Apollo Bay & beyond

Team Tarsnakes took a run from Geelong to Apollo Bay via Forrest (coffee stop), then coastal on the GOR  to Laver's Hill, then home via the outskirts of Colac. At  307 Ks this is the longest run that Mrs Tarsnakes has done as a passenger in a very, very long time, and 60% was very twisty. We even managed to comprehensively hose off a young guy on a Harley through the leg from Ferguson to Gellibrand.

This was Mrs T's first time out in her brand new Alpinestars jacket, purchased from RevZilla online, USA. Dealing with RevZilla was easy and their service was excellent. The only downside for us is that they have a minimum order of $299 for transactions with Australia, which limits my purchases of some other items from them. This women's jacket  is a quality item that fits her beautifully and even with postage was $200 cheaper than we could purchase it here!

Geared up and ready to roll.
 

 

It was a glorious day in Apollo Bay

The harbour looked perfect on a day like this.

We had a lovely late lunch at Lavers Hill and chatted with a young couple from Bolonga, Italy who were heading for the 12 Apostles.

Although it was quite hot inland (around 32C) for the last hour of riding, this was a magnificent day out that we both really enjoyed.

Indians

Quite by chance we came across an Australian Indian motorcycle rally near Corryong Vic. Apparently they were riding from Corryong to Gundowring (on the Keiwa Valley hwy) and then back to Corryong - it was pretty hot at approx 36C.

It was great to see so many bikes on the road and many were getting along quite nicely in excess of 100 kph. Here are some pics I took at one of their roadside stops. I don't know enough about old Indians to discern between Chiefs and Scouts. Most have hand gear change levers, which must be challenging at times.

The one below had a disc brake conversion. The forks don't look strong enough for too much stopping power!

Afternoon on the Great Ocean Road

Yesterday Steve and I took an afternoon run from his place near Colac through the Otways to Skene's Creek, then along the GOR to Lorne, then home through the hills via Dean's Marsh.

Pulled up past Forrest for me to swap from my dark visor. It was quite overcast & gloomy under the canopy of the trees, although the pic doesn't show it. Here's Steve by my VFR.

Steve's Commando roadside in the bush

We pulled in at Cape Patton to take in the views and have a chat. The sun had come out and it was really nice riding weather.

VFR & Norton at the Cape Patton lookout on the Great Ocean Road.


We had an uninterrupted run from Lorne up through the twisties to Dean's Marsh, where we went our separate ways .
Bikes at Martian's Cafe carpark.

All up a grand afternoon's riding in one of the most scenic parts of Victoria.

Loch Ard Gorge (again)

The Loch Ard Gorge is a favorite summertime destination for a great day's riding. Click on this pic to see it full size and see if you can spot the vertical crack that is developing in the sandstone face of the far island.

Marty & I headed off in perfect conditions yet again. It was forecast to be 33C today, but was probably 10C cooler than that along the coast.

We stopped at Gellibrand for a drink. This is Paul's KTM. He and M are off to tour Tasmania tomorrow on this bike.

Below is M having a try out with the luggage and her gear on.


Loch Ard Gorge beach.

All up a very pleasant 400K's of twisty roads and spectacular scenery, despite heavy holiday traffic from Apollo Bay to Forrest.

Team Tarsnakes ride again

Mrs Tarsnakes and I took a run up to Forrest for coffee. Another lovely day for riding - blue sky & approx 24C temp. Mrs T had new Draggin' jeans to try out, but still in one of my old jackets.

Saw a couple of cash cameras in lonely remote spots, one on the back road to Lorne - hardly surprising as Vic Roads is encouraging the Pier to Pub contestants not to travel to Lorne via the Great Ocean Road!

Team Tarsnakes stopped in the bush on the Lorne - Deans Marsh road.

Quirky coffee shop in Forrest.

A short ride at only 201 kms, but very enjoyable.