I got up on Sunday morning a fair bit earlier than the couples. I contemplated taking the bike out on my own and going for a ride, but my glutes and legs were still quite sore, and I had a 350km journey home later in the day to ready myself for, so I decided to just have a cup of tea and read my book.
After a few hours the couples woke up and we cooked up and big breakfast. We then packed up the house and headed out to Manjimup to go to the truffle farm. On leaving the house I did a giant burnout in the driveway, the was so much smoke it looked like the house was on fire as we rode away.
We blasted down the 35kms to Manjimup. As we went through a little town, there were some cops behind some bushes near the road, but we spotted them in time and had no issues. We arrived at the truffle farm a few minutes before the girls and we then tasted some wine and purchased some truffle related stuff.
We then planned to go back to Bridgetown to go to the Cidery. On the way back we were taking it easy as we knew the cops were there. As Billy and I were plodding along at 110kmh in a 110kmh zone, they went past us. Nate was about 150m back and when the cops pulled him over they said he was doing 124kmh, which is bullshit, but they were being dicks as usual. So Nate met up with us at the petrol station and he was not at all impressed that he had lost 2 points and his wallet would be $150 lighter.
We sampled a few beers and ciders at the cidery in Bridgetown before heading off to meet in Harvey. Nate was cranky after the police incident and wanted to get moving. The cops had said that they couldn’t bust Me and Billy for speeding as we were too close together and the laser wouldn’t pick out a specific target, hence we rode in tight formation, with about 5m separating first from third, travelling at about 150kmh the whole way. It was a boring road, and not terribly quick as we were riding so close to each other. But it was still awesome fun as it requires so much trust between the three of us. Usually the second rider can see very little, but they know that if the leader goes, you follow. Everybody is aware of where the others will be and you just ride to your spot.
After getting a quick feed with the girls in Harvey, we continued home in formation until I split off from the guys to head home via the freeway.
When I got home my bike was filthy, my legs were killing me and I was happy to sit on the couch in the theatre and watch World Superbikes all night.
Wednesday, April 8, 2009
Bridgetown Day 1 : The ride there
Saturday morning Nate, Billy and myself were planning to head down to Bridgetown on the bikes. Sue and Sarah were driving down with our stuff and would meet us at the house we had rented for the night just outside Bridgetown.
Tony Chung had decided to come along for the first part of the ride to Dwellingup on his new CBR600RR (even though he cannot legally ride it yet). We got out of town late, as was expected and blasted down to Byford along Tonkin hwy. After Byford, Tony had to stop as he thought he needed fuel, unfortunately he doesn’t know how to work a petrol pump and was walking back and forth into and out of the petrol station thinking they had run out of fuel.
Eventually we got back on the road and headed along Del Park road to Dwellingup. It’s a fantastic run with a great surface and long sweeping corners that go 180 degrees. It was mad fun and we all arrived in Dwellingup with big smiles on our faces. We stopped for some food and then bid Tony farewell as he headed back to Perth and we continued our journey.
This is where things started to go wrong. We turned off at the road for Williams but then got confused and thought we’d turned off too early. We then backtracked and went another 30kms along some excellent roads. Unfortunately it got us to Albany hwy, which was about 50kms in the opposite direction as to where we wanted to be. We ripped along Albany hwy to Williams averaging about 230kmh. It was good fun, although the road was a little boring and we were beginning to get a little sore. We filled up in Williams and then got on the Williams-Collie road and headed for Collie.
There were some roadworks along the way but nothing to tragic. Overall it was a fantastic road and Nate led at an excellent pace as we averaged about 170kmh through some brilliant country twisties.
We hit more problems when we got to Collie, as we were expecting a sign that told us which way to go for Donnybrook, but there was none. We picked what we thought was the right road and set off. All was going well, the road was fun and in good condition, running through the Wellington Forest. Unfortunately the road soon went unsealed and the three of us plodded along the dirt road at about 40kmh for around 20kms. Nate and Billy amused themselves by trying to do rolling burnouts on the dirt and get their bikes sideways, however they mostly just succeeded in sending rocks and dust in my direction. After what seemed like forever we finally returned to a sealed road and continued out to Dardanup and then Donnybrook.
We stopped in Donnybrook for fuel and sat down for a bit. The half hour on the dirt track had really taken it out of us and we were getting frail, both physically and mentally.
