Ben Warden (Leader) ZXR750 Derek Atkinson (Rear) FZR1000

Rhys Williams ZX7R Gerry East YZF600

Wayne Grant ZX9R Danny Kosinski VFR750

Darryn Webster GSXR750 Tim Walker ZX7R

After a typical late night of lies, jokes, gossip, tall stories and eventually playing pool, most of the troops assembled at the servo at the end of the street at 9:00 am. Kathy had decided to have a rest day. (She rode down to Mitta Mitta and back – 250 km Ed.) Ben lead us out along the familiar fast sweepers towards Corryong. About half way we approached a group of slower moving bikes, but as we overtook them the lead bike of the three became a faster moving bike, and slotted in behind Ben. When we stopped at the Corryong servo we found that the rider was a local from Tallangatta, out for a burn on his Ducatti 750F1. His two mates were from the Albury/Wodonga area.

At this point Gerry decided to return to Tallangatta, her neck and shoulder hurting, to also have a rest day. The rest of us continued on. Pretty straight roads for the next 50 km or so, then some 30 k’s of tight twisty stuff leading to the Tumut Pond where we had another stop to regroup. Photographs taken, we’re off again, eventually finding our way onto the Snowy Mountains Highway and into Adaminaby for an early lunch stop.

We relaxed, soaking in the perfect weather. Another large group of touring bikes was also in town and had established themselves on the other side of the street. Danny adjusted the damping in his rear shock absorber, and later confirmed that it made a noticeable improvement.

Off again to Jindabyne via Berridale and Dalgety. Another short stop before tackling the 82 km to Charlottes Pass and back. A toll has to be paid to enter the Alpine Park. Four of us had stopped and as Wayne approached Ben asked for "five, make that four tickets" as Wayne blasted through. "Do you know him?" "Nope" and we all shook our heads. "Could be a $150 fine for that" she said.

We reached the top and Wayne appeared shortly after, having layed low for a while. We walked a couple of hundred metres up along the wooden path to the lookout where Danny read the tourist information and regurgitated it all back to us. Back down at the bottom of the path our tour guide again enjoyed sharing his new found knowledge with a group of scouts.

Back to Jindabyne and onto the road to Thredbo. Fairly straight and fast, where we come across, and cut up, six Harleys. At Thedbo Village the Alpine Way is closed for more consolidation work after the landslide, and we were diverted down through the back streets. After Thredbo we came to the 7 kms of gravel still remaining, and regroup once more at the end of the dirt. From here to Khancoban is 53 kms of the grousest road. Tight twisties cut through the mountains under the forest canopy. I followed Ben out, but soon lost touch. Danny passed me and soon had Ben in his sights, giving Ben a wake up call. Rhys’ headlight soon appeared in my mirrors giving me the wake up call, and both pairs of riders had a ball stretching and shrinking the imaginary piece of elastic all the way to Khancoban. A thought from Rhys half way down says it all "This is mint - but it just keeps getting better!".

After a break at the servo Derek and Wayne headed back to Corryong and I followed shortly after. The others waited a few more minutes till after the Harleys left - just to enjoy cutting them up once more.

Great days ride. 630 kms approx.