2016 Australian Motorcycle Grand Prix

Those folks who turn up every year know better than to spend all day at the track on Friday, when the weather forecast is for gale force winds and 40mm rain.  But we ain’t local, we’ve come all the way from Perth, Western Australia,  and nothing could keep us away from the track on practice day of MotoGP weekend.
Steve rode us down to the track to find that the unseasonably wet spring had left some of the parking paddocks untenable and on Friday night we received an sms and email from the Grand Prix Corporation encouraging fans to catch the bus instead.

The email read:

IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT PARKING AT THE CIRCUIT

Due to the weather conditions, public car parking at the circuit will be closed on Saturday 22 October.

We encourage patrons to Catch-a-Coach or park-and-ride from Cowes with the Grand Prix shuttle service. Additional buses have been scheduled.

We always enjoy the nightly party in Cowes

We spent most of Friday hiding from the rain in the Expo tent. When the rain eased to a light drizzle, we braved a moment of action on the fence line at turn 12 only to retreat to the Spokes Marquee when the rain picked up speed again.  By mid afternoon we gave ourselves permission to go back to camp. Steve and Dwarfie (R1200GS) slipped their way out of the parking lot and when Steve picked me up all he said was “tomorrow we are catching the bus.”

On Saturday morning we still hadn’t learnt our lesson and we were on the bus by 8:45am with squalls raging all around. We’d done the Expo to death so it was time to venture out into general admission land. An acceptable bacon and egg roll and a cup of coffee warmed our bellies then we were on our way, trudging along in the mud, stopping at the fence line to watch some action and hiding in the lee of a catering van in the squalls.  We made it to Siberia and with a lull in the weather we set up our chairs next to some bikers we had met at our caravan park and rested a while.  When the sun shone we were warmed by our  black waterproofs, and when the sun disappeared we shivered some more.

Squall approaching Lukey Heights

It seemed like a good idea to head for MG corner for MotoGP qualifying but the squalls weren’t finished with us yet.  We copped a big one at the top of Lukey Heights; rain, hail and the bitterest wind. You learn more about yourself in a moment when the going gets rough than you do in a lifetime of easy rolling.  I learned that I wasn’t a big enough race fan to endure qualifying, even if it was MotoGP, in these conditions. I desperately wanted to leave the track for the comfort of the camp kitchen and the log fire. But we knew we had to see it through. When qualifying was finally over there was a mass exit from the circuit.

Siberia, character building

By Sunday morning the gale had blown itself out and race day was pure motor racing magic. We spent the day at Siberia, the Phillip Island circuit is pure entertainment on a good day. It was a character building weekend . Some old timers said they’d seen worse weather and others said it was the worst they’d  ever seen.  No doubt the 2016 Australian Motorcycle  Grand Prix will be sent into Phillip Island folklore.

MotoGP Results:

#35 Cal Crutchlow (LCR Honda)

#46 Valentino Rossi (Movistar Yamaha)

#25 Maverick Vinales (Team Suzuki)

Cal Cructhlow on his way to his win

Barry Sheene Tribute Ride 2016

The hotels were full and the camp sites were empty this year due to a re scheduling of the 2016 ride to an early time slot. Scrutineering  started at 6:30am and only the hardy souls could cope with a night in the tent after over indulging at the Barry Sheene Charity Dinner the night before.

Scrutineering

At 8:30am on the dot the bikes started filing out of the parking lot for the start of the Barry Sheene Tribute Ride. No briefing on best practices for a ride of this type, just get-go. This ride is fully escorted by the Victorian Police with police cars, motorbikes and a paramedic bike; just in case. Riders were fully aware that the first scheduled stop was two hours away but still some folks insisted on filling up on coffee half an hour before takeoff.

Hope this is not needed!

I was a picture of concentration as we rode away from Bairnsdale.  After only twenty kilometers the train of bikes had come to a near stand still several times and vigilance was paramount to prevent a massive pile up.  Still most riders chose to leave less than a two second gap which added to the concertina effect which plagued the ride all the way to Phillip Island.

