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Anzac TT 2013
JB had again listed the TT on the annual FL ride calendar, but the twist to this years Anzac Day weekend sortie was we were heading north, 10 pilote's had enlisted whilst a few were listed as non starters for various reasons. Regular TT'ers Giacomo (Broken Wrist), Davo (more pressing issues), Pol (no bike...really!...unbeleivable) and Hoppy (had to sort his sock draw!?) had pulled the pin, leaving JB, BB, Fearless, Barty, Danny, the Trixie Twins plus new recruits Kel, Tim M & Tim B.

So we had a FZ1N.....,(now an S), the Tiger 800, the black Blade, the red plus another yellow TRX, two FJR's, Tims Buell and my Multi.
Day 1 saw us leave Cook Park early & head out past Suma Park Dam and via the White Rocks road to Bathurst, whilst the weather forecast was very good, the clear nights lead to cold mornings and a low of around 4 degrees kept our breathing short . Our run to the 1st stop at Rylstone taking the Windemere Dam road further north after leaving Ilford, was a pleasant change to the bumpy road normally used via Kandos.

Smoko at Rylstone was had a the cafe opposite the Police station, it was busy, being Anzac Day and all, and the best thing was I ordered last and the shop girls started writing the orders at the bottom of the page ....so my order was at the top & I got fed 1st!..Brilliant

The run to Sandy Hollow was good and uneventful, from there to Scone was again on a backroad we hadnt been on, the 1st attempt up a short cut ended in dirt so we backtracked and eventually wound up at a pub (surprise) in Scone for lunch. The food was OK but very very sloooww. Eventually we were away again but up the highway to just past Wallabadah. Thank God we turned off, its not a very nice way to travel, on the Highway on a four day weekend with double demerits and being on motorcycles that are happy at 130! It was killer.

Off the highway and a strop  into Nundle for a leg stretch, the pub looks good & JB suggests it might be an good overnighter on some future ride. Off and past Chaffy Dam, our 3rd dam for the day, on the way to Tamworth. By this time we get a bit separated and Whilst JB, Mike, Col & myself stop at Kootingal for fuel the others head into Bendemeer for our night at the Pub.

The lock up parking is sorted and rooms are divvy'd up, beer and food are next, both are good. Then as we retire to the bar, a betting sydicate is formed and $2 sought from each TT'er to batch the kitty. There are no rules other than take turns in a selection of names that take your fancy. Straight up JB bets and wins about $12 and that was the start of it. By the end of the night we had amassed the princely sum of $65.00. We gave it to JB cause we thought he looked trustworthy!

That night ended early cause the publican called last drinks at 8.30! WTF?, so we got a few take aways and went back to a room to talk s*^#.

Next morning dawned cold...very cold but the bacon and eggs and coffee at the cafe just down the street was fabulous. There was then a very short run up to Uralla via the Highway before turning north west towards Copeton Dam and Inverell, but before we could get way we had to repair Barty's sidestand which had lost a securing bolt the previous day. We didnt have a bolt but did tighten the also loose secondary securing mechanism so that it didnt just fall apart on the way to Yamba. Barty and Tim both called in to a mechanics shop at Uralla to sort out their loose items, didnt take long and they too were back into it.

After the turn off toward Bundalla, some said the road was bumpy but I didnt find this, the Multi soaking all of them up! We turned left as JB wanted to have a peek at another dam so off on the Copeton Rd we went..then it turned to dirt. JB in front missing all the dust, I was sitting 2nd before Fearless & the Tiger swept past doing 110 on the dirt, he went past JB as well and all was OK until he slowed down. JB became increasingly furious, all I could see was a dusty rider on a yellowish bike gesticulating furiously from behind!

We stopped at the dam & had a look before heading off for smoko at Inverell. The cafe at the Visitors Info Centre was our choice & very nice too, although it took a bit to get served.

Mike was voted, and duly appointed the Wood-duck for the run to Glen Innes, it was really just his turn, and he did a marvelous job sitting at around 110kph, the ride was unremarkable and trouble free. Into Glen and we simply kept going onto the Gwyder Hwy for the ride to Grafton, for some reason the pace picked up a tad, and the noteable corner hoggers moved to the front of what was, a fast moving group. The open tableleands plains gave way to forest, then a narrower corridor that began to rise and fall, the bush was very close to the road...ie..not much run off. Danny, JB, Mike, Colin & Tim on the Buell, lets call him Eric, were in front of myself, Fearless and Barty with the two FJR boys swapping paint at the rear.

Riding through the forest & "Eric" suddenly hangs his left arm out pointing and I instantly see the wallaby on the LHS edge of the road, just watchin...not doin nuffing! Bloody Hell. I asked the others later and thay said "what wallaby"...Thanks "Eric".

The forested range then began its descent and I had not experienced the Gwyder Hwy previousl y, unfortunately a truck and dog pulled out of a rest area just as we neared it which then caused a gap to form between those 1st four, who were able to quickly overtake, from Eric and myself, who had no chance to get around..bugger....None the less! I was confident.. we could catch em,...well some of them ..maybe! I began to look for a way around Eric so I could get on with the chase, took me about four corners to work out that I had no chance at all of passing Eric, too good. So perhaps we could get them.

As we got on with it we were lucky to catch a glimpse here, a shadow there! There was a little bit of traffic along the way but they were easily dispatched. It was a set of temporary roadworks traffic lights in the end that afforded Eric & I the reformation, but we were catching!...definitely!

Arriving at Grafton we were all a bit separated but eventually all met up at the Shell, not far from Grafton Motorcycles, and that would become important later. After fuelling I pretty much headed to Yamba and left the others too it. I was hot & in need of beer! The trip I took up the Hwy was OK as I hadnt been on that part of the Pacific Hwy for many many years. The other riders eventually headed west of the river and went to Yamba via Maclean...very nice. They tell me that they were even served beer and prawns on the ferry south of Maclean!

Arriving at Yamba, I did a tour of the town whilst I had the time, its a touristy place with many cafe's and specialty shops etc, the main shops are west of the heart of town but it all seems very nice. I park, get a room, change into shorts and get a beer. The TT pack arrives and after parking bikes and getting rooms, five of us, Barty, JB, Danny Tim & I, opt for a swim in the surf just below the pub, yes it was that warm!

Whilst we were oiling chains etc, just before the swim, Barty noticed a bit of free play in his front wheel, we checked & yep..bearing is well on its way to being stuffed. Over a few beers we make a coupla calls to get info on Bearing part numbers and make a fallback plan, but Plan A is the bike shop near the Shell in Grafton & there is a bearing retailer around the corner if they dont have any. Plan B is North Coast V Twins at Coffs who have a bearing and a workshop.

Dinner that night was pretty damn good, we had hoped (some of us anyway) for some good fresh seafood and there it was in my favourite form(s), Oysters and a whole baby snapper, didnt need to look any further...that was it..perfect!

After dinner, the band was getting ready as was the security staff, must be popular this place, as more people surged in and the security contingent seems to be everywhere...it also must be a very safe palce. We stayed a bit longer but then most of the group elected to "blow the joint" & see what else Yamba was offering on a Friday night, turned out that all that was on offer was the Bowlo!

As we entered the Yamba Bowling Club we immiediately doubled the clientele, they had a 3 peice band along with sports tab  betting, so it was gold. The band was good, the beers & bourbon cold and the betting event raised a further $30 to add to the kitty. We got back to the Pacific Hotel around midnight, watched a song or 2 from the loud band and then hit the sack.

Next morning the plan was to get to Grafton & sort Barty's front wheel bearing, he rode slowly & after breakfast at a local Cafe, the nice mechanic at Grafton Motorcycles sorted the Monster with a swift bearing change and a $40 odd damage fee...brilliant, thanks gents!

Night three was at the Roundabout Hotel at Gloucester and our route was again crossing the range, this time via Ebor to Armidale, south to Walch and then the final run on Thunderbolts Way. The 1st section to the top of the range between Grafton and Ebor was indeed a challenge, it was tight, undulating, narrow, bumpy and with traffic including log trucks and Rodeo utes that dont wanna give much room. Anyway we all made it unscathed & it was fun no doubt, but certainly a challenge!

A quick stop at Armidale for fuel & lunch and then off down the Highway to Uralla, then turn to Walcha before the final stretch to Gloucester. Uralla came up quick enough after a speedo watching trundle down the New England, but the run to Walcha was better, where we stopped for a leg strech & some got fuel. Barty and the FJR boys headed off 1st to the overnighter whilst JB, Danny, Fearless, Eric and I  had a rest at the old Royal Hotels cafe, in fact Fearless had a kip.

By this time Mike & Colin hadnt yet showed and Fearless reported (before he went nigh nigh) that Col had suffered a mechanical gremlin just outside Armidale & had turned back. Apparently Mike went back to assist.

Leaving Walcha we swiftly covered ground across the top of the range,


the descent down into the Gloucester valley was riddled with bad roads and roadworks (at least there is work being done though). Its when we got to the bottom of the valley that Danny, JB, Eric & I had a blast through the 35 odd kms into Gloucester.

