Tasmania 4^th – 14^th March 2011- (Part 3)

Misho Zrakic	Honda CBR1000RR	Cliff Peters	Kawasaki ZX10
Boyd Witzerman	Honda CBR1000RR	Mark Copeland	Kawasaki ZX10
Paul Southwell	Honda CBR1000RR	Dave Ward	Kawasaki ZX6
Ian Payne	Honda CBR1000RR	Rob Langer	KTM 950 SE
Ron Johnston	Honda CBF1000	Marc Marais	Triumph 675 Street Triple
John Willis	Honda Varedero 1000	Julie Johnston	Ford Fiesta
Ben Warden	Honda CBR954RR	Julie Warden	Magna station wagon
Pina Garasi	Honda CBR600RR	Barbara Peters	Holden Commodore
Kurn Bridgeman	Honda CBR600RR		14 bikes, 3 cars, 17 people

Day Six – Thursday: Cliff and Barbara, and Julie and I went to Hobart. Cliff had to pick up a new chain for his ZX10 because the one he had put on the bike was playing up a bit and Cliff wasn’t happy. In Hobart, we had a couple of choices of bike shops. We picked the one we had been to before. The ladies stayed in the car because it was raining, while Cliff and I went in to check out the chains. It was a multi-franchise dealership with a good display of bikes on the floor offering plenty to ogle over.

Spares were upstairs. Cliff told the man what chain he wanted, and how many links. There was some discussion about cutting it, but they were reluctant to cut it in case it was short. After Cliff bought the chain we went down to the wharf and had an early lunch. The Sea Shepard was there, as well as another black ship. They travel down to the Antarctic to hassle the Japanese whaling boats.

We wandered around looking at various things before lunch. Cliff said he would buy a 4 inch disc grinder to cut the chain. So on the way out of Hobart we called in at Bunnings and bought one. He said that was grinder number three; he already had two at home. Must have a fetish!

Back to Maydena and then a few kms further on, we turned off and drove 14 kms into the bush and had a look at the Giant Trees. Magnificent. There is a wave shaped fence with a seat in front of it. You lean up against the fence and cast your eyes up the old growth tree. Brilliant! From memory, it was 82 metres high. I have some photos of Julie standing in front of one, and she looks very small.

We set off for the Gordon Dam. Not long after leaving the giant trees, we come across a banner strung across the road with “Save the Forest” written on it. I told some of the group about it when we got back to base and Rob Langer said the banner was there about four or six years ago. Bloody greenies. They had some kids, and I reckon they might be feral, having lived in the bush so long.

We stopped at a couple of places on the way to take in the views and to take some photos. The dam was a bit of an eye opener. I can’t remember how wide the dam wall was, but it was an impressive 140 metres high. After a look around it was back in the car to drive back to Maydena. A long day, but worth it.

Day Seven – Friday: Today the group set out for Beauty Point, a place I haven’t been to before. Mark Copeland and Marc Marais went to Hobart to the same bike shop we were at yesterday; they had a ZX10 for sale, ex demo, going cheap. Apparently, it had been for sale for six months and hadn’t sold. We all met at Westerway and got fuel. The women went straight up the highway, but us adventurous riders took the long road.

Westerway through to Hamilton and on to Bothwell, where we met up with Paul Southwell and Boyd Witzerman. Pina wanted a coffee, but there were few words spoken by our illustrious leader, who said there wasn’t time and that she would have to wait. (She got her coffee ...Ed.) A few years ago when we came through here, I had to stay behind and fix the muffler bracket on my 1200 Bandit.

Bothwell to Shannon on the Lake Highway is a good run where you can stretch your legs. Also, we were gaining altitude. At Shannon we travel towards Poatina, travelling on top of the world, snow country in the summer. A bit like going from Christchurch to Greymouth in the South Island NZ, across the main divide.

The road is not too bad, (read fantastic ...Ed.) bit rough in places, but okay. Arrived in Poatina and headed for the only gas station in town. Last time I was here, we did a group photo for the owner. A bit of excitement for the place. The dude has a collection of minis, though some have seen better days.

