Mountain Madness 2013 - The Double Helix Ride: Day 1

Melbourne to Omeo

I don't know how many times we have done this route?

Big Picture . . .

The general idea for today was to get to Omeo by about beer o'clock and to keep out of the impending heat the best way we could . . . but of course we all had our own ideas about the best way of getting there.

Orderly Start . . .

By comparison with recent events, this year’s ‘departure’ was a reasonably orderly affair – perhaps because there were fewer participants thus removing considerable permutations and combinations for the amount chaos.

Karen departed the day before and spent the night in Mansfield so we never saw her until we got to Omeo . . . even though we all secretly think she has turned into a ‘girl-racer’ and simply stayed ahead of the pack all the way up the hill!

As for the rest of us, some six bikes and nine people met at St Andrews at the ‘agreed time’ and we headed up the Greensborough Highway (I didn’t know it was called that either) to Kinglake for our first jolly into the higher country. But that was as far as we got together as we split into two groups at Kinglake as some took the ‘best road in Victoria’ (the Eildon back road) and others took a more civilised route via Flowerdale and of course stopped for a coffee break at Yea and (as some say) the 'worst road in Victoria'.

Parked up at at Yea

The Worst Road in Victoria . . .

The road to Mansfield didn't seem so bad this time, perhaps it was because we were expecting the worst? Mind you, perhaps we were distracted by the fact that ONYVA was no longer being ridden by Phil P and that Mark E and Josie were aboard.

We of course enjoyed lunch at the 'normal' spot in Mansfield – even though our ‘normal’ garage has closed and we had to get fuel around the corner. Don't they know we have some traditions to maintain here! Some of us got chatting with the Vice President of the Satins Soldiers in Bendigo – he and his partner were sitting at the table next to us and they seemed like lovely people.

Police Alert . . .

Karen sent some dire warnings about three police bikes on the Whitfield road but none of us saw anything . . . and upon reflection I can now see she was in fact trying to delay 'the pack' so as to maintain her advantage and be the first to Omeo. And she succeeded!

Power Shopping . . .

We traversed the traditional route through Oxley and Myrtleford and on to Bright - confusing Phil in the process as I didn't know that he and Mel had arranged to meet at Myrtleford. Apart from Lorraine's power shopping (two pairs of shoes in 4 minutes and 33 seconds!), we all had a welcome cold drink after fueling up once again.

Drinks at Bright

A very kind passing photographer risked life and limb by stopping the traffic to take this!

And this!

The Hotham Way . . .

As things transpired we decided to head up the Mt Hotham road to Omeo - which turned out to be one of my favourite roads of the entire trip. I really like the fast (for me!) and flowing (for me!) open corners and the excellent surface.

I just love this view . . .

Good to see you both along again

Omeo Arrival . . .

We all pulled into Omeo at around 5:30pm and headed for the bar to find that girl racer Karen already showered and in evening wear ready for the NYE festivities. Naturally we guzzled quite a few beers in amongst fueling up for tomorrow (petrol that is) and having a welcome shower.

It is always a special time chatting on the first night in the bar - catching up on the year's news and events, goings on with absent friends and plans for next year. And there were some moments of reality - like when did Ivan's daughter Alex suddenly grow up to be a stunning and engaging young woman!

Bloody hell - when did you grow up?

That girl racer Karen greeting other guests for pre-dinner drinks!

Now look . . . I demand more beers than this!

Dinner . . .

Our 'traditional' table in the corner had been reserved for dinner and Alf, his son Tim and ' The Stig # 1' Graham joined us for the festivities. And we are a bunch of ragers these days . . . Josie and Mark were the first to crash at around 9:00pm and everyone was tucked up in bed by about 10:00pm as far as I know! I mean, I have an excuse (age), but as for the rest of you!!