Distance addiction..

[luthier]

Inspiring thread. I'm wanting to ride to Far North Queensland round June on my Ducati. sorry NGC. Friends say I shouldn't, wife is totally freaked by the idea, other friends understand, kind of, but yeah, unless there's a far destination and some reason to go I sometimes find it hard to bother going for a small tootle round the long block.

[piecemealadventurer]

Inspiring thread. I'm wanting to ride to Far North Queensland round June on my Ducati. sorry NGC. Friends say I shouldn't, wife is totally freaked by the idea, other friends understand, kind of, but yeah, unless there's a far destination and some reason to go I sometimes find it hard to bother going for a small tootle round the long block.

I did Melbourne to Cooktown and back I 2015, 5 week tour. Absolutely fantastic ride. I can thoroughly recommend you do it.

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[wyno]

My partner and I rode our bikes  (Griso and Honda 500x) from Geelong to Noosa (4000 km) and back in 2016 in 3 weeks. My bum was a bit sore after but it was so worth it.

[Huzo]

My partner and I rode our bikes  (Griso and Honda 500x) from Geelong to Noosa (4000 km) and back in 2016 in 3 weeks. My bum was a bit sore after but it was so worth it.

There's a lot of blokes come back from Sydney with a sore bum Wyno.
Not all of them own motorbikes either..

[ITSec]

There's a lot of blokes come back from Sydney with a sore bum Wyno.
Not all of them own motorbikes either..

Yet another consequence of an island with delusions of grandeur that was first populated with convicts. 

[piecemealadventurer]

Yet another consequence of an island with delusions of grandeur that was first populated with convicts. 

I think it was pretty well populated before the convicts got here

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[ITSec]

I think it was pretty well populated before the convicts got here

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True enough - I was just thinking of Sydney! 

[Huzo]

Yet another consequence of an island with delusions of grandeur that was first populated with convicts. 

As opposed to slave traders..?

[wyno]

Well Huzo and I went for a ride today (ANZAC day) with his son and Pete's mate Baz. I got to Creswick to find the others waiting and after a swift drink we headed off to Castlemaine and from there to Mt Macedon and the memorial cross for a quick saunter. Then we headed off to have a meal and a glass of wine. After lunch we headed off to Bacchus Marsh where we parted ways with me heading home to Geelong. We had a blast, travelling at very illegal speeds, passing everything and scrubbing off the chicken strips. I'm going to try to post some pics with this, but if it doesn't work, Huzo will do the right thing and put the ones I took up here.






deactivate my account

[ITSec]

As opposed to slave traders..?

Every continent has its own questionable past... 

[Sheepdog]

Some folks paint with a wide brush...

[Huzo]

 

Every continent has its own questionable past... 

Very true mate, but I didn't bring it up.

[Huzo]

 

Some folks paint with a wide brush...

Speaking of Aussies, questionable pasts and wide brushes.
I wonder how Rolf Harris is going...?

[malik]

Inspiring thread. I'm wanting to ride to Far North Queensland round June on my Ducati. sorry NGC. Friends say I shouldn't, wife is totally freaked by the idea, other friends understand, kind of, but yeah, unless there's a far destination and some reason to go I sometimes find it hard to bother going for a small tootle round the long block.

FNQ? Do it. It's absolutely bloody fantastic, as long as you've got plenty of time. I've been up there more than a few times, and thus have friends all over. Note there's a bunch of friendly Guzzisti in Cairns.  Try to reassure your wife that there's really nothing to worry about (as long as you don't do a lot of swimming in the wrong places). As she worries, you had better give her a ring regularly. Lots of good roads, interesting scenery, a lot less traffic generally, even less than you are used to. The Athertons, the Daintree, the Mackay area back roads,  Innot Hot Springs, Undarra Lava Tubes, Normanton & Karumba, don't miss all the museums in Longreach, even the Bruce can be interesting - and there's lots of side trips to interesting oases. I would say only take the Duke if it's more comfortable than the Guzzi - on such a trip, a bike that's easier to ride slower, and easier to stop to take a look around is an advantage. Get yourself out there, you won't regret it. Good luck.

Oh, just remembered - David Dunn from Lismore told me he's planning a trip up there around July.

[Lannis]

One day I'll tell you the difference between a Wizard's hat and a Policeman's truncheon..

We've been patient ... Is it time yet?   

[BAT 11]

Rolf Harris seems to have painted himself into a corner.

