Anzac day ride.

I decided at lunch time to go for a ride to Halls Gap in the Grampians (Western Victoria) via Skipton and Ararat and then down to Dunkeld and back home.

We had a beautiful sunny cloudless day today with a temp of around 20C. All the roads from Geelong to Ararat are dead boring, mainly flat, minimal curves and a police force that can't wait to give out speeding tickets. And to make things a little worse, burning off time for the local cockies (farmers for those not from here) around Streatham to Ararat, so thick choking smoke.

Once I'd got past Ararat, the town whose entire population went on The Biggest Loser, the road started to twist and turn nicely, and I followed a guy on BMW 650 dual purpose who was sitting on a nice speed for the corners. It's about 40 km from Ararat to Halls Gap and its all corners with very few straights. I filled the bike at Halls Gap and continued south to Dunkeld, watching for kangaroos and wallabies as I'd been told to by a couple of riders who I'd chatted to at the Gap. I only saw one, but I did keep the speed somewhere near the speed limit (100kmh) from there to Dunkeld and had a ball on the long fast sweepers that follow the line of the Grampians range

Once back on the main roads, I upped my speed to a reasonably cautious 20kmh over the limit, in case Mr Plod was around and kept it at that until I reached Skipton where I branched off the main road and headed back to Geelong. I bumped the speed up a couple of notches as it was starting to get late and I wanted to be home around dark. I was sitting on around 135 at one point and saw lights coming towards me but wasn't worried, but should have been as it was a cop. Fortunately for me, he must have been heading home for dinner, as he didn't turn around and chase me.

I eventually got home right on dark at 6pm. 502km in 5 1/2 hours including petrol and food breaks. The best bit, the 100 kilometre section between Ararat and Dunkeld, if it wasn't for the roos and wallabies, I would have taken it even faster than I did. It's a great piece of road but so boring to get there.

Nice report, glad you had a great ride 

On the plus side again, the bike is running much more freely and revving harder since yesterday's ride.

Michael, next time Jude has to stay overnight in Melbourne as long as I'm not busy I might fly down with her for the night. If it works out conveniently for you you could flog into Melboring and I could load up the Beetle 'Shit-a-Brick' map for you. I'll try and give you as much forewarning as possible.

Pete

Pete, you're a bloody marvel. You will have to let me buy you a drink or three though if you won't accept money. Now give me your bank details so that I can pay you for the indicator lenses, please.

Not worth the grief, gimme thirty bux next time we meet.

Done.