Tasmanian Tales 2005

Honda CBR929 Ben Warden Magna Wagon Julie Warden

Suzuki GSXR1000 Clifford Peters Kawasaki ZDX12R Jason Peters

Ford Wagon Julie Johnston Honda CBR954 Paul Southwell

Passenger Barbara Peters Kawasaki ZX10 Danny Hawker

Honda CBR929 Ian Payne Suzuki Bandit 1200 Ron Johnston

BMW R1150GS Rob Langer Honda VFR750 Renzo Cunico

Yamaha TDM850 Ern Reeders Triumph 900 Ian Black

Honda CBR1100XX Peter Feistl MV Augusta 750 Dave Ward (plus Merc van)

Yamaha R1 Dave Moore MV Brutale 750 Bronwyn Manifold

Our trip to Tasmania was finally here and although it was only two years since the last trip, I couldn’t wait.

The group was larger than last time with 18 people in total (compared to 14). Only Ben, Julie, Rob, Cliff, Renzo, Dave Moore and I had returned for more fun. The rest of the group comprised Ron and Julie Johnston, Barb Peters, Dave Ward and Bron Manifold, Danny Hawker, Jason Peters, Paul Southwell, Ian Black, Peter Feistl and Ern Reeders.

Apart from the 15 bikes we had two cars and a van along for the trip. Although there were a few minor hiccups along the way, overall it ran like clockwork. Of course this just doesn’t happen. It is the result of painstaking planning and organization, so many thanks to Ben and Julie for the effort they put in to organising this trip.

Saturday 26^th February

Left Melbourne in calm seas and fair weather and occupied ourselves with reading, card games and wandering around the ship. Arrived late in Devonport so didn’t reach Somerset 60 kilometres away until after 11 pm!

• Highlights – Good weather, smooth seas, good company
• Lowlights – late arrival, slow disembarkation, rushed dinner.

Sunday 27^th

The day dawned fine and clear so the plan was to head for Savage River, turn around at the end of the bitumen and follow the wiggly road to Zeehan then back to Somerset. Then 40+ kilometre road in was a real hoot and after the obligatory photos it was back for more. Rob would leave us here and take the dirt road down to the Pieman Ferry and meet us in Zeehan! All went to well until Cliff had a “traction problem” not far from Savage River. Fortunately the Suzuki remained relatively undamaged and with Cliff only complaining of a sore hand we were soon on our way. After picking up Rob, it was onto the fantastic Plimsoll Lake road, then Tullah for fuel, a brief stop at Cradle Mountain before Ulverstone and Somerset.

• Highlights – great roads, great weather, good accommodation and meals
• Lowlights – Cliff’s crash, my continual neck pain, Julie’s car overheating (faulty thematic fan)

Monday 28^th

Another fine day but the previous day had taken its toll on Paul’s bike. With a badly weeping fork seal he would spend the day seeking repairs and then, courtesy of Dave and Bron, drive the van with his bike in the back to our next stop at New Norfolk.

The rest of us would head for Strahan, Queenstown, Derwent Bridge, Hamilton and the “Bush Inn” at New Norfolk! All was going to plan until the telltale stream of coolant exiting Danny’s ZX-10R pointed to a holed radiator! No problem, just an extended stay in Strahan until the radiator putty cured.

The run across to Derwent Bridge went ‘real’ quick with multiple leaders and silly grins every where! The only fright was a couple of guys changing a boat trailer tyre on the exit of a fast left hander. Not sure who got the biggest fright, them or us!

• Highlights – sensational route (great roads and scenery), good weather
• Lowlights – Paul’s fork seal, Danny’s holed radiator, my continual neck pain

Tuesday 1^st March

New Norfolk has a lot of history attached so most had a look around town before heading out on the bikes. Ben, Julie and Renzo would visit Mt. Field while the rest of us decided on a run to Strathgordon. While waiting until Ron repaired a door lock on his Falcon, the two Dave’s visited the barber. Always the opportunist, Dave Moore thought he may get a haircut at half price as he only had one head!

The run out to Strathgordon was fortunately NOT like the last time when we had two of the group end up in hospital. It was still a good ride, but the road had deteriorated in the two years since we were last there. We spent some time looking over the Gordon Dam and then a feed in Strathgordon before returning to New Norfolk.

It being Tuesday meant it was bikers night at ‘Joes Garage’ in Hobart and a must see by all accounts. After the ride in and a look around, which was quite interesting except we seemed to be the only bikers there, it was down to the pier for fresh fish and ships. The ride back would have been quite boring except for the almost continual police escort. Just when we thought it was all clear, Danny gets nabbed by a hidden car for 84 in an 80!. Fortunately, only a warning this time!

• Highlights – good accommodation, interesting town, good roads and weather
• Lowlights – faulty door lock on Ron’s Falcon, deteriorating road surface out to Strathgordon, abundance of police/speed cameras, Danny’s warning.

