Phillip Island Moto GP & Tasmania from Esperance WA

[Squily]

I will try and update this thread as the trip progresses.



It all started with Mick and I being forced to clear some leave. According to Mick, the discussion went something along the line of:

"Lets go to Tasmania"
"Naah, too far and expensive"
"We can do it cheap- camp in the bush, etc"
"I can't do long distance- my neck"
"We'll put the bike on the trailer and go to Melbourne, then we don't have to do long distance"
"Cheap?"
"Yes, we'll try and get some other bloke to go with us and help with the fuel"
"well, ok. If its going to be cheap"


After a mention to Gavin at a BBQ, we were three. Another call to Peter and we were four. After a lenghty discussion to Eugene via Skype, we were five.

Now to be fair, I never expected Eugene to bite. I promised him a bike if he flew to Melbourne from South Africa and joined us there. But he ended up being more keen then any of us. Even went as far as to buy his own bike here in Aus- a DL650.

And then it got complicated: how do you actually get 5 bikes to Melbourne cheaply? Peter offered to build us a trailer, but Kelly finally came through for us and helped Mick to organise a trialer from Sheldon panel repair. Well, a car trailer anyway. We were sure we'de get 5 bikes on it, but not 100%. We had:
1 x Triumph Thunderbird (Gavin- the biggest bloke with the biggest bike)
1 x Honda 750 Shadow (Mick- the shortest bloke with the loooongest bike)
1 x BMW R100GS (Peter- The oldest bloke with the oldest bike)
1 x Suzuki DL650 V-strom (Eugene- The loudest bloke with the most silent bike)
1 x Honda Africa Twin (John- The dumbest bloke with the dirtiest bike)



In the mean time, we started making dates and after we set the dates- low and behold the Moto GP is on over the same period. Lets stay one week longer. A well-placed thread on ADV and fellow ADV'ers in Melbourne helped us with a place to leave the car and trailer. Another call to Mike Greig and Adelaide to "fatten the proverbial calf" and an idea is starting to materialise. Had to make some accomodation for personal requirements- Eugene says he refuses to ride in the car- he'll ride his bike back. Peter is glad cause he wants to do as many kms as possible too. Then they want to do dirt. Gavin and Mick? "You boys go ahead, we'll just book a hotel room whilst you do that dirt section.... "

And Mick keeps saying- "cheap-cheap. yeah right!!"

And then there's the shopping. A bike trip seems like a good excuse to splash out some money on things we always wanted. Gavin ordered a director's chair that folds up as big as a laptop (but in the end all his gear seems tp be as big as a laptop- but how many laptops?). And screens for the cruisers; and new swags; and strechers; and a new Trangia stove.... cheap-cheap...

So book the ferry tickets, get the Moto GP tickets, service the bikes (or in Peter's case it seemed more like a rebuild), convince the partners (and hide the stuff coming in through the mail), service the car, trailer bearings, and order some more gear... cheap-cheap...


@ in pieces for the service





And with one week to go (we leave the 11th of October), we started work on the trailer this weekend:

One standard trailer with the 1st two bikes:



Gavin hard at work cutting the steel. He did all the cut work, Mick all the welding (and coffee) and me the drilling and bitching.




The end result:





And room for one more- Peter's R100GS (He's off riding somewhere- but he did get us the steel before he went).



SOOOOOO...... A few days left. Everybody is packing. Eugene is anxiously awaiting his visa (Can you believe he forgot to apply- and that after buying the plane tickets, moto-gp tickets and a bike ). Arrangements are being finalised.


6 days and counting...


to be continued...

[xtvsupertenere]

sounds like fun look farward to seing your report i here tassie is great to ride

[Deuce]

This should be fun. I loved Tassie when I was there. Just wish I had a bike at the time

[GB]

[Jim Rowley]

Sounds like the makings of an adventure.

[Gobby]

Sounds like you boys are going to have fun, will be following your thread

[TouringDave]

In

[abat]

Have fun and take care.

[Squily]

Originally Posted by OzBen

But what's with the car and trailer - where's the adventure in that?
C'mon mate, ditch the cage (as any REAL man would)...

All I can say, Ben (if you look on the photos)- two cruisers...

We did consider doing it all on the bikes, but gave it up for safety- we'll be doing the distance to Melbourne in less than three days (to be on time for the MotoGP) and will be travelling through the night (taking turns driving).

ANNNDDDD: Eugene is meeting us in Melbourne- I didn't feel like riding TWO bikes across the Nullarbor

But once we're in Melbourne, its two wheels all the way and back. Mick offered to drive back the car and trailer for us to give us some more riding time. So it will still give us more than 4000km on the 2's



And we're not real men- just a bunch of geriatrics on leave

[Squily]

One day to go (or one sleep).

And then we were four. Peter pulled the plug this week due to work commitments. We've still got your ferry tickets mate.... Its not too late...

Today started with Eugene calling me at 6AM (12PM where he was and by the sound of the party- not on his way to bed). Still not sure what he wanted, but excited none-the-less.

Spent the morning watching the Bathurst 1000. Mick refused to do any work until it was finished.

Spent the afternoon getting everything on the trailer. Made last minute adjustments (like changing a light on the trailer) and we think we're set. Will just have to make it up as we go.


The start:




The beast (had to make sure it all fitted)...




Halfway there...




