Author Topic: Gippsland weekend ride  (Read 2516 times)

Online Kev Murphy

  • "Top Dog" 10000 club
  • *****
  • Posts: 94876
  • Thanked: 10864 times
  • 98 ST1100 Portland, SW Vic coastal.
Gippsland weekend ride
« on: February 02, 2021, 12:42:15 PM »
Where to start? took me a couple of days to re-organise myself after the trip, sorry about the delay.
Had already pre-decided to head for Melbourne via Coloc/Geelong, as the rain was much heavier by the route
through Hamilton/Ballarat

Friday morning, after about 5 hours of broken sleep in the previous 24 hours. Was pouring rain and 13 degrees,
but with a promise of low to mid 20's for the day. Had some warm clothes under my protective gear, wore my
jacket outside the wets for access to pockets and storage. Left home a few minutes before 8 am to be at the
strawberry farm for supplies when they open at 8am. Heavy rain, limited visibility.

Click to enlarge


Not a great deal of highway traffic on the way to Warrnambool, but every vehicle that passed in
either direction raised a wall of wetness. A slower speed was mandatory for this trip, limited to about
85 for safety. First rest break was eastern side of Warrnambool at Terang, at around 9.25am. I found an 
overhanging tree which gave me some protection for the ignited air filter that I was breathing through.



Some roadworks just east of Panmure, with unsurfaced roads and 40km per hour limit was a muddy interruption.
About 2km in duration
More roadworks after Camperdown, with restricted speed and bad gravel road surface for a couple of km, and
then further on major slowdowns with only one lane and temporary traffic stop-go lights plus
construction/maintenance vehicles on hwy closer to Geelong.

Open road at last after Winchelsea, still raining so still moderate speed required.
A clown in a car decided to overtake the line of around 8 cars and 3 trucks that I was travelling with
at lightning speed on a section of road which had double lines. Luckily there was no oncoming traffic, as
the visibility was poor because of the water and spray raised by the trucks.




Finally reached the Geelong bypass and was heading for Melbourne when we came upon a set of mobile flashing 
lights and that same car that passed ten minutes earlier. Karma.

Moderate to heavy traffic on the way to Melbourne with 80km speed restrictions, but few people could reach
that limit because of the rain. This is when my GPS decided to play games. Kept going from graphics to
text screen, informing me that the cable was incompatible with the device for charging, and to please use
the cable supplied. It WAS the cable supplied. A short while later, the GPS shut down because of low battery.

Reached the Westgate Bridge at around 1.30pm. 5 and a half hours for what is usually a 3 hour forty minutes run!
Missed the turnoff for the bypass, and ended up on the Burnley Tunnel tollway, because the rain was so heavy
and roadsigns unreadable through visor. (This was the only time of the whole day that I was out of the rain)

Continued on the tollway as far as Officer, where I exited to head for what I thought was the correct direction.
I was wrong! Been a few years since last in this area, mental fade. Somehow ended up on back roads
Tynong/Garfield/Coralyn/Catani/Modella ... totally lost, with no idea even which direction I was travelling
because the sky was the same hue in all directions.

???? WTF ????


Finally came to an intersection which had a sign identifying a town in the area, and the direction to take.
Most of the signs in this area just name the road, no indication of what town lies ahead.
Lost about an hour or so of travel time here. One further holdup where there were several trees down across the road
and multiple cars and trucks unable to carry on until one of the local drivers finished chopping the downed trees into smaller
pieces until he ran out of fuel for his chainsaw. We all clubbed in and cleared one lane of the road so that we could continue.

Cruised into Korumburra at around 4.40 pm, almost 8 and three quarter hours on the road with only one rest stop.

More to follow in a later writeup.

0428 306 496

kjmurphy2@bigpond.com
 
The following users thanked this post: Shiney, Wild Rose, Jdbiker, ruSTynutz

Online Kev Murphy

  • "Top Dog" 10000 club
  • *****
  • Posts: 94876
  • Thanked: 10864 times
  • 98 ST1100 Portland, SW Vic coastal.
Re: Gippsland weekend ride
« Reply #1 on: February 02, 2021, 12:52:40 PM »
One of the hazards of wearing a 'newish' pair of leather gloves in wet weather.
This photo was taken Sunday night after I got home, STILL trying to wash off the stains.

Pretty tough dye in them gloves.