At the Hotel, Barty, Kel & Tim were in and we just waited on news of Mike & Colin, so we did that whilst enjoing a beer outside the rooms. The place was packed and the forecourt was full of a family who had some reunion on, one of these blokes was a bike rider so he and his "brothers" chatted to us for quite a while about bikes, asking questions about some of our rides etc..it was ok. Eventually Mike rolled in, no Colin though...found out that some electrical gremlin got inside the TRX and played havoc with stuff that made his trixie not work anymore, at least that was Mikes explanation.

Dinner was good, Kel eventually got his crumbed cutlets that he missed so much at Bendemeer and we were able to put a few bottles of wine on the table courtesy of the betting pool, the dishlickers and sportstab, with some money left over to put a few gold coins of the cushion of the pool table.

The pool comp was viscious, we paired up and it was eventually evident that Tim & Eric (Tim) were the gun's, Fast Eddie Felson & his offsider, these blokes had a mispent youth, I think they won about 4 or 5 games in a row. Eventually some other lady & her friends popped a $1 coin on the cush...then went on to belt our heroes Tim & Eric! Oh the shame...beaten by girls.

Those of us still awake then wasted the remnant few $$$ of winnings on more dishlickers and sportstab before we too retired.

Next morning brekky was on at the pub, pretty good too, then it was a relatively big day to Stroud Road, Dungog, Tocal, Elderslie and Singleton, the 1st half of this stint was a bit bumpy as you would expect from roads in this area, but the next bit along Maitland Vale Rd was nice enough.

Fuel at Singo and it was at the servo that we said goodbye to Kel & Eric, Kel announced his, now usual, plan to go home another way, in this case it was back via Bylong. We bid them farewell and off we sailed down the Putty, a road that is always good. We had a relatively clean run to our lunch stop at the Grey Gum Cafe, along the way though we all were terrorised by a few young blokes
on 600's, they seemed to be very inexperienced and Mike suggested "even" incompetent! by being in the wrong spot at the wrong time and making the wrong decisions. Anyway..we had lunch and rode on towards the Bells Line via the Blaxland Ridge road.

At Kurrajong we got seperated a bit cause the traffic on the Bells Line was ridiculous due to the Sunday being, not only the end of a 4 day weekend for most, it was also the last day of school holidays and it was a double demerit weekend!

Barty nearly got run over coming out of the Blaxland Ridge Rd onto the Bells Line, and did a little mono to get a gap from the fast approaching car behind him. Given the immense level of traffic, I figured the best way to make progress was to take every gap that came and "filter" as best a possible through the congo line of cars. At Bilpin I was reunited with a few of the boys including Fearless whom I could talk to when close via bluetooth. It was just before Bell that I found the source of trouble and it was some little fart arse truck carrying bags of something that obviously were well over his legal carrying capacity....where are the coppers now!

I took the Darling Causeway into Mt Vic as my plan was to travel to Bathurst via Sodwalls and Tarana in an effort to stay off the Hwy. Fearless, Barty and Tim were with me and JB, Mike  and Danny were somewhere else but it always happens this way! We did wait at the Bowenfells Shell servo for a while but no one else showed up.

The Tarana road was quiet and uneventful, it was getting late and the sun was low even then, I love that ongoing sweeping corner (curve) immiediately north of the Fish River between O'Connell and Bathurst and, looking in my mirror having completed the bend, it was obvious that Barty likes it too!

We pulled in at Bathurst just shy of the Tourist Info Centre to say farewell to Tim  who was heading off from here to Blayney. We didnt see that JB, Mike and Danny were at the Tourist Centre, but they pretty much departed just beind us and Danny saw us very late as we went straight on toward the White Rocks Rd, he made the lane change very late and followed us but JB & Mike went through taking the Highway.

The White Rocks run was difficult as the sun was very low and we were heading straight into it, at that time of day after 2000kms and four days in the saddle it was time to take it easy and just get home. We pulled up at the end of Icely Rd said our goodbyes and thankyou's before heading off home.

Another TT ride done, the 1st such trip north travelling on a few roads new to many of us and with some new mates made, despite the double demerits there was no interaction with the boys in blue and the weather was nothing short of sensational. Well done JB another fine job...cant wait till next year! maybe we will get some of the regulars back as well.

Brett



Moto GP 2012

 Bretts version anyway!

(its no wonder ACP or Fairfax wont give me a job...cant  keep it to 250 words..)
Day 1 (Wednesday)
This year there were some 34 names on the FL list of Moto GP trip starters, we are reliably informed that this is the biggest group ever, it seemed that so many had returned to see Casey off in his final year of top level motorcycle racing.

Its easy to argue that the more bikes and people you have on any trip, the greater the chance of incidents..... yes?

Organisation had been going on for months with Fearless, JB, Deb46 and myself all arranging houses across the breadth of Cape Woolamai. Beds were allocated, groups were formed and ride away dates were set with the bulk leaving on the Wednesday to take as much advantage of the 7 day minimum house rental cost......those that had to work etc planned to depart Thursday (so as per normal).

Wednesday morning 24 October couldn't come quick enough for most, me being one of them...what, with a new (to me) bike an' all. Cook Park was the meeting venue. We were advised that Fearless & JP were now meeting us along the way, as they were leaving Sydney that morning. The rest of the crew cobbled together over the 20 mins or so after I got there, we had lots of bikes and 2 cars (being Mario & John in the GTS and Sam in the Jetta diesel joining the run!), these blokes helped out famously with some luggage as well as transport support at the Island. Without this capability there would have had to have been more than a few top box trips had.
Barty makes the most of power to weight, once he finds a couple of cars are with us 

On the bikes we had most of last years crew return! plus a lot who are irregular regulars, James was with us again on his new M1100 Evo, Rousabout on that BM with the fabulous sounding powershifter. Scott was a 1st timer on the Ninja 250 and  Steve "Garth" McG was there on his new FZ1 to ride with us up until lunch.....and then ride back home. Davo was with us on his Yellow Terror FZ1, JB (also an FZ1) turned up with his mate Steve who has joined us from the Alice! He too was on his FZ1..... and some people reckon TRX's & Multistradas are common!

Sue and Cath were also with us on the Speed Triple & Raptor respectively, not really coming to the GP but riding with us for Day 1 and the last day. They were playing up on some lady only weekend with a coupla nights at Lakes Entrance and the 2 more at Bright before catching us again on the last night at Thurgoona.

Ah!! the Red Italians up front!....in the photo anyway!!.........well it is my photo..

The famous "Fearless GP itinary", as distributed, suggested that the intial route was to travel through Blayney to Woodstock, but in his absence, we ditched that in favour of a morning run across the George Russell Drive from Canowindra to Woodstock, and it was a great start to the ride. Despite being a big mob we travelled along quite OK with the departure and traffic spliting us into groups anyway and the Cargo Rd is 80 & 90kmh so no quick riders coming through and the cars behaved.

We stop for a leg stretch at Woodstock and then, of course, Giacomo turns up! Not like him normally to be running late!!.....wonder what happened?....nothing..just normal behaviour,.... I happen to know he just loves to play catchup in the mornings!...well anytime really.

The run down to the Dam was clear and ended up pretty relaxed. I heard Drew say later that he hadn't ever been on that run, across to Mt McDonald, down the hill and over the dam, before and how much he enjoyed it. I waited at that dodgy Frogmore turnoff below Darbys Falls that sneaks up on you, just to mark the corner and waited for the last bike to come by, then the challenge was on to catch as many as possible before the Rugby Rd......got lots and had fun, despite the bumps.

Smoko at Boorowa found Fearless and JP on the Tiger and the MultiS respectively, we also caught up with those softies that slipped down the main road from Cowra. That toilet at the Bakery sure cops a floggin doesnt it!  After pies, coffee, cake for some and a refresh, a quick route brief to those who were unsure, that the next critical turn was south of Coolac to Adjungbilly & Petit.

Off we went as a pretty orderly bunch with someone up the front, not real sure but probably JB, we were spread out a long way through to Harden. Out of Murrumburrah though things warmed up considerably when Giacomo went past, as he does, he grabbed about 2 or 3, so I was off after him......of course just to to ensure his safety....it was a great run through to Jugiong. There we found half a dozen of our group who had pulled up at the "T" waiting, Giacomo & I didnt wait, up the hill and onto the FWY, now a chance to have a look about and find out who we are with, surpringly JB doesn't lead a group off the Colac exit through the roundabout and back onto the "on ramp" and return to the FWY, as he had done earlier this year on the TT Trip.

Travelling along the Adjungbilly Rd towards Tumut, is fun but you have to be careful, its narrow  mostly, particularly after about 8-10kms into it. Especially the section around Nils' corner, where its very bumpy and dusty due to some new excavations into a few of the cuttings. I suppose the upside is that this section is being widened so there will someday be a new surface. More roadworks up ahead added to the dirt length on this road (Fearless said the sealing had been done by the time he rode it 5 days later on the way home).

