Author Topic: Stringo's Travels  (Read 9364 times)

Offline Marcus

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Stringo's Travels
« on: April 19, 2012, 10:31:19 PM »
The National OZSTOC ralley AGM


Day One:
Time to pack.




And I'm off.


Head off at 7.30am from Maryborough heading to Newstead to collect Daniel on his ST110.

And then there were two


We then cruise to Bendigo, where we collect Kevin who made the trip from Tasmania, and arrived from the boat that morning. After stopping at McDonalds (turned out to be a big part of my trip), Coffee and Breakfast taking care of, we then push onto Echuca.

And then there were three
After having Lunch curtesy of Daniel's father, who lives there.
We are then West Wyalong bound.

We make a brief stop at Conargo for a toilet stop…But really it so I could some blood flowing back into my bum.




Pit stop at Narrandera where we meet two guys heading north. One had a solar panelled trailer





Then we powered through to West Wyalong where we stopped at Tony's house after he kindly offered up his house as a place to rest my weary weary bum, which at this point was screaming blue murder at me.

Tony and wife put on a wonderful BBQ and made us feel at home the second we stopped. A massive thanks to Tony.





(during discussions that night I asked Kev if he packed any mugs, remembering he took some to WA on his trip. He said no.)

Day Two:
We raise to the sweet smell of bacon sizzling and coffee bubbling.

And then there were three
The Convoy to Bathust begins.
Cruising past Genfell, Cowra, Blanyney.
I noticed a Police cruiser fly past, and I quietly shit myself not releasing to Kevin had sent the other Tony an text, and whom was going to meet us on the road. Looking and my review mirror watching the police bike turn around and join our convoy. I then twigged the the "Other Tony" was a police officer.
After felling pretty awesome on getting an escort. we then followed "Other Tony" to Mount Panorama, where we meet a few more OZSTOC members




Bathurst


After loosing my mind with excitement. We then progressed onto lunch.





Onto Blackheath. Almost….
After getting stuck in the traffic jam from hell On Victoria's pass and after we almost cooked our clutches. Myself, Kevin and Tony make it into Blackheath caravan park, cursing and muttering to ourselves.

Daniel, who stayed back in Bathurst to check out the track museum. Arrived not long after without issue and was chuckling to himself about having missed the car park of Victoria pass.

After many introductions and me forgetting EVERYONE's name instantly (sorry guys) we head to the local pub for some drinks and nibbles.


Day Three
We get up and devour the awesome breakfast which the local Rotary Club provided I headed out the see the Three Sisters.

Amazing.






Blue Mountains


Getting back to the Caravan Park I noticed a New addition to the fold.







This next batch is instilled "Farkles, farkles, wherefore art thou farkles"







We then headed out to the OZSTOC AGM RTE which was kindly and brilliantly put together by Peter. Big thanks to Peter It was, for me the highlight of the trip.

Seeing so many of the one thing has always unsettled me a little, for example one bee close to you is good. A swarm of them…not so good

Riding with so many ST's was different. it was more a relaxing feeling of calmness.
Everyone was amazing and there wasn't any showoffs and people were riding their own rides which was brilliant for me as I wasn't continuously looking in my rearview mirror in case anyone came up beside me.

OZSTOC RTE


Stopping at the Tarana hotel for Lunch. I was still blown away by the amount of bikes and the surprisingly tasty food.


http://s41.photobucket.com/albums/e276/marcusstringer/?action=view&current=9cd75dfe.mp4








http://s41.photobucket.com/albums/e276/marcusstringer/?action=view&current=031dc852.mp4


We then continued our journey for photo opportunities.

I almost ran off the road a number of times due to me rubber necking the whole way at the incredibly pretty countryside.







I swear I could have stayed there and stared at the mountains all day.


Day Four.
After saying our goodbyes Daniel and I heading on out merry way, with a huge smile on my face towards Wollongong, and along the Sea Cliff Bridge.

