Day 1.We started out Thursday morning to head off to Moama for the National forum get together. It had already been pre-arranged to meet GT and Mrs. GT at Truro on the way to Mildura for the first night. Great conditions for riding, albeit a bit windy, but it was sun block time by the time we had reached the border stop at Yamba. We went to stop at Lake Cullulleraine (roughly half way between Renmark & Mildura) because Bob believed there was a hotel to grab a frothy at. No such thing! Unfortunately, for some unknown reason, Bob’s screen on the SG decided to freeze, and wouldn’t power off. No biggy, but the problem would have come the next morning with a flat battery, unless the main fuse was removed. It was decided, as it was a working day, that we would drop into Quick Fix Harley in Mildura once we had checked into the motel. Bags dumped, we rode down the road to the dealership which has been run by Dealer Principal, Gavin Walker, for over 20 years.
We were greeted by their service guy, Paul, and Bob explained the issue. Without hesitation, he was asked to bring the bike up to the workshop to allow the tech to hook up their computer to try and analyse the fault. Although we never really found out what caused the problem, the reboot and 6 updates fixed the problem immediately! When asked about the updates, the tech was somewhat bemused by the fact that Bob’s dealership hadn’t updated his bike when they serviced it, as it was standard for them to check every time they serviced a late model Harley. Doesn’t say much for HH in Adelaide, but speaks volumes about what the guys at this shop believe is customer service. When asked what the damage was, Paul said 20 bucks would cover it. Took us a while to pick our jaws off the floor, and, to his amusement, we gave him $50 and told him to buy the boys some beers for their help. Cannot speak highly enough of this outlet, so if you get stuck while you’re out that way, give them a try. I doubt you’ll be disappointed.
Problem solvered, so we walked down to dinner at the (very different to what I remember it as) Working Man’s Club. Sadly, not the longest bar in the world any more.
Day 2 started off cooler, but still good weather. Smoko at sleepy Robinvale then on To Swan Reach to refuel. It was just outside of Swan Reach we experienced one of Mickle’s crews creating a gawd almighty dust storm from the railway workings. When we broached the subject with Mick later that night in the Border Inn Hotel, (where he sets up residence), He said he rang them and told ‘em to kick up a storm cos’ there were some South Aussies heading through that way! Thanks heaps, mate!
Quick stop and a beer to wash down the dust at Kerang, and it was looking like an early arrival at Moama. That was until Bob’s GPS decided to create its own version of how to get there. (Well, that’s his version, but he has had a history of getting lost previously!) We ended up taking a route that would have been much better if the Deniliquin Ute muster had been on, instead of the National Forum Meet in Moama!! A couple of wrong turns, quite a few kays further ,and a tortoise wandering over the road, finally got us back on track to Moama, a bit later than anticipated. I swear I didn’t see the tortoise, and GT’s explanation was that I was so far behind on the Fatty, that the thing had crossed the road before I caught up. Fucking bagger riders. Always full of shit!
Anyways, the entrance to the park was under water due to the river rising, so it was feet up on the crash bars, and slowly as you go to minimise the bow wave, so you could get to the other side without getting drenched.
This park is in an amazing spot, and the accommodation is brilliant. The only down side was that it would have been good if all the Forum people had been placed closer to each other. There was a very interesting end of season netball trip in some of the other cabins, which gave us some interesting moments. Caught up with most of the guys and gals that were in residence at that stage, and decided we’d load into the Border Inn for a feed and some beers. As usual, Mickle was holding court, and there was some concern for Jo after a minor prang on the 500 which was giving her grief from some sore ribs. Mark Woumla came up later on, and we had an interesting chin wag over numerous JDs. The beauty of this pub, is that it has a bus to pick you up and deliver you back, so no worries about drink walking, and no wet feet getting there! Great service!
Day 3 dawned cool again, and the river appeared to have risen even higher. The word going around, was that it would peak on the Sunday, and that volunteers were going to fill sandbags to protect the cabins in the lower areas of the park. Nursing a hangover wasn’t the best way to kick off a day, but it was decided that everyone was to meet at the top gate to Echuca for a ride to Rochester Pub for lunch. Pretty straight forward ride advertising the amount of low lying water nearly everywhere. A little fella at the pub who turned out to be the Chef (cook) waved us onto the footpath to park, which was handy. Not much happening in downtown Rochester on a Saturday arvo! Meals were good pub fare, and it gave everyone a chance to have a yak and relate a few stories about their trips. Good to speak to Mekanic and his missus up from Melbourne, who had just recently joined the forum, and some interesting yarns told by Trev and Keith relating to their travels through the States. Trev’s CVO Road King is a stunner, and wears a paint set we’d never see in Oz. A few of the crew headed off on a ride locally, whilst others drifted back to the Park. It’s a great spot to chill out, so we kicked back for the rest of the arvo and watched the river get taller. I reckon Mickle was still in the pub! Around twilight, the lads from next door, Matt, & his fiery headed mate on a Victory arrived back from a ride to Swan Hill. The story goes, that the bugs were that bad, that the guy on the Victory (only had a half helmet with no visor) had to follow Matt’s tail light all the way home with hardly any vision at all with sunnies on. Matt showed us his helmet (which had a visor) and that was covered from arsehole to breakfast time in the little buggers. Pretty hairy ride, and they were glad to get parked that night.
