Albury to Melbourne

Location: Albury

Miles: 398

Dancing on Ice is a great TV show and popular past-time but definately not recommended when your dance partner is 260 kgs of loaded and fueled-up GS. I don't mind a bit of ice now and then, it is perfectly fineat least until you need to change direction. I encountered much white stuff and slushy surfaces on the way up Mount Hotham yesterday. These then became white and shiny plus steep. I pushed on past the signs warning of sheet ice and the various vehicles putting their chains on. I glanced down to the engine ocassionally to remind myself the bike has no crash bars and isn't mine, a drop would've been messy. I was very optimistic even if it was slightly dangerous so when the ranger got all cross telling me I risked heavy fines if I continued, in truth  I was ready to turn back anyway. 

They lose 5 or 6 motorcyclists a year on the pass, mainly due to cutting corners, in other words forgetting sensible lines and good riding. I am finding the RoSPA course I did with BMW Rider Training back in the UK invaluable especially on these tight challenging alpine roads.   It is the first time in living memory that 4x4s have had to fit snow chains to cross the mountain.  This is Australia for heaven’s sake! I headed back to Bright for breakfast and a re-think, and then a run down the Hume highway to finish off.   When we ride this route in April the weather will hopefully be warm and balmy, or at least not snowing.
The route in April will cross the Alpine National Park and run south all the way to Bairnsdale before picking up the Princes Highway once again, eventually becoming the Monash Freeway for a seamless run into the centre of town hopefully. Daily total should be around 560 kms.

I am presently in Melbourne and planning a couple of days here to find our hotel, talk with BMW, meet some old friends and contacts and maybe even test a few beverages, purely in the name of research, obviously.


Jeffrey Condon