Haste Makes Waste_Wye River Feb 2013

Haste makes Waste

Left home late Friday arvo, straight down the Freeway, met up with Glenn (MGS12 8V) somewhere between Moriac and Deans Marsh. Had trouble keeping up with Glenn on the Stevio Mothership, the big beast pulls well through the curves and hills with Glenn piloting it through "his back yard".

Arrived at Wye River at around 8:00pm to meet Andrew (Glenn's bro-in-law) and his mate Chris, a couple of beers and a chicken parma. Glenn went to the comfy of a cabin the three guys were sharing. I had a coffee with an old mate Roy and his wife. At around midnight I headed for the Wye caravan park. Not much fun setting-up ya tent at that time, but by about 12:30am I was punching out some ZZZZZZZZZZ's.

Saturday morning headed for Apollo Bay, still had trouble keeping up with the Stelvio. I thought, "Shyte these new front springs and rear shocks are crap, might put the old one back on". Going through a mental check list, "Have I tightened everthing", checking off bolts and screws one by one, perhaps those left-over bits were important after all, what can it be?

Tyre pressures? You DH Willo, ya did not check them did ya?:bang: Stop at Shell servo, top up fuel, check air. Front around 28PSI, Rear around 30PSI, top up area to the recommended 36/44. What a difference some air makes. Still could not keep up with the Big Stelvio though.

Past Cape Otway turn-off, Glenaire, Lavers Hill, lunch at Forrest, back to Wye and Lorne via GOR. Waved farewell to Glenn (he was heading back to dinner with his wife on her birthday (did I tell how brave he was going for a ride on his wife's birthday?).

Coffee in Lorne and then slow way back to Lorne via Erskine Falls Road, Benwerrin-Mt Sabine Road, Wye River Road. This is when my day almost unravelled. Just before the turn-off to Wye River Road there's a little track called "Curtis Track" - well the GPS said it was the shortest route (the GPS was probably right, but I wasn't thinking I could go down it).




It was shyte, then shyter, and then shytest. It was at this point my brain decided it was bigger than my balls.





Thought I better turn around whilst I could without tipping the Mighty CB over for a nap. The GPS suggested I go down this one too.



Recognise this spot Glenn?



Well, me name's Willy not Silly, so I knew what to do - stick to the good dirt and leave the bad dirt to the Stroms, Tigers and Stelvios.

More Shyte - these gravel roads are playing havoc on my rear tyre - only got around 6,000km out of the Pilot Road so far, and not much more left. I 'spose the gravel's got a lot to done with it?

Thanks to Glenn for the company, and for showing me some new roads. Mrs W's not too happy through, she looked at my new saved searches in BikePoint and said, "Wot's this Stelvio thingy at $18,750 all about?".

Sounds cheap to me. Anyone got a spare room for a couple of days?

Re: Wye River - Friday 8 to Sunday 10 February, 2013

Williamson said:

Sounds cheap to me. Anyone got a spare room for a couple of days?

Click to expand...

In...and we'll deal with Mrs.W once we're outta plonk and parmas, right? Suuure...
:bow:

Thanks for the laughs, mate...again!

Re: Wye River - Friday 8 to Sunday 10 February, 2013

Excellent report again Michael and I can attest to the GPS straight lining gone bad in the Otways. Great to catch up and glad the air pressure made the difference.

A few extras for the report.

After a few exchanged emails with mobile numbers, friday night was sorted. I had planned to take the tent and set up digs on the river with Michael and who ever else turned up. Hadn't seen the tent for some time so hopefully its not buried too deep in the storage locker. Friday morning comes around and still no tent. I had a call from Jane saying her brother was in town to film an episode of "Dream Builds" at, how good is this, Wye River! And he's ok for me to stay on the floor of his one bedder. Double bonus, he's landed a 2 room so I have a bedroom.

Timing of the meeting was a bit off which saw me at Deans Marsh before Michael had made it to Moriac. No probs, doubled back for some more country roads free from cameras on a nice evening. We met not far from Moriac and travelled together from there back through Deans, Lorne and straight on to Wye. We hit Lorne just before 8 and thinking we would miss dinner, made the call to the ABC boys to set up 2 Parmas for the weary travellers. We arrived at Wye, got the first round underway and along came the food. Well oiled machine!

After a couple of beers we decided it was best to get the bikes to the campsite before having any more. We never did get back there but a good night none the less. Note. Unpowered site for one bloke, one bike and one tent is $40 per night, an extra person in the cabin cost $30. Have a door knock before pitching!!

Saturday started with breakfast at the general store, then it was off to check out the Cocoon House being filmed. No idea what it looks like in the flesh, couldn't find it and the boys nearly crashed the van trying to get there on steep dirt roads. From here we headed to Apollo to put fuel and air in the big CB, then it was on to Lavers, Beech Forest, Gelibrand and dirt across to Forrest Brewery (it's a favourite in my Strike) for lunch. It is here my second happy surprise of the weekend occurred. Sitting out the front of the brewery were not 1, but 4 Laverdas , accompanied by several Guzzi's, and they kept coming.

Turns out the Laverdas run to Boggy creek had brought them out in droves and the MGCOV boys were travelling together. A regular flock of Eagles. They assumed I was with them so who was I to argue. We happened to leave at the same time and Michael and I were escorted down the Skenes Creek road with all manner of Italian muscle bikes.

We turned left heading for Lorne on the GOR where we re to part ways. Not before surprise number 3. I got to Lorne a bit before the CB and parked next to a GS1200 with new Michelin Anakees. I was most impressed with Fuzzy's hoops and aim to replace my Scorpions with a set so was keen to get the owners opinion. The middle aged gent with Harry Potter glasses and his wife walking across the road in enduro outfits must be them.

"G'day, how do you find the Anakees?"

In an accent the origin of which I'm not too sure (had my plugs in and was hearing impaired) he went on to tell me how good they were. When I said I was going to get some next, he said "we're bringing in the Anakee 3 in in a couple of months and you might want to wait for them!" Turns out he works for Michelin. After a bit more of a chat and a look at the dusty Stelvio he suggested the 2 as the 3 is more road biased. He didn't offer a discount or freebies though.

So off I went leaving Michael to his afternoon tea. Got home late arvo, cleaned the bike and put it away before taking Jane out for birthday dinner. 450Ks all up and the reserve light came on as I hit Torquay. That gives me 150Ks still in the tank for next weekend!

Which leads me to the final word. I am a big fan (obviously) of the Guzzi so sorry about getting you in trouble with Mrs W via Bikepoint, wasn't the intent. If we get enough of us deep enough in the shite though we might be able to start a half way house for homeless bikers. I'm sure we can find a place with single rooms, monster garage, backyard fire pit and BBQ, a quaint old fashioned pub in walking distance and all the major food groups within delivery distance.

A couple of "stiched" panoramics at the junction of the Wye Road/Wye River Road & Old Wye Road. Geeez, no wonder its easy the GPS gets confused in these parts.





Another one of the one of the earlier pics, this time with a little more colour 'punched' into it: