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15-03-2008, 07:54pm
(This post was last modified: 15-03-2008, 07:56pm by TheShredder.)
Hey everyone, Well Iâ€m back from my epic road trip & what an awesome trip .. great friends, great roads & great times.
Short version
Some Stats from the trip
Great weather only 1 lot of rain 300Ks for whole trip of 16 days.
My bike ran faultless - just goes to show that a turbo can be as reliable as a stock bike considering that most of the time it was getting a work out!
The whole trip was awesome & Tassie very scenic. Ideal for a family holiday or a road trip but not both as itâ€s too hard to ride & view it all at the same time. People very helpful & friendly.
All hotels and pubs we stayed in looked after our bikes in one way or another. Local knowledge is always on offer & very handy.
Most expensive accommodation $40/night with light brekkie, aircon, tv, heating. Cheapest $15 with light brekkie.
Hopefully no tickets. Cops in Tassie seemed very easy-going.
My trip was 9200klms return. (3500 in Tassie)
47 fuel stops - 680 litres - $1028.
$1.68/litre dearest paid. ($1.85 seen but didnâ€t need it, thank goodness!)
Biggest day on the bike - 14hrs, 1100Ks
Smallest day - 20Ks.
New favourite tyre “Pilot Road 2ct†- was the first time I had tried them & the rear still has tread on it which is a first for me, as theyâ€re usually gone at 4.5 to 6 k. I never had a problem and wasnâ€t soft on them, considering the extra hp going through them, it was a great result.
4 Litres more fuel than stock bike on a fill up was the biggest difference.
Average was 2 litres more but worth it for the fun factor!
HUGE THANKS to Mark (Driller) for his organization and the great guys I spent the time with made the trip a magical experience!
I think the whole trip was about $3k. Damage from trip - gear rack, duct tails paint work, dented front rim.
Pics here 3 slides shows to look at
http://s120.photobucket.com/albums/o168/...87a972.pbw
Full long trip report if your interested
Loaded up & ready to go I set off from Brissy Wednesday 27 Feb for a solo day ride down to Port Macquarie where I hooked up with the rest of the troop. I stayed the night in Port Mac at Marks (aka Driller), the ride organiser.
Thursday 28th we meet & greet at the servo.
What a way to start the day with a run up the Oxley Hwy. Iâ€ve only done this road a few times but each time it gets better. From here on I was pretty much on a point & shoot ride as I had no clue where we were going. Mark led the ride & the boys & I jostled for position each taking turns at T.E.C. We made our first hotel stop for the night at Young - a 900k day, which included our only rain for the whole trip & it was solid for 300kâ€s. Got to try out my first full piece wet weather gear & thank god I had them – “RayJays†with glove mittens built into the sleeves. While the boys laughed at my Dorothy Dinosaur hands, it was I who had the dry gloves while theirs were soaked. At the hotel I also realised the front of my gear sack bag wasnâ€t waterproof. I now have a water logged MP3 player, mobile phone & dig camera. Aarrgh Crap!
Friday 29th Young to Orbost via the Snowies.
Just outside of Jindabyne our first problem - my gear rack has broken the mounting welds on both sides & become unsafe. My gear, all but my wet weather suit, was split among the other bikes & we were away again. We encounter our first 30ks of dirt road. Everyone took it easy as conditions were rough. About two thirds of the way along the dirt I realise I have now lost my wet weather suit. Low on fuel, and the others in the distance, I had to make a decision to leave it & push on or go back & risk running out of fuel. I caught up with Mark & we decided to keep going, until I came across a road gang. (insert light bulb) Never one to miss an opportunity, I asked one of the workers if I could borrow his 4wd to go back and try to find the wets. He agreed. I took off after Mark in the truck to let him know what I was doing. He was heading back thinking Iâ€d dropped the bike, sees a ‘mad man†waving him down from the 4wd and thinks the worst till he realises its me! In between laughing and yelling at me ‘what the hell are you doing?!â€, I let him know Iâ€m going back for my gear. Mark stayed with the bikes - I raced back along the dirt almost to the start, and there it was sitting in the middle of the road. While it may have been easier to leave it behind, chances of a shop being available to supply new gear would have been slim.
Meanwhile, the others who were on the tar at this point, thinking we had run out of fuel, had gone to a farmerâ€s to get some. Together again, getting late and cold, weâ€re headed for Orbost. Thereâ€s MORE dirt but it leads to a hidden road that not many know about where the sign reads 105k of twisties. So now weâ€re happy - 4 bikes nose to tail all the way to town – awesome! Flip flops & conditions like Peachester for those who know it.
