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3/10/2015 Off again on the open road. This time I'm going to Motogp at Phillip island to see if Valentino Rossi can win another world title to his already impressive list of titles. I went to motogp in 2011 and saw Casey Stoner win a world title
after Jorge Lorenzo had a gutsa in the warm up and, I suppose that took a lot of the competitive excitement away from the race. That time I rode from Walllerawang to Albury along the Hume hwy and the second day over the " Black Spur" through Healsville to
Kilcunda, where I based myself for the race weekend. Then home again via the hume hwy. A great trip with many memories, this time a little different. The plan is, leaving work around mid afternoon and traveling via Oberon and Goulburn make my first
camp at Queanbeyan. Day two through Cooma and Cann river to Bairnsdale. Day three to Wonthaggi, where I will base myself for the race weekend. Probably on race qualifying day I will ride to Judy Pay's warbird hangar at Tyabb. This is where the Yak airplane
had the accident, the same plane as my pictures from Temora. Maybe I will be able to see the airplane being repaired. Judy also has the only flying model of a P40 Fitted with the Rolls Royce Merlin engine. The bike is all prepared, except for an oil
change, my tickets and accomodation all done and dusted. This will be another great adventure. Stay tuned to this site, I will be posting much more than pictures of motorcycle riders scraping their elbows through the turns. There is the Abercrombie river and
gorge, Lake Goerge, Lakes Entrance etc. I will be starting on the 13/10/2015 and again there will be daily updates bye for now Max
Valentino Rossi was riding for Ducati in 2011
Stoner over nearly as far as the Honda will go!
Lorenzo losses part of his finger.
13/10/2015 I am laying in my electric blanket heated bed, thinking how I should have had this at my last trip to Temora. I wont be cold tonight here in Queanbeyan. At last I have started my trip to Motogp 2015. Valentino Rossi
is 18 points clear of Lorenzo, but the title is still not decided. I left work at lunch time with the intention of getting to Queanbeyan before dark. This would allow me to stop along the way from Queanbeyan to Bairnsdale and not be in a rush, put more interesting
sight seeing pictures up. Job done so to speak. I left lithgow and as I turned off the main road and headed south to Oberon light drizzle started and for a while it looked like I was in for a miserable day. But the drizzle stopped and by Oberon the sun was
back out and dry road made for a reasonable ride. I had a good lunch at DJ's cafe in Oberon, I would thoroughly recommend to you all if travelling to Oberon to stop there for a meal, great food. Another short stop at the abercrombie river crossing, at least
there is water flowing under the bridge this time. There are some good bush campgrounds there, maybe Cathy and myself should try camping there sometime. I made good time to Queanbeyan, found my caravan park and set up for the night. I walked into the cbd foraging
for food, its a shame the fast food outlets are taking over and pushing a lot of owner operator cafes out of business. After last weeks Coolah hamburger, they have set a high benchmark for hamburgers and sorry but there is not a challenger in Queanbeyan cbd.
I think I should retire from work and do an australia wide hamburger survey. I rode past the shores of Lake George and what a sorry sight. I stopped to take some pictures but theres not much water there. All in all it was a 300 km ride and while there was
a bit of drizzle, it was better than being at work. Lots to see if you take the time to look around. Until tomorrow this is "86" signing off
Oberon dam, not looking too bad, plenty of green grass around.
River crossing/bridge over the Abercrombie River
Not full, but plenty of water flowing through.
Yes, thats Lake George in the distance.
14/10/2015 Ah how great is this, an excellent nights sleep, thanks to my trusty electric blanket. Slept till 8 then packed up and on the road by 9. I filled the bike with fuel at the first stop I found and there were a bunch of
riders, from the act. Looked like they were meeting up with some mates and going to motogp too. Sometime further down the road they overtook me going like blue blazes, we waved but that was about it. As I rode through Nimitabel, here they were stopped having
a rest. Not far from Cann river they overtook again. I didnt see them again on the road. I think most of the riders in oz are headed this way. All the servos are doing a roaring trade there are bikes of all descriptions heading to phillip is. I thought the
days ride was going to be a bit cool and grey, but after about half hour there was plenty of sun and no rain at all today. The monaro hwy heading south from Cooma is made for riding a motorcycle. Good flat surface, plenty of grip and sweeping corners along
undulating hills, even I had a good fast ride. I wont tell you the score, but it was impressive. I only saw one copper and he was just heading out of Bombala, I bet he got plenty of business though, there were a lot more riders going heaps faster than me.
I stopped at the Mckenzie river rain forest walk, were I had lunch. Nice place to stop and the walk was worth the effort. I also stopped at Lakes Entrance, walked across the footbridge and took some pics of the ocean. It water was too cold to go for a dip.
