Porepunkah Xmas Camp – Lyn Duncan

Like some other club members, I had been holidaying elsewhere before heading to Porepunkah. I’d come from Nagambie, camping right on the banks of the Goulburn. The bike stayed on the trailer the whole time. I arrived at Porepunkah Friday arvo. I was so pleased to see my camp neighbours from last year were returning: Les, Bruce, John and Pete were arriving tomorrow. They make this a rendezvous point and provide great company and entertainment for me.

Bevan, a new member, had arrived after visiting his family in Canberra. Travelling light, Ben and Julie lent him a tent and sleeping gear. We chase up Ian to be certain of our site location. Other members are already back from their day’s ride making the time at least 4 pm.

By now I had planned on swimming with Thor and leisurely putting up the tent before it got dark. Until an invitation to eat at the Pub and a lift there and back from Ian and Kerry got me moving. By the time I found myself sitting in their new car, I was feeling very aware of my dusty, three day old clothes and lack of showering. Bevan hitched a ride as well.

The pub turned out to be a great chance to hear about some of Darryn’s overseas travel experiences. He will be riding with us for another day before disappearing. Paul was staying with a mate over at Tawonga South but heading out on a lone ride tomorrow to meet up with Jo in Gippsland. Ron and Julie were at the table and Les, Pete, Bruce and John joined us after spending a few minutes in the overflowing bar. Back at camp a couple of red wines and wonderful company before turning in.

Saturday and thankfully the day ride departure time is a reasonable 10 am, although I’ll still be struggling to be ready. Great fun planned today: Towonga Gap, Falls Creek and Hotham. For some unknown reason my bike wouldn’t start. Les endured a workout pushing me around on the bike trying to bump start it, with no luck. Ron suggested I try full throttle to start, which worked. A few theories were bandied around. Meanwhile everyone else had left. I caught up with them at the Porepunkah servo. Lucky I’d arrived with full tank because they were ready to leave.

Dave and Bronwyn had arrived in the middle of the night staying in a room at the pub. Dave was rearing to go. Enzo had ridden over from Myrtleford, staying with relatives. The rest of the riders, Cliff, Danny, Ben (leader), Ian (rear rider), and myself were from the caravan park. Bevan had left for home. Ern was doing alternative activities with Helen and Ron was taking Julie for a drive to hell and back.

It was strange riding over Tawonga Gap as it’s all burnt now. But because of the ongoing fires there is hardly any traffic. The roads are in excellent condition and the weather was fantastic. Entering Mt. Beauty, huge signs advise to boil water before drinking.

Run up Falls Creek. What do you think? Way fun! A freaky thing happened coming back down though. We were just past the bridge near Bogong and I noticed a big, fire damaged tree trunk with no branches, probably 15 feet up the steep embankment. It broke at the bottom and slowly fell. It seemed as if it would hit the road about the time I’d be at the same spot. There was an oncoming car so I couldn’t move over to the other side of the road. It was hard to judge just how far across the road the tree would fall. I decided that I would take my chances with the tree rather than a certain head-on with the car. Amazingly, the timing was spot on. The tree fell short and I felt the tip graze my left boot. I felt blessed at this moment. I really thought the tree was going to land on me. How close was that?!

Drama was happening to Ian behind me. Watching in my mirror, he seemed way back and out of danger. I didn’t realise that the on-coming car had screeched to a stop, blocking Ian’s escape route - except to ride straight over the tree trunk. Luckily, when it hit the ground, it exploded. In retrospect I should have stopped and checked on Ian who appeared to have slowed, but told me later he stopped to check for damage.

Back over Towonga Gap. Grouse! Bronwyn give me a wave form her pushbike.  I managed to give a nod when I realised she was actually waving at me. I was not expecting to come across a cyclist I knew. Bronwyn was heading up Towonga Gap to the lookout, solo.

Mt Hotham last year was so hot the road was melting and slippery. This year it is a bit freaky. The smoke makes the fire feel closer than it probably is. There were fireys sitting around and lots of earthmoving equipment on the side of the road, ready to fight the beast. When we got to Danny’s Lookout we observed helicopters constantly dumping water. The lookout offered a sad view of smoke rising from almost the entire mountain range.

