Roblatt
High Miler
A Guzzi, a Bonnie, a Monster and a Victory set out on an adventure to watch the Bathurst 12 hour race. It was 6 days of searing heat. The coolest day was race day at around 35C, while we rode in temps between 38C and 44C.
Now this is a car race, not motorcycles so don't get too excited even though I was.
We left Melbourne on the Thursday and took the back roads all the way to Bathurst... well almost. We had to throw in 3 or four hours of freeway for the Victory - they don't turn too well.
As we rode into Bathurst, drama. The Victory broke down - apparently a fuel pump. Stranded, we called the local towie to take it to an auto electrician since so far it was only blowing fuses. Well, there it stayed until the owner returned later that week with car and trailer (apparently there was no fuel pump for that model on the register Australia wide).
Anyway, the trusty B11 took on a pillion, the trumpy took on extra luggage and the Duc... well it's good for going out for a coffee.
The rest of the weekend was hot, did I mention the heat! So much so that I broke my promise and rode the time in Bathurst in shorts and T shirt (one could get used to that). If the boss finds out, she'll do the damage to me.
Racing was excellent. A lot less people than the October main race, but much more refined and no bogans. The Gull wing Mercs had it sewn up until they struck trouble on the pit, then it looked like a Ferrari win until a drive though penalty. The McLarens were coming fast but so was the non factory Merc.. Yes it was a Maranello victory at the end but by 0.4 sec.
The highlight was the Arbath's. 3 pretty red and yellow things with two running around line a stern all day. Those things while the slowest on track for the day are seriously quick. They won their class (I think they were the only ones in the class) on their debut.
Lots of fun. Didi I mention it was hot.
Well the trip home was interesting. Said Victory owner didn't want to double up going home so we put him on a train. The temp was up in the low 40's again. 3 hours into our return trip, Mr trumpy noticed his bag open and ipad gone. We doubled back about 60k and found it.... thinner than from the Apple shop. Yes an 18 wheeler got to it. We could still see the tyre marks.
It was getting late and the sun was very low, still 41C and the Duc engine light came on, in the middle of nowhere. Well it wasn't red but orange so we pushed on. An hour later my lcd dash went funny and looked like a pacman game. We all had our issues and we all blamed the heat.
Next day, our last leg, we found some nice winding roads that made us all feel better again.
It was a great 6 days with great company. We all brought home made products to remind us of home while away - wood fired pizza, espresso and perculator complete with gas burner, vino, lemonciello, prosciutto, salami, capocolo. You get the drift, non of us are flyweights.
Total trip 2350km. Until next time, here are some pics....
Now this is a car race, not motorcycles so don't get too excited even though I was.
We left Melbourne on the Thursday and took the back roads all the way to Bathurst... well almost. We had to throw in 3 or four hours of freeway for the Victory - they don't turn too well.
As we rode into Bathurst, drama. The Victory broke down - apparently a fuel pump. Stranded, we called the local towie to take it to an auto electrician since so far it was only blowing fuses. Well, there it stayed until the owner returned later that week with car and trailer (apparently there was no fuel pump for that model on the register Australia wide).
Anyway, the trusty B11 took on a pillion, the trumpy took on extra luggage and the Duc... well it's good for going out for a coffee.
The rest of the weekend was hot, did I mention the heat! So much so that I broke my promise and rode the time in Bathurst in shorts and T shirt (one could get used to that). If the boss finds out, she'll do the damage to me.
Racing was excellent. A lot less people than the October main race, but much more refined and no bogans. The Gull wing Mercs had it sewn up until they struck trouble on the pit, then it looked like a Ferrari win until a drive though penalty. The McLarens were coming fast but so was the non factory Merc.. Yes it was a Maranello victory at the end but by 0.4 sec.
The highlight was the Arbath's. 3 pretty red and yellow things with two running around line a stern all day. Those things while the slowest on track for the day are seriously quick. They won their class (I think they were the only ones in the class) on their debut.
Lots of fun. Didi I mention it was hot.
Well the trip home was interesting. Said Victory owner didn't want to double up going home so we put him on a train. The temp was up in the low 40's again. 3 hours into our return trip, Mr trumpy noticed his bag open and ipad gone. We doubled back about 60k and found it.... thinner than from the Apple shop. Yes an 18 wheeler got to it. We could still see the tyre marks.
It was getting late and the sun was very low, still 41C and the Duc engine light came on, in the middle of nowhere. Well it wasn't red but orange so we pushed on. An hour later my lcd dash went funny and looked like a pacman game. We all had our issues and we all blamed the heat.
Next day, our last leg, we found some nice winding roads that made us all feel better again.
It was a great 6 days with great company. We all brought home made products to remind us of home while away - wood fired pizza, espresso and perculator complete with gas burner, vino, lemonciello, prosciutto, salami, capocolo. You get the drift, non of us are flyweights.
Total trip 2350km. Until next time, here are some pics....
