Arrived back at Port Melbourne at 6am this morning.
Thats it. I've now completed a complete circumnavigation of Australia (inc Tassie) on the trusty 1200GS. A total of 26,000 km and who knows how many memories (many of which I've already forgotten, bloody memory).
I have still to ride from Adelaide to Alice to have completed the Australian motorcycling "figure 8". But I'm sure I'll do that in winter with Leasky some year.
Saturday 23 February 2013
GS OZ_TAS Devonport
Last day today and decided to take the road to Exeter then the B71 and B72 to Deloraine. A bit of a round about way but better than the A1. From Deloraine it was out to Mole Creek and up the mountains to Moina stopping for our usual last look at the Tiers country at the Round Mountain look out. The last leg was along the Forth River to Devonport for a Guinness or two before boarding the Spirit of Tassie.
Bye Bye Tassie until next time.
I can remember my motorcycle trip to Tassie on my first bike, the Ducati. My skills were non existent, each curve a death threat, my back ached, distances took for ever and I was passed by every vehicle on the road. Now it is effortless, fluid, fast and fun and I do the overtaking, but one thing remains the same, Tassie, ts roads, its scenery, its people.
Bye Bye Tassie until next time.
I can remember my motorcycle trip to Tassie on my first bike, the Ducati. My skills were non existent, each curve a death threat, my back ached, distances took for ever and I was passed by every vehicle on the road. Now it is effortless, fluid, fast and fun and I do the overtaking, but one thing remains the same, Tassie, ts roads, its scenery, its people.
Friday 22 February 2013
GS OZ_TAS Launceston
Waving goodbye to Bicheno it was up to St Marys for Pancakes before the awesome ride to Launy via St Helens and Scottsdale.
Thursday 21 February 2013
GS OZ_TAS Bicheno
Today we rode up to Bicheno my chill favorite spot in Tassie. We did detour to do the B34 Lake Leak road to Campbell Town and back on the way. Again this road was even more fun than usual with the Beemers poise and my riding improving.
Bicheno was idyllic as usual. We sat in the sun on our veranda overlooking the bobbing fishing boats in the bay and polishing off a few rumbos and cigars. Then it was time for our customary swim in the ice cold water to rejuvenate before walking to dinner at Cyranos, a little french restaurant (read Gem) for some fine food, wine and a chat to Madame Chef.
It doesn't get much better than this.
Bicheno was idyllic as usual. We sat in the sun on our veranda overlooking the bobbing fishing boats in the bay and polishing off a few rumbos and cigars. Then it was time for our customary swim in the ice cold water to rejuvenate before walking to dinner at Cyranos, a little french restaurant (read Gem) for some fine food, wine and a chat to Madame Chef.
It doesn't get much better than this.
Wednesday 20 February 2013
GS OZ_TAS Rest Day Hobart
Raining today. I had wanted to go to MONA by ferry but will do that another time when its fine. Instead we went to a movie (Lincoln) in the arvo and sampled a Curry for dinner.
Tuesday 19 February 2013
GS OZ_TAS Hobart
Strahan to Queenstown for coffee and then to Derwent Bridge for Lunch. This section is probably my favorite in Tassie. I never get bored with this and I'm riding better than ever so its even more fun. The road from Derwent bridge to Hobart is nice but the surveying is average so it drags a bit. Still the worst roads in Tassie are better than most of the good roads in other states.
Tucked up in the Hobart Grand Chancellor by 4pm and ready for a rest day tomorrow as the weather looks a bit rainy.
Tucked up in the Hobart Grand Chancellor by 4pm and ready for a rest day tomorrow as the weather looks a bit rainy.
Monday 18 February 2013
GS OZ_TAS Corinna to Strahan
Broke camp and rode to the Corinna punt the "Fat Man" to cross the Pieman River. From hear the dirt eased and soon we were on sweet tar to Zeehan for Coffee.
Whilst in Zeehan we rode up to see (and ride through) the Slip Tunnel. The Slip Tunnel connects two sides of a mountain for mining purposes that have long since past. The tunnel is just big enough for a car but once in you cant open the doors. Apparently couple freaked out recently and got stuck so now it is no closed to all but pedestrian access.Unless of course you can squeeze your bike between the bollards as we did. A bit of fun and the ride up was very pretty.
Speaking of fun. As the day was still young we decided to take the long way to Strahan via Rosberry-Lake Pimsol-Queenstown. Yee-Haaaa what a road, well surveyed, good surface, no traffic, no cops, twisties, sweepers, fast straights, spot on scenery, etc etc. The Beemer, her new tires and slightly more competent pilot ate this up.
Still buzzing, we checked into the Hotel in Strahan and celebrated with a beer overlooking the harbor as is customary.
Whilst in Zeehan we rode up to see (and ride through) the Slip Tunnel. The Slip Tunnel connects two sides of a mountain for mining purposes that have long since past. The tunnel is just big enough for a car but once in you cant open the doors. Apparently couple freaked out recently and got stuck so now it is no closed to all but pedestrian access.Unless of course you can squeeze your bike between the bollards as we did. A bit of fun and the ride up was very pretty.
