Melbourne Cup Weekend      Day 4

 

Leaving Harrietville. It was with mixed feelings that we greeted the fourth and last day of our journey. For the first time in four days it was a beautiful morning. The sun was streaming through the mountain trees as opposed to the last few days of loading up the bikes in the rain. So far we had experienced extreme weather conditions ranging from alpine snow to the dry Murray River heat.

A quick survey of the group this morning found that although our wallets were near empty and commitments waiting for us the next day, there was a general enthusiasm for a couple more days adventure.

We left Harrietville fairly early for the short ride, approx 90km, up to Dinner Plain for breakfast. The first corner sets the tone for this ride; it’s an uphill, sharp left hander rated at 40 kmh. After negotiating about two hundred more similar tight corners you cross the top of the Alpine National Park via Hotham Heights. It wasn’t snowing but a strong wind was broad-siding us with ice from the snow gums and low scrub beside the road. Imagine a horizontal hail storm. 

Once breakfast was out of the way, we looked forward to the magic run down into Omeo. This piece of road never falls to excite. Some of the group hadn’t ridden this section of road prior to this ride. We had the pleasure of riding a ‘sighting lap’ on day one, so everyone was ready to extract maximum value this time around. Given the size of the grins in Omeo, no-one seemed disappointed.

The next scheduled fuel stop was Bruthen. The Omeo Highway is challenging due to the possibility of fatigue setting in. It’s only 100 km to Bruthen on a very unforgiving road, cliffs either side with no barriers for much of the way. It was good to see everyone arrive safely and still sporting grins.

We worked our way east skirting around Bairnesdale through Wy Yung and Walpa to the start of the ‘Dargo Road’. Many a whispered story has been told about the fabled Dargo Road and I’m sure that few more legends were born this day. This is one of the best motorcycling roads in Victoria. It has everything; tight downhill runs through to fast sweepers, but for my money this road’s best feature is the surface. Nice bit of tar!

At this point I have to give a big mention to the Dargo General Store. Dan and Maggie are most welcoming to all riders; their hamburger ‘with the lot’ is second to none.

Ben has a secret way he takes us from the ‘The Fingerboards’ turnoff, near the southern end of the Dargo road, down to Fernbank, across to Stockdale and into Briagolong for a much needed break and fuel. Ben assures me he will divulge this route to anyone, if they have enough gold coins.

As we push on down through Boisdale, Newry to Heyfield, I’m (again) reminded of just how different and extreme the weather conditions have been over the last few days. Around us is evidence of major flooding; most of the low lying paddocks looked like small inland seas and as we passed through the small towns, it was easy to spot sand-bags protecting houses close to the creeks. It looks like some of these country folk have had a tough few days.

The run down to Tyers via the Traralgon Maffra Road was uneventful. By this time I am starting to realise that the ride will soon becoming to an end. Lucky for us there is one last section that is guaranteed to quicken the blood and lift any possible fatigue. The run along the Old Sale Road and then down through Crossover and Jindivick is a great way to finish up a very memorable ride.

Thanks Ben for leading the way for a lazy 2500 kms!  And a special mention goes to Dave Ward for pushing to have a progressive (overnight stops) ride included in the Club’s agenda.

 

Paul Southwell