Some mates (Doug, Gero & Pete) from AusTouring set-off on the Spirit of Tasmania on Friday 10 April, me on Sunday 12 April. The passage on the SoT was bumpy, nearly fell out of my bunk a couple of times, and very low on numbers (fewest of any trip I've made). The Corio Bay deparature is well organised, but I preferred the much closer Port Phillip Bay departure point. Overall a good passage though, rode off around 6:30am at Devonport and met up with mates at Smithton on Monday 13, and the fun began.
A little tootle (about 250km) around some back roads, gravel roads and lookouts, before returning to the Smithton Bridge Hotel for the night.
Trowutta Arch:
The blue sign suggests it's a 15 minute walk, I only got about 10 minutes down the track and turned around, whether that was due to war or ride (falls) injuries, or just old age, or whatever ....
Suumak Lookout:
Again, too far to walk to the lookout.
Returned to Smithton to find the rear brakes on the CFMoto were kaput. A quick check revealed the disc pad linings were about as thin as a cigarette paper. Whisket Tango Foxtrot!!! Only 4100 km from brand new, 500km from the 5000km service.
Already had some stern words with the guy who serviced the bike, not that it will do much good. Shoutout to Circular Head Motorcycles at Smithton who go me back on the road again(for ony $110), in time for beer o'clock (5:00pm) at the pub.
Fingers crossed for the next the month.
