Day 1 - Thursday 5th November - Melbourne to Anglers Rest
Day 1 - Thursday 5th November - Melbourne to Anglers Rest
Meeting point, the Golden Archies at Lilydale for a 9.00am departure, 6 bikes plus FilthyPhil and Gavin to see us off. First leg to Tyers for 11.00am to pick up 2 more of the group. The route was Lilydale to Yarra Junction keeping an eye out for school zones and mum's busing their kids around the corner to school. At Yarra Junction a right turn to Noojee, a chance to open up the bikes and get into the zone for the day's ride to come. This is a great bit of road with the tight twisty section up the hill after Powell Town opening up to the long sweepers down to Noojee. The log trucks we encountered were really considerate pulling over to let us pass at the first opportunity or waving us through when the road ahead was clear. We are out to ride so no stops planned before Tyers, straight through Noojee to Icy Creek the up the hill towards Willow Grove, another fantastic bit of road, but need to assume meeting a log truck somewhere in the tight stuff, not this morning a clear spirited run right through. Unscheduled stop at Willow Grove to get rid the McDonalds coffee taken on board at Lilydale. This gave Bugger (the only smoker) a chance for a quick cigarette before hitting the road to Tyers.
Tyers at 11.05, not bad scheduling and the other 2 fuelled and waiting, chance for Bugger to re-fuel and get another smoke (this will become a recurring theme over the coming days). Second Leg down less than inspiring roads to Maffra via Heyfield for lunch, according to Ken, a 15 minute ride, 35 minutes later pulled into Maffra for Lunch at a small but popular cafe, I'm at a loss to remember it's name but the food was good. Note to self "do not rely on Ken or his GPS" last year ended up on unsealed roads, starting this year 15 mins to Maffra which was more like 35mins. Strange thing is Ken is from Maffra so even without a GPS you would think he knew the times to the different towns in the locality.
Third leg out through Bairnsdale to Bruthen for a planned petrol stop (for Bugger) before heading up the Great Alpine Road to Omeo. The local Maffra boy knows the way without going on the Princess Highway. So against my better judgement we follow, got to admit this time he delivered, taking us along some nice fast twisty back roads. The Bruthen petrol stop came up fast, some decied to stop in Bairnsdale for cheaper petrol, a good choice as the servo in Bruthen only had regular unleaded for the second time in 2 years. Time for Bugger to get some more fresh air and fuel before the blast up to Omeo.
Fourth leg up to Omeo for a planned petrol stop for Bugger, next petrol will be Mount Beauty as we are heading over the recently sealed Bogong High Plains Road Friday morning. The ride up to Omeo along the Great Alpine Road has got to be one of the best roads it has got everything, fast open sweepers, tight twisty sections and in the middle of the arvo on a Thursday very little traffic. This is good 45min spirited ride which put a big grin on all our faces. Petrol then coffee at Twinkles Cafe, very bike friendly and good cakes, can recommend.
Last leg of the day the 50 or so K upto to Anglers rest, if you haven't ridden this road you should put it on your list of things to do. This is tight and twisty all the way through to our final destination today at the Blue Duck Hotel at Anglers Rest in the middle of nowhere. The road follows the contour of the mountain high up the valley side giving great views if you have time to be looking around, you can see through the right handers and just keep laying in on the left handers. Down the hill then suddenly there is the Blue Duck a quaint old pub in a picturesue setting on the side of the Cobungra River with number of cabins set on the hillside.
Lana is a great hosts, nothing other than breakfast is to much trouble, as soon as we are checked in the bar is open and the beer begins to flow freely. Good diverse pub grub dinner menu which lived up to all expectations, freshly cooked, good servings and tastey, washed down with a few bottles of good red wine to finish off a great day. The pub gets busy in the evening with patrons from the local camping grounds, mainly fishermen making for an enjoyable night. We slept soundly that night rising about 7.30am to prepare the new day.
Couple of things to note about the Blue Duck, 1. the pub and cabins are powered from a small generator therefore all power points are locked to make sure quests don't overload the generator, hence no electrical appliances or charging modiles etc, no big deal. 2. the hosts are happy to keep the bar open until the last patron leaves, this means they do not cater for breakfast. If you like breakfast recommend that you stop in Omeo on the way up and pickup some provisions to cook your own, the cabins have all facilities. We did not plan that far ahead so apart from a coffee, breakfast would be Mount Beauty some 90mins along the road.
All for now, will post the remainder of the ride and photographs over the coming days.
Smegin