We made the hotel, settled in for the night & I got lucky with my mobile phone & MP3 player drying out. Camera not so good - it wonâ€t take pics.
Saturday 1 March
Late start this morning as we are waiting for another two couples with Ducatis to join us for the run to Phillip Island. At the $2 shop in town we got some cleaning products & gave the bikes a quick once over. The first half of the run to the island was slow but we were able to pick up the pace on the back half. Now my cursed remaining bit of my gear rack & wet weather gear part company AGAIN from my bike. WTF how much more can I take?!! LOL!! The top half of the rack self destructs but the wets were recovered! It was about now we began to name our trip the “SUCK IT UP BITCH†ride and this became our catch phrase at any time someone was letting the team down.
Phillip Island Beach House
A quick lap around the island and into Cowes for a look at the action bikes. Cruising the streets, an almighty noise - what the hell - Y2K JET BIKE from the States riding around town. What a wild sight - sounds & smells crazy. Back at the beach house, 50 meters from the sand dunes, sitting on the deck for ‘BEER oâ€clockâ€! “Howâ€s the Serenity?!†- looking over the ocean watching a huge seal surfing.
Sunday 2 March - Race day & my first time at Phillip Island.
What an experience having never been into watching it on TV, it was awesome to see these guys haul arse around the track - the sight & sounds of the event were great. I actually found myself caught up in it all. When the super sports were racing and people cheering Gary McCoy, I, too, was cheering him on.
Monday 3 March
Very early start in the dark for the run to Sorrento for the barge to Queenscliff. We continued along the Great Ocean Road onto the Apostles - whatâ€s left of them. Colac to Port of Melbourne to get the ferry to Tassie. 107 bikes on our trip over. Thanks to the help of some fellow Busa club members (Maj & busa Anthony ) I was supplied another rack so that I could continue with my gear and not have to rely on the other guys to carry it. Cabin very small. Time for a few beers & some dinner. Smooth trip over.
Tuesday 4 March
Off the ferry and straight to the bike shop as Mark & George both need new front & rear tyres fitted. The shop boys at Devonport went out of their way to help us. They even ordered in 2 sets of the PilotRoad 2cts for the guys in case they wanted them. To help speed things along, we removed the wheels for them. They loaned tools & race stands & even let the boys use the last bit of their rear tyres out the front of the shop - lol.
A ride through the middle of Tassie, Swansea on the east coast and back to Hobart for the night, where John leaves us to catch up with family. Mark, George & I have dinner in town & go check out “Joeâ€s Garage†(bikerâ€s hang-out).
Wednesday 5 March
On the road early for the run to Strathgordon Dam. On the way back toward Hobart George parts company from Mark & I as he has plans in town. The two of us push on across Tassie to end up at Derwent Bridge for the night.
Thursday 6 March
Queenstown, Strahan, Zeehan, then onto Waratah, where we got a room at the B&B. Dumped our bags & did an arvo run on one of the surrounding roads. Back to the hotel for the night and the first time to feel the cold.
Friday 7 March
Mark & I head back across Tassie for a planned hook up with George & John in Hobart but with no phone signals we were unaware things had changed & the boys were now heading up the west coast. Not to worry, Mark & I had a blast over Cradle Mountain, Mole Creek, Deloraine, and Bothwell. Stopped at Moonah for a long overdue oil change and a quick clean. Back to Hobart, where we again stay the night. Labour Day Holiday weekend, running out of options, we chance across Pete & Lynn off the Ducatis & they offer us space on the floor in their room.
Saturday 7 March
Mark & I check out Port Arthur. Then back up the east coast to a hotel at St Marys. By now we have had contact with the others & they were working their way across the island also to stay at the hotel with us. Together again that night we have a good catch up over a few beers & decide to make the hotel our home for another night & book a room for Sunday.
Sunday 8 March
This was to be our biggest day on Tassie - an 850K day.
We left early for St Helens, around the top to Georgetown, back through the middle, and to the other side of Deloraine, Westbury, Bothwell, Campbelltown and to Coles Bay and back to St Marys. Had a good night at the hotel swapping stories over a few beers with another group of riders.
Monday 9 March
Last day in Tassie – took it slow - worked our way back across to Devonport with a few side roads thrown in, as you do! Chilled out in the park in the arvo at the mouth of the harbour waiting for the ferry to arrive.
Set sail for the mainland – not so smooth of a trip - lots of rocking and finding our sea legs.