This looks like a great fishing spot, shame its so far from home. I was trying to download the pics from my camera, but the camera is having a hissy fit. I will download the pics tomorrow and upload
them to the site. So Im in Bairnsdale tonight and tomorrow its on to Wonthaggi for the race weekend. I had walked into Bairnsdale looking for food and when I returned to the van park, here are the
blokes from the act. For all the speed on the road, I still got here before them. Talk about hare and the tortoise. Looks like the weather is going to be sunny so the rest of the trip will be great. Till
tomorrow, this is "86" saying goodnight.
Monaro hwy, on the way to Cooma nsw
Not sure if its still doing business, Federal hotel, Nimitabel nsw
Cann river hotel, vic
Suspension bridge on the Mckenzie river rain forrest walk.
Disused bridge over the Snowy River, vic
Foot bridge at Lakes Entrance, vic
At least I got to the ocean. Bit chilly though with the wind.
View of part of Lakes Entrance from the lookout.
15/10/2015 I slept in til late today as I only had about 250k to go. I was having breakfast and got to talking with Inga and Andrew who had riden their push bikes along the old railway track to Bairnsdale. They were having wonderful
adventures and must be seeing some aspects of the country that a lot of people will never see. There was another young fellow there who was taking his family of 4 around australia. He said he was taking 2 years to do it, but I think 4 people in a Kia sportage
4wd, is probably not enough space. I think his kids were just about teenagers. Still good luck to him. The ride was fairly uneventful, freeway riding is pretty boring. I turned south off the princess hwy and the ride got much better, plenty of twisty stuff
and I made good time to Mirboo North where I had lunch. The only fools I saw on the road was one idgit in a 4wd with a book or ipad resting on the steering wheel and another driver going along on cruise control with one foot out the window. Just when I thought
Id seen it all, I was having lunch when a bloke came out of a shop and I thought there was something wrong with his right arm. I was wrong he didnt have a right arm. He donned his helmet, threw his leg over a Klr kawasaki started it, the starter was still
on the right hand side, placed it in gear and rode off. Seems like all the other controls including the throttle had been made to fit on the left hand side. I wonder how he managed to get a license, but he was still having a good go, dont know how he managed
with the wind that picked up out of nowhere. I arrived in Wonthaggi just in time for the annual Barry Sheene memorial ride to come through town. This ride is organised by Cam Donald and starts in Bairnsdale, I think if I ever go to motogp again, I will join
in the ride. I got a pic of a blue cattle dog on the lead bike, not sure if he's the famous dog, but a dog on a bike is a dog on a bike. All in all a good if not hot day for a ride, it's supposed to be ten degrees cooler tomorrow,
but we will see. Its only 27 k to the track so an easy get up and off to watch free practice, hope to get some good pics.
Lead bike, dog with jacket on.
Nice!
And the bikes just kept coming on and on.
16/10/2015 A nice early start today and on the road to the gp track by about 8. It wasnt a bad day a little grey and a forecast of about ten degrees cooler than yesterday. Getting into the track was easy at this time in the morning,
so I went to Lukey Heights to watch the morning free practice sessions. The sights and sounds of motogp can only be experienced by going there. I took some pictures, but Im not friend with my nikon camera, It just seems to do strange things at times. I think
a new camera is in store maybe I will treat myself to one for xmas. I eventually wandered off and walked around to the exhibition halls. Lots of people all jostling looking for Rossi memorabilia, but there was not much going. Seems that all those yellow tee
shirts you see on tv are not bought at motogp australia. I got a few bits and pieces, I spose the biggest thing they could do here is fix the food, its pretty lame. I eventually got some reasonable pics of the bikes at siberia, and when I downloaded them,
the focus wasnt as bad as I thought it would be. I found out later there were a few riders who crashed but nothing serious. A good day for watching motorbikes, I hope the race will be just as exciting and hopefully Rossi finishes in front of Lorenzo. Tomorrow I'm
off to Tyabb to do some airplane spotting, this should be a good day too. Bye for now "Max"
Lorenzo during free practice 3
Rossi, just being smooth
Dani Pedrosa seems to be in a purple patch at the moment, going great.
The bridge at San Remo, that actually takes you onto Phillip island proper.
17/10/2015 Today didnt turn out as planned. I was on the road reasonably early and headed of to Tyabb and hopefully to the Old Airplane Company. Light drizzle and misty conditions meant I was seriously considering riding the 95
km to see some more airplanes. I got past the phillip island turn off and the weather started to clear, so me being so ever intrepid I continued. All along the road into phillip island, people were running across the road carrying seats and stuff. So Im wondering
if there is a special group about to ride to the island, and I mean hundreds of people sitting in chairs, drinking coffee, flag waving having a party!. Then with a police car leading, the gp parade started, and by my speedo the continuous line of motorcycles,
mixed up by a few cars didnt cease for about 15km. I stopped and took a picture about halfway through, pity the other motorists trying to turn across the parade, they had to wait till it was over. There was even one rider on an old restored honda mini bike
circa 1970. So of I rode and arrived at Tyabb without incident and the Old Airplane Company hanger was not open this weekend. Ah well there are only two ways to look at moments like this, you can go backwards or forwards and its not much point going backwards.