We set off to do the “triangle” which is the main reason we had come all this way. There is a triangle of roads connecting Balingup, Nannup and Bridgetown that run through the forest and are tristy and brilliant. I wanted to ride them before I left Perth. The ride from Donnybrook to Balingup was fine, and then we set along the first side of the triangle. It was tight, twisty and bumpy as fuck. Not exactly what we were looking for after nearly 5 hours on a sport bike. We got to Nannup and started the second side of the triangle towards Bridgetown along the Brockman hwy. This road was heaps better and would have been an absolute blast if we all weren’t so shagged by this stage. We got into Bridgetown and got off our bikes and nate had a conniption as he’s was tired and cranky and needed a cuddle. We called the girls, who were shitty at us as it was now 5pm and they’d been at the house since 1:30 waiting for us. We got directions to the house, however there was a miscommunication between Nate and Sue on the phone, so again we rode about 10kms further than we needed to, including turning into the correct driveway, deciding it was wrong and then leaving as the girls were waving there arms and screaming at us from the house as we rode away.
Finally we got to the house. Got off the bikes and endured the girls cutting sick at us as we all took off our bug and dust encrusted leathers, boots, gloves and helmets. Nate and Billy attempted to comfort their women, while I lay down on the grass and looked up at the evening country sky, very sore. But also very contented with what I had accomplished. This was a real country ride. I was proud that it was long. I was proud that I was sore. I felt like I had a little tiny snack size serving of “the long way round”.
After having a shower and getting our shit together we all went out in Bridgetown for dinner, and laughed about all the stupid shit that had happened to us along the way.
We planned to get smashed that evening, but everyone was so shagged after the day that we sat around drinking and watching Sydney beat Hawthorn in the footy. Sue and Billy fell asleep on the couch and the rest of us headed to bed soon after.
Tony Chung had decided to come along for the first part of the ride to Dwellingup on his new CBR600RR (even though he cannot legally ride it yet). We got out of town late, as was expected and blasted down to Byford along Tonkin hwy. After Byford, Tony had to stop as he thought he needed fuel, unfortunately he doesn’t know how to work a petrol pump and was walking back and forth into and out of the petrol station thinking they had run out of fuel.
Eventually we got back on the road and headed along Del Park road to Dwellingup. It’s a fantastic run with a great surface and long sweeping corners that go 180 degrees. It was mad fun and we all arrived in Dwellingup with big smiles on our faces. We stopped for some food and then bid Tony farewell as he headed back to Perth and we continued our journey.
This is where things started to go wrong. We turned off at the road for Williams but then got confused and thought we’d turned off too early. We then backtracked and went another 30kms along some excellent roads. Unfortunately it got us to Albany hwy, which was about 50kms in the opposite direction as to where we wanted to be. We ripped along Albany hwy to Williams averaging about 230kmh. It was good fun, although the road was a little boring and we were beginning to get a little sore. We filled up in Williams and then got on the Williams-Collie road and headed for Collie.
There were some roadworks along the way but nothing to tragic. Overall it was a fantastic road and Nate led at an excellent pace as we averaged about 170kmh through some brilliant country twisties.
We hit more problems when we got to Collie, as we were expecting a sign that told us which way to go for Donnybrook, but there was none. We picked what we thought was the right road and set off. All was going well, the road was fun and in good condition, running through the Wellington Forest. Unfortunately the road soon went unsealed and the three of us plodded along the dirt road at about 40kmh for around 20kms. Nate and Billy amused themselves by trying to do rolling burnouts on the dirt and get their bikes sideways, however they mostly just succeeded in sending rocks and dust in my direction. After what seemed like forever we finally returned to a sealed road and continued out to Dardanup and then Donnybrook.
We stopped in Donnybrook for fuel and sat down for a bit. The half hour on the dirt track had really taken it out of us and we were getting frail, both physically and mentally.
We set off to do the “triangle” which is the main reason we had come all this way. There is a triangle of roads connecting Balingup, Nannup and Bridgetown that run through the forest and are tristy and brilliant. I wanted to ride them before I left Perth. The ride from Donnybrook to Balingup was fine, and then we set along the first side of the triangle. It was tight, twisty and bumpy as fuck. Not exactly what we were looking for after nearly 5 hours on a sport bike. We got to Nannup and started the second side of the triangle towards Bridgetown along the Brockman hwy. This road was heaps better and would have been an absolute blast if we all weren’t so shagged by this stage. We got into Bridgetown and got off our bikes and nate had a conniption as he’s was tired and cranky and needed a cuddle. We called the girls, who were shitty at us as it was now 5pm and they’d been at the house since 1:30 waiting for us. We got directions to the house, however there was a miscommunication between Nate and Sue on the phone, so again we rode about 10kms further than we needed to, including turning into the correct driveway, deciding it was wrong and then leaving as the girls were waving there arms and screaming at us from the house as we rode away.
