Vic Alpine ride 2013

It took six months to co-ordinate, numerous emails, some accommodation issues and a weather wild card that thanks to having the right initials that paid off

Gathering point 8:00 am Pambula Main Street, Day 1


15 Starters 13 Bikes with only 2 scratchings it was looking good,  weather gods were smiling, a quick scrum to let everyone know the order of the day and it was off to Bombala and the first leg. half way up Mount Darragh the temp dropped to a BRRRR 11 degrees an i was left wondering if i should have wore my Dri rider instead of my summer jacket.
Arrival in Bombala was a splash and dash for those small tanked bikes and on with the thermals and warmer gloves for me. It was then split into two groups one venture down the Bonang and Ewok and Tony ( who rides a harley so he has an excuse) tootled down the Cann Valley Highway for scones and tea in Orbost

The rest of us took the bull by the horns for the Bonang, on the way i witnessed the dumbest crow ever and his ultimate demise had a burning death on the headers of a GS1200, now Terry 2 didnt realise that he had a hitchhiker, but the couple of us that saw it and the rest of the pack that could smell burning Crow ( its not like mums roast chook i can tell you) I was wondering when he would notice. finally terry 2 realising that it was his bike that this torrid smell was coming from, bravely reaching down to dispatch his smelly stowe away. crispy crow anyone ?

Bombala Shire has generously surfaced another couple of Ks of gravel, so the first bit of gravel is a K or so shorter which is pleasing then back on the black stuff for a blast along to the famous bonang sign for a group pic or in Baz's case a little snooze



the formalities over its down to beating ewok to orbost, the Bonang 2 nd gravel section was in good nick and once of that it was full steam ahead, a quick regroup at some obscure rest area, and then on to Orbost, about 15ks out of orbost our race to beat ewok came crashing down, when Shawn & Jodi on the Multi decided that they would test the new Pirelli angel ST's with GP bike lean on a corner, the bike hit a bump and grounded the Gear lever, leaving it in a 90 degree angle so some running repairs to get the big duke going again ie bend it back and they were away again, Shawn tells me he bent it up a little bit as so it wont happen again

Ewok tells me the scones had well and truly digested by the time we got to orbost so a quick fill up


filled and ready to go, whilst the plan was to go to bruthen via buchan due, to shawns remodeling of his gear lever, made for us to head down the highway to bruthern for our lunch break at the Bull Ant Brewery, lets just say the food was awesome but the beer needed some work. Sadly 2WA was to join us but a mix up in days cause a little disappointment, never mind Chris there is always next year.

Fed and the temperture rising it was off with the themals and wet liner, and back with the summer gloves it was off the Blue Duck, Anglers Rest for our first nights stop,

 
Cold beer, fine food followed by a fine red topped the day off very nicely, with discussions about the bonang, the Mitta Mitta rd and whats on tomorrow was discussed
Day 1 was awesome

Day 2 - Anglers Rest
My Morning walk at 6:00 i was greeted with Paradise


I must say that NSW National Parks could learn a thing or two from parks vic, like facilities for one.

Gods Road

A simple breaky check the bike over pack up and go up the Mitta to the Bogong Highplains rd to Falls creek, now this rd is tar all the way but the stone is white so it makes for some interesting riding coause you cant see the loose stuff, Ewok will let you know what he thought, i had a couple of Sphincter moments but once you pop out of the trees its a beautiful run to Falls Creek. We arrived at Falls Creek parking lot for a regroup and a quick Photo

Baz enjoying his day



Ewok being Ewok

 

The new girl

and finally the group



 from Falls Creek its was a sprint down to Mount Beauty for a bit of Breaky , then off to Bright via the Towonga Gap, love that road, a cruise into Bright for a refuel and it off to the beechworth to the Beechworth Brewery for lunch as you can see here is Ewok enjoying some sensational local beer



After lunch, and i must say the Bridge Road Brewery is must stop place but do book before you go as its very busy. We follow tony on the guzzi out of Beech and head for Yack and by now now the temp is getting very close to 30, through yack left to Tambangblahblah, another regroup under a tree then it to tallangata for a splash and Dash, at the servo in tallangata Terry 1 Ktm always wants to lay down for some reason did it last year and he did it again same place same servo !

