VIC OVERNIGHT RIDE
The Great Ocean Road on a quiet weekend...
On an overcast Saturday in
October 5 Gold Wings met at the BP Service Station on the Geelong Freeway.
We had Lindsay, John B, John G and Karen, Ken and Christine joining Julie
and I at my first attempt as ride leader. In preparation for this momentous
occasion, I had lashed out with new helmets for Julie and I, new J&M
headsets, and the CB radio. All worked well except for the CB - back to the
workshop.
After a coffee it was out to the bikes. Christine thought
we should don the wet gear, which we all did just to be on the safe side. We
had barely left the servo when the rain came. It was then showers off and on
for a fair part of the day, but that didn't dampen our enthusiasm. After we
cruised along the new Geelong bypass (cutting 20 minutes off the old trip)
we had a good run down to join the GOR just before Anglesea. At Lorne we
turned back North and had a most enjoyable run up the climbing windy road to
Deans Marsh for a rewarding coffee (don't ask me why it was rewarding - it
just sounded good when I was writing this).
Back down to Lorne where
we again joined the GOR for a run down to Skenes Creek where we would be
staying the night. As always the view is magnificent and you have to
concentrate not to be distracted by it. Due to this being Moto GP weekend
there were hardly any bikes on the road, so we had a very pleasant run all
day. At Skenes Creek, we passed our motel and headed North again on a great
piece of road climbing up through Forrest and into Colac (well it was good
after the car doing 50 km/h turned off). Colac was our spot for lunch where
we all enjoyed the output of the local bakery. By this time it was a much
better day and we could sit outside for lunch.
After lunch we headed
back down to the GOR via Gellibrand to Lavers Hill, another great piece of
road, followed by a great run from there down into Apollo Bay with a mix of
climbs, descents and some great curves down on the flats. At Apollo Bay we
took the opportunity to buy the provisions for the evening and then the
final 5 k's to our motel. A pleasant early evening sitting on the lawn
overlooking the ocean, with the hills in the background, some nibblies and a
few drinks, and a great bunch of people to enjoy it with. Isn't that what
life is all about?
A BBQ was provided by the motel and we enjoyed a
leisurely dinner over drinks - a great way to end the day.
A very
nice breakfast was put on by the motel the next day and was a good start
before our ride. Just before 9 we headed down the GOR through Apollo Bay to
Lavers Hill then across another great stretch of road to Port Campbell where
we had coffee overlooking the water. On the return journey we stopped in at
the 12 Apostles for some great photo opportunities.
On the way back
we had a short stop for fuel at Apollo Bay after enjoying those same great
roads we had earlier. At lunchtime the bakery at Lorne beckoned - and we
succumbed to some more great pies. Another great stretch of the GOR was
before us on the way back up to Torquay. Just before the town, Ken and
Christine veered off to the new Geelong bypass whilst the rest of us
escorted Lindsay to his "conference" he had to attend - golf, surfing,
wineries etc. It's a tough life for some.
Melbourne is undergoing
major "improvements" (well at a cost of over a billion dollars they ought to
be!) to improve the Westgate/CityLink/Monash freeway corridor and the
weekends now are constant gridlock. Having better things to do wth our time,
we diverted to the seaside resort of Queenscliff and enjoyed the 1/2 hour
journey on the car ferry over to Sorrento. Prior to disembarking we said our
farewells after another thoroughly enjoyable weekend away together. I know
we are all already looking forward to the next one.
Safe Riding.
John Gilbert
0423550233
More Photos (click for larger)
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