Day 4 we decided to head off for our Grampians ride, as the weather wasn’t improving with forecasts of 100k winds, hail and rain! Said our goodbyes to those we could see, GT and Mrs. GT were heading off with some to Canberra on Monday. Next door, Mekanic and his missus were heading back to Melbourne, & Mickle cruised past on Jo’s 500 on the way to delivering it to a mates, as poor old Jo was still too sore to ride home! China was also heading back to Melbourne with Nomada and his missus, Julie so she could catch a flight back to Townsville. Norm was to repeat the big trip back on his lonesome again. I did see where China commented that the long kays are addictive, and I tend to agree.
We headed off to Bendigo, with the winds picking up on the way. Winding our way through the city, we picked up a couple of 2 stroke Jappers and a Trumpy at each set of lights. At one step, I thought one of the smelly bastards as smoking me out until I heard a yell from Bob, and looked down to see smoke pouring off the hot exhaust pipes. Faaark!!! I turned her off immediately, and walked her around the around the corner off the main road, shitting myself that the bike would catch fire. When I had a decent look, it appears that I must have kicked up and dislodged the oil filler cap enough for oil to spit out under pressure and pour all over the engine and pipes. Hence the copious amount of smoke. Didn’t know what was worse. Being smokier than a 2 stroke, or seeing the bike covered in engine oil. A quick trip to the servo to check levels, and clean up of most of the gunk resolved the issue, and the bike didn’t miss a beat the whole trip back.
We headed off to Castlemaine, then to Maryborough, And Avoca for a fuel and lunch break.
At this stage, the winds were really kicking up, and the frequent gusts certainly kept your adrenalin levels up getting pushed all over the road. Avoca to the Home of the Stawell Gift, saw us make good time, with, thankfully, infrequent rain. In saying that, when it did rain, it smashed us! Stawell to Hall’s Gap got us tucked in with a log fire at our cottage before the real howler set in. On the news that night it showed Victoria getting smashed with high winds, reminiscent of Adelaide two weeks prior.
Day 5 and most of the wind and rain had blown its guts out, and looked like a great day to check out the Grampian scenery. I f you ever get a chance to ride through this area, jump at it, because the views are absolutely spectacular and the road is excellent. A bit of water and foliage around the place made you concentrate, but I’m definitely going back again in some nicer weather. We came out to Dunkeld for smoko, and Tim SG rang to recommend the Royal Mail pub feed, which from all reports is something like a 5 course meal. “’Twas a bit too early for lunch, unfortunately, and speaking to one of the locals, the wind and rain was picking up rapidly. Our plan was to hightail it to Edenhope and check out Mick’s pub for lunch. The ride there was one of the freakiest times I’ve had on a bike. The wind peaked out with amazing gusts that would just about pick you up and put you in the other lane. Any other time, you were leaning over at 60 degrees with your shoulder into it. The rain was blinding, and the shield and the visor were next to bloody useless in regards of visibility. We found ourselves laughing like madmen while we were riding through this stuff. Pretty happy to reach the outskirts of Edenhope, just as the sun broke out, and feeling good to be alive. Upon asking the cleaner at Mick’s pub whether they were open, he said Mick was upstairs, and the pub was shut on Mondays. Bugger! Pies at the local deli it was. The old fella we talked to was seriously looking forward to the bikes coming in a couple of weeks. “Love talking to the bikers, and taking photos of all the bikes” was his exuberant response. Edenhope to Naracoorte was an easy ride, with every low lying ditch and dam full of water wherever you looked. A couple of beers at the Naracoorte pub finished off a great ride. One thing you do find out about wind and rain is how good your gear is, and I was wrapped how well all my kit held up. No wet arse, and pretty toasty the whole way, switching to heavier gloves from Hall’s Gap. Another great investment was the Airhawk cushion many of the other tourer guys had promoted. Must admit, got off the bike every night without the numb bum you get from standard Harley seats. Money well spent! Bought a Motodry soft bag for this trip, and it also was faultless. Great mounting arrangement, with an easy install every morning, and never leaked an iota of water, even in the torrential rain we experienced.
Day 6 dawned sunny with very little wind. Good time was made to Keith for smoko, then on the boring Duke’s Highway to Tailem Bend for lunch. At the roadhouse, we parked next to an old Corolla, and just as I was coming back to the bike, the old bloke in the car, who had to be pushing 80 plus, leaned his head out the window, and said: “ Do those bikes go as good as they look?” “Bloody oath, mate”, I replied. “You lucky bastards” he grinned back, while his missus was chiding him for talking to strange bikers (almost as old as he was!!!) I guess that’s what it’s all about. We are lucky baskets, and a ride like that with good mates and plenty to see , will always be on my agenda. We arrived home with nary a problem, apart from Bob’s screen, and the speedo read a very satisfying 1850 kays for the trip. Nowhere near as much as Nomada or Chriso, Keith, or Trev, but a good hike all the same. Looking forward to doing the same thing next year (on maybe a different form of transport, Timmy!) There are some boxes I still need to tick. See all you guys on a run.
My missus says the same thing, JFE. I keep telling her , as long as they're only pics of the outside of pubs, doesn't necessarily mean I went inside.......... Well , most times!??
Thanks also for the ride report and excellent pictures Winger. It sounds like a great trip. Cheers
Thanks for sharing.
Glad you mentioned the tortoise as that will be a regular story to be shared at future events. You did forget to say that Bob ran over a snake, which we swerved around, but had feft the scene before you got there. When I told Tim SG, he commented that "Wingers is slower than a wounded snake"
We continued on to Canberra for a few days then returned via Lake Hume, Deniliquin and Mildura. About 2,900 kms with a few rest days, we averaged about 500 per day, not a lot for most, but a huge effort for the missus as 12 months ago wasn't real keen getting on the bike. Thanks to all that made the effort to come along.
And for those that didn't.....