0428 306 496

kjmurphy2@bigpond.com
 

Online ruSTynutz

  • NR2024 Rally Team
  • Supreme "2000" Club Member
  • *
  • Posts: 4434
  • Thanked: 2794 times
    • "Destined to Drive" Driving School
Re: Gippsland weekend ride
« Reply #2 on: February 02, 2021, 12:56:31 PM »
Did you get to try out those gloves I gave ya, Kev?  :popcorn


        2005 Honda ST1300A
 
The following users thanked this post: Kev Murphy

Online Kev Murphy

  • "Top Dog" 10000 club
  • *****
  • Posts: 94876
  • Thanked: 10864 times
  • 98 ST1100 Portland, SW Vic coastal.
Re: Gippsland weekend ride
« Reply #3 on: February 02, 2021, 01:01:47 PM »
Wore them all the way home. Thanks mate.  :thumb Mine are still drying out, lol
0428 306 496

kjmurphy2@bigpond.com
 
The following users thanked this post: ruSTynutz

Offline Skip

  • Legendary "1000 Club" Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 1237
  • Thanked: 247 times
Re: Gippsland weekend ride
« Reply #4 on: February 02, 2021, 01:29:31 PM »
May not be a good look, but,  I now wear lightweight chemical gloves over an old pair of summer gloves in the rain. Warm AND waterproof.  :grin  Purchased from Bunnings.
'15 BMW R1200RS
Getting wind in my hair while I still have some.
 
The following users thanked this post: Kev Murphy

Online Kev Murphy

  • "Top Dog" 10000 club
  • *****
  • Posts: 94876
  • Thanked: 10864 times
  • 98 ST1100 Portland, SW Vic coastal.
Re: Gippsland weekend ride
« Reply #5 on: February 02, 2021, 02:15:33 PM »
There are waterproof fabric gloves built into the sleeves of my wet gear, but I would have had to take off my jacket to access them. My hands were warm, so I didn't bother.
0428 306 496

kjmurphy2@bigpond.com
 

Online Kev Murphy

  • "Top Dog" 10000 club
  • *****
  • Posts: 94876
  • Thanked: 10864 times
  • 98 ST1100 Portland, SW Vic coastal.
Re: Gippsland weekend ride
« Reply #6 on: February 02, 2021, 03:11:13 PM »
I have searched online for a replacement Garmin GPS, and the one I want is available in Warrnambool for under $200.
Will pop over next pension day and pick one up.
0428 306 496

kjmurphy2@bigpond.com
 
The following users thanked this post: ruSTynutz

Online ruSTynutz

  • NR2024 Rally Team
  • Supreme "2000" Club Member
  • *
  • Posts: 4434
  • Thanked: 2794 times
    • "Destined to Drive" Driving School
Re: Gippsland weekend ride
« Reply #7 on: February 02, 2021, 04:14:54 PM »
I'm assuming that's not a dedicated motorcycle GPS for that price, Kev?


        2005 Honda ST1300A
 
The following users thanked this post: Kev Murphy

Online Kev Murphy

  • "Top Dog" 10000 club
  • *****
  • Posts: 94876
  • Thanked: 10864 times
  • 98 ST1100 Portland, SW Vic coastal.
Re: Gippsland weekend ride
« Reply #8 on: February 02, 2021, 04:51:52 PM »
To continue...

I arrived wet as a shag outside, and not much drier under the wetgear because of the warm weather and sweat. Maybe I should not have donned the jumper before I left home?

Sue brought home dinner from local store on Friday night, I opted for fish and chips.

The piece of fish was flake, and only missing the jaws, dorsal fin and tail fluke. I struggled through about half of it, and still had an excess of chips left over. Sorry about that, but I am only a small eater.

Russ did some chasing online and found a place where I could purchase a back-dated pass for the Melbourne tollways.

We chatted until late at night and then settled.

After a good nights sleep, I left and refuelled, then did a short Saturday morning run to Leongatha (15 minutes) to deliver a stick with some movies to the son of a friend. Great dry and warm weather all day Saturday, and an easy 30km run from Leongatha to East Poowong to catch up with some friends who I have not visited in almost 5 years. Arrived around midday and settled there for the night. Heather and Phil put on a great home pork roast and veges, (Heather is well aware of my small appetite)  :grin

Hit the road for the home trip through Drouin at around 10.30 am Sunday.
Paused at Drouin United Fuel to purchase a pass for the CityLink Parking Lot. Weekend pass cost $9.64 for unlimited travel on tollway backdated from midnight on Thursday night until midnight Sunday. (as opposed to $5.50 each trip without a pass, plus unknown figure for fines imposed.)



Had a rethink about staying on the tollway through Melbourne again because of multiple signed speed restrictions of 80kph, hence the dig at CityLink Parking Lot.

Was still great weather all day Sunday and dry, around 24 degrees.