We were riding mid fleet with hundreds of bikes all around us and it was magic to look ahead and find bikes as far as the eye could see. Villagers and school kids lined the streets as we passed through one town after another and it felt good to be part of this YAMS charity ride, and motorcycle awareness day.

The Red Devil on Gardner Straight, Phillip Island MotoGP Track

With the precision of a military operation, the police organised rolling road closures and kept the bikes together through every intersection. At the end of the ride participants get the chance to do a lap of the Phillip Island Grandprix Race Track. I think the pace car took one look at the bikes filing onto the track, four lanes wide, and he slowed down to the point where Devil couldn’t get out of first gear; looks like I’ll have to pay for a track day if I want to have some fun at the circuit.

It was a good day, tiring but loads of fun, another great event ticked off my bucket list.  We had great weather too; I can’t imagine the challenges if it had been raining.

YAMS - You Are My Sunshine – raising money to help find a cure for children with neuroblastoma.

More than just a dog, Bundy has raised many thousands for charity.

2014 Australian MotoGP - Race Day

The Royal Box, viewed from Pit Lane.

On Gardner Strait, directly opposite the start finish line, is the Royal Box. Don't be fooled by the tacky livery on this room built for four. Inside you will find large, comfortable chairs, air conditioning, two TV screens, a bar fridge filled to the brim and your own personal host who will allegedly get you "anything you want." I won the exclusive use of this fully catered facility on race day; it doesn't get better than that.

Royal Box luxury.

We were making ourselves feel right at home by 10am and Jordan, our host for the day, wasted no time in serving bacon and egg muffins, two each if you could fit them in. When the MotoGP bikes rode onto the track for their twenty minute warm-up we swapped coffee for champagne and beer and kicked back in our leisure chairs smiling all the while.

We went hands-on for the start of each race and ventured outside to our own private viewing area. General admission punters tried to sneak into our space but they were quickly removed by security. Australian Moto3 rider, Jack Miller, had us all on the edge of our seats as he took the lead and then lost it again from one lap to another. "Come on Jack" was the cry coming from inside the Royal Box every time the Moto3 dudes flashed passed our picture window. Jordan served more man food half way through the Moto3 race but we soon wolfed it down and were standing again ready to cheer Jack across the finish line - Jack won the race.

I have been a Rossi fan for years.

The MotoGP race didn't disappoint with team mates Lorenzo and Rossi having a good clean fight until Lorenzo's tyre choice haunted him and Rossi pulled out a convincing lead. Marquez looked like he was going to run away with it until he binned it ten laps before the end, leaving crowd favourite, Valentino Rossi, to pick up the spoils and bring home the race win. Ducati maestro, Cal Crutchlow, should have finished second but he lost the front end on the last lap and failed to finish. Lorenzo was second and Bradley Smith third.

250 starts, 7 championships, 108 wins & 194 podiums in MotoGP/500cc 

Rossi's pit board.

The crowd poured onto the track as soon as the safety car declared it "safe for human consumption" and we left the sanctuary of the Royal Box and joined the scrum beneath the podium. It seemed unbelievable that Rossi was celebrating a race win on his 250th MotoGP start. "250 Not Out" banners were waved by thousands of fans as the winners sprayed champagne into the wind. It was great to see Bradley Smith on the podium for the first time in 2014. I remember Bradley from the 2006 Sepang MotoGP, they called him the Smith Kid back then, he was only 16 years old.

That night we walked into Cowes for the last time, savouring the last moment of the MotoGP weekend. After all, attending the Australian MotoGP was on our bucket list and we sure did it in style.

The Royal Box was part of an Australian Motorcycle News competition where we were asked to define, in twenty five words or less "How MotoGP riders defy the rules of nature." I wrote:

Lightening Speed, Quick Wit,

Sixth Sense, Ultra Fit.

No Fear, Electronic Control,

Tyre Grip, Insatiable Soul.

Australian Motorcycle News stand at the GPexpo. Thanks AMCN!

