Well - what a day it was!
As Scratch mentioned, we met up at the servo at the bottom of the Gillies range early on Saturday morning so as to beat the rush, the cops and the rain. As it turned out we had a marvellous run with none of those mentioned interfering with our plans at all. I've not spent much time up on the tablelands, so I was more than content to follow along as we wound through some absolutely superb back country roads.
I'll tell you one thing - that Street3 is an absolute weapon in the bends, and more than a few times Scratcher just walked away from me as if I was standing still. I'm sure his 35+ years of riding the Gillies had a bit to do with it as well! Even out on the straight sections, however, the Street performed brilliantly, and it was only once we reached much higher speeds that the Sprint was able to exercise it's engine capacity advantage. Of course, when I say "much higher speeds", you can be assured I mean nothing more than 100kph. of course.
I managed to get myself in a couple of interesting "moments" whilst trying to keep up, but managed to save each time. The first was heading up the Gillies - I just plain overcooked a corner entrance, and then did everything wrong. Grabbed the front brake hard, stood the bike up, and speared across the outside lane. Thankfully no one was around, so I was able to tip it back in hard once my brain re-engaged, and continue on.
It amazed me however that I'd do such a stupid thing, despite knowing all the "do's and don't" when you're in such a situation (IE, DON'T grab the front brake!) - just goes to show that there's no substitute for regular practice. I was very lucky too - the Gillies range is very unforgiving along most of it's length, and a similar stunt in a less fortunate position would have quite possibly seen me heading straight over the edge of the mountain. Beautiful, but it demands respect.
I'll not bore you with the remainder of my stupidity - they involve such things as wet-cow-pat caked tyres, and as such aren't nearly as humorous. Suffice to say that when passing a dairy farm, you shouldn't be surprised with the amount of crap (quite literally!) all over the road!
Anyway, it was a great day - good riding, good coffee and good company. Many thanks to Scratch for taking me out and showing me around his favourite roads, and slowing down constantly to let me catch up!
Now - on to some pics!
Sitting outside home, freshly washed and polished, and looking like brand new:
Sitting at the Servo at the bottom of the Gillies range. That's The Pyramid at the left - imaginatively named, I know.
Coffee at Lake Barrine at the top of the Gillies.
Parked at Lake Barrine.
(More photos to come - limited to only 4 per post, it would seem! Watch this space...)
). And I love the exhaust and overall rear end of the Street.
Enjoy the warmth and sunshine for us!
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