On the dirt proper & I am in front, of my group at least, and I am thinking, thats great no dust........then of course who do I see in the mirror....Giacomo, the dirt king. He whistles past seemingly in full control & at a gap of around 250mm....Phk, I say before settling back into "my rythmn". A stop up the top at the T intersection waiting for the group is where I hear Rousie's powershifter as he stormed away from a stop up the hill toward Tumut, sounds very racey!

At the next right hander JB's mate, Steve, spun his FZ in the loose gravel buildup after stopping & waiting for direction, no real damage, but the first of a few on this trip. Nils beat last years effort by arriving safely in Tumut on his carbon (copy) ST1050.

It was Lemon Squash all round at the Woolpack!!

As creatures of habit we met at the Woolpack Hotel for lunch after grabbing fuel. At this stage Garth called it a day and departed for his return trip, by all reports he had a great day on his first longish trip on the new FZ1S. After a longish lunch, it was up the Snowy Mtns Hwy to Kiandra, then south to Cabrumurra, Khancoban and the overnight stay of Corryong. The run up the hill was unremarkable, across the top very routine if not fast...ish...When we turned off at Kiandra there was a stack of bikes parked up probably 30 or so, they stayed put, we continued but I was about 8th in line with some nice road coming up and none of my usual "riding" partners in sight. I was starting to work out how many corners may be missed before I got to the front of my pack, just then we came up on the park entrance hut where the road widens into multi lanes for paying the fee, all of a sudden the bikes in front of me went left and right, parting like a Moses job, so I sailed straight through the middle and into the front spot....perfect! Thanks gents.

I stopped again at the Cabrumurra turnoff to mark the corner, this put me at the back again! But that all changed when we got to the next intersection where we turned left to go to Khancoban, I slipped to the front again. Apparently Fearless, Sue, JP and James went into Cabrumurra itself for a specified purpose? (sleep?) Colin found his way there too having suffered some sort of ignition key issue. Anyway I think they had a coffee, I had no idea where JB was or Hoppy & Davo.


Ahhhh!......... another Dam Ducati.....sorry!   Rousie in the background..floggin the powershifter

Riding along, pretty much on my own I was enjoying the corners and beginning to get a tad more used to the Multi and its capability. I saw a red bike right behind in the mirror thought it was Rousie, and he was looking to pass, bloody hell! I slowed and it wasnt Rousie, but a pretty knocked about Ducati ST4, he came past and, on a bit of a hike too. Off I went and, it took a km or so to get with him, but it was a great ride. Pretty early we caught up and passed Mario and John in the GTS, so they hooked in behind (at a safe distence..thanks Mario!) and I am sure had a great time. Eventually we came across a straight(er) section and I saw a flash of yellow so I backed off, the ST4 in front also hit the brakes, all looked a bit sus....we got closer and saw Davo standing there, helmet off and "dealing" with a copper in a yellow SS . Davo looked very concerned and was stroking his beard. I only got a short look. The main thing I perceived was that Davo looked concerned. A real bugger for Davo its an 80kph Zone in the middle of nowhere & our group may all have been a tad above that! there is no doubt that he saved many of us.... Thanks mate!!!

At the end of that road at the Tooma turnoff we stopped, I thanked the ST4 rider for a great ride and was chatting to the GTS pair when Barty came up next, Barty had in his mind that we were turning left, probably because I was standing on that side of the road, I said "were going that way Barty" pointing in the other direction, so he gave me a nod and proceeded to commence a U Turn in front of the afternoon school bus...the driver had kittens, he braked really hard, the kids inside all glued to the windows wide eyed for signs of busted body parts and blood! But Barty, being the savvy and experienced rider he is...reacted like he possesed a 6th sense, he pulled the lusty Italian hard left in a nano-second, averting any potential, and expected, bloodshed instantly dashing the hopes of the schoolies who didnt get to see any blood or guts!

Then Davo pulled up, yes it was costly.....but he did get to keep his licence and his bike...so far anyway!

Arriving at the  Corryong Motel the group begins to slowly grow again and its a great place where they have a fully stocked fridge full of beers at very reasonable prices. Beer was drank, showers had and dinner was at the Hotel walking distance up the road. Davo wasn't coming, he and Matt were staying at the Caravan Park (being a late starter for the Wednesday departure). Davo said he had to save money (now) so he and Matt got a 6 pack and a Pizza. Wonder if Matt enjoyed that 1 beer Davo let him savour?

As the evening unfolded we found out that JP and James also had a chat with that same copper in the yellow SS, apparently their chat wasn't as long as the one that Davo had! But James' chat, since he got there first in their bunch, may have saved Fearless and Sue...unfortunately, that high vis yellow stuff stands out and it was obviously this coppers favourite colour....sorry JP!

Dinner was had eventually, some had to wait much longer than others. We has some sleep and begging for another day tommorrow.

Day 2 (Thusday)
There was a 2nd mob departing on Thursday, plus some stragglers from Orange, Linz & Deb from Young, a few others & Mike...or did he leave on Friday?... anyway, for those I was with, there were rumours, at breakfast, of Police up the road from Corryong pulling every bike in for licence & rego checks. Spanner & the GTS crew left earliest, then the B team people, the main group until, I reckon, Cath & I were last..but we caught JP & Sue, Fearless & Co just outside town, seems the rumour Police pulling in bikes was incorrect, and we enjoyed a leisurely meander to Tallangatta (Lex's favourite overnight stop!), to regather. Cath and Sue left us here to head to the seaside location of Lakes Entrance, for a girl weekend..or so....happy motoring girls.

At Tallangatta, Fearless gave us the very important briefing where we had to pay attention! He advised that between here and Beechworth there would be turns, apparently there was a left then a right, then a left, right, then left, then right and left! He went on the confirm that there would be corner marking perfomed and "this is how you will do it". Inspiring stuff indeed, I was hooked.

I was so relaxed I swapped bikes with Giacomo for this leg, after he found his glasses we were off, but we stopped after the 2nd turn and waited for a while to get a clear traffic free run so that Giacomo gets a good run in "sports" mode, unknowingly putting pressure onto the aforementioned corner marking system...anyway turns out fearless was very correct, the corner marking was fabulous, his description was spot on and everyone arrived at Beechworth, within a separation that was comfortable, with simplicity.

So we had smoko at Beechworth, this time not at the Bakery, it was a nice rest and we were looking forward to the mountain areas. We went to fuel on the way out of town and whilst there Kel made the FJR fall over! Probably just so he could get the excess fuel out that he had put in! A quiet but a police free ride so far, although most or us had expected some police interaction on the run between Oxley and Whitfield. Someone did a U turn aftyer the Oxley intersection, so that they came back & had to do another U turn..bike was red & smallish! Scott?

By the time we arrived at Whitfield we were broken into smaller groups with JB & Col up in front somewhere and Giacomo & I a few minutes back. I love riding this stretch to Mansfield because it has everything from steepish climbs, tight corners, open running and a great surface. Riding it with Giacomo makes it better just too see how he reacts when the steep cliffs and power lines meet. For me it was fantastic because, while I'm still learning the Multi's character, being the 2nd full day, I begin to really enjoy the way it delivers its torque and power with all that comfort and a feeling of safety. Compared to the same trip last year on the 999 it just feels so easy.

We pass the 1st copper of the day, in a highway car on a straight bit near the Powers Lookout turnoff, fortunately we are on (or under) the limit and pass without any drama, but round the next corner is JB & Col stopped on the roadside. We see them late so keep on going, assuming that they perhaps had been pulled over by plod and then got done for speeding. Turns out they did get pulled over but it was just for a licence check as they too were under the posted limit...amazing...B Team riders....under the limit!!! Mr plod was apparently a bit taken aback by the sight of one of Colins knee sliders...its very worn. He asked Col if this was damage incurred on this trip? If so Col must be very quick and posses a no fear attitude for road riding....Col eventually did explain that the wear is track day related only.

JB & Col caught us around Tolmie so I was looking forward to the next section.. and it was all going beautifully until, later on, some slower riders, that we didn't know, stuffed the last 10 kms or so for us. I do think though that we did make our presence known to them.

At Mansfield almost all of us gather at the Caltex on the corner and the dilema is the route to Marysville, either going the Highway via Alexandria or south toward Jamieson and around the bottom of Lake Eildon. Many including myself had determined the highway was the go, but JB and Giacomo had suggested the alternate route, reasoning that it would be wet soon and perhaps the Eildon Rd was our last chance at dry twisties.  Last year this road, in the other direction, was hard work and the surface was a very coarse spray seal bitumen, all new because in all the past years it had been gravel.

They talked me into it and we set off with about half a dozen of us heading south, when I pull up at the start of the road to mark the corner just north of Jamison, the group starts to assemble...but then there is more...and more. Turns out that everyone including the Jetta and the GTS is with us, I think only Roy & Kel opted for the Highway.

