Colac Otways Region; Sat 20 October

Marty & I took a ride through the Otways along part of the Great Ocean Road, then back over the ranges. It's a pretty familiar 300 km+ circuit to us - but nonetheless magnificient every time. The weather is always different as are the road conditions and people we meet. It was a magnificient Spring day - all blue sky and virtually no wind.


We called in at the Otway Estate Vineyard as we were dining there later that night with out families and friends the Kellys & Fosters (see earlier Norton Commando & BSA pics). I took a few pics of the sculptures in the gardens as I really like some of them.
Check out the tools used to make them - really interesting and creative.

Stopped off at Gellibrand store for a drink and a chat then continued on to Apollo Bay via the GOR. Hardley any traffic going our way so we made really good time.

In Apollo Bay we saw a dozen or so women on Harleys doing a GOR trip as part of a breast cancer awareness promotion. I think that these riders were all breast cancer survivors. Some of their riding was being filmed so I wouldn't be surprised to see them on TV soon.

Andy's BSA 500 cc

Andy emailed me some pics of his BSA 500 that he has been restoring. Congratulations Andy, it looks magnificent. I can't wait to see it in the flesh. How about a ride?


1949 BSA 500cc

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Went for a great run from Geelong to Colac, Lavers Hill along the Great Ocean Road to Lorne via Apollo Bay. It was another great spring day with a clear blue sky, but just a bit cool at approx 13-15C and probably colder in the hills.

It was Marty's first run on his new Kawasaki ZX9. His grin in the pic below tells the story!

Is a new tyre blogworthy? Probably not, but this is the first dual compound tyre I've had so I will be interested to see how long it lasts and how the grip compares with the Pilot Power that came off. The Power did just just 5,800 klms (approx 3,400 miles) but was without doubt the best I've ever had. What I really liked was the way it didn't square off, even when just about worn out.

Anyway, here are a couple of pics of the Michelin Pilot Road 2 CT rear. I have a Pilot Power single compound on the front. I got a really good deal from Peter at Road & River Motorcycles. They offer friendly service and without a doubt have the best range of tyres at the best prices around here. See Road & River

SATURDAY 8 September, springtime in Oz. I woke up to a magnificient spring day, perfect for motorcycling. I met Steve down in Colac and we headed for the 12 Apostles. We stopped just out of Colac to check out the Otway vineyard & restaurant as the next venue for our group of friends to get together for dinner.

Otway Vineyard, a stylish venue with friendly staff.


This is near Loch Ard Gorge, along what is referred to as the "shipwreck coast". A famous wreck was the Loch Ard, you can read about it by clicking this link.

http://www.heritage.vic.gov.au/page.asp?ID=245


12 Apostles - in name only. This day was about as good as it gets down there with no wind and a comfortable temperature for motorcycling. Often it's either blowing a gale or unbearable hot.


355 ks, another grand day.

Otways weekday ride 15 August

I've seen snow in this field when I was a child.Lots of blue sky
View to the ocean from Lavers Hill.

Took a week day ride from Geelong to Colac, then Colac to Lavers Hill, joined the Great Ocean Road there and travelled to Apollo Bay and then back to Geelong via Lorne along the GOR. This was a ride that permitted personal space and some time to reflect upon the recent loss of my mother who died last week aged 89 years. She loved the bush & the Otways and I visited many of her favourite places where we had weekend picnics and walks when I was a kid, and where we took her for picnics on her birthdays in her latter years. RIP mum.