2014 Australian MotoGP - Pit Wall

Pit Lane Access

No one was more surprised than me when I received a phone call from Australian Motorcycle News (AMCN) to say I was the winner of the $12,000 MotoGP prize. The prize was a no expense spared trip for four to the 2014 Australian MotoGP and it didn't take long to find a couple of mates to join us for the trip of a lifetime to Phillip Island.

The Australian Grand Prix Corporation cleverly provide some prizes that money can't buy and part of our prize package was a session on the pit wall for the MotoGP practice on Saturday morning.

The Ducati girls were like statues.

It seemed too good to be true when we were escorted to our canopy on the pit wall, next to Ducati, just as Lorenzo and Marquez were leaving their garages.

Pretty girls adorned each side of the pit garages, all dressed differently, all with the same effect. 

The riders returned to the pits several times during the 45 minute session and we enjoyed every moment as they coasted past us on their way to another lap of the track. 

Valentino Rossi, a winner on his 250th MotoGP Start.

Rossi didn't disappoint with the ritual adjustment of his leathers and we scored Valentino's tear off shortly after it was discarded onto pit lane. Pedrosa, who was having a bad session, allowed us to see the frustration in his eyes before slamming his visor tight shut.

To get so close and personal with these riders and their bikes was without doubt a once in a life time magic motor racing moment; even the dudes looking down from the corporate facility checked us out with envy.

When our time was up we walked away, fully aware of what had been and what would never be again; sometimes you just gotta pinch yourself.

2014 MotoGP Champion, Marc Marquez, Repsol Honda Team.

World Superbikes – Phillip Island 2013

By 10am on Friday, me, Steve, Red Devil (F650GS Twin) and our two king sized chairs were waiting at Gate 1 for a slice of the action. When we arrived the World Supersport riders were enjoying a free practice session. As soon as we found our first vantage point, at the braking zone for turn 1, we were off the bike and watching; awesome.

Tex & Bundy Charity Fundraisers at the Expo.

When you first arrive at the track it’s hard to know what to do because there seems to be so many options. After a cup of tea, and a gentle reminder that we had all weekend, we headed over to the Australian Motorcycle News (AMCN) Expo. I spent a long time pouring over the merchandising. In the end all I wanted was a stubby holder but when I found Steve he said “you already have a stubby holder” and that was the end of that. Steve liked the MV Augusta track bike, which for $8500 seemed incredibly cheap; I said “no” to that too.

The California Superbike School had a stand at the expo. Steve Brouggy runs the school and when I said “I always read Steve Brouggy’s articles in Two Wheels Magazine,” who should turn around but Steve himself. Steve willingly talked to us about motorcycle skills and techniques and we nearly booked in for two days tuition when the school meets at Queensland Raceway in June; maybe next time around.

Playing at being a media photographer.

After lunch we took advantage of our paddock passes and wandered up and down at the back of the pits. At that time, all the garage doors were down but we still managed to catch a glimpse of Carlos Checa and Marco Melandri. By the time Steve activated the camera they had both slipped behind closed doors.

As Phillip Island is the first World Superbike race of the year, there is always a little extra tension wondering who will be out performing whom. We watched the first qualifying session from the pit roof. It’s fun up there, looking down on the guys riding in and out of their garages. Michel Fabrizio, riding an Aprillia for Red Devils Roma, caught my eye. Fabrizio was the talk of the town on Friday night as he was top of the board when the first qualifying session was over.

Marco Melandri at MG corner.

On Saturday we were down at the track early enough to plonk our chairs in one of the plumb spots at MG, the slowest corner of the track. MG provides the best option if you want to see the bikes up close and personal. We are so lucky that Phillip Island Circuit still has low fences; long may this be so. It was a hot day, at one stage they were reporting a track temperature of 50 degrees. I kept wetting my shirt and that kept me comfortable for at least half an hour.

