda think this is a wasted opportunity, we could make some route changes and make the last day a twisty fun ride home but we wouldn't get to stay in the Bermagui which is a lovely place.
We were up early for breakfast, a lovely bacon & egg breakfast for the last day of the tour. Richard decided on Bacon & Strawberry pancakes. Holy smokes never seen that one before, had to take a photo. Sounds so wrong but looks so inviting.
The weather for today was looking a bit shite, so we pressed on early up the coast stopping in Batemans Bay for fuel then in Braidwood for a bit of early lunch. Geoff powered on home whilst we ate delicious pie's......
Around Bowral we copped a light rain shower for about 10-15minutes, again not getting wet at all I'd made it home around 4pm. Another great tour done & dusted. The Africa Twin impressed the shite out of me if I'm honest with myself. Can ride it all day long and its not uncomfortable, can put on cruise control, it can scratch, and it can run well on dirt roads. It uses bugger all fuel and I can extend fuel stops out to 350km fairly easily. It's a bit like a swiss army knife, good at everything, master of none. I think I can get used to it.
Unfortunately for us the road into Cabramurra had been closed and today's trip after a short run to Adelong was going to be back in the same direction, although no one complained about that because these roads up here are awesome.
But first it was to the cafe for a hearty bacon and egg roll and coffee for breakfast then we were off for fuel before tackling the Rosewood raceway. We couldn't have asked for a more perfect day, beautiful blue skies and perfect riding temps.
Fueled up and on pole position
The January bushfires had swept through the area which has been purposely planted for logging and supply of timber to the local timber mill in Tumut. As the trees were all burned and blackened they cut down all of the tree's leaving the hills completely bare. You could literally see for miles.
Dave
So we rode the 80 odd kms into Adelong before turning around and heading back the same way. This road is very conducive of spirited riding, which may or may not have happened, er I can't confirm or deny anything your honour.
We took a short break to take in the beauty of the area and breath in that fresh country air. Ah that sweet smell of hayfever.....er fresh air. I'm sure Stuart is standing out there alone polluting that air.
From here it was back into Tumbarumba for fuel. A brown kelpie came rushing out of the off coloured dirt on the side of the road almost causing another brown trouser moment, as I didn't see him until the last moment when he nearly went under my wheels.
After fueling up we retraced our route from yesterday to Khancoban where we stopped for lunch.
Khancoban
From Khancoban I lead up into the mountains, today was one of those days when riding, everything was just clicking and riding was a pure joy. That's not to say some of it wasn't hard work but that is its own reward sometimes. Leading the guys down the Alpine way was top fun. The old R1 was still holding its own against the newer weaponry.
A quick stop at the top of Dead Horse Gap to regroup and take in the mountain ambience. It's so beautiful up here and nice and cool at 1570m altitude.
A few other bikes passed by as we chatted. Soon enough we were off down the hill towards thredbo. Stu stopped in briefly to watch some of the mountain bikes coming down the hill.
We remounted one last time for the trip into Jindabyne, by then everyone was pretty much settled into their rooms at the Banjo Paterson Inn. This was a great place to stay if not a little pricey, we could have easily shared here to halve the price. Clean rooms, good food and great beer. They Make Kosciuszko pale ale here also. PUB#7 and brewery number 2.
So after another great days riding we retired to the bar a little earlier than we would normally. The place was quite busy and we sat out the front watching various motorcycles pass by whilst having a ice cold beer. Does it get any better?
DAY5
I was up fairly early today, not sure why but anyway I decided I'd eat the continental breakfast provided in the room. Then the guys decided that they would go down to the bakery for breakfast. Damn. I decided not to have two breakfasts and waited patiently. Looking down I found a packet of nails next to my tire. Oh that was lucky I didn't ride over them.
Once the guys and gals were ready we hit the road out to Dalgety and back across the Snowy River Way. I only stopped to take one photo below of the wind farm half way along. Those things are huge when you get underneath them and you can see them coming in the distance for miles away.
We stopped in Bombala for some morning tea at the cafe. The toasted Ham-Cheese-Tomato samich was ace, washed down with a coffee. We continued on down to the Imlay road. It was 5 years ago since I've been down here. I couldn't remember what it was like to be honest. Jason's Bandit also decided to spew coolant all over the road which it continued doing the following day.
Following along behind the faster riders was a bit of a blast and there may have been a little bit of spirited riding. The road was a little rough in patches but otherwise a fun, continuing down hill set of fast sweepers and straights. It didn't seem to take long to reach the Princes Highway at the other end.
Imlay MotoGP track
From here we made our way into Eden, where we proceeded to head down to the wharf for fish and chips. Except the shops were all closed. Not sure if from Covid or what but not much was open sunday lunch time. So we proceeded to go from place to place looking for somewhere to have lunch before Geoff said 'Fuck it I'm going to the Pub for Lunch'. So that's what we ended up doing in the end. Can't go wrong with pub grub. PUB#8
Eden Wharf
From Eden we took the Nethercote road across to Mt Darragh road. What a great little road this was. Good find Stu. Stunning views through this twisty valley road. Best take it easy if you've never been through here before as corners are blind with big drop offs on either side.