Sea Cliff Bridge



Stopping at Wollongong for bite to eat and a rest up.
Insert image of a random lady with a snake


Arse pain progress report - - I sat down with my Bum and had some words, and we are now on speaking terms again.


We then took a look at Daniels map, and decided to do the a couple of the rides which were close by.

Macquarie Pass and down to Jamberoo mountain Rd into Kiama. I passed a couple of ST going the other way…Who was it??

Macquarie Pass


From there we moved on down the coast to Batemans Bay for the night


Morning Coffee done, time to head off again


The Coast has some great photo opportunities




The Coast has some fresh seafood as well.



So then from Batemans Bay down to Merimbula and then Eden, we decided to push through to Mallacoota.

Crossed the border as my odometer ticked over to 10,000kms
http://s41.photobucket.com/albums/e276/marcusstringer/?action=view&current=5590d297.mp4


See crossed off another ride in Daniels book from the Princess Hwy to Mallacoota.

Road to Mallacoota




Danny relaxing after arriving



That's when I discovered the horror of my trip odometer reseted itself against my permission back to 0.

Hearing the weather report decide to head off early to stay ahead of the approaching storm. We also patted ourselves on the back deciding NOT to stay at Eden, and therefore missing the downpour.

Heading to Venus Bay for the night at a friends place who kindly turned on the Hottub the night before.

Not much too along here expect empty beach after empty beach…ho-hum, in fact 90 miles of it :)




Made it home.

Total Ride



2,888.7kms


Time for a shave


 

Offline Biggles

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Re: Stringo's Travels
« Reply #1 on: April 19, 2012, 10:47:40 PM »
Great write-up.

Have you looked at an Air Hawk for your suffering butt?  Not cheap, but effective.

Trying to erase that last image from my mind.    >:()
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Offline Dick B "Yewie"

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Re: Stringo's Travels
« Reply #2 on: April 19, 2012, 11:46:13 PM »
Great report Marcus,
Enjoyed your movies and choice of music

 :rd13
"Yewie"
 

Offline Marcus

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Re: Stringo's Travels
« Reply #3 on: April 20, 2012, 08:38:02 AM »
Great write-up.

Have you looked at an Air Hawk for your suffering butt?  Not cheap, but effective.
Yeah Biggles I had an Air Hawk on it hahaha...I would not have come on the trip without it
 

Offline saaz

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Re: Stringo's Travels
« Reply #4 on: April 20, 2012, 08:39:16 AM »
Sounded like you had a great time. I am looking forward to watching the videos at home.
John
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Offline Barry and Marissa

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Re: Stringo's Travels
« Reply #5 on: April 20, 2012, 12:11:20 PM »
Great write up photo's and vid's Marcus. Enjoyed it!  :thumbsup 
Barry and Marissa :) :)

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Offline harieg

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Re: Stringo's Travels
« Reply #6 on: April 20, 2012, 01:17:10 PM »
so does that mean the Airhawk does not work ?
good write up thanx for sharing
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Offline Whizz

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Re: Stringo's Travels
« Reply #7 on: April 20, 2012, 03:08:38 PM »
Hey Marcus, what a brilliant travelogue. Great pics and vids...and I'm still jealous of you all.

Cheers
Whizz
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Cheers,
Paul
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Offline JuST Peter

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Re: Stringo's Travels
« Reply #8 on: April 20, 2012, 03:48:19 PM »
That was a terrific write up Marcus.
Well done!  :thumbs
When you were tying your Airhawk on for your run home, I noticed you had it well pumped up. Try playing around with the amount of air you have in it. Most times less air is better. In fact, the least amount of air is quite often all you need.