We leave the servo and go back out to the highway. I wait for cars to go by and move off. I don’t know what happened, but I pulled out in front of a large 40 seat sports car. I saw it at the last second and hit the skids. The driver saw what was happening and swerved. I was lucky…

We did some weird and wonderful back roads to Campbell Town for lunch. There were people everywhere; a busy little place. We parked outside a park next to a servo. There was plenty of variety as far as food places went. I phoned Julie J. She was at the other end of town having lunch.

After lunch we headed up the Midland Highway to Conara, and then turned right towards Avoca. After a long section of highway we turned off towards Rossarden and encountered a gravel road. You come off the bitumen and travel about 300 metres in a straight line before a 45 km/h left hand corner. Ian went down. A few of us picked the bike back up. It has a couple of broken fairing bits but otherwise is okay.

We continue on to the end of the gravel section and regroup, checking out Ian’s bike more thoroughly. Ben to the rescue with lots of silver tape to hold the silver fairing panels together. The road was tight and twisty to start with, as we climbed up and over a range, then straightened out. A good road in places. Rossarden, Fingal and back on the main road to St Marys. From St Marys to St Helens is a great bit of road, where I try and rides the wheels off my bike. Between St Helens and Derby we encountered the Weldborough Pass. Definitely a road to put on your “to do” list.

We now ventured into some unfamiliar territory for me: Scottsdale, Lilydale, Karoola. Very nice countryside with plenty to see. And then we come across the magnificent Tamar Bridge; a different design to usual. We followed the Tamar Highway through to Beaconsfield where they were doing sloppy road works. Then on to Beauty Point where we stayed for the next three days, the group distributed between the motel and a pub-owned house a few kilometres away.

Day Eight – Saturday: I was up bright and early, leaving at 7am in the car to buy a front tyre in Launceston. The trip to Launceston and back was around two hours, the group ride well gone by the time I returned. I rang Cliff to see where the ride was: Port Sorell bike shop. Ben suggested I meet them at Deloraine for lunch, and that we should get there about the same time. Sounded good. Done deal.

Unfortunately, I missed the turn off at Beaconsfield. There is a big sign on the left, but it’s easy to miss. I had ridden through Beaconsfield to the road works and knew I had missed the turn, but didn’t know where. I rode back, but not far enough! So I decided to go to Exeter and on to Deloraine that way. It added an extra 30 kms to my trip. That’s the way it is, sometimes.

I was pushing along a bit faster than usual in order to make up time. Near Exton, sitting on a $1.60, I came around a corner to see Mr Plod coming down the hill. I look in my mirrors and see he is pulling over and going to follow me. Brain working overtime… should I go down a side road? Not feasible. Just stick to the main road, lay on the gas, and pass everything in sight.

It certainly was a quick trip to Deloraine. I pulled up outside the bakery and got my gear off and waited. About 15 minutes later a cop went slowly by. It may have been the Highway Patrol I passed. He didn’t stop, so I was happy. Lucky this time. I waited at the bakery for 30 to 45 mins for the others to arrive.

Ben noted I wasn’t there when they came through so they continued up the fabulous Golden Valley Road to the lake. It was very foggy. We all had lunch at the bakery. Highly recommended.

After lunch we motored off to Mole Creek. We were supposed to get fuel there, but the girl was closing up as we rode by. We stopped at the intersection, just past the servo, but it was too late. After a quick map review Ben decided to get fuel at the next stop. From Mole Creek we travelled to Wilmot in a roundabout sort of way. Interesting roads to say the least.

Somewhere between here and Leven Canyon we travelled down and up some of the steepest roads I have been on. I think it was about 35% the grade. You certainly wouldn’t want to have brake failure. At the Leven Canyon most of us did the walk to the lookout. It was a reasonable slog up there, but the spectacular views were worth it. There was a gentleman there who built the pathway, working for the man who donated the land for the park. Interesting, but that’s another story in itself.

Back out of the canyon, through the steep bit again, on to Paloona and Sheffield. They were having a Steam Rally, so there were lots of people about. Railton to Latrobe and Frankford. From here the road is tight and twisty. We cross the railway line several times. On to Beaconsfield and Beauty Point and that’s us done for the day.

To be continued…

Ron Johnston