Tuesday 10 March
7am dock into Melbourne - “SUCK IT UP BITCH!†.. Yeehaa! We can almost smell home. George & John once again part ways from Mark & I, as John was in desperate need of a new front tyre and sporting a shoulder injury that wasnâ€t up for any more twisty roads. A direct highway run to Port MacQuarie after getting a tyre fitted, were home at 3am.
Mark & I push on to Bairnsdale and up the Alpine way to Omeo. After talking to a local, we make the decision to take a short cut. Dirt again, it was going to save us some kms, but it was soon to become clear we had chosen the wrong option. 70Ks of mountain twisty road, dusty as hell & slippery deep gravel. After a while I began to lose it - going off inside my helmet about having a 20 grand road bike and not a f*&^ing trail bike! Screaming at myself to SUCK IT UP BITCH - squirting the bike to boost a few times to harden myself!
Then it happened - our first break down of the trip, still 30ks from town and more dirt to go. As I pulled off the side of the road for an oncoming semi & wait for dirt to settle, Mark pulls alongside me. His mighty beast was leaking oil from the fairings and was all over the bike. “Fug Oh Dear!â€
As we pull the fairing off for a quick look, nothing seems obvious where the oil is coming from. A guy in a truck stops & offers help. Low on fuel, we managed to roll down the rest of the mountain till he hit the tar again.
The guy backed his truck into an embankment so we could load Markâ€s bike for the trip into Corryong. At the servo we have a better look & find the oil cooler line to the motor has rubbed against the header pipe & worn through. The old mate at the servo braised the hose and we get it back together, but now itâ€s too late to push on so we stay the night in the local pub.
Wednesday 11 March
An early dark slow set off across to Tumbarumba, Gundagai, then a bit of boring highway to Goulburn, Picton then inland to Windsor and Putty Road to Singleton. Gresford, Dungog to Gloucester, Nabiac then Port MacQuarie for the night. This was our longest day - 14 hours, 1100Ks. I stayed at Marks place again before the home stretch the next day.
Thursday 12 March
Fuelled up & headed for home.
I left Markâ€s around 7am for a slow trip up the highway to Coffs Harbour. Inland to Grafton on a great little back road. From Grafton, Summerland Way to Casino, Kyogle, to Beaudesert and home, arriving at 2pm to my loving wife & dogs. Aarrh, its over.
Short version
Some Stats from the trip
Great weather only 1 lot of rain 300Ks for whole trip of 16 days.
My bike ran faultless - just goes to show that a turbo can be as reliable as a stock bike considering that most of the time it was getting a work out!
The whole trip was awesome & Tassie very scenic. Ideal for a family holiday or a road trip but not both as itâ€s too hard to ride & view it all at the same time. People very helpful & friendly.
All hotels and pubs we stayed in looked after our bikes in one way or another. Local knowledge is always on offer & very handy.
Most expensive accommodation $40/night with light brekkie, aircon, tv, heating. Cheapest $15 with light brekkie.
Hopefully no tickets. Cops in Tassie seemed very easy-going.
My trip was 9200klms return. (3500 in Tassie)
47 fuel stops - 680 litres - $1028.
$1.68/litre dearest paid. ($1.85 seen but didnâ€t need it, thank goodness!)
Biggest day on the bike - 14hrs, 1100Ks
Smallest day - 20Ks.
New favourite tyre “Pilot Road 2ct†- was the first time I had tried them & the rear still has tread on it which is a first for me, as theyâ€re usually gone at 4.5 to 6 k. I never had a problem and wasnâ€t soft on them, considering the extra hp going through them, it was a great result.
4 Litres more fuel than stock bike on a fill up was the biggest difference.
Average was 2 litres more but worth it for the fun factor!
HUGE THANKS to Mark (Driller) for his organization and the great guys I spent the time with made the trip a magical experience!
I think the whole trip was about $3k. Damage from trip - gear rack, duct tails paint work, dented front rim.
Pics here 3 slides shows to look at
http://s120.photobucket.com/albums/o168/...87a972.pbw
Full long trip report if your interested
Loaded up & ready to go I set off from Brissy Wednesday 27 Feb for a solo day ride down to Port Macquarie where I hooked up with the rest of the troop. I stayed the night in Port Mac at Marks (aka Driller), the ride organiser.
Thursday 28th we meet & greet at the servo.