I had enjoyed the ride here and I was going to enjoy the ride back and I did. The weather had cleared to fine sunny conditions, even the wind was bearable. I stopped at Tooradin airfield and watched some skydivers for a while, I think these lot are madder
than the motogp guys sometimes. At least they have brakes and can stop anytime and get off the bike. Also at Tooradin airfield is the wreck of the Edwina May. Apparently a father and son bought this boat as to help their shipping business and were in the process
of refurbishing the vessel. Unfortunately the son was lost during cyclone tracy in Darwin and the father never finished refurbishing the boat, and it has remained at Tooradin ever since. Arriving back in Wonthaggi, I did what most would do, pig out on kfc
and relax for the afternoon. Rossi only managed 7th for qualifying, but hes too experienced an operator, the pressure is on Lorenzo to win. So should be good racing tomorrow, stay tuned for the update, bye for now "Max"
Motogp parade ride 2015
MV Edwina May
This plane flies.
This one probably shouldn't.
Idjit!
18/10/2015 Race day was finally here, I woke early and was at the track by 7:30. I fed my face on bacon and egg rolls and headed of to "Siberia" to watch the races. I found a really great spot next to the grand stand. From
the you can see the bikes right on the apex of the corner and after playing with the camera settings, I finally managed to get some half decent pictures. I made a mistake of going to the toilet just before the moto 3 race and lost my spot, never mind i grabbed
the next best one about three people spaces to the left. I watched all three moto races from this position and I wont go into race details other than to say its a shame Rossi couldn't stretch his lead in the championship, but there are still two races to go.
Towards the start of motogp I could feel my face starting to get sunburned. I didnt think to take sunscreen, it just doesn't get sunny here for motogp, normally it is a light drizzle or overcast with gale-force wind. I will only post a few pics here, I have
over 600 to edit, some good some not so good. So I start the trip home tomorrow and if I go again I will stay here in Wonthaggi, plenty of reasonably priced facilities and food. Till tomorrows update, this is Max saying goodnight.
Rossi leads Dovisioso during the morning warm up.
Early in the race Iannone leads followed by Lorenzo, Pedrosa, Marquez, Crutchlow, Rossi and A Espargaro.
The crowd file onto the track after the race.
19/10/2015 Time to pack up and head off home. After a coolish and dewey night I arose to find two blokes who had ridden to motogp all packed up and ready to head off back to Toowoomba qld, but taking the other way. Dave and Steve
were riding a bmw and kawasaki respectively and we had talked on a few occasions about any subject that seemed of interest. Just another two motorcycling enthusiasts in the mass of riders who love going to motogp or anywhere for that matter. I hope dave and
steve had fun on the black spur and arrived safely to where ever they were going to stop overnight. Took me about an hour to pack up and head off, stopping along the way to take some pics, no not taking pics of me packing up, pictures from along the road.
I stopped near where I stayed in 2011 and watched someone in a flying parachute thingo soaring above the beach at Kilcunda. The wind was blowing like it always does there, so I dont know how he got it off the ground. I had fuelled up the night before and the
plan was to make Gerogery in nsw, about 450km. Using the gps in the ipad and bluetooth earphones, navigating through melbourne was a breeze and I made good time to Yea for lunch. I filled up there with food and had a short sleep on the grass under the shade,
the day was starting to warm up, about 33 behind the screen on the bike. I stopped at a truck stop on the hume hwy and called through to gerogery to enquire about a powered camp site and food. Bugger none was on offer, so I opted for a caravan park in Wodonga.
There is a tavern within walking distance and Im heading there for dinner. One more update to go and I will be home. Till tomorrow Max.
Dave and Steve, Wonthaggi october 2015
Old railway trestle bridge, Kilcunda vic
Some type of flying machine!!!
Yay, I made it to Yea vic.
Hows the serenity, so much serenity, Bonnie Doon vic
Lake Nillahcootie vic
Even the trucks were trying to get in the shade, hume hwy about 50km south of the border, down mexico way.
20/10/2015 Home safe again, a round trip of about 2300 km. Mostly uneventful trip from Wodonga, although I felt at one with the bike all day, even at a reasonable speed and the heat the bike just felt nice and stable and seemed
to handle nicely, almost like it knows its heading home. I saw no live snakes, had nothing run across the road and try to cause trouble, no coppers, shame I was heading home. I was just getting into touring mode, learning to pack the bike quickly and get going
doing the standard 400-500 km per day. If I didnt have to work, maybe one day I will just keep on going, its a nice thought. A big heads up to the shell servo at Henty. Great egg and bacon roll plus a cuppa for $4:50, excellent value. Thats about
it for this trip, stay tuned, I will think of another one and not in the too distant future. Max
View from the Olympic hwy looking back to Albury.
They must have has some decent rain, most creeks and rivers were flowing nicely and the countryside is so green
One of my favourite spots to stop, this time for lunch, Bendick Murrel nsw.
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