IR-SNOWY RIDE

For a couple of days before the ride I had made a promise to myself and the Ninjalista that I would tidy her chain, but then things started to get busy. Had too many other important commitments that crept up and sucked all energy and spare time. I did not think I could do it at home, as I had no stand… well I do have the stand, but I had misplaced the hardware…ages ago… and it has just come to bite me.

So I pm Kane to arrange to use his bike stand before we leave in the morning.

‘Whereis’ is usually a good place to start looking for someone’s place. This time I had to ring and check… already out of my comfort zone and not wanting to be a liability, I arrived a little frazzled and a fraction late. Now that’s consistent! Always late… one of these days they’ll just leave without me.


Whilst I packed for economy, it still had to be the rear and tank bag to accommodate the sleeping bag and in the end I grabbed the heavy shifter as well and popped it …silly me… on top of everything.

We promptly managed to round the adjuster nut and decided it was time to let the professionals have a go at it. It was 8:30am and on my way past I had seen 'MaxPower's' flag up on the highway. A quick phone call and we were on our way…I was embarrassed going there, because I know how much work he has on. Both Nat and Steve work such long hours… but we were not going anywhere without getting the chain serviced.

Once we were told to come around, we took off and…of cause at the first roundabout, I noticed that I had lost my polaroid clip-ons for my glasses. Kane turned around immediately and started to survey the road we had travelled so far. Of cause we found it sitting a few metres from his driveway where I got off, picked it up and then I had to do a little manoeuvre to turn the bike around, at which stage the 'Ninjalista' decided that it was all too much for her and just fainted on me; literally ‘on’ me! I had lost my footing on uneven ground with a little gravel thrown in for good measure. My leg got caught under her weight and probably protected her from more damage. One of Kane’s neighbours was right there to give me a hand picking the bike up. A scuff on the already scratched engine cover and a couple more tiny scratches on the fairing and a loose mirror was all she had to endure.

I was a wreck! I was shaking like a leaf and felt emotional and exhausted from the experience so far. What else could go wrong?

We got to 'MaxPower Performance Motorcycles' and Steve adjusted my chain with a brand new nut thrown in. Thank you, my hero!

Totally flustered I finally felt the wind on my face on the freeway and the looping thought of my being in many ways a liability did not stop there and then. At the first set of lights on the ‘Northern Distributor’ the lights changed and I was not that far behind the big green Nine, so I did what I always do: open hard! That’s when Kane hit the brakes and I zoomed past. How awkward will it get?!
I followed Kane to fill up at the Albion Park service station and that’s where I got to stop in front of an ‘out of order’ petrol bowser. Those two huge orange flaps were just not big enough for me! Perhaps I should have worn my glasses? Ahhrrrgh!!!!What was I thinking? (Thanks to Kane for this photo)

He must have thought I was such a big twit! An insufferably slow rider, making a fool of herself at every turn! I was embarrassed and lived in hope that I wont keep this up…

Things got better… much, much better… once I took my iron supplement…

No, but really… things did settle down once we got going.

Kane was such a Gentleman! I loved getting my confidence back and felt well looked after… (even though I was in two minds about needing that).

The weather was terrific. Hot and dry! Just the way I like it…well it does not do anything for my helmet hair, but I do appreciate Summer rides.

Steve and Damien rode to meet us along the road about twenty klicks out of Jindabyne. They’ve been riding together for a week by then and it was a fine reunion. I remember thinking that they did not look scruffy at all and wondered wether that was because Tracy and Katrina were about to meet up with us as well? I think the boyz did make an effort…

Once we got to the house I threw another spanner in the works… a down slanted gravel driveway, which brought back memories of the earlier mishap and guess what: I froze!

I turned the engine off and just sat there, squeezing the break levers as if there was no tomorrow. It took the boys a couple of minutes before they realised that I was not taking a photo… and they came to the rescue, peeling me off the bike and taking charge of it. Which made it safely into the garage.

"Well done! Now they all think I’m a twit!"