Riding the Mt Darragh road from South to North didn't seem as much fun to me. I think the road flows better in the other direction.
Soon we were holed up at the Bar in Bermagui at our digs for the night, the Bermagui Hotel-Motel. PUB#9. The crankshaft ales were flowing like no tomorrow. That and a late night MOTOGP round Stu cracked out the fireball whiskey. A fitting end to our tour as tomorrow was the trip home up the coast.
DAY 6
We had a fantastic breakfast in the Bermagui beachside cafe next to the Hotel. It was my first bacon and eggs on toast of the trip, not bad seeing as it was the last day. I wandered over to the beach to have a look. Bermagui is a beautiful place alright.
Bermagui Beach
Beach Views
Bermagui Hotel-Motel
We'd lined the bikes up out the front of the pub for one last all together shot before taking off for the trip home. The monday traffic on the south coast was absolutely dreadful today, it was like school holiday type traffic and throw in the fact that today's temp hit 38°C the ride up the coast was painful. It was too hot for photo taking today.
Another awesome trip away with the boys and girls. We saw everything from Beaches to mountains and everything in between. Thanks for the memories guys. Bring on next years tour. Vic should be open by then.
The racing had come to a stunning conclusion and there were many beers drunk on Sunday night. Come monday morning I met Bushpig in San Remo for breakfast at the bakery, he looked a little worse for wear. Somehow the enthusiasm for riding today wasn't really there. It always seems like that after the event has passed, it's exciting leading up to it and when it has come and gone its like the realisation that I now have to go home its a bit of a depressing feeling, maybe that coupled with the fact we'd have to ride through the boring Police infested roads of East Gipsland.
Bridge at San Remo
After a delicious pie and coffee at the bakery we were on our way. We must have seen about 20 police within 50kms of leaving the island. Rather than ride back through the roadworks nightmare of Taralgon we decided to head around via Yarram. Now I remember why we never came this way, its straight and boring except a short burst of twisties in the hills near meeniyan. I kept trying to convince Bushpig he needed to experience 200hp but for some insanely stupid reason he kept refusing......
Fuel in Yarram
There were tons of bikes heading out from the Island and we stopped in Bairnsdale for a quick lunch before heading off then a fuel stop at Orbost. I decided that I would lead from Orbost as I thought there would be another speed trap out of town, I had a sneaking suspicion that there would be one about 20kms out of town. You guessed it they were hiding in the bushes again booking another couple of riders, luckily I was setting a blistering pace 5km below the limit.
I said to Bushpig that I wanted to ride the Imlay road so turn off up Cann River road, when I turned left I watched in my mirror but he kept going straight. I wasn't about to turn around to chase him and we would both meet up again in Eden which was our destination for the night. He had taken the coast road.
Just after turning up the Imlay road within the first 5 minutes I'd seen 2 kangaroos standing on the side of the road. It was around 5pm and I was starting to think if it was a good idea that I came this way now I was by myself on a deserted logging truck road late in the arvo with wildlife starting to come out. I think I passed one car and two log trucks in the 57 km along here and luckily I only saw the 2 roo's. The Imlay road is a little chopped up due to the trucks but its a fantastic roller coaster ride through the hills. Very open and sweeping curves up and down over the hills with some long straights thrown in makes this a fun road to ride and even better with no traffic. Just be careful of logging trucks during the week.
Imlay Road
Imlay Road
I'd rolled into Eden looking for Bushpig but couldn't see him anywhere, I was sure I'd find him at the pub but no dice. I went back down to the petrol station then saw him at the motel across the road where he had already secured us a room for the night. Fantastic, a quick shower then we hit up the pub for beer and food. The pub food at the Eden pub was fantastic, I highly recommend the scotch fillet steak it was brilliant. We both went to bed at about 9:30 completely knackered. 600kms done and dusted. My butt was hurtin, and my wrists and back were coming in for some hurting as well. I think i must have been putting extra press on them because of my butt being sore.
Our digs in Eden
DAY 6
Tuesday morning rolled around and we packed up and left early. We stopped in Cobargo for breakfast at the bakery for coffee. The plan was to head up to batemans bay then cross the Kings Hwy to braidwood. We got fuel at batemans then set off up Clyde Mountain. The front right fork seal had developed an ever so slight leak. Not to bad but enough to make me keep an eye on it.
The kings hwy has had a bit of work done to it lately by the look of it with a lot of the top twisty section now hot mix tar which is race track smooth. I give it 8 knee sliders out of 10 for fun. The new bridgestones finally got a work out after all the straight roads in south eastern Victoria. They handled very well over the mountain, good enough for some knee down action. This bit of road is fantastic fun.
After we blasted across the mountain it was more or less just boring slab work to Goulburn for lunch then the hume hwy back to Sydney. By the time I had reached home I was ready to set fire to the seat of the R1 my butt was in that much pain. I have a 5 day ride coming up in November and I was wondering if i'd be able to ride this bike that many days in a row. A touring bike this new R1 is not, it's a track bike lets not make any mistake here. The old R1 was actually a quite good sports bike/tourer. This R1 is not. It is very good at one thing and thats going round corners bloody fast. Comfort comes a distant 273rd place. Luggage carrying is not easy either. Now to see what i'm going to do for the up coming ride.