All aboard:



Trampoline fitted (Ian's idea to keep the rocks of the bikes)




And a few tools requested by Eugene. He's still waiting for his visa, but insists he'll be there and these items are essential for repair work on a Suzuki. I guess its better than going up to Casey Stoner and asking for a wrench... Personally- I'd just have packed a lighter and made sure the insurance is paid






All good. just 12 hours to go...

[Squily]

Monday.

left later than we thought (as usual). not much to report. all went well. wind on the Nullarbor and fuel consumption just went down the pooper, but all well.

150km straight (from the wrong side)




Late afternoon on the plain






Sunset saw us pull into Madurah. some coffee and sandwiches (with the mascot looking on)



Tuesday afternoon at Mike's place. Had rain most of the way through South Australia. Mike hard at work cooking the proverbial "fattened calf"




Mike & Sarah are doing some building around the house. Kitchen not installed yet, no lights, no doors, but a meal set for a king. Thanks Sarah... . And James built us a mean camp fire for just for.




After a night of swagging amongst the building rubble, it was an earliesh start. Well accoring to our body clocks, it was 3h30!!!!

Passes a lot of bike headin east (presumably to Phillip island as well). we got some nasty looks from some. these soft-riders. In our defence, I can say a lot about Triumph's reliability, etc. But in the end, why do we trailer...





Only 500km to go. Just passed over the Victoria border....

[Jim Rowley]

Originally Posted by Squily

Being used to seeing the driver on the left side of the vehicle, my first thought was even the driver was taking a nap like Clark Griswold.

[Squily]

Phillip island. What an experience... No, you don't understand- what an experience... But we made it and survived. Casey Stoner did a runaway victory after being the fastest throughout the weekend. And the Aussie crowd loved it. VR disappointed a bit, but made up for it with a very good scrap for third spot in the closing minutes of the race. The rest- what an experience...

We made good time to Melbourne and arrived just as Eugene's plane landed. Picked him up from the airport



And apart from complaints about excess luggage payments (WE TOLD YOU SO!!!), he said he had a good flight. Its a bit hard to understand how a person going on a bike trip can be slogged for excess luggage, but he packed two pairs of a boots and a pair of a shoes. three jackets, etc. And did he wear his "heavy" biking gear like we told him....


We made it to Steve's place (another ADV inmate who assisted us with storage for the car and trailer for the week and some VERY good port and company. We all retired at around midnight, but maybe it was the port, the company or the jetlag- Eugene stayed up until 3AM. Next morning saw us getting the bikes prepared. Steve took Mick and Gavin to see the aftermath of black sunday (we're all volunteer or career firefighters) whilst me and Eugene tried to finish his bike.




Steve let us a short way thorugh the maze of the backroads to the freeway before going to work himself. We paid a quick visit to a bike shop and was off to Phillip island. By-the-way: How does toll roads work in Victoria?!?!

Set up camp at race course camp ground. Beatiful weather and good spirits- calm before the storm...




During the night, we had very strong gusts of wind (dare I say tornado strength- sure felt like it) and temperatures plummeted. next morning was a grissly, wet and windy affair



Mick's tent with him in it- got any sleep Mick? grumble-grumble...



The beatiful, lus, green campgrpound from the day before turned into a swamp



We tried to stay warm and dry by visiting the expo and museum. Now this is classified as leaning in the corners:


Also saw some interesting beasts. This used to be a Harley




But the day was overshadowed by the weather and the aftermath. Gavin's tent. I believe that is called an open fracture...




And as OzBen would say- my you-beut BMW topbox- hinges broken off by a gust of wind. $170 a set....



But Steph called and told me "toughen up princess". Thanks for the motivation. And despite all this, there were some moments of calm and tranquility



Followed by more gales and wet weather and people scrambling to try and save their houses



Next morning was much of the same, except the track dried out enough for some good qualifying action (previous afternoon's racing was postponed more than two hours due to too wet conditions and the track being under water)








More to come...

[Squily]

View from behind Bass straight main stand




Looking forward to the night Mick?




We opted for some fine dining in the restaurant that night- warm and out of the wind. Another night. Another after-math. Some people just up-and-left. Even saw one tent burnt out completely- not sure what happened there.





But the day cleared up just fine. Racing was excellent. We even got sun-burnt.



Monday morning saw another clear day. half the campsite was gone or in process and we followed suit.



Had breakfast at St Phillip's church, before heading back to Melbourne. We only had to be at the ferry at 4.30 PM, but we were not goiing to take any chances. We stopped at the Vietnam Veterans Museum on the island. Very impressive collection, which includes a holographic display out of a Star Wars movie, a full tank and two choppers (third one on the way). But all the impressive display and models don't take away from the reason. "lest we forget"









Made Melbourne without hitting any trams.


Loading up



Checking in to our cabin. Better go out to change your mind... But the beds were comfortable enough



Sunset over Melbourne harbor as final prep is underway before sailing



Say goodbye Gavin... "Bye Melbourne- thanks for the crappy weather"



Our new home for the next 11 hours





And then we arrived this morning- got up at 5AM, depart at 6.30. Cold. But good. And we had a stupendable time. To be continued...

[Klein Mannetjie]

Looks like youre in for bad weather. Sure hope the weather will turn out better for you guys. Anyway, sounds like a lot of fun - at the end of day. Enjoy the rest of the tour. L.U.Lots.