In the end I had to let it ride… these things happen to the best…
The next day I stacked all my things in one spot in my room, just in case my companions had to collect my stuff if things went wrong… but the thought processes became more positive as the day progressed... and look here, upon our return I actually had no problem riding down that driveway.Next day: No Problemo! (thanks to Steve for this photo)

It did not take long before we hit the Snowy region.
'Yellow line' fever!
The road was something special…so smooth and in many ways fabulously predictable. I let everyone take off and rode at my own speed, which was such a timely confidence builder. Steve and Tracy waited for me whenever possible, so I would not feel totally deserted, but that never crossed my mind. I just did not want to spoil their fun.

Tumut Pond

At the Mt Selwyn/Tumbarumba turn-off I was looking forward to my favourite stretch of road. Well, ‘stretch’ is not quite the word… serpentined is more like it… all the way down to Tumut Pond, a little dam with an island right in the middle.

Where's Kane? (You may have to click to enlarge the picture to find him...)

Poor Katrina was sooo motion sick by then. She could not even talk and had to just lie down on the concrete in the shade. I felt so sorry for her, but there was nothing we could do.

On the road to Khancoban I very much enjoyed that eucalypt aroma in the air, which I had noticed last time we came through there. This is Australia!

Time for lunch.

There were a few other riders, including a young Asian looking female, who exclaimed to her riding partner when she saw me:

“Oh isn’t it so nice to see more women riders these days!”

The thought crossed my mind that in 1978, when I started with this business, she may not have been born yet. However, experience makes no expert and therefore I’ll always call myself a beginner.

Khancoban Pub

This is a popular spot for motorcyclists and is totally booked out around 'MotoGP-at-PI' time. We had lunch here and when we left Katrina took advantage of the sprinkler, soaking in a little moisture to cool her down on the bike. The menu is basic, but genuine. We were going to check out the Servo's Cafe, but decided to head for air conditioning...aren't we spoilt?!
I like Khancoban. It provides what we need. Shelter, food, petrol and the prospect of some of the more spectacular roads this country has to offer right at it's door step.

Last time around I took a little walk early in the morning to stretch my legs before another day on the bike. The tree lined avenue looked stunning in the mist and the lake, bathed in early morning sunshine prompted me to take a few shots too. There were 'Khancoban Pub' baseball caps for sale, but that was going a little too far for me...

Unfortunately Steve’s Blade started to play up just before here and the short rest during lunch seemed to fix things for a little while. 'MaxPower' will have to look at it when daZippa gets home. Next stop Leather Barrel Creek… that was another fine ride and I did find my rhythm in no time…truly enjoying every bend in the road. Constantly moving with the 35s and 45s, I arrived exhilarated with the biggest grin on my face. I could have cried with joy…

Leatherbarrel Creek...a well deserved break
The creek bubbled away as we removed our boots and socks and dipped our feet, cooling down, splashing each other, whilst Katrina was kindly filling our water bottles with spring water. It does not get much better!

It was only around 60 km to Jindabyne from Leather Barrel Creek and the road opened up to a sequence of perfectly conceived sweepers with a surface that just begged: Just go for it Babe! The Ninjalista had a ball…
Finding my rhythm... (Thanks to Steve for this picture)

Home for Dinner…Vino…Cheese and Crackers… wherever you looked: smiles. Even Katrina, but hers was a little more about the relief she felt when she arrived home and she stopped moving.


One of my favourite roads


European vs Japanese


Is that a Cowasaki I see?!

This picture was taken on our return journey, just before Damien and Steve took off to push another boundary... (how fast can you go on 28 km of dirt?) and left Kane and me to take on some of the most amazing back roads around Cooma and Bombala. There were times when I just laughed out loud because I felt so priviledged to experience such amazing beauty. The stunning countryside around Dalgety was simply breathtaking! I felt so greatful and happy to live in this country... and I certainly hope that I'll be back there one day...soon
Formation training (Thanks to Steve for this photo)



The House@Jindy


The Washing Line- About the only straight line we encountered on our trip


Where to next?

The Oxley????