Finally we got to the house. Got off the bikes and endured the girls cutting sick at us as we all took off our bug and dust encrusted leathers, boots, gloves and helmets. Nate and Billy attempted to comfort their women, while I lay down on the grass and looked up at the evening country sky, very sore. But also very contented with what I had accomplished. This was a real country ride. I was proud that it was long. I was proud that I was sore. I felt like I had a little tiny snack size serving of “the long way round”.
After having a shower and getting our shit together we all went out in Bridgetown for dinner, and laughed about all the stupid shit that had happened to us along the way.
We planned to get smashed that evening, but everyone was so shagged after the day that we sat around drinking and watching Sydney beat Hawthorn in the footy. Sue and Billy fell asleep on the couch and the rest of us headed to bed soon after.
Friday, April 3, 2009
Melbourne Day 8: The last day
I started my last day in Melbourne by getting stuck in traffic, roadworks and closed roads in my attempt to drive to the St Kilda Fitness First. After taking 35min on what should have been a 15min drive, I did my workout and grabbed a boost juice for myself and Jana on the way home.
We were meeting Alex for lunch in Carlton, in her break from Uni. Jana ,Alex and I all used to live together in Highgate about 7 years ago. It was a bit surreal to be together again as we’ve all changed so much, and yet we’re still the same. We reminisced about giant after parties where the power was out and cops were still called due to noise complaints, photos taken while people were unaware and making furniture out of milk crates.
Alex went back to uni and we went to Toorak. Jana had some stuff to do so I wandered around for a while. I found a shirt that sold some really awesome t-shirts, but the last thing I need is more t-shirts. So much so, that after looking at one shirt. I said “no” out loud and immediately walked out of the shop.
After that I took Jana back to Port Melbourne. Along the way I realised that I am actually really contented at the moment. Not because of where I am, but because of where I will be. I am really looking forward to the trip. It is really the only thing keeping me awake in any way. I have also made the decision that when I come back from Overseas, I will definitely be moving to Melbourne. I think this is what makes me happy. I love Melbourne, so even if all my plans overseas fall flat on their ass, I’m still gonna end up somewhere I love, with people I love. It’s a nice feeling to realise you are totally happy with your safety net. I think if I was coming back to Perth I’d feel a lot more stressed, because if Europe didn’t work out, I’d be coming back to the job and habits that I am trying to change.
After dropping Jana off in Port Melbourne I drove out to the airport and killed time before Trent, Tess and Cooper arrived. We all got on the plane and, to my surprise, Cooper was really well behaved.
All in all, I had a fantastic time in Melbourne. I know the blog for Melbourne was nowhere near as interesting as the Japan trip, but I’ll try to make up for that by hanging out with some crazy Dutch people when I hit up Holland in less than three months!
We were meeting Alex for lunch in Carlton, in her break from Uni. Jana ,Alex and I all used to live together in Highgate about 7 years ago. It was a bit surreal to be together again as we’ve all changed so much, and yet we’re still the same. We reminisced about giant after parties where the power was out and cops were still called due to noise complaints, photos taken while people were unaware and making furniture out of milk crates.
Alex went back to uni and we went to Toorak. Jana had some stuff to do so I wandered around for a while. I found a shirt that sold some really awesome t-shirts, but the last thing I need is more t-shirts. So much so, that after looking at one shirt. I said “no” out loud and immediately walked out of the shop.
After that I took Jana back to Port Melbourne. Along the way I realised that I am actually really contented at the moment. Not because of where I am, but because of where I will be. I am really looking forward to the trip. It is really the only thing keeping me awake in any way. I have also made the decision that when I come back from Overseas, I will definitely be moving to Melbourne. I think this is what makes me happy. I love Melbourne, so even if all my plans overseas fall flat on their ass, I’m still gonna end up somewhere I love, with people I love. It’s a nice feeling to realise you are totally happy with your safety net. I think if I was coming back to Perth I’d feel a lot more stressed, because if Europe didn’t work out, I’d be coming back to the job and habits that I am trying to change.
After dropping Jana off in Port Melbourne I drove out to the airport and killed time before Trent, Tess and Cooper arrived. We all got on the plane and, to my surprise, Cooper was really well behaved.
All in all, I had a fantastic time in Melbourne. I know the blog for Melbourne was nowhere near as interesting as the Japan trip, but I’ll try to make up for that by hanging out with some crazy Dutch people when I hit up Holland in less than three months!