What a road! On the Multi, and with Giacomo, JB & Col in tow I had a ball. Last year I found it hard work on the 999, with no lane marking at all, no speed advisory signage and very short sighting distances for the most part. But this year fantastic, I learned that I had to stay well forward on the bike to get the best "feel" in these tight roads, and a new set of lower narrower bars would come in handy to make this easier. The end came way too soon, the four of us didnt wait for the others we just turned left at Thornton and then headed for Marysville.

Its interesting to see the country every year after being there for the 2009 Bushfires that trashed this part of the state, the recovery of nature is amazing. Also amazing is where people are rebuilding, I saw some new houses being reconstructed on their old sites on hillsides with native bush and forest below and around them...planning laws and Council building restrictions would prohibit this sort of thing in NSW, but in Vic....it seems no worries it'll be right!

Pulling into the Mansfield Bakery Kel & Roy are already there, and eventually all of our group regathers, but the other thing gathering is the dark clouds, talking to a couple of other Melbourne based riders who had arrived via the Reefton Spur, they reported that the road was damp after the T intersection for Lake Mountain...bugger. Seems that JB was right again with his weather forecast and lucky I took his advice to use the Eildon Rd.

The Reefton Road out of Marysville is dry initially and JB is with me, the trees are now getting thicker and sighting distances through the corners is getting back to normal (almost nil) after the fires. The pace was reasonable, although cautious of any possible Police presence. I almost overshot the turnoff to Warburton for some reason, its a Y type junction but JB just slowed, waited & shook his head. A little further on and the road dampness got a lttle more consistent, this is OK as it makes it a bit more predictable and it was still fun, I must have been holding him up cause pretty soon JB came past me. It took me a while to catch up properly, hook in behind him and get into his rythym, he was riding very well and smooth although his beaming brake light from a sticky pedal took some getting used to.

Then to Warburton!

Rousie checking Drew behind Chris behind Matt

Arriving at Warburton, Fearless had suggested we stop at the Shell servo to regroup again, eventually we were all accounted for and due to the damp conditions there was a bit of wet weather gear on many of the riders. The amount of flouro green or yellow clothing is almost disturbing, some of our people claim they bought it cause it was cheap, or they got it for nicks and some say.... it protects them by making the rider more visible in traffic..... Riding in groups is often the best form of visibility to other traffic...oh yes..and loud exhausts!!

JB & I had to get to Cowes before 5pm to pick up the keys to our rentals (found out later that the real estate office was open till 9pm). So given that the group had regathered and Fearless was there to lead them, we swapped bikes and buggered off, leaving the rest of them to it. The rain started just out of Warburton but it wasnt really rain just nuisance showery drizzle that made everything wet. We turned south at Launching Place to travel through Gembrook and this road is nice in the dry but dodgy in the wet with lots of surface changes, speed limit changes and crests etc, it wasnt any fun riding someone else's bike in these conditions. We swapped back again after the road rejoined with the Cockatoo Rd north of Packenham cause we felt more comfortable.

Through Packenam and Woori Yallock and then we had the Bass Hwy.... now the run along the Bass Hwy is almost always a bastard! This time was no exception with wet cold and very windy conditions I couldn't wait to get to the Island.

When we arrived at the Cape Wooloomai shops, I wondered how we were going to find our people again. I had phone numbers but no one was answering, I knew the guys in my house had the address because I had previously emailed it to them....but had they taken any notice? Just then Giacomo came into view but he was alone. He had lost them all due to another problem with his spectacles at Warburton, having ridden from there on his own.

Turned out that the others were all dutifully following the Fearless Leader when, in the drizzle, they got separated at a set of lights not far out of Warburton and had missed the Launching Place turnoff to Glenbrook, then because no one else really knew the way, they also missed the next potential turnoff at Woori-Yallock  to Cockatoo, and were well on the way to Lillydale. This is despite having a veteran GP tripper with them, in the form of Barty! A black mark for Greg indeed!

Someone eventually pulled out a map, Drew got his smart phone to work and they turned around and eventually took the Woori-Yallock - Cockatoo route and arrived sometime later after having ridden through some heavy rain.

So there we were eventually camped across 3 houses at the Island after 2 days of mostly fabulous riding through some of the most heavily Police infested territory ever known...wonderful. Two streets away JB had a house with Hoppy, Derrick, Colin, Mike and Davo. Up in Corona Rd, Fearless had James, Barty, Spanner & his nephew Brom, John, Mario, Brian & Pickett.  A 4th house the West was booked by Debbie and Lindsay, they had others in there but still had a spare bed, they were due to arrive tomorrow afternoon.
Here is where my story now can only concentrate on those things that I saw or expeienced, and perhaps for some, thats a good thing! (BB)

When Sam arrived, he Kel & Roy Jetta'd off to the shops to grab enough food to cook for dinner and breakfast plus they had to get beer.


Sam and the Jet...ta

When they got back the beer was very much appreciated by those assembled and waiting, even if it was Carlton Mid x 2 boxes, but they did get a box of Old as well....fantastic! By the time we were ready to sit down & eat there was a fair hole in the beer boxes thats for sure, but with 10 blokes, thats probably OK. It turned out that with a massive effort from Kel, with some support from Sam, made sure that all meals were good in this house, the 1st night was no exception. Problem was though, we didnt get any red or spirits so had to make do with Sams well stored 10 year old Magnum of "something" red, it was very nice, and after dinner we had to make do with the 2 hip flasks of Bourbon I had brought with me. Whilst we only got one drink of each, it was all very well appreciated (we didnt know at this stage that Nils had a bottle of American Honey in his bag!) 

The night was a 2am job, thanks to whats left of Giacomo's memory and his 1970's and 80's jokes......remember the baby jokes?...yes he dragged them out as well.
Giacomo telling his 1970's jokes


Day 3 (Friday)
We woke up with a head ache....I did anyway, some got up early....some didnt (although it was probably early for them). We had breakfast, told bad jokes, relived last nights better moments, tried in vain to forget the bad moments  and then went to the track, on the bus! The plan was go to the track, get tickets, have a look then head over to Cowes. And thats what we did, all of us eventually, and got tickets, some got in cheaper than others....ahhh! those pension cards eh!

Giacomo got a fabulous photo of Barty at the ticket counter! Wish I had it to show you.

Whilst at the expo I bumped into a lot of FL's but eventually found myself alone, eating Kransky and drinking beer....does that say something?  I later headed to the bus lane for Cowes, & one pulled up straight away I was the only pax but then JB hopped on, a little later Hoppy got on to and I wasnt alone anymore.


Giacomo, Col & Roy



Rousie, JB & Hoppy
  At Cowes, after the obligatory merch shop visit, I bought a 2010 hat for $10 and picked up this years momento gift for Fearless, somehow then we found ourselves at the Bar at the bottom of the street...funny...there were lots of other FL's there too, and more came and went over the next few hours.

That bar, whatever its name is nice, its got a good view has a pretty good feel, but bloody hell you almost need to sell an organ to shout! They say that in Australia there are two currencies....but I reckon that there are now  3!... 
  • Aussie Dollar (AUD)
  • Thredbo Dollar (TBD)
  • Grand Prix Dollar (Fleece them while ther'e here) 
A stop at the Cowes Woolies for food and the adjoining beer shop, for red & bourbon & rum. Dinner that night was again a show of capability and passion from Kel and his assistants. The reinforcement booze aided another 2am close to the night....I start wondering if I am getting too old for this!

Jonesy remebered more 1970's jokes.

I did get a call earlier in the night from Daring Dan the Wheelstand Man (DDTWSM) advising that he and Deb are leaving early AM Saturday in the racing Patrol for the Island & that spare bed that Deb46 had was now taken....how good is that!!

Day 4 (Saturday)
Similar start as yesterday, up relatively early, but its dribs and drabs, clean up, get your own breakfast, lumox about reliving those 1970's jokes again. The important thing though, is that its Qualifying day and whilst that doesnt start till about 3pm, Casey is on from10am for the last free practice, so need to get there by then. I decide to ride over, cause its cheaper, and I can ride into Cowes after qualifying, and suck up more of the GP cheer. It seems that everyone else, (at this house anyway) decides to do the same.

We pull into the gate 4 carpark and headed straight to the Motocross behind Lukey Heights where a round of the Aussie Supercross Championship was being run. It was all close action stuff, some of the boys spent some time there Friday as well. It was hard to see though with limited stands and mounds for shorter spectators....I was OK though..could see just fine!
Chad Reed in flight

In the MotoGP Qualifying it was Stoner all over, half a second to George then Dani in 3rd, looks like it will be a good race. We watched quali at Siberia due to three years spectating at the bottom of Lukey Heights, we had a fair crew there and Richard of Bridgestone fame joined us for the session...he was hobnobbing it on the pit roof garage with some company corporate thingy, he was sporting a nice Repsol Jacket as well, but he told me he paid for that himself cause he was cold!

Does it get any better!!

