I first stumbled on the idea a couple of years back - the FarRiders are a group who's gig is long distance riding for the sake of it...it's about the ride rather than the coffee stop. Having met a guy who did a Far Ride (min 1000km in a day) on a learner GS500 I was keen to test myself and give it a go.
Finally I found one that was within reach and suited my calendar last November so I registered and planned for FarRide East 26, Mallacoota. In basic terms, the check in destination (in this case Mallacoota Hotel) must be reached within a 1/2hr window with the rider having completed at least 500km and be able to complete 1000km in total within a 24hr period including the check in time.
So it was a pretty cool spring morning when I fired up the Nightrod just before 4.30am and rolled slowly to the servo round the corner to fill up and get the all important time stamped receipt. Multiple clothing layers, full face helmet and heated hand grips turned up were the order of the day as I cruised through suburbia heading for the freeway. Once out of town and up to speed the lack of traffic allowed me to soak up the pure pleasure that is riding into a sunrise - the changing colours of the skye, slowly gaining light and fading stars provided a beautiful backdrop thanks to the mostly cloud free sky.
And so the first couple of hours were spent - enjoying the music from the iPod, taking in the scenery and generally solving the issues of humanity inside my helmet and own personal bubble. It was at my first stop for a stretch between Morwell &Traralgon that I first started paying attention to other riders heading the same way. 'I wonder if he/she's heading to the same spot. I am?' And 'I think I saw them earlier stopped at the BP'. After 5 minutes of wandering in circles sipping water, mentally cataloging every passing biker and breathing in the clean fresh smell of brown coal it was mount up and head off time.
The secret to long distance riding, I am told, is not speed but consistency. The ability to sit at or close to the speed limit all day, plan fuel and food stops for maximum efficiency and minimum time loss and (I've added this one) the appropriate levels of caffeine are what you need to succeed in this caper. On down the hwy into the rising sun, nodding knowingly at other rugged up riders until it was time for fuel & coffee at Bairnsdale.
Apparently Maccas was the spot to be seen as there were about 20 others stopped for the same reasons.....my earlier suspicions of others destination were becoming more and more strong....nearly enough to actually say g'day and ask 'you far riding mate?' But that just wasn't the done thing and the knowing nod was the preferred form of communication for all. With the ear buds back pumping out 80s rock (.....and the occasional Disney song, really must keep my daughter away from iTunes) the thoughts turn momentarily from other riders to the big questions of life - who was I really, how do I fit into the big plan, why is my seat so hard on the tailbone...?
All and none were answered to certain degrees before the first glance of beautiful morning coastline was seen at the lookout above Lakes Entrance. A chance to wriggle in the seat through town, look sufficiently badass to the early morning locals and awake the caravaners with the smooth rumble of Harley/Porsche v-twin awesomeness and it was back to triple figures again - only this time with some bends and scenery!
Fuel again at Cann River and press on to the border where it was a quick U turn and back to Mallacoota where a fair gathering of machinery was filling the main street. The tailbone was happy but the legs cramped as I stretched back to 6' and removed helmet & jacket, shook hands with a few riders around me and slowly wandered towards the pub. The fella who seemed to be running the show was suitably dressed in leather pants and Hawaiian shirt - as were others - but some discreet enquiries confirmed I was I fact in the right place and not caught up in a meeting of the Blue Oyster Bar MC.....the bright shirts are 'a thing' and go well with the orange FarRiders caps worn by some.
With fuel docket some 550km old proudly grasped in hand I got my name ticked off, has a quick chat with a few more and turned the bars for home. There was never any real worry that time that afternoon would be problematic, but with dinner plans some 150km short of my final destination I was looking forward to a couple hrs off the bike before the final stint home. That was still some hrs into the future however and when I pulled in for fuel in Bruthen that afternoon the temperature had climbed to the early 30s - luckily the knapsack I was carrying and collection of occy straps held the shed layers of clothing securely in place.
Another couple hundred Km's of cursing the design of Harley seats and human spines and I rolled into mum's driveway for a nice hot lamb roast and icy cold beer. With the Mrs bringing the kids up we all had a good catch up with the family before it was back on with layers and blasting off into the cool night air for the last leg.
Suitably rested and refreshed the trip home was both uneventful and ever memorable - the feeling of pending achievement, love of night riding in the country and satisfaction at all the deep and meaningful (or maybe meaningless...?) thinking that had been undertaken that day was enough to keep me occupied until arrival.
Total 1310kms, 15hrs door to door, 4 tanks of fuel, many badly sung 80s songs and enough dead bug splatter to warrant the purchase of a new gurni were all underpinned by the burning need to do it again
....but this time further...
what a great ride and well written, congrats mate. I very much doubt I could do that much time now as the hand and shoulders give out way before then.
I think I've heard of this before - it's called Aussie hardarses or something similar. When you prove you've done it you get a tshirt and patch etc.
Is there a similar thing for driving cars? Or rooting? I used to do the odd all-nighter when I was younger which should have qualified for a tshirt or something
about to do my 4th one down to Nambacca Heads - good fun if you have a bunch of mates with you
LMAO not on your life mate!!!
although Ive seen photos of a guy on a indian scout who was reported to have done that 1000+kms in 24hours - good luck to him haha