Wednesday 2^nd

Today we would explore some of the excellent roads to the north of New Norfolk. This would encompass the small towns of Westerway, Ouse, Bothwell and Poatina. The descent into Poatina was quite memorable as was the town itself, it being totally occupied by a christian group as a means of employing wayward youth! Our presence caused quite a stir with much talk and photos.

After lunch it was off to explore more roads but unfortunately what looked good on paper wasn’t. The return trip would have been the reverse of the way in except for a corner marking foul-up that left yours truly heading for Tarraleah before common sense prevailed and I turned around. It would not have been a problem except I was aboard the Brutale with no wallet, no phone and a flashing light that informed me I was on reserve! After an anxious ride where I virtually rolled down any incline, I finally made New Norfolk, much to the relief of the others.

• Highlights – mainly good roads, interesting little towns (Bothwell, home of the Aust Golf Museum!), more good weather, and the Brutale’s upright riding position easing my neck pain.
• Lowlights – corner-marking foul-up, Cliff’s swollen hand, my neck pain

Thursday 3^rd

Today we would leave New Norfolk and head to Kettering, but first a sprint up Mt. Wellington to take in the view. Next the Tahune Forest Air Walk just a short distance from Geeveston. The 620m steel walkway is a ‘must-see’ as perched 20m above the forest floor it offers a treetop view of the surrounding forest and the Huon and Picton Rivers. After some lunch it was back to Huonville then onto the Channel Highway for the spirited 65 km ride around to Kettering, our next stop. The Oyster Cove Inn was situated on a hill overlooking the marina. It also has a chook pen guarded by two cats!

• Highlights – great views from Mt. Wellington, sensational road into the Air Walk, more good accommodation – great location with views over the channel to Bruny Island, Ern’s fascinating talk on timber and wood-turning.
• Lowlights – some locals verbally objecting to our passing manoeuvres! Cliff’s swollen hand.

Friday 4^th

Another near perfect day except for the ‘light’ drizzle falling, the bulk of the riders would explore the surrounding roads while Ron, Julie, Cliff, Barb, Ian and I settled for a trip to Hastings Caves. This trip would take us virtually to the end of the bitumen as we headed for this most southerly point of Australia.

The Newdgate Cave is easy to view with well formed paths and plenty of steps - 245 according to the brochure! It also includes a 45 minute guided tour. It was quite spectacular and even had resident cave crickets.

We lunched at Dover and when a pressure wash was spied in the local servo Ian and Ron were quick to line up and wash off the remnants from the Hastings Cave dirt road. This washer proved good value as apart from the initial $1 no further money was required!

After returning to Kettering, Ron, Cliff and I felt the need for a short ride. The gang had also returned from exploring having discovered the sensational Cygnet Rd, a product if the Tassy Targa – well bitumened and smooth. The gang were keen for more riding. So off we all went, Ron Cliff and I returning along the same route. The others headed around the 65 km loop along the coast road, this time minus the school traffic. Sensational by all accounts.

Being Friday, the locals had taken over the pub so at Dave’s suggestion we headed to Peppermint Bay conference centre a few kilometres away. What a fantastic venue, the bistro was situated in top class surrounding and prices on par with the pub – a great evening was had by all

• Highlights – relaxing day, interesting cave tour, great evening meal for our last night on the island, late afternoon ride.
• Lowlights – light drizzle in the morning.

Saturday 5^th

Another drizzly morning as we headed to Hobart and the Salamanca Market at Battery Point. Many of us bought mementos of our visit and, thanks to Bronwyn, they all made it back to Melbourne in the van.

After leaving Hobart, we would regroup at Sorell 25 km away. Sounds easy but most got lost en-route, either ending up back in Hobart or Glenorchy. We eventually figured out were we had gone wrong, gathered up the troops and finally joined Ben at Sorell. Jason managed to drop his bike doing a U turn. Bikes were going everywhere, the police “moving-on” the corner markers, just adding to the confusion.

After fuel it was off to Triabunna, Swansea, Bicheno and the pancake parlour at Elephant Pass. It was good to have a break and enjoy good food and company; pity the service was so slow! Although still damp, the roads were quite grippy and, with little traffic, we pressed on to Derby and Scottsdale. From here it was across to Launceston with the section of road through the Sideling Range a real hoot.

We said our goodbyes to those staying the extra night and pressed on to Devonport. Here we met the girls, had a bite to eat and joined the queue to board the boat.

• Highlights – more great/challenging roads,
• Lowlights – difficulty exiting Hobart, wet roads, Jason’s bike, sad it was all over!

Sunday 6^th

Arrived back in Melbourne with no regrets. It had been a fantastic week with excellent accommodation, a well thought out agenda and good weather. All the ingredients needed for a great holiday. Thanks Ben; can’t wait for the next one!

Ian Payne (Honda CBR929RR)