Mid winter on the Great Ocean Road

Marty & I took our usual circuit ride from Geelong to Colac on backroads, Colac to Gellibrand for a hot drink, Laver's Hill & then back to Geelong via Apollo Bay & Lorne on the Great Ocean Road.
Marty was cosy in his appropriately named Dririder "Arctic".

We were well prepared in full winter gear - it was only 9C when we left and was colder up in the Otways - though nudged up around 13C at one stage! I'm not sure that it's a great idea to be watching the ambient temp guage so much on these winter rides. We were probably pretty lucky to get as much sunshine as we did, though the roads were quite greasy in some places . I'm just about up for a new front tyre and as I cranked into some of the wet hairpins I was thinking that sooner may be better than later!
Dirty bikes in main Street Apollo Bay

The weather looked a bit grim for the run home through the twisties & sure enough it was raining between Apollo Bay & Lorne. Being the first day of the School holidays there were cops in unmarked cars & speed cameras everywhere. We were actually followed part of the way from Lorne to Fairhaven by a marked police SUV.

First winter ride for 2009

Took my first ride for winter. The roads were dry, the traffic moderate (long weekend) and I
was desperate for some "motorcycle therapy".I left early and it was pretty chilly - there was still some frost about inland.

Breakfast here, but no Prickly Moses when I'm riding!

Saw a fly!
Saw way too much of this unfortunately.

One of my favorite places. The Aire River on the Great Ocean Road inland section. First looking North of the bridge.
Then looking South of the bridge.

There were even a few spots of rain on the way home, but I managed to stay warm & dry. The new textile riding pants were excellent.