Left the  track & headed to Cowes, I was on my own & bumped into Lindsay, Deb46, and Daring Dan and Deb were with them. Dan was very nice, he shouted me a beer at Pino's, and cause I couldnt have more than one, I invited them to the house for dinner. Talking of dinner I asked Kel earlier in the day what we were going to do for dinner, and he had suggested some sort of spag-bol, "leave it with me" He said. I get back to the house and he is perparing Kebabs...you know, a bit of meat, capo, onion & other stuff on a sharp stick. The meats been marinating for a while, he has both beef & chicken and the BBQ is brand new and waiting....ah Kel....champion.

Kel reckons its all about loaves & fishes...Rousie and Giacomo critique his skill...& the dish pigs are washing up!

Later on DDTWSM & Deb call in as suggested, bringing pizza with them, we also had Fearless, JP & Brian vist us and stay for a drink or two...I think they enjoyed it? Another great meal, more beer, some bourbon and some rum for a few of the boys. Another late night but 1AM this time is not too bad,  given that its up early to get a spot.

Day 4 (RACEday)
Even though it was a late night, we were all committed to getting a spot on the fence. I had chosen Siberia as It is the spot where you can see the most and this year there was an extra screen further towards the "Hayshed" as there was now a corporate facility there. The gates opened at 7.30am and due to Casey's retirement we needed to be there early  with no more that 200 in front of us before gates open to get a good spot on the fence & near a screen.

WE needed fit and fast people and we had some young blokes, but many were smokers, we had Roy, but he had been crook, looks like it fell to me, no stamina, Nils, maybe he is OK, and Rousie and Giacomo...well we might be buggered then!

We arrive at the bike park and there are just 3 bikes ahead of us already parked with a couple of cars, we quickly walk to the gates and we are perhaps 100th in the line...not bad, we have about 1200m to run to get to "our preferred location". Then Barty rings me to see if I can call round to Corona Rd and pick him up on the way.......Too late Barty I am at the fence already.


Waiting at the Gate - 100 back
Gates open and a rush of people surge forward...the secuity at the gate really do "just go through the motions" in that rush of checking tickets and bags....through and I am off at a gentle jog, in boots and jacket and carrying a bag and 2 chairs. 300m in and I am buggered, but I stick it out pushing on and no one has come past me yet....I am feeling like Steve Monigetti...on a bad day. I slow, then speed up, then walk briskly, then speed up, then nearly die.......Davo & Hoppy had a grandstand seat so they could arrive whenever they freakin please!

I arrive at "a spot" in front of the tele and think beauty, I place out my 2 chairs and bag as wide as I can but people are arriving everywhere and I am getting crushing pressure. I look around wondering where my "mates" are....bugger! Then Roy arrives, then Kel, then Nils, apparently Nils had a great fast plan but as he was jogging he got stopped cause stuff was falling from his backpack....didnt zip it up after the bagsearch at the gate and he was like little red riding hood leaving lots of trinkets to mark his path. He had to go back and clean up!

We had five of us there and I am not sure what has happened to the other five. I go to get a drink, cause I am still dying from that run and Sam calls out to me, they have a spot on the fence about 100m further towards Siberia...bugger. Given the amount of people we didnt want to give up fence space so we accepted the separation. Along with Sam was Scott, Mace, Drew, Rousie, Giacomo and Barty.


Warm again at Siberia...

DDTWSM & Deb
 As the morning rolled on we got more and more FL's, DDTWSM & deb, then Fearless and James, Spanner & his tribe turned up a little later to complete our tribe.


The day was  a good one indeed, the racing was sensational in Moto 3 and Moto 2, Aussies building the podiums with Arthur Sisis grabbing 3rd in the Moto3, whilst the evergreen Ant West stole 2nd in Moto 2...could it get any better.


                                               
                                              James & Fearless
Its a Krainer rather than a Kransky....what a meal!


Hell yes.......first of all there was a new catering provider just behind where I was sitting that were selling Gourmet Sausages....can it get any better? I am not sure..but I had two...




   








By the time the MotoGp race was upon us the crowd were ready for an aussie win to complete the 3rd, 2nd, 1st podium of Aussies that was the fairytale unfolding. The riders parade in the convertibles certainly showed the favourite, with Casey getting a rousing reception in stark contrast to that given to Jorge and Valentino....Dani, though got some cheer I suppose in the hope he wouldnt get in the way of that fairytale!

Gooooooooooo.....Caseyyyyy!!

Well...it was really a race for 2nd, or really third. Dani crashed 2nd lap and Stoner just flogged them, they reckon about 65,000 were there, it was very good...though I cant help to think that next year will be very much poorer.

After the race we waited a bit, I donated my chair to Lindsay Fox (he owns the track) then left with the hoardes of others to our bikes for the short ride back to the house...I got straight away, didnt wait for anyone, split a lane for a bit then went up the RHS and just sauntered all the way up to the intersection on the main road. From there it was an easy trundle back to the house, I was first back, checked the fridge, alomost out of beer (minor crisis) so I jumped on the bike & back up to the bottlo. Grabbed a box sat it on the topbox rack, a few blokes were there sitting outside the shops and having fun taking the piss out of Ducatis' one asked if I was going to just hang onto the carton....I said "dont think so" as I pulled the Gaff tape from my pocket & put three wraps around it and rode off....(crisis averted!)

That night JP had booked the cafe/bar near the shops for dinner, it was new and the menu looked OK. It was a good enough feed, all of the group was pretty much together and the signs of a big day out were telling. Especially for Danny with his sunburnt face still with his sunnies on! sort of!

I walked back to the house....took forever, packed my bag a bit, helped clean up a bit and an early sort of night at around 11pm.

Day 5 (Departure)
We had to face a day of getting across the Gippsland to Bairnsdale without dying of boredom.

JB & I had to take keys back to Cowes so we left earlier than anyone else. When we got back to the meeting point, many had left, Spanner & the GTS crew had gone, Matt along with Davo, Hoppy, Mike and Colin had slipped up to the bike repair shop at San Remo to adjust the ER6's chain, JB nipped up there too, so that just left me & my house mates.

Off we went in a vain attempt to not lose anyone, I blew the horn near the bike shop at San Remo to maybe attract the others at the repair shop....lots of bike...no one pays attention so we ride on.

Outside Inverloch I turned left rather than going straight ahead. Bugger, (black mark for me) but Leongatha was nice anyway. It was a theme to continue, I caught Barty and JB before Yarram and met the rest there for smoko. From Yarram we headed north through Gormandale but JB turned right just before Rosedale and marked that corner up the road a bit, nearly everyone missed seeing him turn off and subsequently most went to Sale via the Hwy...bad! its very very straight.

I met back up with a few stopped outside Sale and directed them to the next bypass turn to Bengworden, all that was good but we did have reports of a copper on this road from Spannerman, who was the early scout. We also had a Police Pajero pass us but all OK and onward through Bairnsdale to the suggested lunch at Swifts Creek.

Running into Bruthen we had another bike mob come through our pack and this put space between us all, wanting to make sure we had everyone I pulled over letting the other group go on through. The run to Swifts Creek was good for me, I began catching all of those other riders that I had pulled over for and that was a little bit of sport for a while...I think that at least 2 of them were a bit pissed at me, they passed me back on a straight bit where I was not keen to exceed more than 15kph over. I passed them again at the next bends....fun! "Get that up ya" I thought to myself.

The lunch spot at Swifts Creek was bad, 1 bloke in a shop on his own at about 2pm trying to satisy 15 or more riders. I ended up having a packet of chips, a snickers and a Powerade, hyped up & ready to go. It was here that Mike suggested that sometime he would like to ride the Multi.."when your happy to do so" he said.

We left Swifts Creek, and just out of town to the north are 2 coppers sitting on camp chairs in the long grass under the trees. No car with them and no apparent car down the road in waiting either, they did have radar but I dont know how they were pulling riders in? Nearing Hotham another few Police cars and they had a whole heap pulled in doing "Licence and Rego checks", wonder how TMA went. The obligatory stop atop Hotham for photos etc and then we were off down to Harrietville, my favourite peice of road bar none, and this is the right direction for me. I had JB & Mike along for the run, passed a few riders including some of our own and even scraped a peg! must've been a depression in the road!

At the bottom of the descent I pulled over, and offered Mike a swap, I told him to "have fun...see you in Bright!" I didnt see him again until about 5kms out of Bright where he was stopped talking to a man in a blue shirt sitting in a black unmarked Commodore SS Wagon. The copper got him for 112kph, which isnt too bad, but Mike was not happy having to now pay the Vic Government some money. Could have been worse...if it was a couple of kms earlier....wouldnt it Mike? Anyway, he didnt want to ride my bike any more...said it was far too easy to get into trouble on.

At Bright, it was warm and some rested more than others, so we split up a bit heading to our overnight stop at Thurgoona near Albury, I went via the Towonga Gap, had a fabulous run with Giacomo and the boys. I waited at the bottom to see who came in next and it was Chris very closely followed by Scott on the 250 Ninja, he was pedalling that thing so hard to keep up and this, his first real ride!

