The Trip to the 2013 Aussie MotoGP - Phillip Island - Day 2 heading down

So you have read so far that the trip has been all about storms, roadkill and fucking wind. Well Day 2 heading down was not any better.

Day 2 - Coonabarabran to Wagga Wagga - Monday 14/10/2013 - 6hrs in the saddle

Well as mentioned earlier the morning started out freezing cold - heaps of clothing on and the wet weather gear. I had done a small clean of Betty to get the majority of the muddy sandy grimey shit off her. It was very overcast with a slight mist and rain falling in the distance where I was to be heading. Yea more fucking rain. And the wind was still about 30-40kms/hr. The road out of Coonabarabran was rough as guts and bumpy - with pot holes semi filled in. About 20kms out it the road improved but the rain started - and the wind was constant - especially when there was an on coming truck - fuck you know it's windy when a fully loaded Blackbird is buffeted around on the road. The rain was not heavy just enough that you had to wipe the helmet visor every 10 minutes - so more annoying at this stage. Coming into Gilgandra another bikie gang passed with about 30 riders. The rest of the way into Dubbo was uneventful - other than a fair amount of "fresh" roadkill.

I stopped just outside of Gilgandra for a piss and smoke and was lucky enough to have coffee with the Dick Johnson Racing Team folks fresh from Bathurst - no Dickie just the transport guys and the big truck. Also filled Betty at $1.66 a litre.....ouch!

DJR Truck - ass end

DJR Truck - front end :)

I had a good chat to them and another truckie that had come Wagga Wagga and he let me know there was plenty of road works I would be hitting - fucking great. The temp was around 9 now so I was keeping the wet weather gear on still. And I also had plastic bags around my socks in the riding boots to keep my tooties dry (thanks Carol) but my toes were fucking frozen. So ready to set off - at least the rain had gone for a bit - the wind was still there though. Next stop around Dubbo.

Just on the other side of Dubbo

Betty is kinda clean still

Let's go to the Zoo.....NOT

Sexy Betty

So came though Dubbo and had to put up with the country drivers doing 10 in a 50 zone - great. Lucky it was cold so I didn't start sweating in my many layers of clothing :) I stop just outside of Dubbo for a smoke and coffee break (near the golf course). The wind was still blowing badly and my neck was starting to feel the pain. The rest of me was fine. In fact I was amazed at how many different types of stretches, exercise, relaxing poses you can do on a big sports bike while travelling at 120 :) And the little throttle assist device I got was amazing - no pins and needles in my throttle hand yet at all. So the next part was to Parkes - and as I started out again leaving Dubbo a mild misty rain started - great.

The road from Dubbo to Parkes was fairly well sealed and straight except for a few mild corners - so on the excitometer it was about a 2. I was tempted to turn off and visit the Parkes Observatory but decided I couldn't be assed lol. So finally got into Parkes and the rain had cleared and there was puffy white clouds and blue sky - yet is was still very cold and the wind was still very strong. Doing my on bike exercise helped the neck pain - it was about this time coming into Parkes that I started to get the butt bone ass ache. I found standing on the front pegs for about 2 minutes helped sort this little ache issue out. The only problem was that doing that at speed in the windy conditions proved to be fucking tricky :) So I topped Betty up in Parkes and paid $1.72 a litre - the price of fuel was slowly getting higher each town I went through. I had a nice chicken schnitzel burger at the servo and got a fresh batch of coffee in my thermos. Right, ready to rumble onto West Wyalong.

Just outside West Wyalong

Last leg for Day 2 - Wagga here I come

Betty looking clean...ish

So the wind was still strong which was shit. As I come thru Forbes I noticed another one of those stupid Average Speed things so I decided to take it easy along this stretch from Forbes to the West Wyalong turn off. The country side was very much farming with fields either full of growing stuff or getting ready to be planted. Heaps of tractors and windmills lol. I stopped just outside West Wyalong for a smoke and coffee. Seems lots of trucks were coming from West Wyalong but not along the road I was now about to take leading into Wagga. My neck was starting to really give me the shits - due to the bloody wind still. The rest of me was not to bad - was looking forward to a shower though. Stopped here was the first time I saw a cop. He drove very very very slowly pass me and had a real good captain cook then drove off. Oh well. So from here it was it was the longest leg in k's for any part of the trip - roughly 150kms (or 147kms if you read the sign above lol). The stretch from West Wyalong to Temora.....BOOOOORRRRIIING. Straight and narrow road but well surfaced. The weather was clearing up nicely but the wind still remained. And of course what day would not be complete without roadworks just outside of Old Junee - yippee. Waiting......waiting.....waiting....