Speaking of fun. As the day was still young we decided to take the long way to Strahan via Rosberry-Lake Pimsol-Queenstown. Yee-Haaaa what a road, well surveyed, good surface, no traffic, no cops, twisties, sweepers, fast straights, spot on scenery, etc etc. The Beemer, her new tires and slightly more competent pilot ate this up.
Still buzzing, we checked into the Hotel in Strahan and celebrated with a beer overlooking the harbor as is customary.
Sunday 17 February 2013
GS OZ _TAS Western Explorer
Awoke at 5:30 AM to the ships intercom announcing our arrival at Devonport. The disembarkation procedure for motorcycles is vastly improved this year and were onshore at 6:45. After our ritual Pie, coffee and procrastination at Banjos bakery we rode west to Stanley to begin the Western Explorer adventure.
The Western Explorer starts in earnest at Marrawah so we had a pub lunch and a corrugation smoothing beer at the local pub before setting off on the 160k's to Zeehan of mostly dirt road. Leasky was a bit tentative, so we had been asking locals about the roads condition along the way. Responses varied from "heavily corrugated not maintained in 20years" to "good, no problems" ie they didn't have a friggin clue. One woman claimed "it was ok but you have to whatch out for the bull dust", Bull Dust? where are we in NT.
Anyway we decided to give it a go and turn back if it wasn't any fun.
The road is silica based made from tailings from a nearby mine at Savage River. it is, therefore, a white snaking track through a green wilderness of forest and button grass plains. Its truley spectacular when your not looking 50m ahead at the road. It is steep in places but the steepest sections have been tarred. Also it wasn't was very corrugated at all and whilst the odd place had sandy build up that freaked Leasky out to the point of declaring it was "the worst ride of his life" it is a solid road and we rank amateurs(dirt) could avg a speed of 40-60k. Not much call for standing on the pegs either.
5pm we decided to camp so found a little place off the road to unroll our swags struck a fire and settled in for a peaceful night talking shit.
The Western Explorer starts in earnest at Marrawah so we had a pub lunch and a corrugation smoothing beer at the local pub before setting off on the 160k's to Zeehan of mostly dirt road. Leasky was a bit tentative, so we had been asking locals about the roads condition along the way. Responses varied from "heavily corrugated not maintained in 20years" to "good, no problems" ie they didn't have a friggin clue. One woman claimed "it was ok but you have to whatch out for the bull dust", Bull Dust? where are we in NT.
Anyway we decided to give it a go and turn back if it wasn't any fun.
The road is silica based made from tailings from a nearby mine at Savage River. it is, therefore, a white snaking track through a green wilderness of forest and button grass plains. Its truley spectacular when your not looking 50m ahead at the road. It is steep in places but the steepest sections have been tarred. Also it wasn't was very corrugated at all and whilst the odd place had sandy build up that freaked Leasky out to the point of declaring it was "the worst ride of his life" it is a solid road and we rank amateurs(dirt) could avg a speed of 40-60k. Not much call for standing on the pegs either.
5pm we decided to camp so found a little place off the road to unroll our swags struck a fire and settled in for a peaceful night talking shit.
Friday 15 February 2013
GS OZ_TAS Tassie Chapter
In another last minute Decision I'm taking the Beemer for a lap of Tassie to really complete the round OZ concept. Leasky is coming along and this time were doing the western explorer, a dirt rod down the west coast.
Boarded the spirit Tassie around 6:30 and now watching Melbourne disappear in the distance under a spectacular electric storm.
Boarded the spirit Tassie around 6:30 and now watching Melbourne disappear in the distance under a spectacular electric storm.
Saturday 9 February 2013
NZ Abel Tasman Track
Just completed the 3day Abel Tasman track. Dense fern covered tracks with glimpses of brilliant blue ocean truncated each day with an idic campsite on a secluded beach. "Sweet as bro"
Friday 1 February 2013
NZ Routburn Track
Just completed the 3 day Routburn track. It's reportedly one of the top walks in the whole wide world and I reckon its pretty bloody good.
Day 1 from track head to Routburn falls hut was a hard up hill slog through spectacular Lord of The Rings mossy forests with glimpses of snow caped peaks at the higher altitudes.
Day 2 to Mackenzie hut was alpine heaven. Think lake districts or Scotland but surrounded by European Alps like snow covered peaks. Magic stuff.
Day 3 was back Ito LOTR forests and views up the Holliford Vally to the Tasman. The sand flies made an appearance today for the first time little bastards. Arrived at the divide where we our transport shuttled us all back to Queenstown.
Day 1 from track head to Routburn falls hut was a hard up hill slog through spectacular Lord of The Rings mossy forests with glimpses of snow caped peaks at the higher altitudes.
Day 2 to Mackenzie hut was alpine heaven. Think lake districts or Scotland but surrounded by European Alps like snow covered peaks. Magic stuff.
Day 3 was back Ito LOTR forests and views up the Holliford Vally to the Tasman. The sand flies made an appearance today for the first time little bastards. Arrived at the divide where we our transport shuttled us all back to Queenstown.
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