We pulled up between Tangambalanga (say that after a few rums) and Wodonga, having gone past the Hume Weir sign. As we were all getting off Drew did an incredible hop, jump and commando roll as his R6 just fell over and he fell over to his left. In one action he jumped back up leapt, in one action, to his striken bike and lifted it up to minimise the damage. Apparently the stand was not down (properly)..oops

From here it was a simple ride to Thurgoona, but it did take us a while to find the Motel/Club. On arrival we see that Cath & Sue were back with us and almost all of the others had arrived. Davo was suffering a dodgy rear wheel bearing but everone else was intact. We had to rush for dinner as the kitchen shut early that night but during this feast Fearless had a competency certificate to hand out to each rider, it was a funny affair with many of the riders disputing their marks, but all to no avail.

I didnt do the usual Barty awards this year because we just didnt have time to write them up but there were some noteable mentions such as Barty attempting his U turn in front of that schoolbus, and all those who had brought tickets to the Policemans Ball. But we still did have the Gold Barty, this year it was a real trophy and it was formally presented by Barty and last years recipent, Davo. This year the award went to a guy who hadnt really ridden very much, was on a very underpowered bike in comparison to all others, who always seemed to be smiling wider each day and who took on board lots of advice and adapted very quickly. Yes the 2012 Gold Barty winner Mr Scott R on the Ninja 250, for efforts beyond that normally expected by a first time rider.

Day 6 (The run home)
It always amazes me that on the last day so many people are in a hurry to get straight home, the fastest straightest way possible, when 4 days off work and on your bike riding some of our better bike roads are rare. This trip was no different. There were a number who choofed straight off, there were also a few who had to hang around town for while, Davo had his wheel bearing to repair and Matt stayed with him to make sure all was well.

Fearless said the plan was to all meet at the 1st servo on the other side of the freeway, the 1st group headed out with the FL, Nils was then ready so he said "I  will see you at the servo", five minutes later I headed out with the late group and the 1st servo I saw was a Caltex past the Fwy & on the western side of the old Hume Hwy. There was about six of us and we saw no one else there, we fueled, I rang Fearless & he advised "we will meet you at the road back to Fwy", I assumed Nils was with that 1st & that we had missed that servo? Anyway as we rode back to the Fwy,  saw the 1st group, hooked up with them and traveled south on the Fwy for 2 exists (Myself & Drew missed the exit & done a round Albury tour), to head to the River Rd.

It was a great traffic free ride, eventually caught up with a few of our smallish group to rest at (the spirtual home of the Fls') Jingellic. Whilst Drew turned up the was no sign of Nils nor of Giacomo? I txtd both but no response, We rode on to "The Nest" a cafe/tea house at Tumba that Mike put us on to, very nice place for smoko after a tough run along the Murray and up through the south of Tumba Shire (roads are bad there though...sorry Mike).

Still no sign of Nils or Giacomo...more messages, no answers! we push on, towards Tumut,  I had pumped Chris up about the Forest Rd to Tumut and as we left the tea house from Tumba, Fearless travelled along the main st and out on the Batlow Rd,? Then he pulled over ( I thought to turn around), but rather to adjust something, JB pulled beside me & indicated the Forest Rd, I told Cath ..she said OK but I'm going this way, JB & I did a U turn and to the Forest rd we went. Fabulous... no traffic, no trucks, great vision, OK surface, big sweepers, great speed....ahhh! This is why I dont take the short way home!!

At the halfway intersection, I force JB to swap bikes as his last tilt was wet. I had fun on his FZ! He found out that the rear brake is shit on the Multi (worse than anything I have ever known), but managed OK indeed.

We pulled off at Tumut to meet with most of the group, but lost Ian & Sue. Cath woke up and said to me "oh you went on that Forest rd! bugger!!) Chris had apparently developed a leak in the rear brake line  along the way on his Monster & had stopped to check...he was still coming, I also had a message from Nils who had assumed we left him and had headed up the Fwy on his own & was well on the way to home....would have been very boring. Still no Giacomo. After Chris arrived, JB told him to suck it up and we were off via Brungle to Gundagai. We stopped at the Servo but didnt get fuel (I think JB did, as he decided he was jetsetting home via Coolac and Young..to be home asap.

At the Servo we saw Davo and Matt, they were 2 up on Matts bike due to a failure to find a suitable bearing today..FZ1 down & out. Bugger! Both were offered a lift in the Jet-ta but found it really comfortable 2 up on Matts bike so decided to push on!!....push eh!.

From there up the Hwy to Jugiong and smoko again at Boorowa, we got fuel, up to the bakery and Giacomo is there...we got food etc & he filled us in on his story. Apparently he  had taken a detour along the Granya Gap Rd, got to the end & turned back to do it the other way before continuing on the River Rd, then whilst riding along the river rd by himself (point) he was follwed by a Hwy Patrol man, who Giacomo didnt see, & the policeman took a disliking to the manner in which Geoff could far too easily pass tarmac under his wheels. Several green notes later & Giacomo was free to catch up. Wonderful story..ask him sometime.

From Boorowa we rode the reverse of Day 1 through Frogmore, Wyangala and into Canowindra where we stopped for a rest. This stretch saw Scott, too overwhelmed by the prestige in taking out the "Gold Barty" award just hours before, give the gloves to Sam who was happy to step out of the Jetta for a taste of what his mates had enjoyed. And Sam went well along the bumpy Frogmore section, digged the climb from the Dam up to Mt McDonald before scooting through Woodstock to savour the George Russell Drive to his very familiar Canowindra. Great to share it with yet another rider!


Scott...in civies
 From there we said our goodbyes and rode home as a group happy in the knowledge that another great motorcycling weekend of about 2,300kms was hunted down and the bikes had earned their rego & insurance costs.
"Dancin in the streets"

At home at around 5.30, it was a long day but rewarding. Thanks to Fearless for putting it all together, to those who arranged house's so we could put our heads down at night and to all who richly contributed to an enoyable seven days on a bike trip....its a rare thing indeed.

Brett




B Team Track Day 2012
Bretts version of events
It all started when JB booked 4 positions at a rapidly filling Eastern Creek Ride Day set for 9 September 2012. The targets for his booking were the Trixie Twins Mike & Colin, plus he wanted to see Brett use the 999 for its intended purpose. These 2 stayed overnight at the Chifley Hotel right across the road from the track and dinner was had at the in house Bar & Grill whilst the full buffet breakfast was had for just $4.

 JB offered transit space to me & the 999 in the fully lined and comfy Vito, whilst Colin attached the twin Trixie laden trailer to the newly purchased VK? Calais and made the trip north to the Creek. These guys stayed at the Wenty F1 Motel and they had dinner at the local Club with the “Young Ones”.
Up early & to the track…….Its now Sydney Motorsport Park, with the new track section that adds about 6 more turns that takes a right off the old turn 6 (and the old turn 5 kink is also gone). None of us had been there using the new section, or so we thought. You have to be quick to get a spot in a garage, many of the “Young ones” had pre booked and were in Garage 19, we tried to muscle in but it was too full, 21 was their overflow so we squeezed in there with Lindsay Apps & his mates, thanks fellas. It was then that JB handed out the specially minted B Team Track Day T shirt to the three of us. In black with a special logo on the left breast that featured the B Team name and a track map that included the new section…nice touch JB. The back of the shirt has a rather amusing rote that takes the piss and compliments various nationalities on their weakness’ and strengths. You will eventually see it somewhere….

We found the TT’s who happen to both have TRX Track Bikes in addition to their TRX road bikes, Colin’s machine fitted with a later R6 front end, some sticky tyres and a stubby MOTOGP style exhaust. Mikes bike is his old (crashed) road bike and his modifications stretch to a custom paint job, completed by him with some remnant house paint with a 3” brush….tasteful!! Mike hadn’t bothered to charge the battery (or invest in a new one) so it was pushed up the hill with my help and, reluctantly, bump started. It looked a treat, custom paint, cobwebs, and bump starting down the slight decline at the back of the pits!! JB rightly said “stay clear of Mike through scrutineering!”

We went through registration, got our group wristbands and JB had booked us into the B Fast group…….that might be OK for the others but I had never been to a track day on a fast bike let alone being in the 2nd fastest of the four groups available, now I was beginning to get even more nervous.

We get back to the pits & I get changed into riding gear & that’s when Colin & JB unload their extra gear carried in milkcrates & such. 240V leads, 4 way power boards, tyre warmers and heater control units plus race stands front & rear. These blokes are a bit serious!

Off to the briefing we go, Colin is revving me up all the time, its like he knows something that I don’t. We find out that we, the B Fast group, are on first, now I am getting nervous.

Out we go, and I try to wait to start up the back but the other 3 push me to start with them, out the slip lane & into Turn 2, I am very conscious that it is cool, tyres and track are cold (no tyre warmers), most accidents happen 1st & last session and I am trying to sell the bike I am on. 1 goes past, 2 then 3 and 4, its seems endless the number of bikes passing me. Down the straight the 1st time and I can’t see the other 3 at all, I am still being passed and I am doing 240 odd down the straight!