Finally get off again and on the last stretch towards Wagga. The roads had widened now and the surface was pretty smooth. Now stupid me didn't check the GPS before loading this route so it took me some dickless back way into Wagga - but that's ok it woke me up and made me alert coming into town. I was quite shocked that I didn't come over the old steel bridge - there is a new cement bridge now - well it has been 23 years since I was last in Wagga - apparently things change lol. The next change I noticed is the big shinny steel and glass cop shop on the corner across from my old school. Interesting.....down the end of the street next to the other half of my old school was the camp grounds. So I unload Betty, stretch and yawn, have a smoke, and setup the tent. Betty has not skipped a beat all the way down so far and the GPS has been perfect all the way. See my OCD in planning sometimes pays off :)

Betty all covered up at camp in Wagga



Tent action in Wagga - no wind finally



Camp grounds in Wagga

Camp all set and Betty all covered up. About 20 metres from me is this massive Winnebago with an elderly couple sitting outside having a coffee so I went over and asked if they could watch my stuff while I go and do some dinner shopping. They introduced themselves and said that would be fine. Howard and Faye and the little doggie Mitts. So when I left the camp grounds I decided to have a look at my old school. Was looking forward to this part of the trip for some strange reason. The school had been expanded and had a facelift but the massive cathedral style church on the corner was still the same :) So here I was standing outside the church having a look and remembering old times, dressed in my camo pants, riding boots, leather jacket and bandana on my head. From behind me I hear in a rather rude voice "You right mate?". I turn to see 4........count it 1....2.....3........4 young police constable's standing there starring at me not 5 metres away. Hmmmmmm where did they come from I was thinking....ahhhhh the shinny new cop shop on the corner across the road from the school. Interesting :) So I turn around and say "I'm right mate". The so called "leader" of this little band of pimple faced bad boys takes a step closer and says in his best intimidating voice "What are you doing?". I put on my most amazing smile and flick over to my you're a fuckwit nightclub manager voice and reply "Looking at the church.....mate". He does the evil stare and in an even more intimidating voice says back "How about you move on". I'm like thinking what the fuck - are kidding me. So I calmly reply "Last time I checked a member of the public can go and do what they like. I use to go to school here so I was having a look at the church. I'm passing staying overnight and passing through Wagga on my way to Melbourne". He stares at me and quick as you like says "Are you giving me attitude?". So I reply with "I don't know.....am I?". This is when his three musketeer colleagues straighten up and place hands on their holsters. I'm like you have to be kidding me. I look the "leader" right in the eyes and say "Do you have a problem with me looking at the church?". He replies with "You have been given a direction to move on, so move. We have had enough of your kind around here over the past few months". This is when I do two things. One, I click - they think I am a bad ass bikie. And two, I lose the plot and go off my nut at all four of them for harassment. I am saying the F word and the C word and lets just say I am not a happy little camper. Finally, with none of them getting a word in edge ways I hold my hands up and say "Let's go over to the cop shop so I can talk to your supervisor about you're fucking attitude and how you have treated me shall we". And without waiting for a response proceeded to the cop shop on the corner. All I hear behind me is "No.....mate wait up....lets talk about this hey". As I am still walking across the road I yell "Fuck you buddy lets see what the sup has to say. I am pressing harassment and you four are fucked". I was a little pissed off, tired from the ride today, sore, hungry, and did I mention PISSED OFF.  Anyways I get to speak to the supervisor who recognised me and the name - he was ahead of me at the school in Wagga by two years. I explain what happened and he lets me know that they have had heaps of OMC's through Wagga over the past few months - some causing trouble. I couldn't believe these four young cops thought I was a big bad bikie. Anyways, the supervisor (Darren I think) said if I was offered an apology would I not pursue this matter any further. I said that would be fine. So we go out to the entry where these four dimwits were standing and the sup explains what is going to happen - they were not impressed by the sour looks on their faces lol. So the leader cop in this group apologises to me. I stopped him right away and said "What are you sorry about?" - he looks at me and says "What?". So I explain to him "If you cannot tell me why you are apologising to me then there is no conviction in your apology and I will not accept it". Of course I had a massive grin on my face saying this. Fuck em lol. So he repeats his apology with "I am very sorry for treating you the way I did and speaking to you the way I did. I am truly sorry". Well that was all I wanted - and the other three did exactly the same. I even shook each of their hands. I shock the sup's hand and said that I was happy now. BUT, as I was leaving I made sure they understood something "Your sup is going to have a rather stern word to each of you about the attitude you have displayed today AND I would like to point out that next time you decide to harass a motorbike rider think twice - next time it may well be a 1%er bikie and the ending might be entirely different than it was today. Have a nice afternoon". I was smiling from ear to ear when I left :)