[lazlokovacs]

replying to the OP

yes, I get it completely.

nothing quite so satisfying as looking back on the map after a day or two or three of long long distance work and seeing a continent crossed and your bike covered in dead bugs

just magic

and guzzis are just great for that

/\sheepdog  we don't have too many tight borders in europe any more, most countries you just drive straight through

[Numbercruncher]

I especially like the cool summer mornings and being on the road early.  I might be a bit chilly on the bike for the first hour or so but knowing that the day will warm and cozy makes tolerating a bit of morning chill perfectly acceptable.  Last summer I left Dunsmuir, California on just such a July morning.  I would head into central Oregon for a really fun final three days of the trip.  That was on a V-Strom which I believe I have sold and will then buy a new V7III.  I won't have the luggage capacity but a couple side bags on the V7III will get me enough space for a three day trip.  That gives me a day to get out into the wilds, a day to ride and enjoy them, and a day to return.  So glad our summer riding is about to begin.

NC

[Huzo]

Yep.
You can't write that stuff unless you "get it"..

[tris]

:bike-037:Speaking of Aussies, questionable pasts and wide brushes.
I wonder how Rolf Harris is going...?

Thanks Huzo - one for the Brits 

[Huzo]

I don't reckon you know how good your bike is until you're totally rooted and probably should have been off the road two hours ago, it'll make up for your shortfall.
The bike will take over and make it possible to get to where you're going after you've sorta' had enough.
I do like it when I've decided to get a room and the bike's out the front of the unit as you cross the road to the restaurant for dinner and a quiet couple..
I always think..
"I really need to sleep for 10 hours, but I know you'll be ready to do it again for me tomorrow", my Norge never gives me the impression that she's tired, even when I am.
Love it....

[Sheepdog]

/\sheepdog  we don't have too many tight borders in europe any more, most countries you just drive straight through

So I’ve heard, Lazlo. It has gotten more difficult to travel to Canada and Mexico for us since 9/11. There was a time when a driver’s license was all that was needed to travel to neighboring countries...not any more. I understand that complicated travel is the norm outside of the Eurozone, also. Traveling through Africa has always been a “Bucket List” thing for me. I still plan to go, but will probably limit the trip to a single country (I’m thinking Malawi).

[Huzo]

So I�ve heard, Lazlo. It has gotten more difficult to travel to Canada and Mexico for us since 9/11. There was a time when a driver�s license was all that was needed to travel to neighboring countries...not any more. I understand that complicated travel is the norm outside of the Eurozone, also. Traveling through Africa has always been a �Bucket List� thing for me. I still plan to go, but will probably limit the trip to a single country (I�m thinking Malawi).

There's always a bit of tension in the air when doing border crossings in Eastern Europe, but it's exciting and refreshingly "different".

[Huzo]

I've spent some time packing for the Oz trip that I've been invited on, with Bat 11, Paul Brooking and Terry.
I'm always left wondering these days how offhand and casual this routine becomes. There doesn't seem to be "enough stuff" to reflect the onset of a 15,000 k trip but maybe you just get better at it..?
Anyway, it'll be ready when I get home Friday morning packed and ready to go, so it's (maybe) a quick shower then off like a rat up a drainpipe to Adelaide and then , NORTH..! to Darwin.

[piecemealadventurer]

I've spent some time packing for the Oz trip that I've been invited on, with Bat 11, Paul Brooking and Terry.
I'm always left wondering these days how offhand and casual this routine becomes. There doesn't seem to be "enough stuff" to reflect the onset of a 15,000 k trip but maybe you just get better at it..?
Anyway, it'll be ready when I get home Friday morning packed and ready to go, so it's (maybe) a quick shower then off like a rat up a drainpipe to Adelaide and then , NORTH..! to Darwin.

You sound excited mate and with the weather getting colder here north is sounding better everyday!

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[Huzo]

You sound excited mate and with the weather getting colder here north is sounding better everyday!

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Damn right Mick

[Huzo]

Inspiring thread. I'm wanting to ride to Far North Queensland round June on my Ducati. sorry NGC. Friends say I shouldn't, wife is totally freaked by the idea, other friends understand, kind of, but yeah, unless there's a far destination and some reason to go I sometimes find it hard to bother going for a small tootle round the long block.

How's the Effencue ride going...?

[malik]

I have a mate from Cairns down here on holiday at the moment (getting rugged up for riding is a novel experience for him). He advises avoiding the top end after the end of September - usually not good riding weather once October starts.

[Huzo]

I have a mate from Cairns down here on holiday at the moment (getting rugged up for riding is a novel experience for him). He advises avoiding the top end after the end of September - usually not good riding weather once October starts.

Very true..

[timax]

Are you going to keep us updated with a few pics of the trip.
I for one would love to follow via the forum or blog.
Cheers Tim