That session finished and back in 21 the boys are jumping…Mike say “How good was that…..fabulous!” he asks “Did you enjoy that?” I take my gloves off, hold my hand out flat and its shaking….I said “Still warming to it”
JB & Colin park their bikes on their stands, fit their tyrewarmers and plug them in, at the same time Mike wheels his bike to his solar tyre warming machine…AKA the nice sunny spot at the front of the Garage. After about 10 minutes I saw, and felt, the benefit so followed Mike’s very practical lead in gaining some benefit to narrow the performance gap that these 3 had over me.
Next group out included Lindsay on his recently purchased Triumph TT600 track bike. He picked it up off eBay for a very low sum less than a coupla hundred bucks! He fixed a fuel leak, whacked on new tyres & away he goes….perfect. Lindsay had a new pipe for this event and showed a very experienced line around the track…gee I wish I was in that Group!

Next session, I got a little better, less nerves, warmer feel and a tad more confidence. From the start I tried to keep with the other 3 but within 2 laps they were gorne! So I decided to learn by following a fellow with Repsol leathers, it was great, felt like I was chasin’ Doohan. I had fun though, even got the chance to use the lap timer fitted to the bike, posted a 2m35’ early but found it really difficult to concentrate on hitting the button (which is the starter button) whilst doing 240+kmh, changing gears etc all at the same time.

JB was having dramas, leaving a bit of velcro tie strap attached to his upper fork leg….had to pit to remove it & lost the group, then he had trouble with grinding down the beautiful and expensive rear sets he had fitted to the big Yammie, The TRX brains trust advising JB to get off more but any more hanging off would have been simply theatrical as it looked OK to me.

As the day unfolded the confidence and capability of our group improved. Colin was without doubt the ace in the pack, apparently (cause I didn’t really see much of them), giving JB and Mike the slip every session, even toweling up some superbikes with much bigger power output.

About session 4 Lindsay offered the TT600 to Mike for a go, it took him about 4 laps to get in the groove but once he worked out the grip and that he needed to keep the revs up…off he went, past me into the new hairpin, I got back down the straight & he was back under me into turn 4…not that it’s a race. Apparently the pipe is louder when Mike rides it, that’s what the spectators say (Deb). And I reckon the titanium sliders are a winner from a spectator’s point of view…nice sparks Mike.

The finish of the day was exciting where I started early in the group and tried to make sure the others didn’t catch or pass me, but on the last lap this red TRX with a red clad rider with red tinted lenses (get the pattern here!, slipped passed on the outside exiting T3 where there was almost no room. Here I was thinking I am doing alright gassing the 999 out of the corner, feeling the power, around 100KW of it….and then this bastard comes from nowhere around the outside!!!! On a bloody TRX with very little mumbo in comparison…..goes to show that motorcycling is all about the rider!

It was a great day and the trip home was all about reminiscing and who did what when & how. Thanks to JB for the impetus to make it happen, to Colin & Mike for their input, expertise and encouragement, to Linz & Deb it was great to catch up again and the Young ones who clearly have a very strong Knit.

The 999 is now gone to a new home so I can rest easy that I didn’t scratch it before it went, maybe I will do another trackday on the next bike but I don’t think that I will jump into the same B Fast group …….I reckon I could carve a few in the D Group...maybe!
 


Anzac TT 2012
Story by Brett
JB Had again succumbed to the pressure and arranged another assault on the southern region. This time the plan was a Friday trip through to Jindabyne, Saturday was to head to the far south coast & travel to Mollymook before heading home via Nerriga and Taralga.
Friday
Twelve TT'ers gathered at at the Metroplaza carpark for an 8am departure, this year was different in that we had women along.......this was a concession, although 3 of the 4 women all rode their own bikes....so we felt that was OK.
We headed through the usual route of Wyangala to Boorowa for smoko, although already the lady riders showed a level of dissention and instead travelled via the highway route to Cowra and Boorowa! On arrival we had smoko and readied ourselves for the trek to Tumut for lunch.....its all about food after all. The trip through Adjungbilly was again fabulous with dry roads & OK temperatures, JB must have been bored riding the short stretch of the Hume as he swept off to the left onto the Coolac exit but continued through the roundabout at pace only to re-enter the on ramp back to the Hume, funny thing was about eight other riders followed him!

At Tumut we met up with Mike & Colin on their TRX's and with Ron & Jillian on the mighty Burgman,

Following the usual luch at the Woolpack we were off along the Snowy Mtns Hwy to the overnight at Jindabyne. This road tends to savage the rider with dodgy conditions, yet in some way provide the rider with a sense of awe...riding across the rooftop of Australia. Yes it was cool, somewhat damp and on accasion foggy, the trip to Talbingo was loveley meandering alongside Blowering Dam then up the hill to cooler conditions where the damp roads began. It was freezing on the run to Kiandra and from there through the twistier section to Adaminiby where we stopped to regroup. Through this section every rider was cautious as the roads were wet and with tricky sections where the RTA had filled the surface with that lovely smooth bituminous crack filler that covered the road like a spiders web...nice!

A few outstanding riding bits
1) Deb tossed the new Z750 around on that twisty bit west of Adaminby to hold the fast boys at bay for a while
2) JB, BB & MB all rode together from Berridale to Jindabyne and that last few kms into town was sweet with hot mix, sweeping corners, dual lane carraigeway and fast(ish)....within the law(ish).

On arrival of most riders at the Jindy Hotel, Danny showed up with a carton of Draught and a big box of 440ml "Woody's" for pre dinner drinks......that was the start of the problem. Great effort from Kel who managed to get off the plane in Orange from Adelaide at 1030 that day, get home, pack and meet us at Jindabyne just in time for sharing Danny's beer.
After we drank it all we went to dinner at "Journey" Restaurant and had a 5 or 6 course meal that was very nice but just a bit light on in volume. Davo did his usual and talked to all the ladies in the venue despite their partners being there!
It was a great night, we found some very nice 15.7% wine (you would have loved it Rousie) from the Gotham vineyard. There was supposed to have been a pool competition back at the pub but many dodged out & went to bed after a big 1st day

Up the next morning and all are well(ish) and the plan was to head for the coast and Tathra for lunch, our route was via Dalgety, Bombala and Wyndham etc. The run now to Dalgety is fabulous, new surface sweeping corners and significant elevation changes, there was no traffic to speak of except for that lonely calf on the road edge looking at us....scared me a bit! At Dalgety JB & Lex swapped machines for a bit until JB fell asleep due to the luxurious rocking sensation provided by the Green GTR at full noise.
That morning ride was soooo nice, when we arrived at Bombala we all pretty much stood about to have a rest and hurry up and wait. Parked outside a Gallery and garden shop we wandered in for a look and the man had garden scultures made from welded horseshoes....Classic! cath like the pear, Davo like the Eagle and we all liked the fisherman. because it was Bombala we couldnt go to any of the pubs....well not now we had Ian with us, and his been banned from all pubs in Bombala.

Eventually we headed orf and made our way to Wyndham, again the run was good except for the damp patches and the odd bit of pothole come roadwork patch that kept us all honest. After Wyndham we darted off to Candelo then some of us went to Merimbula for fuel before heading to Tathra and the Beachhouse Cafe.

What a nice place to while away a luch break, by the beach.....on the beach, soaking up the view, the relaxed staff with their nice food...wonderful

Pol had noticed a little earlier that his Ikon Shock on the RHS had blown a seal poring oil all over the swingarm and around the back tyre....nice. This concerned him enough to give it a rub with magic sand (the tyre!!) and caused him to denegrate the good name of Ikon (Koni) shocks as this was the 2nd time that shock had given up the ghost, and they were brand new.

Departing Tathra now for Narooma the coast and then Mollymook overnight. The coast road to Bermagui from Tathra is a nice mix of beach drive and forest hills. The 1st bit of forest hills and we came across car accident #1 where a little silver car with red P's had forgot to turn right on a 35kph corner and drove off the road over the, almost, cliff only to be saved by banging into a tree.
Through Bermagui, Narooma and on the Highway, but it wasnt to bad. Some dropped off here, Sue went to visit her brother, Pol dropped in to see the south coast Daughter and the rest of us where a bit split up. A bunch of us pulled up at Moruya for a leg stretch before again tackling the Highway.

North of Batemans Bay we were flashed by the oncoming traffic, thinking that police were ahead we were on our best behaviour, only to come across  accident #2, again a car with P plates off the road ofter spinning on the wet surface ending up the embankment and doing some damage. All looked in hand so we continued only to see more cars flashing at us. Before long it was accident #3 with another car spinning off the road and up an embankment, this time the doors were off and Ambo's on site.

From there it was a gentle trundle into Mollymook to our accommodation. Once arrived and rooms sorted, the boys began to migrate one by one to the bar at the Mollymook Sports Club? Chewing the fat of the days experiences before dinner.