So I proceeded to the shops and got some dinner and breakfast stuff and returned back to the camp site. Howard and Faye said all was good with my stuff and Howard offered me a cuppa which I gladly accepted. I told them about me little adventure and they laughed. There story was great too - they have two grown up boys with families of their own so Howard and Faye retired about 2 months ago and sold everything....I mean EVERYTHING and bought this massive Winnebago and put the rest of their money in the bank. They are travelling all around Australia and have decided when they are over it they will build a new house when they like. Magic :) And I say best of luck to them :)

The Trip to the 2013 Aussie MotoGP - Phillip Island - Day 1 heading down

Ok so I can finally put all this together now that I have had a week at work and I am able to collate all the photos and videos - so here we go

Day 1- Home to Coonabarabran - Sunday 13/10/2013 - 7hrs 30min in the saddle

It was a beautiful Sunday morning as you can see from the pics below. Betty was all packed and I was ready to start the journey. Just the leather jacket and the camos on as even this early is was starting to get hot. A check at work on Friday gone with RACQ website told me there was no roadworks I needed to worry about - how wrong that proved to be.



Sunday morning weather

Blue skies yipee

I had planned out each day pretty good - with at least 1 hour in the saddle or max. 150kms in the saddle before each stop for a stretch, smoke, coffee, piss etc. First leg was to Warwick was 120kms and I was fresh. When going to Stanthorpe this leg usually involves a stop at Aratula and another at the top of the range before stopping in Warwick for another smoke break. Not this time though - even though I had the trip planned out with 3 days to get to Melbourne I was still on a slightly tight schedule - mainly so I did not have to ride at dusk or into the night - too many roos and crazy critters after dark for my liking :) So with that in mind I really had to push myself to not stop at the usual stops and push onto Warwick.

Second stop at Inglewood

Hmmmm....back home or continue??

The road ahead - next stop Goondiwindi

Warwick to Inglewood stretch was fine - apart from the fucking roadworks that the RACQ website said did not exist. Lovely wet cement dust all over Betty - especially the engine casing. Thanks you fuckers. The road to Gundy was by fast the road kill hell stretch. I am glad I was not doing this stretch at night. And that lovely road kill stench with every breath was fucking disgusting. The amount of dry retching on this bit of road was constant - fucking gross. And nearly every big dead roo had a nice piece of truck part lying just next to it - mainly wheel arches but the occasional complete guard and parts of wheels. Coming into Gundy I past about 20 hogs all wearing their colours - it was the first of a few groups on the way down to Melbourne.

Just outside of Gundy - next stop Moree

It's at this stage I will recognise the courtesy of the interstate truckers. I would say near 98% of them heading towards me moved across a little ( as I did I my side) so that the wind factor was a little less when passing. I also had many of them let me know when it was clear for over taking too - even though I double check just in case lol. Even at the fuel stops the truckers a happy for a chat and a coffee - very entertaining some of the stories. They also were a wealth of info on the road conditions when I was heading which was fantastic.