One of the wonderful things about the WSBK’s at Phillip Island is they allow the bikes to park inside the circuit. We left our lunch in Red Devil’s aluminium panniers and I was the one sent on the mission to retrieve it. Lying there, right beside by bike was an ignition key. There were plenty of bikers taking a breather in the shade but no one had lost their key. We placed the key on an old Akubra hat and laid the hat down in a prominent place. We all thought that if we had lost our key the first thing we would do is retrace our steps.

While I was collecting lunch there was a bit of banter going on between the bikers. One guy asked me “Are you going to upgrade the BMW when Volvo releases their motorcycle?” I just smiled. Surely this was a case of the pot calling the kettle black; this guy was riding a Suzuki V-Strom! When I found a wicked looking Husqvana motorcycle, I said “It could be handy to ride a bike that can sew a patch on your jacket too.” Luckily the owner didn’t hear me.

Superpole was good value and I think it made nearly everyone smile when old favourite Carlos Checa, riding his Ducati Panigale 1199R, took out pole position.

Race day action at Siberia.

On Sunday we sat ourselves high on the hill at Siberia. The day was hot and even Bass Strait failed to deliver a cooling breeze. We slow cooked in our denim jeans but at least we weren’t getting sunburnt. The atmosphere amongst the spectators at Siberia is great. The entire audience clapped for every rider at the conclusion of each race and when a local girl sang the National Anthem some dude called out “You F…… beauty;” everyone cheered.

The racing was spectacular with Aprillia taking out the entire podium in the first superbike race. Unfortunately, our man, Marco Melandri, was taken out of the race by pole sitter Carlos Checa. Race two was a little more democratic and although the Aprillia’s of Eugene Laverty and Sylvain Guintoli were first and second, we were delighted to see Marco Melandri, on his BMW S 1000RR, taking out third place.

On Monday morning, still high on our latest motor racing fix, we rode away from Phillip Island in a heavy sea mist. I noticed I had a lump in my throat and I felt certain that one day we’d be back for more.

20th International Island Classic 2013 – Phillip Island

The Red Devil, main straight, Phillip Island.

The Island Classic is a race meeting for motorcycles born before 31^st December 1990. This year’s event sported teams from Australia, United Kingdom, New Zealand and USA, with top guns Ryan Farquhar (335 career wins, including three wins at the Isle of Man TT), Jeremy McWilliams (12 years competing in the world GP championships) and our very own Cameron Donald all putting in an appearance. Giacomo Agostini was the guest of honour and when you saw the crowd of press photographers, at the start of each of Ago’s demonstration laps, it was obvious that the event committee had made the right decision.

Cameron Donald.

On Friday 25^th January, after the early showers, we cruised down to the Phillip Island Circuit to collect our tickets and T Shirts. As soon as we arrived at gate 1 we were totally absorbed by the magic of this amazing racing venue. Racers love this track and spectators are well rewarded with many vantage points where you can see the action in every direction. The pits were open to everyone, all weekend, and it was pure entertainment to saunter from one pit garage to another, admiring the hundreds of classic bikes and sidecars that were participating in the weekend of racing. It difficult to tell who was who as the Island Classic is an unpretentious affair and there wasn’t a pit garage sign in sight.

Our bikes were parked at Doohan Corner and we were sitting in our big camp chairs when the racing commenced on Saturday afternoon. The event had attracted a large number of competitors and the racing was excellent with some divisions sending 40+ bikes scrambling for a position in the first corner. We stayed a while at the 50 meter braking zone, observing the different techniques and trying to learn something.

Ago's waving at me.

We were at Siberia for one of Agostini’s demonstration laps and I found myself arguing, with another spectator, about whether Ago was waving at him or me. Once we had settled that score, our new found friend tried to talk us into joining in on Monday’s track day. Reading between the lines, the slowest rider in the slowest group is still circulating at a fair lick of speed. It would be great to ride the circuit and try out the bends but the Red Devil and I are not interested in doing 200km an hour down the straight.