Thursday, April 2, 2009
Melbourne Day 7: Golf and Drinks
Today started at 5am with me being woken up by Chris’s alarm which plays Brian Adams’ “Summer of 69” really fucking loud. After it played out and then came on 6 times in a row, I started to wonder why it wasn’t being shut off and got up and did it myself. I then went back to sleep before waking up at 8am to get ready and go play golf with Chris and Chom.
We played at Skye Public Golf course. It was in reasonably good condition, but was probably the shortest course I’ve ever played at. A 185m par 4 is very short. And I put a drive on a par 4 on the green. Unfortunately I then ended up 4 putting and getting a bogey. The story of my day, really.
Chris won with 41, I played like a warmed up pile of dog shit, and still got 43 and Chom got 49, but neither Chom nor I were using our own clubs….. Well thats my excuse anyway.
After golf I said my goodbyes to Chom and Chris and headed back to Melbourne. I picked up Jana from her apartment and we went out for lunch and a drink in St Kilda. I was planning on going to the gym as Jana is nearly always asleep until about 4pm, but being as she was up and I had spent very little time with her over the weekend, I was very pleased to be able to hang out. After lunch we drove to Docklands and walked into the city for a coffee and for Jana to look for some ridiculously overpriced designer jeans.
She found the ones she wanted and we then walked down to Southbank to meet Trent. We had a few beers together and then walked into the city to go to Dumplings Plus, which has freakin awesome dumplings and was very well priced. Damn I love the food and drink prices in Melbourne.
Jana then had to run some errands in the hire car, so Me and Trent went to Madam Brussels for a drink, and then to Carlton Club. Trent dashed off to catch a train back to Ballarat and I met up with Nassima for a drink in Port Melbourne. Nassima has had some housemate issues recently and I understand how that can put a major downer on other facets of ones life. After a few beers Jeremy and Jana joined us as Nassima attempted to convince Jeremy that he should get an iPhone. He was not terribly thrilled by this, as Jeremy has a phone that sends sms and makes phone calls and that is all he wants. He does not need a phone that you can shake and it chooses a Melbourne restaurant for you….
After the bar staff at the Local noisily started moving the outdoor chairs and tables around us, we decided it was probably a good time to make our exit. I said my goodbyes to Jeremy and Nassima. Both of which I am unlikely to see before the big trip overseas. Jana and I headed home where she attempted to study and I tried in vain to get all my crap back into my suitcase.
We played at Skye Public Golf course. It was in reasonably good condition, but was probably the shortest course I’ve ever played at. A 185m par 4 is very short. And I put a drive on a par 4 on the green. Unfortunately I then ended up 4 putting and getting a bogey. The story of my day, really.
Chris won with 41, I played like a warmed up pile of dog shit, and still got 43 and Chom got 49, but neither Chom nor I were using our own clubs….. Well thats my excuse anyway.
After golf I said my goodbyes to Chom and Chris and headed back to Melbourne. I picked up Jana from her apartment and we went out for lunch and a drink in St Kilda. I was planning on going to the gym as Jana is nearly always asleep until about 4pm, but being as she was up and I had spent very little time with her over the weekend, I was very pleased to be able to hang out. After lunch we drove to Docklands and walked into the city for a coffee and for Jana to look for some ridiculously overpriced designer jeans.
She found the ones she wanted and we then walked down to Southbank to meet Trent. We had a few beers together and then walked into the city to go to Dumplings Plus, which has freakin awesome dumplings and was very well priced. Damn I love the food and drink prices in Melbourne.
Jana then had to run some errands in the hire car, so Me and Trent went to Madam Brussels for a drink, and then to Carlton Club. Trent dashed off to catch a train back to Ballarat and I met up with Nassima for a drink in Port Melbourne. Nassima has had some housemate issues recently and I understand how that can put a major downer on other facets of ones life. After a few beers Jeremy and Jana joined us as Nassima attempted to convince Jeremy that he should get an iPhone. He was not terribly thrilled by this, as Jeremy has a phone that sends sms and makes phone calls and that is all he wants. He does not need a phone that you can shake and it chooses a Melbourne restaurant for you….
After the bar staff at the Local noisily started moving the outdoor chairs and tables around us, we decided it was probably a good time to make our exit. I said my goodbyes to Jeremy and Nassima. Both of which I am unlikely to see before the big trip overseas. Jana and I headed home where she attempted to study and I tried in vain to get all my crap back into my suitcase.
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