Quick wee wee stop half way to Moree

Betty still looking nice

It's about 35 degrees and the land is really dry

Nice little message at the rest stop

The road between Gundy and Moree was not too bad - still lots of road kill. This stretch I passed another bikie gang heading back the way I had come. Chatting to a trucky at the rest stop and he has seen lots of "gangs" on his way up from Adelaide. The rest of the way to Moree was rather uneventful - except for these weird Average Speed Stations. It was not until I crossed the second one that I had this moment of clarity. They are measuring the time it takes a vehicle to get between the two points based on average speed and the speed limit. SHIT. I was quite happily motoring on a little more than the 110km/hr speed limit - opps. A trucky later told me it's only for heavy vehicles - yet in Melbourne I was told it's for all vehicles. Bugger.

Moree came and went and then passed thru Narrabri without anything interesting - well except road kill and bloody big trucks. And the stupid bloody road works of course....you know the road works that were not meant to be there. Betty is slowly starting to get a nice build up of cement dust caked underneath - thanks fucking road works. I also noticed that the price of fuel was really starting to climb in price. Fillup before leaving home was $1.42, at Inglewood it was $1.48, and at Moree it was $1.55. I'd budgeted on the fuel not being any more than $1.60 per litre so I was very sure that was going to be exceeded. The good thing was Betty was starting to get about 16kms a litre by this stage.

It is here I should mention that the stretch of the Newell Hwy between Narrabri and Coonabarabran was by far the BEST bit of road ever on the whole trip. It was also the most BORING bit of straight ass road the entire trip. Had to put that in there now :)

About 30kms out of Coonabarabran I notice that it was still rather hot (30 on the temp reading on Betty) and that the road ahead was leading into a dark storm vista. About 10kms out and the heavens opened up and the wind started buffeting Betty all over the road. Then came the thunder and lightning. Fucking fantastic. Just outside of Coonabarabran and it stopped. As I sorted out the camp site payment another mini storm hit with more rain and wind. Then stopped again. And another hit as I was setting up the tent and the wind increased and PISSED ME OFF NO END trying to get the stupid dumb ass tent setup. What a fucking nightmare.....but it got worse.....

Camp setup - Betty under cover at least

Nice green skies and wind

So the tent was up finally, and Betty was under some sort of cover - but of course the next little storm hit and blew right under the cover and Betty was covered in more sandy much and rain. And the tent decided to blow the fuck away. It took another 20 minutes to get the fucking tent back and another 30 minutes to get the fucker setup again. I was not looking forward to sleeping tonight. I could not put the bike cover on Betty for fear the wind would just balloon it and pull Betty over. So Betty copped the wind and rain all bloody night.

Next storm about to hit - yea

Tent still holding....for now

It finally cleared up......NOT. There was more coming into the night

Now due to daylight saving in place in NSW it was still rather light at around 8pm - so I had plenty of light to see the next fucking storm about to hit. What a fucking nightmare. When this one cleared there was a little blue sky so it was a perfect time for a shower and dinner. Roast beef and veges with a nice cold rum can. The shower facilities were fantastic - nice hot water and clean.

Just about to climb in and get some sleep....well that was the plan

So during the night another storm hit, the wind got to 90k's/hr I was told in the morning. The fucking tent blew down 3 times during the night. The first 2 times stupid me went outside in the rain and wind to fix it all up. I think GOD heard my swearing...and the rest of the folks at the camp site. After the 3rd time I went FUCK IT and just laid in the collapsed tent all cold and went and dreading the wind pushing Betty over or the tent flying up in the sky with me in it still. I would have to say that night was by far THE WORSE FUCKING EXPERIENCE AND WORSE SLEEP IN MY FUCKING LIFE. At around 2am I think I finally crashed and slept till the alarm went off at 5:30am (4:30am QLD time). At that stage I was also doing the big FUCK YOU to camping too. I woke rather wet with the tent collapsed all around me. Lucky most of the luggage and stuff was dry still though. Betty was still upright but filthy. It was overcast with patches of blue sky and it was fucking freezing cold. Betty's temp display showed 4 degrees. BRRRRRRR. I decided to give Betty a little clean before I started out again - yea I know OCD kicking it again. Considering the crap fucked night I was feeling rather fresh and relaxed though so the next leg would be fine :)

Betty kinda clean again after a fucked night

Cleaning done - now the stupid tent needs packing up grrrrrrr
 

So everything packed and the Up n Go drank and it was time to roll for Day 2. It was that cold I had extra layers of clothing on and the wet weather gear and winter gloves on now. Very fucking cold and still extremely windy. So I said goodbye to Coonabarabran and starting on the next leg to Wagga Wagga.