While we were watching the action at MG corner, we met a true motor racing enthusiast. Not only had this guy attended over 1400 race meetings, but he had catalogued all the programs, including the race results for every race. It was amazing to see him meticulously documenting the results for even the support races.

Ago signing my poster and pass.

On Sunday we were wined and dined in the club classic lounge overlooking pit straight. In between eating dainty quiches and Danish pastries and drinking copious amounts of coffee, we stood by the window to catch a glimpse of the day’s events. The best part about the lounge is you get to look down on the pit area and watch all the bikes assembling in preparation for the next race. The grid line-up and race starts are great, too. Watching a motorcycle whizz past at 280km hour isn’t as much fun as a vantage point at Siberia or MG, the slowest corner of the track. As promised, Agostini made an appearance before lunch and with the patience of a saint he signed each and every piece of memorabilia that was presented to him. Some punters abused the system and turned up with a dozen things for him to sign. Ago never faltered, and his film star smile was ready for every clicking camera. I thought his visit was tinged with sadness as he said “It has been a long time since my last visit and will probably be the last time for me to come to Australia.” At 70 years of age he still has an eye for the pretty young babes with long hair.

A little older than my beemer.

The catering staff must be forgiven for serving lunch when race three of the International Challenge was underway, but when you are in the corporate lounge if seems the focus is on different things.

It seemed like the weekend was only just getting started when the last race was being run; Steve and I would quite happily have kept turning up at the track day after day. To help dissolve the post race meeting blues, we retired to Cowes for pizza on the pavement.

Would we do the Island Classic again? You betcha!

Ceduna to Phillip Island

If you want to upset the locals, who live in the arid parts of this country, all you have to do is complain about riding in the rain. We were delivered the speech specially prepared for inconsiderate people like us. At Poochera we refused to believe that the rain would continue and we only donned the bottom half of our wet weather riding gear. Our leather jackets will keep us dry in a light drizzle but when it turns into steady rain, slowly but surely the leather gives up the struggle. By the time we arrived at Kimba we were feeling a little wet and weary. The lunch time temperature of only 15 degrees is basically unheard of in this neck of the woods in January. The roadhouse was full of travellers escaping the rain and we joined the queue for homemade pumpkin soup and a bowl of hot potato wedges. We stayed a while, enjoying the warm dining room and talking with other travellers. All of us were concerned about travelling in extreme heat – the fear of breaking down first and foremost on our minds. One guy had given the problem some thought and said “the first thing I would do is put the tent up.” Good thinking.



The big tent, known as the Cabin, in Melrose.

That day we rode in the rain for over 400km, and we were relieved to arrive in Melrose late in the afternoon. We managed to erect the “big tent,” for the first time, with hardly a cross word spoken. The bikes were filthy, covered in a white wash that lay foaming and frothing in the road. In 2008, water restrictions in South Australia were so severe that we were not even allowed a single bucket of water to wipe away salt spray that had collected on our bikes on a rough ferry crossing. Although the seasons have moved on, and there is water in the lower reaches of the Murray River, we didn’t dare ask if we could clean our bikes, we just grabbed the hose and washed away.

With clean bikes we were back on the road again, enjoying the lanes and towns as we rode south towards the Adelaide hills. If someone had told me that one day we would ride through the Barossa Valley, one of Australia’s premier wine regions, carrying a bottle of New Zealand wine and a six pack of Mexican beer,” I never would have believed them. One of the big conglomerates made us an offer we couldn’t refuse and we voted with our hip pocket. Drinking our BYO New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc, on the pavement in Tanunda, felt like a criminal offence and we kept the bottle well hidden away.



With plenty of time up our sleeve we made the maritime town of Goolwa, on the Fleurieu Peninsula, home for nearly a week. Our camping character was well and truly tested when one of the days reached a maximum temperature of 45 degrees. I lost the battle with the caravan park kids and the door remained open to the air conditioned camp kitchen; in the end there was nowhere to hide. That night, when the cool change arrived, the tent was tested, too, with wind gusts exceeding 30 knots. The big tent moaned and groaned a little but she stood her ground and in the morning everything was intact.

Causeway to Granite Island, Victor Harbour.

On Tuesday 22^nd January, we left the comfort of Goolwa and started a three day ride to Phillip Island in preparation for the Island Classic Motorcycle weekend. The little tent came in handy for a good night’s sleep in Naracoorte. Unfortunately, the following morning, I didn’t fasten the lid properly on our thermos flask and one litre of scalding water trickled out all over our maps and the laptop’s transformer. Steve went ape, although I did notice than an hour later he was reading one of the sodden maps with a half smile on his face.

We stayed on the back roads, some only one lane wide. The navigation was difficult but with hardly a car in sight it was wonderful riding. We touched down on the Great Ocean Road at Lorne; big mistake. Lorne was preparing for the Australia Day long weekend and there was barely standing room in the trendy seaside town. We tried to book in at the town’s caravan park but when the receptionist said “$60,” (twice the amount we were paying), Steve protested and mumbled about a bed and breakfast up the road for only $99. The receptionist retorted “off you go then” and turned her attention to the next paying customer. Although we were hot and thirsty we rode out of town. Unfortunately a copper, riding a motorcycle, hopped onto my back wheel and you could almost hear him laughing “gotcha, you West Aussie dude.” He rode with me for almost 10km, tracking my every move as I navigated one slow corner after another. Once I realised he was just along for the ride, I relaxed and did my own thing; you don’t want to run out of talent on a road like that. When I’d had enough, I moved over to the left to give him chance to go and find Steve; a couple of bends later he had disappeared from view. It was late when we set up the little tent in Torquay for $65 per night; after a long day on the road we had stopped counting the money.



Steve and I on the Queenscliff to Sorrento Ferry.

By 10am the following day we were on the car ferry which runs from Queenscliff to Sorrento on the Mornington Peninsula. We could have relaxed for hours on that ferry, enjoying the scenery of Port Phillip Bay, but 40 minutes later we back on the bikes and riding into the clutches of congested Melbourne traffic. “Stay as close as you dare,” said Steve, “or we’ll get separated at the traffic lights;” We only had to stop twice to regroup. Our pre booked camp site was waiting for us in Cowes on Phillip Island. The big tent was up in no time and by 5pm we were drinking beer and being eaten alive by sand flies. Welcome to Phillip Island.

Superbikes, F1 and home to Perth

Winners

The World Super Bikes race meet at Phillip Island is about as good as it gets. Such a unique environment, with the cars parked outside and the bikes allowed to roam around the track boundary, all day if you choose. It was so much fun we took both bikes to the track on all three days. The pit walk was excellent on Saturday, with some of the big names, eg Troy Bayliss and Max Biaggi available for a photo and autograph. Troy Bayliss getting the job done on Sunday capped off a thoroughly enjoyable weekend and we left the track thinking "when will we be able to get back here to do it all again!" The street party in Cowes on Saturday night was a tame affair. Gone are the days when some guy would climb a flag pole only to have someone on the ground trying to shoot him down with a rocket flare! The locals call that "the good old days."

Turn 6 Siberia - Phillip Island Race Track

Camp at Healesville

And where to now? O' yes that's right, Healesville, to get the bikes serviced, new tyres on the Vulcan and ride Reefton and Black Spurs - maybe more than once! Be warned, contrary to some maps, Don Road, between Launching Place and Healesville is not all sealed. We made this little discovery with the trailer in tow the day we left Cowes. If there was a warning sign we didn't see it. I came out of a sharp left hander onto a narrow wooden paved bridge, to be greeted by a gravel road and Steve parked a few meters ahead. All I could come up with was "what the ****?" Did we turn back? Nope. We rode on, like you do and in four short kilometers we got as dirty and dusty as we have ever been.