Traffic from Melbourne to Ballarat was medium volume, and passed without incident. Light traffic from Ballarat to Lake Bolac where I topped the tank and then to Hamilton and home. Arrived shortly before 6pm.
Total distance covered was 1338 km on the speedo.

All in all, apart from the wet weather on Friday it was a good trip, nice to catch up with friends and some greatly appreciated helmet time. This is the first 'distance' trip I have done since I pranged in Burchip in March of 2017
« Last Edit: February 03, 2021, 01:29:37 AM by Kev Murphy »
0428 306 496

kjmurphy2@bigpond.com
 
The following users thanked this post: Shiney, Wild Rose, Jdbiker, ruSTynutz

Online Kev Murphy

  • "Top Dog" 10000 club
  • *****
  • Posts: 94876
  • Thanked: 10864 times
  • 98 ST1100 Portland, SW Vic coastal.
Re: Gippsland weekend ride
« Reply #9 on: February 02, 2021, 04:53:16 PM »
Just a basic unit Russ, but a later model than the retired one. Same size, brand, and uses the same mounts as the old one.
0428 306 496

kjmurphy2@bigpond.com
 
The following users thanked this post: ruSTynutz

Online Williamson

  • UNBELIEVABLE "5000 Posts" Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 5063
  • Thanked: 2202 times
  • ST Legend
Re: Gippsland weekend ride
« Reply #10 on: February 02, 2021, 05:55:16 PM »
Thanks for sharing the words and pics Kev ...  :thumbs
Cheers,  Williamson (AKA Michael)

Motorcycling, the best time you can have with your pants on.
eBiking, the second best time you can have with your pants on
Afterlife, up there for the climate, down there for the company.
If I'd known I was gunna live this long, I woulda looked after myself better
 
The following users thanked this post: Kev Murphy

Online Kev Murphy

  • "Top Dog" 10000 club
  • *****
  • Posts: 94876
  • Thanked: 10864 times
  • 98 ST1100 Portland, SW Vic coastal.
Re: Gippsland weekend ride
« Reply #11 on: February 02, 2021, 06:33:13 PM »
Not having been on the bike for multiple hours for so long, I guess I was entitled to spend most of Monday in bed with a rusty butt, and quite a few other aches. One good thing tho, the pins and needles I have suffered in my feet due to poor circulation for the last couple of years are currently non-existent.  My bet is that it's something to do with the continual foot exercise of gears and brakes for several hours each day.
0428 306 496

kjmurphy2@bigpond.com
 
The following users thanked this post: ruSTynutz

Online ruSTynutz

  • NR2024 Rally Team
  • Supreme "2000" Club Member
  • *
  • Posts: 4434
  • Thanked: 2794 times
    • "Destined to Drive" Driving School
Re: Gippsland weekend ride
« Reply #12 on: February 02, 2021, 07:36:05 PM »
Just a basic unit Russ, but a later model than the retired one. Same size, brand, and uses the same mounts as the old one.

That was a bit of luck managing to still be able to buy another that fits the same mounts, Kev!  :thumbs

I'm using my old Garmin as well, luckily when I decided to use it on the bike I was able to buy a ram mount on eBay that suited.

I can't believe how expensive dedicated motorcycle GPS's are...  :fp


        2005 Honda ST1300A
 
The following users thanked this post: Kev Murphy

Online Kev Murphy

  • "Top Dog" 10000 club
  • *****
  • Posts: 94876
  • Thanked: 10864 times
  • 98 ST1100 Portland, SW Vic coastal.
Re: Gippsland weekend ride
« Reply #13 on: February 03, 2021, 01:33:24 AM »
Only took a couple of pictures as it was just too wet to dig the camera out.
0428 306 496

kjmurphy2@bigpond.com
 

Offline STeveo

  • Legendary "1000 Club" Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 1639
  • Thanked: 406 times
  • ST Legend
Re: Gippsland weekend ride
« Reply #14 on: February 03, 2021, 06:24:09 AM »
Nice work Kev.  ++
 
The following users thanked this post: Kev Murphy

Online Wild Rose

  • UNBELIEVABLE "5000 Posts" Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 6943
  • Thanked: 2024 times
  • Toowoomba, Qld
Re: Gippsland weekend ride
« Reply #15 on: February 03, 2021, 07:08:27 AM »
Thanks for sharing kev
Good photos and write up  :like
Leo (Wild Rose)
Honda ST 1300
0417198510
:rd13       :blk13                            :Spyder
 2002                            New 29-04-13 