What a way to start the day with a run up the Oxley Hwy. Iâ€ve only done this road a few times but each time it gets better. From here on I was pretty much on a point & shoot ride as I had no clue where we were going. Mark led the ride & the boys & I jostled for position each taking turns at T.E.C. We made our first hotel stop for the night at Young - a 900k day, which included our only rain for the whole trip & it was solid for 300kâ€s. Got to try out my first full piece wet weather gear & thank god I had them – “RayJays†with glove mittens built into the sleeves. While the boys laughed at my Dorothy Dinosaur hands, it was I who had the dry gloves while theirs were soaked. At the hotel I also realised the front of my gear sack bag wasnâ€t waterproof. I now have a water logged MP3 player, mobile phone & dig camera. Aarrgh Crap!
Friday 29th Young to Orbost via the Snowies.
Just outside of Jindabyne our first problem - my gear rack has broken the mounting welds on both sides & become unsafe. My gear, all but my wet weather suit, was split among the other bikes & we were away again. We encounter our first 30ks of dirt road. Everyone took it easy as conditions were rough. About two thirds of the way along the dirt I realise I have now lost my wet weather suit. Low on fuel, and the others in the distance, I had to make a decision to leave it & push on or go back & risk running out of fuel. I caught up with Mark & we decided to keep going, until I came across a road gang. (insert light bulb) Never one to miss an opportunity, I asked one of the workers if I could borrow his 4wd to go back and try to find the wets. He agreed. I took off after Mark in the truck to let him know what I was doing. He was heading back thinking Iâ€d dropped the bike, sees a ‘mad man†waving him down from the 4wd and thinks the worst till he realises its me! In between laughing and yelling at me ‘what the hell are you doing?!â€, I let him know Iâ€m going back for my gear. Mark stayed with the bikes - I raced back along the dirt almost to the start, and there it was sitting in the middle of the road. While it may have been easier to leave it behind, chances of a shop being available to supply new gear would have been slim.
Meanwhile, the others who were on the tar at this point, thinking we had run out of fuel, had gone to a farmerâ€s to get some. Together again, getting late and cold, weâ€re headed for Orbost. Thereâ€s MORE dirt but it leads to a hidden road that not many know about where the sign reads 105k of twisties. So now weâ€re happy - 4 bikes nose to tail all the way to town – awesome! Flip flops & conditions like Peachester for those who know it.
We made the hotel, settled in for the night & I got lucky with my mobile phone & MP3 player drying out. Camera not so good - it wonâ€t take pics.
Saturday 1 March
Late start this morning as we are waiting for another two couples with Ducatis to join us for the run to Phillip Island. At the $2 shop in town we got some cleaning products & gave the bikes a quick once over. The first half of the run to the island was slow but we were able to pick up the pace on the back half. Now my cursed remaining bit of my gear rack & wet weather gear part company AGAIN from my bike. WTF how much more can I take?!! LOL!! The top half of the rack self destructs but the wets were recovered! It was about now we began to name our trip the “SUCK IT UP BITCH†ride and this became our catch phrase at any time someone was letting the team down.
Phillip Island Beach House
A quick lap around the island and into Cowes for a look at the action bikes. Cruising the streets, an almighty noise - what the hell - Y2K JET BIKE from the States riding around town. What a wild sight - sounds & smells crazy. Back at the beach house, 50 meters from the sand dunes, sitting on the deck for ‘BEER oâ€clockâ€! “Howâ€s the Serenity?!†- looking over the ocean watching a huge seal surfing.
Sunday 2 March - Race day & my first time at Phillip Island.
What an experience having never been into watching it on TV, it was awesome to see these guys haul arse around the track - the sight & sounds of the event were great. I actually found myself caught up in it all. When the super sports were racing and people cheering Gary McCoy, I, too, was cheering him on.
Monday 3 March
Very early start in the dark for the run to Sorrento for the barge to Queenscliff. We continued along the Great Ocean Road onto the Apostles - whatâ€s left of them. Colac to Port of Melbourne to get the ferry to Tassie. 107 bikes on our trip over. Thanks to the help of some fellow Busa club members (Maj & busa Anthony ) I was supplied another rack so that I could continue with my gear and not have to rely on the other guys to carry it. Cabin very small. Time for a few beers & some dinner. Smooth trip over.
Tuesday 4 March
Off the ferry and straight to the bike shop as Mark & George both need new front & rear tyres fitted. The shop boys at Devonport went out of their way to help us. They even ordered in 2 sets of the PilotRoad 2cts for the guys in case they wanted them. To help speed things along, we removed the wheels for them. They loaned tools & race stands & even let the boys use the last bit of their rear tyres out the front of the shop - lol.
A ride through the middle of Tassie, Swansea on the east coast and back to Hobart for the night, where John leaves us to catch up with family. Mark, George & I have dinner in town & go check out “Joeâ€s Garage†(bikerâ€s hang-out).