2008 Melbourne F1 GP Pole Lewis Hamilton MCLAREN MERCEDES

2008 Melbourne F1 GP Podium
 Lewis Hamilton
Nick Heidfeld
Nico Rosberg

With the Formula 1 our intention, from Healesville we went for a week of city life in a hotel in the middle of Melbournes St Kilda. Being F1 fans from the early 80's, a couple of grandstand tickets on pit straight and a hotel, walking distance to the track, is quite a treat. It was an entertaining week despite the relentless heat and our seats in full sun all day long. I took to wearing a wet T Shirt to stay cool. How anyone could sit there in Ferrari Red or McLaren Black God only knows. Fitzroy Street in St Kilda hummed all night long, our hotel windows double glazed to help keep out the noise. One waiter said "wait 'til Friday night, you'll even see purple poodles." We never did, in fact we didn't see a purple pooch at all. This left us wondering if purple poodle was code name for something far more erotic and interesting!

Checking out of our hotel and navigating out of Melbourne tested our tolerance to heat once more. Already 32˚ by 9am and several trips up and down a couple of flights of stairs required to load the bikes and trailer. Parked in a 10 minute zone didn't help. When we were finally ready to leave, I led the way, expecting to turn left at the 2nd set of traffic lights. But the sign said St Kilda Rd. I was expecting Kings Way or "To West Gate Bridge," so I rode on. Realising the error of our ways, we took the next left. At 9:30am on a weekday Melbourne is unforgiving if you get the navigation wrong. Somehow we found our way back to Kings Way, our terms of phrase deteriorating with every wrong turn. "Get a GPS" I hear you say - but that would leave me nothing to write about! It was easy rolling after that, despite a half hour traffic jam just after crossing West Gate Bridge - pain is a relative thing! We were heading home now to Perth, the long way round, via The Great Ocean Road of course. It was Tuesday 18th March and Easter weekend only three days away. On long weekends, if you don't want to set up camp in sight of The Black Stump you have to make a booking, it's that simple. We picked The Grampians for our Easter sojourn, which left a two night stopover at Apollo Bay along the way.

Bush walking in the Grampians

The weather often trips us up when we have to keep to a time table and the ride from Apollo Bay to The Grampians was no exception. A cold front was forecast to arrive in Melbourne by Thursday afternoon. I must admit we didn't take too much notice of it as we were still recovering from 30+ temperatures during the Grand Prix. It looked a little hazy as we turned left at Lavers Hill, and then it came, the first of many squalls we were about to endure over the next couple of hours. My jacket seems to have lost all the water resistant properties it ever had and it wasn't long before we were wet, cold and feeling thoroughly miserable. Stopping for a hot chocolate or a coffee or soup and pies helped to strengthen our resolve. We were lucky it wasn't a really cold day. As we approached Halls Gap I noticed a noise coming from inside my helmet. "UUUrgh" it went! I knew I'd heard it somewhere before and then it came to me, it was the same noise that Lurch used to make on The Adams Family TV show all those years ago!

The drought is broken, Grampians

We were wondering if we could help to break the drought in The Grampians too. Well actually we could and we did. We got a good drenching on Easter Sunday - 38mm. Could it happen again on Easter Monday? Yep. Like sitting ducks we waited for round two and in less that one hour another 50mm had fallen. At 6pm the tent was under water and we were using primitive implements to bail and dig drains around the tent - must remember to bring that little spade next time!

Nearly home, but not many bends

Come the 25th March, we couldn't wait to get out of the place. We were on the road by 9:30am and made it to McDonalds in Horsham for breakie, just before the 10:30 closing time. The weather was a little kinder for our ride to Tanunda in the Barossa.

We took a day off to dry out a little and then set off for home in a serious way. We rode by day and slept soundly in roadhouse motels by night. Calm, cool days made the Nullarbor crossing a delight this time around - this ride really is one of Australia's great road journeys. Four days after leaving Tanunda we were back home in Safety Bay.

So here we are, home again after three months cruising around in this Great Country, mile after mile without a care in the world. I have given thanks many times for being granted "safe passage" and we hope it isn't too long before we are riding along a string of back roads again, looking for nothing more that the enjoyment of a good ride.

Safe riding everyone,