Stats for Day 1
Trucks - 268
Roadkill - lost count after 1000 with 38 Koalas
Windmills - 164
Roadworks - 45 minutes delay
OMC's - 4
Storms - 5
Fuzz - None

Trip Update

OK - so all the way down there was no data signal to upload photos or update my trip down - same issues at the MotoGP Track :(......I also did not bring the correct cables to connect the phone or the camera to my brothers laptop so I can update that way either :( BUT I will be adding everything where I get back home lol - kinda after the fact but you get that lol

I do have one photo of the camp site at the MotoGP Track on Phillip Island though :) This photo was taken on Sunday morning around 6am

Looking over the track towards the ocean

Loaded

So looking at the weather for the next 7 days on the way down and I am hitting showers and rain all the way from Wagga to Melbourne :( Well at least I will have 3 days when I get back to strip Betty and give her a bloody good bath lol :)

Two days to go

Below is the trip planner :)

Day 1 down Sunday 13th Oct. - Home to Coonabarabran (camping)

673kms 7 hours 30 mins ride time + 2 hours

7am depart 4:30pm arrive (5:30pm NSW time)

Home to Warrick 120kms
Warrick to Inglewood 110kms
Inglewood to Goondiwindi 100kms
Goondiwini to Moree 120kms
Moree to Narrabri 100kms
Narrabri to Coonabarabran 120kms

Day 2 down Monday 14th Oct. - Coonabarabran to Wagga Wagga (camping)

562kms 6 hours ride time + 2 hours

9am depart 5pm arrive

Coonabarabran to Dubbo 150kms
Dubbo to Parkes 120kms
Parkes to West Wyalong 130kms
West Wyalong to Wagga Wagga 150kms

Day 3 down Tuesday 15th Oct. - Wagga Wagga to Glen & Anna

435kms 5 hours ride time + 2 hours

9am depart 4pm arrive

Wagga Wagga to Albury 130kms
Albury to Benalla 120kms
Benalla to Yea 120kms
Yea to Melbourne 80kms

Day 4 rest Wednesday 16th Oct. - Melbourne

Day 5 rest Thursday 17th Oct. - Melbourne

Day 6 MotoGP Friday 18th Oct. - Melbourne to Phillip Island (camping on track)

138kms 2 hours ride time + 1 hour

4am depart 7pm arrive

Day 7 MotoGP Saturday 19th Oct. - Phillip Island (camping on track)

Day 8 MotoGP Sunday 20th Oct. - Phillip Island to Melbourne (camping on track)

138kms 2 hours ride time + 1 hour

5pm depart arrive 8pm

Day 9 rest Monday 21st Oct. - Melbourne & Anna

Day 10 rest Tuesday 22nd Oct. - Melbourne & Anna

Glen's Birthday

Fuel leaving Melbourne

Day 11 up Wednesday 23rd Oct. - Melbourne to Wagga Wagga (camping)

435kms 5 hours ride time + 2 hours

9am depart 4pm arrive

Melbourne to Yea 80kms
Yea to Benalla 120kms
Benalla to Albury 120kms
Albury to Wagga Wagga 130kms

Day 12 up Thursday 24th Oct. - Wagga Wagga to Coonabarabran (camping)

562kms 6 hours ride time + 2 hours

9am depart 5pm arrive

Wagga Wagga to West Wyalong 150kms
West Wylong to Parkes 130kms
Parkes to Dubbo 120kms
Dubbo to Coonabarabran 150kms

 

Day 13 up Friday 25th Oct. - Coonabarabran to Home

673kms 7 hours 30 mins ride time + 2 hours

9am depart 5:30pm arrive (4:30pm QLD time)

Coonabarabran to Narrabri 120kms
Narrabri to Moree 100kms
Moree to Goondiwini 120kms
Goondiwindi to Inglewood 100kms
Inglewood to Warrick 110kms
Warrick to Home 120kms

MotoGP Trip

3 days to go