Decided that it was time I put myself to the test and the clock and registered with full intentions to complete and qualify for the SCDR ride to Cohuna VIC.
Of course, my ride starts on a Friday but those who know me also know that Friday’s begin with coffee and cake from my favourite café in town, so Happy FriYAY!!
Before I know it, it’s time for Fergus and I to go and get some fuel, a start docket and begin our adventure. Today’s about making it to my accommodation for the night. The long way round to Echuca. Straight out on the B400 through Wodonga and up onto the Hume freeway to head straight down to Seymour for fuel and comfort stop. Nothing interesting just a transit leg.
A bit further down the freeway and turn off for Bendigo, where I had a change of plan and decided to stop for dinner and fuel. It’s a pretty town and one worth coming back with Karl and the furbabies to look around. Out of Bendigo and pass through Marong that reminded me of a time I met with Fatman & LTP at the Elmore Bakery….good times. There’s quite a few things I’d thought “I should stop and take a pic” but then thought “just make it safely to a bed tonight on your first timed run out” and kept going.
Charlton was the next planned town and straight through watching as the sun is starting is early evenings dance. From here it’s a bit of a zig-zag on “C” roads with wide eyes and a memory of wildlife and the damage they can cause dancing around in my head. The C266 isn’t in too bad condition and was on hyper alert for things moving. Reaching Boort I pulled over to check my oiler as it’s still not dialled in. Glad I did as it was low, gave it a top up rubbed my butt which was starting to get a bit sore and headed off again.
A left and fast right onto the C267 and riding towards Pyramid Hill. Getting fidgety and watching the sky start changing colours and watching the verges for movement. Pyramid Hill is aptly named as the hill near the town is actually shaped like a pyramid. The wonders of Mother Nature.
Reach the T intersection of the C267 & B400 and hang a right and head towards Echuca. Into Echuca on dark approx. 8:20pm and go in search of fuel for Fergus before finding the Philadelphia Motor Inn where I get a goods nights sleep.
Apologies for the lack of pics, I should’ve put the real camera around my neck to get some pics on the fly, next time.
Saturday 22nd Nov 25
Up before the alarm and feeling a little bit excited for two reasons, meeting up with my fellow crazies and hopefully completing my first “on the clock” ride since getting back on two wheels. Heading to the outskirts of Deniliquin “left turn Clive” and eventually ride into Barham. I’ve allowed time this morning to enable a few pics, have breaky an take a breath. A ride around town to find a place for breakfast, see some silo art which is stunning and a great park that I know the furbabies would love to roam around. The Riverside café served up a great breaky and coffee, very peaceful this early in the morning and next to some lovely little shops which I’ll have to come back in the car to explore….and shop 😊.
It’s only a short leg this morning, a meagre 300km and feel like I’m going around in a circle to get to my destination. Through Kerang then towards Durham Ox and then turning back onto the C267 and into Pyramid Hill again before reaching the same intersection as last night but turning left and into Cohuna.
Fueled up and to find The Bower Tavern to see Hackle reserving spots for us and helping me park up….of course we are super early but that is ok. Off to get a couple of pics of landmarks or big things, the code and the “Big Cohuna”…..lol
Our group of SCDR riders slowly start to arrive and check-in opens and I qualify…..YAY. A tidy 1021.60km for my SCDR qualifying ride to Cohuna, done and dusted.
The group photo is taken and we all fall inside to the air conditioning to have a delicious lunch.
The foods was magnificent, not a complaint from anyone. Can highly recommend The Bower Tavern for a feed.
As it is with these rides, the time dissipates like flour through a sieve and I’m the first to say “I need to get going”. I had planned contingencies just in case I couldn’t make it back home in the afternoon but as it turned out, I didn’t need them. Headed down and through Echuca again, bum already starting to burn and then through Shepparton before popping out onto the M1 freeway again and heading towards Wodonga where I stopped for fuel before the final leg home.
I think I know the B400 from Wodonga to home by memory now and set Fergus’ cruise control and just meander along the road, moving constantly to try and alleviate the burning bum. An hour and a half later, I pull in through the gate and park Fergus up, promptly vacating the saddle to put out the fire that’s been burning my arse.
And that’s a wrap. Home safely – a tidy 1456km for the 2 days riding. Still getting used to Fergus but the seat OMG, something has to be done.
