Melbourne - Geelong - Melbourne - Devonport
23 October 2014
Master Map
It seemed a long time ago, during the manic day of running around between getting home from the Lions TT and leaving for Phillip Island, that the mechanic at the dealer had told me I'd be lucky to get more than about 3,000 kms from my rear tyre. I was annoyed at the time as it had done only 7,400 kms since I'd replaced it. Optimistically, I thought I'd try to make it last until I got home. But, on the way down to Phillip Island, Jalalski and Pterodactyl gave me a lesson in tyre inspection and I was no longer able to delude myself about the need for a new one.
Figuring that the best time to do the change would be on my way back into Melbourne from the Great Ocean Road, I organised with a dealer in Geelong to get me some more Bridgestone Battlax BT45s. I had been intending to change to the Michelin PR3s but I was worried about Pterodactyl's experience — he felt the need to shave the centre stand — and didn't want to have to deal with it while I was away from home and on a bit of a timetable.
Of course, this plan didn't work and the tyres were not available on the planned Tuesday, so I had to retrace my steps to Geelong on a grey, cool morning. While the tyres were changed I had breakfast and caught up on my notes of the trip. The bike was delayed so I also made a start on the write up of the Lions TT. The bike appeared and I went to pay only to be told the front brake pads were close to the end. They had no OEM pads, but did have some others that were suitable, so it was back to the workshop for the bike and some more writing for Cormanus.
I also had a little wander around and saw this little treasure hiding out the back.
A little bit later, and a few hundred dollars lighter in the wallet, I hit the road back to Melbourne.
Neither the ride to Geelong or back is really worth describing. It was all freeway stuff. Quick and efficient.
In Melbourne, I had time to have lunch, finish packing, buy my niece and her husband a thank-you present and fill their car with petrol before making my way the few kilometres to the terminal where I was to catch the ferry for Tasmania.
Waiting for the ferry. The guy, second from the right, leaning on the post, was one of the tallest people I've come across for quite a while. He was with a group of off road riders who had ridden from the same area I live. The following morning, I rode after the two guys in front of me who were riding an ST and a Guzzi.
There were more bikes in front of us and another large contingent further aft.
On the ferry, the bikes stay in first gear on their side stand and are then tightly strapped down across the bars. The crew members are careful and do a great job of making them secure.
It was an uneventful night on the ferry. I'd taken the chance of sharing a cabin and had an agreeable cabin mate who didn't snore. I hope I didn't.
