Rendezvous in Tasmania

wintrmute

dryfter
I put nearly 4000 km on the blue Tiger during February, between two trips and some misc riding.

I made a little video, although to be honest, it doesn't really capture the feeling of actually *being there* but hell, watch it if you like :)
I have replaced the soundtrack with one that's more fun, hence the name, Rendezvous in Tasmania:
https://youtu.be/JTAQKXZPjfY

Some notes on my trips (first to alpine region, then Tasmania).


Alpine Day 1: 435km, 5 hours, 21 minutes.
Melbourne to Harrietville via Wildwood, Sunday Creek, Murchison Gap, Yea, Mansfield, Whitfield, Milawa, Bright.

Alpine Day 2: 4 hours, 240 km.
Rode around the classic alpine loop: Bright, Tawonga Gap, Falls Creek, Omeo, Hotham, and back down.

Alpine Day 3: 3h 45min, 266km of riding.
Revised my plan due to weather, and went via a shorter northern route that avoided the worst of the rain.
Had a nap in Corryong then went out to Burrowa national park to Bluff Falls. Walking the final bit to the falls in 32° in my motorcycle gear was.. a bit toasty.

Alpine Day 4, aka Hell Ride: 4h 50min, 334km, of riding through a storm in the mountains.
The rain set in, torrentially, along with fog. Stopped in Omeo to put my gear through a tumble dryer for 40 minutes before continuing on south..

Alpine Day 5: 3h 45m, 320km. Returned home via highways still feeling a bit soggy.

Alpine trip total: 1646km, 22h 15m on the bike.


Tassie day 1: Ferry to Devonport

Tassie day 2: 300 km, 5:30 hours riding.
Glorious weather! Awesome vistas!
I'm now staying in St Helens after riding here from Devonport via Launceston and then a lot of dirt back roads around (Mounts) Ben Nevis, Stein Crags, and Legges Tor.

Tassie Day 3: 260km, 4h 45m riding.
Did a big loop from St Helens to Scottsdale, and back via Mount Victoria. Visited a few places, including Cuckoo Falls (except the final access track was closed) and Ralph Falls (amazing views).
Another good day of weather, and so many stunning landscape views.

Tassie Day 4: 3h 50m, 272km.
St Helens to Eaglehawk Neck, mostly via the coast. Cut through the country on dirt roads from Buckland to Copping. Excellent weather, lovely views.

Tassie Day 5: Spent most of the day at Port Arthur, looking around old ruined buildings and the island cemetery. Then headed to Hobart.
Not that much riding today.
The forecast for Sunday is scaring me! Possible thunderstorm, possible hail, and heavy falls up to 60mm possible! That is catastrophic riding weather. It's 300km or 4h riding away. I.... Just don't want to in those conditions! Hoping it clears up.

Day 6: Hanging around Hobart, didn't ride much.

Day 7: Forecast for today in the west coast was still terrible, so stayed extra night near Hobart.
Went up Mt Wellington. Smaller ride out to Huonville and back via C roads along the coast.

Day 8: 350km, 4h 30m riding.
I'm glad I stayed an extra day in Hobart, so I could do the Lyell Highway in better weather -- because that ride was magnificent!
The part where I descended into a giant plain, surrounded by huge rocky mountains wreathed in mist? Wow.

Day 9: 336 km, 4h 45m riding.
Excellent weather today. Rode from Strahan out to near Carinna, then thru to Launceston past Cradle Mountain. Great views, not much traffic.

Day 10: Rode up the east side of the Tamar, trying to keep to the river rather than the highway, crossed over at Batman Bridge, then took a long dirt road from Beauty Point to Bakers Beach, then headed down to the Ashgrove cheese farm, then to Devonport via some B and C roads. Caught the ferry home.

Tasmania final tally: 2015 km, 33h 15m.



I'm uploading a few phone photos in the next post, but they're not great.. out-of-camera ones will come later :)
 
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wintrmute

dryfter
Apologies, Facebook compressed these all to hell. I'll have to upload better photos later.

Cradle mountain:
16819115_10154550101696492_8972022458581667738_o_zpsqzwgiwqi.jpg


Falls Creek:


Devil's Corner:
16797657_10154534875036492_4243840544703305638_o_zpsf3vrvr5y.jpg


Ralph Falls lookout:
16797025_10154532182386492_4273240187889427580_o_zpskfpoqsyo.jpg


Bluff Falls park:
16508404_10154507509101492_1941735627518653153_n_zpswxdrmwmr.jpg


Hotham Heights:
16422746_10154504671011492_366217710546872629_o_zpsuftheepp.jpg


Lake Burbury:
16830664_10154548020921492_9160640922517999733_n_zpsta4lwl3q.jpg
 

robbieb

Tassie Daddy
Looks like the weather was mostly kind to you for your quick lap of Tassie.

Plenty more to come and explore for later :so
 

glitch

Mapping the next ride...
Staff member
Whoohoo...looks like a whirlwind tour of southern Vic + Tas...
Ralph Falls is a sweet, little spot.
Thanks for posting up...and some neat pics, too.
 
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