There was a deal of anticipation over the dining experience that night as the only reason we were there was because Fearless had eaten there once before and suggested that it was "good" food. The culinary critics amoung us had already begun to sharpen their knives ready to use them if the tucker wasnt up to scratch!! Our Anzac TT Squadron Leader JB had arranged a set menu with a number of choices and this helped a speedy and efficient service to the tables. Need not have worried, the food was wonderful and the company was great.

That night we presented JB with a token of our appreciation for arranging the trip, a terry towelling hat. Many people made comments publicly about how wonderful an organiser JB is just so he will do it all again next year.

JB had prepared a "spit the dummy" award, which was a hiking fantastic water bottle precision engineered from aluminium with the dummy spat motif stamped on the front. Sue was the lucky recipient for leading that highway trundle of ladies to Cowra and Boorowa on Day 1.

The next day we had breakfast at the Mollymook beach cafe and enjoyed the warmth of the sun and the views of the beach, letting the smell of salt fill our nostrils.....I didnt see it but Danny & Deb apparently both went for a 5 km run on the beach earlier in the morning whilst most of us were still sleeping, who would have thought eh!!
Ready to go and the morning session was simply a run up the Princess Hwy to just south of Nowra before heading south east to Nerriga. Our aim was to turn north west and head across to Goulburn after Nerriga rather than heading through to Braidwood.

Up the highway was OK as we all split into groups after fuelling at different spots. Unfortunately the Nerriga run was interupted with traffic due to the Kings Hwy being closed again with a land slip. The road was nice, surface great but the slow cars in the twisties were a tad annoying. The run west from Nerriga also had a bit of traffic but this was OK keeping us all honest, except Pol, who revelled in the gravel stages on the Scambler....even with its blown shock.

Arriving at Goulburn we gathered at the Green Grocer Cafe (as per usual) for a lunch. It was here that we bid farewell to Colin and Mike who headed back to Canberra from there, Fearless also left us for a wonderful trip up the Hume to the Big Smoke for work the next day. The rest of us made our way through town and on to Taralga. We got split up a bit there and our groups made for an interesting catch up session. About 20 kms out Brett caught up to JB, Lex & others, passed them, took JB with him and had a great run to Black Springs. Danny and Suee started the latest but gradually caught people, danny then pushing on to catch up with BB & JB by Black Springs, a very nice run.

From there we all started to dissipate, no one stopped at Oberon, some stopped at Bathurst so we just headed on. At around Vittoria we were moving through the cars and we passed a 200 series landcruiser that was hogging the road, after Lex had gone past him the LC closed up behind him & was consistently flashing lights and being a goose. At the next overtaking lane the LC wound it up and passed us all waving as they went by. With its tinted glass we couldnt make out any faces but I had had enough so up beside him I went ready to display my dissapointment with the drivers behaviour........pulling up beside the drivers window, looking across and ......Bloody Rousie! yes it was the wingman who was gining us shit! So we waved and got on with it.

Arriving home, pretty early really, it was about 3.30pm. I had a beer, a little rest then Cath & I washed both bikes before reflecting on what was a great weekend away to celebrate the Anzac tradition.

Well done JB another fine job.



Baywatch 2012
Story by Brett
The general lack of organised "trips" was the centre of much discussion at the dinner prior to Christmas at Lords Place Thai! Particularly those trips that are partner friendly and dont require long days of riding over insane roads. So "just because" the 1st such trip was run over the weekend of 5, 6 & 7 February 2012 and was named the Baywatch Tour.
On Friday morning 5 Feb at 8am, eighteen of us departed in showery conditions from underneath the Metroplaza Orange, all dressed in our best waterproof gear. A number of our group were on new or differing bikes with Fearless and his bride both on new Triumph;s (a white Tiger 800 & purple Street Triple respectively), JP was on a borrowed Ducati ST2 following a lack of cooperation from the cam chain on his Varedero. Unfortunately Debs new Z7 hadnt arrived in time for her to be a rider this trip.After picking up Lex at Lucknow we were 19 strong, albeit with Deb & Vicki in the racing Patrol.

The weather didnt let up & by the time we got to Lithgow most people were wondering if we had made the right transport choice. The nice young Lady at Macca's looking after the dining room was kept very busy with a mop for around an hour following us around to maintain a dryish floor for other patrons. Eventually we departed that safe haven and ventured out again into the murkiness & up the escarpment onto the Bells Line of Road. For a very short time around Kurrajong the rain stopped but by the time we arrived at Colo Heights for fuel it was pissisting again.
Grey Gum Cafe - Putty Rd
Our lunch date was at the Grey Gum Cafe on the Putty Rd and our arrival was met with a stoppage in the precipitation, to lift the spirits even higher the staff at the Cafe had already assembled a stack of clean dry towels for our use placed on a chair on their veranda........ahhhh...nice!
Lunch was good & off we went, the road was still wet but the rain had pretty much ceased. A lack of traffic made the journey a little more enjoyable and a safe arrival of everyone in Singleton was a relief to me, although Ian, Sue & JP were a little late due to a luggage malfunction on Ian's new Tiger.
The plan from Singleton was to take a relatively complex series of back roads that ran parallel to the NE Hwy to get us to Raymond Terrace, but with Fearless running late and a few becoming impatient, a number of them left before the main group. As it turned out JB & Lex turned right and ended up on the NE Hwy, eventually fighting the Friday afternoon traffic through Branxton, Maitland & Hexham arriving either after or later than the main group. Darrell & Veronica with Giacomo & Mona(Lisa) also went off but 1 pair was seen coming back in the opposite direction with the other pair patiently waiting at the next intersection.
We managed to negotiate our way & arrive at the Aqua Mantra Nelson Bay by about 5.30 although Fearless led a C Team group through Morpeth & Thornton.
Rooms were allocated, bikes parked, showers had before heading to Danny's room because he had the forethought to pack beer, on ice, into an esky in the racing patrol........ahhhh...nice!
Swimming Pool - Mantra Aqua
The Pool at Aqua Mantra
Dinner was booked atVues a nice pub type Bistro upstairs at D'alboras Marina, the meal was OK and sitting on the balcony overlooking the lesuire craft was magic........ahhhh...nice! A few stayed until they were asked to leave and so ended day one.
Next day dawned a little overcast but no rain, breakfast by the Marina watching the sights and planning for the activities of the day. Several of the group decided on a day tour to tea Gardens and Hawks Nest, so a ferry ride, lunch at the pub, a leisurely stroll and a boat ride back. The rest opted for the Dolphin Watch cruise on the big Trimaran that sold beer.
Rousie & Danny at the helm - with beer!
The recent heavy rain had made the normally blue waters very brown but luckily the vessell had the capability to venture outside the tomaree heads and the dolphins did come to say hello.

After the boat trip a few of us waltzed over to the co-op bought a kilo or so of King Prawns and a few oysters before tracking back to the hideout  to sit about the pool and enjoy the spoils over a beer or two.
Later we wandered again to Vues for a bevvy or two before heading to the Wharf Seafood Restaurant for a feast of local seafood which was ........ahhhh...nice!, even the chicken eh Deb!

The next morning dawned fine and warm, Fearless and Sue were not coming home, the former off to the big smoke for work, and the latter heading north to visit the newest grandchild. Good luck we said & off we went after another breakfast at the marina.........ahhhh...nice!

The group all headed to "Fighterworld" at Williamtown, where my Dad "Grumpy" gave us a special tour of the facility and its weaponry, most appreciated the viewing and after about half an hour we left to backtrack on the same road to Singleton, this time I insisted on a corner marking system ......and...it worked!
Italian Pilote Giacomo Rossi treats us to the finer internals of the Mirage "cock"pit
At Singleton the temp had risen to around 30 degrees and this was in stark contrast to the Friday. We stopped again at Denman for lunch at the pub which was also very nice, our trip had probably been more about food than riding, which isn't unusual for an FL trip but this time the cooks were not locking themselves in the toilet or quitting on the spot 10 minutes before we arrive etc.

After lunch we turn left at Sandy Hollow and take on the Bylong Valley Way, a nice meandering bit of road that has a piece of everything. I rode with Danny until Rylstone and had a ball, assuming that others also enjoyed it if it it was hot & I didnt pack my summer gloves. A tip for the unwary on this road though....the railway crossing north of Bylong MUST be taken slowly, Poor Roy on his T Bird hit the xssing at the 100kph limit and found that the Triumph turned very quickly into a rodeo beast heaving up and down, left to right at the same time. He later complained of a sore back and found his spine compressed somewhat significantly.

A rest stop at Rylstone got the pack back together....sort of... and we then headed back to Bathurst via Sofala. All arrived back in Orange safe and well after taking the White Rocks Road route into Lewis Ponds which gave us a bypass on the Highway, except for Lex , who headed back to Lucknow.

A good trip that seemed to hit the target of a partner friendly weekend that was more about relaxing than riding, it was fuss free, mate friendly and the weather improved each day over the three days of tour. Some have said they would do it again, and perhaps we will, and perhaps using a different location........ahhhh...nice!
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