Cheers,
Peter.
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Offline pluschinoz

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Re: Stringo's Travels
« Reply #9 on: April 20, 2012, 04:23:17 PM »
Great write up and terrific videos Stringo. I used to live in Wollongong in the 70's and Macquarie Pass was a regular blast up to the Pie Shop and on to Braidwood and back up the Pacific Hwy.
Can't wait to get an ST.
Cheers,
The Owl
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Offline Greencan

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Re: Stringo's Travels
« Reply #10 on: April 20, 2012, 05:40:37 PM »
Great movies and photos Marcus...and am really glad you enjoyed the ride...Well done that Man :thumbsup

Catch you soon

Cheers Dick P...(nah stuff that, only reminds my PSA's or worse still a T.U.R.P :eek)...Greencan :)
 

Offline Marcus

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Re: Stringo's Travels
« Reply #11 on: April 20, 2012, 05:54:19 PM »
That was a terrific write up Marcus.
Well done!  :thumbs
When you were tying your Airhawk on for your run home, I noticed you had it well pumped up. Try playing around with the amount of air you have in it. Most times less air is better. In fact, the least amount of air is quite often all you need.

Cheers,
Peter.

Thanks Peter. Yeah I have the Airhawk well pumped up. Everyone has said less air is better. But I've found the more air the better. I don't know if it's down to my height and size, dealing with the bumps on the road etc. I started the trip with less air and added more and more as the trip progressed, and by the end of it I found the right mix I hope...

Anyway, I cannot recommend the Airhawk enough.

It was brilliant. As I mentioned earlier, I would not have gone on this trip without it
 

Offline STeveo

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Re: Stringo's Travels
« Reply #12 on: April 20, 2012, 06:29:38 PM »
What a terrific report, just makes me more pissed at not being able to attend. Really liked the Bathurst video, brought back memories of when I last raced there in '97. Thanks to all who have posted, helped to pass the time while I heal.  :bl11
 

Offline Sicman

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Re: Stringo's Travels
« Reply #13 on: April 20, 2012, 09:38:33 PM »
Good report Mate - Just the start of some good times ahead me thinks  :hatwave I had a blast and loved every thing we experienced.

 :runyay

 :slvr13
Cheers
Tony
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Offline Shiney

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Re: Stringo's Travels
« Reply #14 on: April 20, 2012, 10:53:28 PM »
Hey Marcus, what a brilliant travelogue. Great pics and vids...and I'm still jealous of you all.

Cheers
Whizz
 :13Candy

+1

I wish I could have made it (Damn work)
Thanks for sharing and increasing the jealousy :wink1

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Offline tj189

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Re: Stringo's Travels
« Reply #15 on: April 21, 2012, 07:14:12 AM »
Great write up, thanks for sharing  :thumbs
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Offline harieg

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Re: Stringo's Travels
« Reply #16 on: April 21, 2012, 04:41:17 PM »
Great write up and terrific videos Stringo. I used to live in Wollongong in the 70's and Macquarie Pass was a regular blast up to the Pie Shop and on to Braidwood and back up the Pacific Hwy.
Can't wait to get an ST.
Cheers,
The Owl

and to think i road from lambton heights to jesmond and shortland on sunday 15TH
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Offline Sulkybear

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Re: Stringo's Travels
« Reply #17 on: April 27, 2012, 10:46:11 PM »
Had a great time and a great ride. thanks for the company mate.
 

Offline Diesel

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Re: Stringo's Travels
« Reply #18 on: May 17, 2012, 09:36:05 AM »
Awesome pics and vids thanks Stringo - I always knew you were in for a great treat when I saw your proposed route home.

Bet you were     :grin :grin :grin    for a week afterwards and after your      :butt      started "talking" to you again!         :crackup :crackup :crackup

Thanks for posting mate - you've delivered once again!       :thumb.

Cheers, Diesel

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Offline Marcus

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Re: Stringo's Travels
« Reply #19 on: May 17, 2012, 03:17:37 PM »
Thanks mate,
I actually woke up the next morning after I got back. ready to suit up and head out again and was a little disappointed that I wasn't