Wednesday 5 March
On the road early for the run to Strathgordon Dam. On the way back toward Hobart George parts company from Mark & I as he has plans in town. The two of us push on across Tassie to end up at Derwent Bridge for the night.
Thursday 6 March
Queenstown, Strahan, Zeehan, then onto Waratah, where we got a room at the B&B. Dumped our bags & did an arvo run on one of the surrounding roads. Back to the hotel for the night and the first time to feel the cold.
Friday 7 March
Mark & I head back across Tassie for a planned hook up with George & John in Hobart but with no phone signals we were unaware things had changed & the boys were now heading up the west coast. Not to worry, Mark & I had a blast over Cradle Mountain, Mole Creek, Deloraine, and Bothwell. Stopped at Moonah for a long overdue oil change and a quick clean. Back to Hobart, where we again stay the night. Labour Day Holiday weekend, running out of options, we chance across Pete & Lynn off the Ducatis & they offer us space on the floor in their room.
Saturday 7 March
Mark & I check out Port Arthur. Then back up the east coast to a hotel at St Marys. By now we have had contact with the others & they were working their way across the island also to stay at the hotel with us. Together again that night we have a good catch up over a few beers & decide to make the hotel our home for another night & book a room for Sunday.
Sunday 8 March
This was to be our biggest day on Tassie - an 850K day.
We left early for St Helens, around the top to Georgetown, back through the middle, and to the other side of Deloraine, Westbury, Bothwell, Campbelltown and to Coles Bay and back to St Marys. Had a good night at the hotel swapping stories over a few beers with another group of riders.
Monday 9 March
Last day in Tassie – took it slow - worked our way back across to Devonport with a few side roads thrown in, as you do! Chilled out in the park in the arvo at the mouth of the harbour waiting for the ferry to arrive.
Set sail for the mainland – not so smooth of a trip - lots of rocking and finding our sea legs.
Tuesday 10 March
7am dock into Melbourne - “SUCK IT UP BITCH!†.. Yeehaa! We can almost smell home. George & John once again part ways from Mark & I, as John was in desperate need of a new front tyre and sporting a shoulder injury that wasnâ€t up for any more twisty roads. A direct highway run to Port MacQuarie after getting a tyre fitted, were home at 3am.
Mark & I push on to Bairnsdale and up the Alpine way to Omeo. After talking to a local, we make the decision to take a short cut. Dirt again, it was going to save us some kms, but it was soon to become clear we had chosen the wrong option. 70Ks of mountain twisty road, dusty as hell & slippery deep gravel. After a while I began to lose it - going off inside my helmet about having a 20 grand road bike and not a f*&^ing trail bike! Screaming at myself to SUCK IT UP BITCH - squirting the bike to boost a few times to harden myself!
Then it happened - our first break down of the trip, still 30ks from town and more dirt to go. As I pulled off the side of the road for an oncoming semi & wait for dirt to settle, Mark pulls alongside me. His mighty beast was leaking oil from the fairings and was all over the bike. “Fug Oh Dear!â€
As we pull the fairing off for a quick look, nothing seems obvious where the oil is coming from. A guy in a truck stops & offers help. Low on fuel, we managed to roll down the rest of the mountain till he hit the tar again.
The guy backed his truck into an embankment so we could load Markâ€s bike for the trip into Corryong. At the servo we have a better look & find the oil cooler line to the motor has rubbed against the header pipe & worn through. The old mate at the servo braised the hose and we get it back together, but now itâ€s too late to push on so we stay the night in the local pub.
Wednesday 11 March
An early dark slow set off across to Tumbarumba, Gundagai, then a bit of boring highway to Goulburn, Picton then inland to Windsor and Putty Road to Singleton. Gresford, Dungog to Gloucester, Nabiac then Port MacQuarie for the night. This was our longest day - 14 hours, 1100Ks. I stayed at Marks place again before the home stretch the next day.
Thursday 12 March
Fuelled up & headed for home.
I left Markâ€s around 7am for a slow trip up the highway to Coffs Harbour. Inland to Grafton on a great little back road. From Grafton, Summerland Way to Casino, Kyogle, to Beaudesert and home, arriving at 2pm to my loving wife & dogs. Aarrh, its over.
![[Image: b76e01eb-552d-45d5-97df-028004b674c3_zps59f1c171.jpg]](http://s120.photobucket.com/user/TheShredder3/media/b76e01eb-552d-45d5-97df-028004b674c3_zps59f1c171.jpg.html)
Busa's yeah i guess i like them I've owned a few
