Two Wheels Better

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After that soul-warming hot cuppa at Cabramurra we remounted, partially drier and definitely warmer, and headed up to the lookout. The wind nearly blew us off the peak and the view was the clouds in front of our faces. We skedaddled the 77 kms down the mountain towards Khancoban. But first, did I take the wrong turn back there? I haven't seen a sign since we left the village. My visor is fogging, I shoulda put the Pinlock in before we rolled. Open for clearing and fresh air. Is that sleet hitting my face with a sting? That's sleet build up at the roadside! Why are still climbing? The thought of having to brave the night out there became words to my pillion, though words of caution more than alarm. We had no lighter or matches, and what wood up there is green or sodden. Then a rest area appeared with a corrugated cabin and sturdy chimney attached. There's that helpful green sign that say 'K 40'. On we go.
The ice never appeared on the tarmac, the sleet stopped, the clouds stayed dense but an occasional 'blue cloud' showed us the way. We wended our way down twisting, turning roads, over dams, up hills, through valleys. At last we reached the turn for Khancoban, but the day was late, we had two hours to go, needed petrol, and the clouds were burgeoning dark black and grey with more rain. At the Murray we stopped for photos of the swollen, fast-moving river. In a flash the rain was upon so we gave the red RS some stick and down the Murray Valley Hwy we went.
At Tallangatta we found 98 premium and estimated our arrival just down the Hume highway. Lake Hume was filled, brown, angry with wind swirling over its surface. The rain fell heavier. We changed course and headed towards Wodonga instead of around on B roads to Barnawartha. The last fifteen minute were a frog strangler with standing water on the road surface. We pressed on to a warm home of longtime friends, to a fine welcome and a blazing fire in the wood-burning stove. I think the four of us emptied four bottles of Barossa Valley red. I was asleep before my head hit the pillow.
Today dawned bright, cool and sunny, the birds singing and flowers blooming. I've washed the bike and gone over various fasteners, checked air in tyres, emptied out panniers and repacked for tomorrow's journey across Victoria to Clunes. But first, a good meal, some more wine and convo with new and old mates.
By Sunday we'll be at Philip Island, though I'm far less enthusiastic now that the title has been claimed by mathematical calculation in young hotshoe Marquez's favour due to both Rossi and Lorenzo folding. It's a fight for second and third.
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"If you want the rainbow, you've got to put up with the rain. Do you know which philosopher said that? Dolly Parton. And people say she's just a big pair of t*ts." - David Brent
1970 R60/5, '77 R75/7-R100, '85 K100, '87 K75C, '87 K100RS, '93 K11 Big Block, '93 K1100RS, '95 R100-Mystic, '96 K1100RS, 2 x '98 K1200RS, '00 K1200RS, '02 K1200RS, '03 K1200GT, '04 R1150R, '04 R1150RT, '05 K1200S, #1 '06 K1200R, #2 '06 K1200R, '07 K1200R, '09 K1300GT, '13 R1200RT-P & 2022 S1000XR
All of life is a foreign country. - Jack Kerouac, author (1922 - 1969)