A bit further along on the very top of the ridge is a new dam for snow making. We stopped here on our return from Omeo to take photos of the helicopters loading their water bags. The helicopters seemed to return every few minutes, 8 in service. Also we stopped where the helicopters were lowering a water bag onto the car park, where the fire fighters had their trucks parked to drag hoses over to fill the tankers from these bags. I don’t know how many tankers per bag; there were two ready and waiting.

I thought I saw Pete on his KTM who was coming over from Bairnsdale. I gave the KTM rider a wave and he reciprocated. But Pete was at camp when we returned and had seen the same bike, but he had come through from Dargo on the dirt.

Les, John, Bruce and Pete headed off to Porepunkah Central for a BBQ by the river, noting they were expecting a couple in an outfit, Sally and Chris. They arrived, a lovely couple who set themselves up in no time, cooking up a curry. They were quite settled by the time the others got back. Meanwhile I drove Thor down to the swimming spot, his mobility much worse these days.

Sunday. You’re kidding! 9 am start! I can understand why with almost a 600 km ride in 38 deg. Early start, good idea. (I can’t do that!) Granya Gap. Ooh, I can do that! Ian is going that far and turning back because of lack of rubber. I’ll do that as well. Still I have to get my shit together.

I’ve forgotten how good the roads are. Happy Valley just out of Ovens, then another nice back road to Esk, then another windy flowing piece up to Tallangatta, except for my slip up in front of Danny. I upset my line into a corner then hit a bump on the next one, upsetting me again. Nothing really significant, but I’m sure Danny was out of there. Up to Tallangatta for a break. Hmm. 90 km to Walwa and then only another 50 km to Tumbarumba, our destination. Starting to think I can do it. On to the much talked about Granya Gap. It seems to create some tale with every pass, like Paul Southwell’s late breaking manoeuvre with Danny last Australia Day.

Before I know it, I’m getting sucked along the Upper Murray Highway. We stop at Walwa for fuel. A single woman pulls up on a silver Triumph Sprint. I must be cramping their style; the guys ignored her. It’s only another 50 km to Tumbarruma for lunch. Weird but each time I’ve been to Tumbarumba the weather has been unusual. Very muggy today.  Locals warning of thunderstorms. I immediately start to worry about Thor back at camp. He is scared of lightening and thunder.

We head back into a thunderstorm and a huge lightening strike. Roads are dry by the time we get to Upper Murray. Yippee! Granya Gap dry too. Refresh at Tallangatta after tall tales. Ron is going a different way home to check out another road. I never got an update from him. More fun on the Happy Valley road to break up at Ovens . I stopped at the Berry farm for breakfast fruit. Shit! I did it!

Still had time to take Thor for a swim. John, Bruce, Pete, Julie, Fiona, Emma, Ben and Kerry were all enjoying the water. There was some sort of little pit bull diving for rocks, disappearing with just its tail visible. The river was noticeably dirty compared to last year, from all the ash falling, but nothing compared to the following day after the New Year storm when the river was a thick, brown sludge.

New Years Eve. After showering, Ben and Julie (gotta luv ‘em) offered to ferry us in to Bright, then pick us up when we rung to bring us home. How good is that? Main street is blocked off, which they took Fiona and her cousin Emma in for. A band was playing, but it was pouring rain, so the town was quiet. I had great time with the fellas. They wanted to get back and see the New Year in with Sally who wasn’t well enough to come with us. Others back at the caravan park were having a bad taste party.

Monday. I had to say goodbye to Pete, Les, Ian and Kerrie and Ern, who I didn’t really see at all and Helen who I still haven’t met. Cliff, Danny, Ron and myself went for another run up to Falls Creek. We rode just quietly. It was a lovely ride. Thanks heaps.

On the way back into town we checked on Mt Buffalo. It was still closed indefinitely. Cliff and Ben did Hotham again. John, Julie, Ben, Fiona, and Emma had been fishing for lunch - when they managed to drag themselves away from playing games including chess.

That evening Danny and Vanessa donated all their unused meat for the BBQ. Vanessa had her very obedient and well behaved young Labrador cross, called Elly. Tomorrow would be tough with the rest of the goodbyes signifying the end of a great week of riding and comradeship.