Of to Jinjellic via the Granya Gap now this little Gem of a road is the most fun you will have on a bike,  smooth lots great corners and its up hill and down as well oooh so much fun. Arrive in Jinjellic get our accommodation sorted hang on we are missing three, Shiite and there all BMW riders, Baz and terry 2 turn up about and hour later BAz with his life saving GPS stuck to the screen, and Brett about 2 hours later just following his nose, and two years running he got lost.
Day 2 Awesome as well
  
a awesome Parmi

tough view from the dinner table
 
Terry 1 not real sure of the James Squire Cloudy Apple Cider, i tried it 5 times yeah i could learn to like it but i need to wash it down with some Carlton Dry on tap though

i awoke at  my new time of 5:30am layed in bed till 6 so i thought i getup and go for a walk and check out the sites of Jinjellic




did what all australians should do and put a toe in the murray river, surprisingly warm.

Breakfast in Tumby at the Bakers, no Brewery their , a refuel and we are heading home a quick run down the Elliott way, if you have never been on that road you should it awesome and the view is spectacular





quick stop for another Piccy in Cabramurra


then its off to Cooma for a Kebab and bid everyone fairwell and off home Approx 1100ks in 3 days travelling gods own roads with perfect weather till we do it all again

Thanks Baz and Ewok for your company it was most fun

Looks like it was a great trip. As an ex. Victorian, I really miss the high country rides, simply the best area to ride in.

Awesome report & pictures ..............well done

Love doing the Falls Creek run.

Well done James.  Im taking a week off for the next one!
Can't believe I cocked up the days. Grrrrrr

the next day i rode from broulee to tarago then nerriga, nowra and home to sydney. just out of nerriga my bike needed to have a lay down on its right side, i've got a severe sprain right wrist from trying to stop it going down. lesson is just let it fall. not a lot of damage and surprisingly easy to pick up.

great ride, thanks to ewok and jc, and all the others.

i'll post some pics when i get used to just using my left hand to type with.

Jimcoleman wrote:

 
T

 Is that Tag in the middle?

Yes it is on this trip he was known as terry 1

How is he? I haven't seen him since this time last year at the 2WF Xmas party at Merimbula.

Never knew his name was Terry, always known him as 'tag'.

Nice report James - must ride with you more often as your reports are better than mine!!  

A HD rider in Orbost showing Tony and I his preferred undergarments - under the open face black helmet of course.  More to come later.

Baz wrote:the next day i rode from broulee to tarago then nerriga, nowra and home to sydney. just out of nerriga my bike needed to have a lay down on its right side, i've got a severe sprain right wrist from trying to stop it going down. lesson is just let it fall. not a lot of damage and surprisingly easy to pick up.

great ride, thanks to ewok and jc, and all the others.

i'll post some pics when i get used to just using my left hand to type with.

Sorry to hear of the mishap Baz - sounds like it was close to where my Bandit decided to have a sleep on that same road (in the mud at the time).  Hope you heal soonest.

Baz wrote:the next day i rode from broulee to tarago then nerriga, nowra and home to sydney. just out of nerriga my bike needed to have a lay down on its right side, i've got a severe sprain right wrist from trying to stop it going down. lesson is just let it fall. not a lot of damage and surprisingly easy to pick up.

great ride, thanks to ewok and jc, and all the others.

i'll post some pics when i get used to just using my left hand to type with.

Hope the writ heals up soon ................natural reaction to try to save it though

Ewok1958 wrote:Nice report James - must ride with you more often as your reports are better than mine!!  

A HD rider in Orbost showing Tony and I his preferred undergarments - under the open face black helmet of course.  More to come later.

I like some harley models , the only thing puts me off is some of the clowns who ride them  

its a fracture, got a date with specialist in 2 weeks but am now in a temporary cast.

on bonang



at the blue duck inn



the next morning


falls creek


jingellic pub




cabramurra

Thats a bit of a bugger baz,

Top shots ...........lucky buggers 

Great report and photos, after all that effort I'm a bit reluctant to ask, but... any chance of some google maps links in case I get down that way some time?

Here you go, re-cycled down load the route map here

https://www.dropbox.com/sh/7l4deutg03brrsl/vvM6NUz1su

The Murray River in the back garden of the Jingellic pub.


Our digs and some bikes at Jingellic.


Another river pic - jeez it was serene.

Here is a little taste the many hours of video i am going edit up

https://youtu.be/-MbW0GWXT5Y

I don't remember any straight bits! 

Well done guys.  Sounds like a reallly great ride and awesome country.  Glad to see Ewok tasteing a brew or two. How was the tank bag Jim ?

Hammy wrote:Well done guys.  Sounds like a reallly great ride and awesome country.  Glad to see Ewok tasteing a brew or two. How was the tank bag Jim ?

Awesome hammy the little one is the ducks nuts, i ended up giving my mate terry the big one, he does shit loads for me and with the fit kit it fits his ktm duke and his bandit. So every one is a happy camper

Hammy wrote:  Glad to see Ewok tasteing a brew or two. 

Look what it did to me.  That avatar pic is actually a real photo.