Ride Leader Glenn, Tail End Charlie Birky
Weather – bloody freezing, grey, wet, B.O.M radar showing rain all over the south.
Only those afflicted with some mental health problem show up in this kinda weather, being the ‘Ice Bergers’ – Bob, Happy, Mark, Birky and myself. Obviously.
Met at the usual point – Pearcedale Shopping Village. Just the five feeble-minded souls on the day with cold and cloudy conditions and a high probability of snow and sleet. By the time we left the servo, the rain had stopped, but a little rain never hurt, did it, Birky? We all had the right gear, so a bit of cold weather was not a problem, eh.
First leg was leisurely. The general traffic was light, but wet conditions weren’t ideal. Out to Tooradin, then Koo Wee Rup, Bales, Catani, Yannathan, Nyora, Poowong, Ranceby and through the twisties to Korumburra. Morning tea at the bakery with the sun shining (sort of). Lots of moisture on the corner apexes so care was required.
It’s still bloody freezing
We left Korumburra, heading east for the leg towards Leongatha on the South Gippy Highway, Koonwarra, then down through the hills towards Tarwin, Inverloch, then Cape Paterson for lunch at the Tavern. The Cape Paterson-Inverloch Road was terrific. The intrepid Ice Bergers head down into the rain and, to our joy, it didn’t rain much through the twisties with the fabulous ocean coast view on our left and rolling green hills on the right.
We finished the morning’s leg of 160km by 12:30, arriving at the Tavern. After a good meal, a couple of beers and cokes and the compulsory banter and slagging, we headed off back to Tooradinvia Wonthaggi.
Off the Bass Highway to Glen Alvie – brilliant scenery – Kernot and to The Gurdies, then left onto the Gurdies-St Helier Road, which takes you through the farmland that is the Gurdies. Nice roads except for the damp.
As you might have guessed, it turned out to be an all BMW day.
We ended up doing roughly 280km on roads in this area of Gippsland. The ride ended around 3:00pm and was enjoyed by all those who didn’t come along. Just joking.
Stay upright
Glenn – ‘Bullet’