Ulysses #49154
FarRider #243
 
The following users thanked this post: Kev Murphy

Online Kev Murphy

  • "Top Dog" 10000 club
  • *****
  • Posts: 94876
  • Thanked: 10864 times
  • 98 ST1100 Portland, SW Vic coastal.
Re: Gippsland weekend ride
« Reply #16 on: February 03, 2021, 02:30:24 PM »
My gloves have finally dried out, but they are now as stiff as a skateboard.  :grin
0428 306 496

kjmurphy2@bigpond.com
 
The following users thanked this post: ruSTynutz

Online ruSTynutz

  • NR2024 Rally Team
  • Supreme "2000" Club Member
  • *
  • Posts: 4434
  • Thanked: 2794 times
    • "Destined to Drive" Driving School
Re: Gippsland weekend ride
« Reply #17 on: February 03, 2021, 03:21:26 PM »
Sounds like another ride is in order to soften them up... :whistle


        2005 Honda ST1300A
 
The following users thanked this post: Kev Murphy

Online Kev Murphy

  • "Top Dog" 10000 club
  • *****
  • Posts: 94876
  • Thanked: 10864 times
  • 98 ST1100 Portland, SW Vic coastal.
Re: Gippsland weekend ride
« Reply #18 on: February 03, 2021, 04:42:06 PM »
I might give my gloves a light spray with WD-40? That will make them more flexible, and possibly more resistant to rain at the same time.
0428 306 496

kjmurphy2@bigpond.com
 

Online Williamson

  • UNBELIEVABLE "5000 Posts" Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 5063
  • Thanked: 2202 times
  • ST Legend
Re: Gippsland weekend ride
« Reply #19 on: February 03, 2021, 04:48:57 PM »
I might give my gloves a light spray with WD-40? That will make them more flexible, and possibly more resistant to rain at the same time.

IMHO - No!  WD40 contains solvents which will dry-out the leathers even more so.  Much better would be Dubbin or Beeswax.
Cheers,  Williamson (AKA Michael)

Motorcycling, the best time you can have with your pants on.
eBiking, the second best time you can have with your pants on
Afterlife, up there for the climate, down there for the company.
If I'd known I was gunna live this long, I woulda looked after myself better
 
The following users thanked this post: Kev Murphy

Online Kev Murphy

  • "Top Dog" 10000 club
  • *****
  • Posts: 94876
  • Thanked: 10864 times
  • 98 ST1100 Portland, SW Vic coastal.
Re: Gippsland weekend ride
« Reply #20 on: February 03, 2021, 05:11:47 PM »
I have Dubbin! Thanks Michael.  :thumb
0428 306 496

kjmurphy2@bigpond.com
 

Online ruSTynutz

  • NR2024 Rally Team
  • Supreme "2000" Club Member
  • *
  • Posts: 4434
  • Thanked: 2794 times
    • "Destined to Drive" Driving School
Re: Gippsland weekend ride
« Reply #21 on: February 03, 2021, 10:30:17 PM »
Much better would be Dubbin or Beeswax.

I second that...  :thumbs


        2005 Honda ST1300A
 
The following users thanked this post: Kev Murphy

Online Kev Murphy

  • "Top Dog" 10000 club
  • *****
  • Posts: 94876
  • Thanked: 10864 times
  • 98 ST1100 Portland, SW Vic coastal.
Re: Gippsland weekend ride
« Reply #22 on: February 05, 2021, 11:27:54 AM »
Now just look at that!... softened, flexible, water resistant, and comfortable again!

Thanks, Michael!

0428 306 496

kjmurphy2@bigpond.com
 
The following users thanked this post: ruSTynutz

Online Williamson

  • UNBELIEVABLE "5000 Posts" Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 5063
  • Thanked: 2202 times
  • ST Legend
Re: Gippsland weekend ride
« Reply #23 on: February 05, 2021, 11:45:08 AM »
Now just look at that!... softened, flexible, water resistant, and comfortable again!

Thanks, Michael!



These gloves will now self-destruct in five seconds...
Cheers,  Williamson (AKA Michael)

Motorcycling, the best time you can have with your pants on.
eBiking, the second best time you can have with your pants on
Afterlife, up there for the climate, down there for the company.
If I'd known I was gunna live this long, I woulda looked after myself better
 
The following users thanked this post: Kev Murphy

Online ruSTynutz

  • NR2024 Rally Team
  • Supreme "2000" Club Member
  • *
  • Posts: 4434
  • Thanked: 2794 times
    • "Destined to Drive" Driving School
Re: Gippsland weekend ride
« Reply #24 on: February 05, 2021, 11:53:51 AM »
Now just look at that!... softened, flexible, water resistant, and comfortable again!

Thanks, Michael!



Now you can chuck them in the washing machine to rid them of all that smelly sweat!  |-i  :rofl


        2005 Honda ST1300A
 
The following users thanked this post: Kev Murphy