2018 BMW GS Safari - Australian High Country - March 2018

[Digger]

The final climb to the start point at Thredbo...100km of twisties and switchbacks. Road riding utopia.



Scammells Lookout...named after a pioneering family from the region. The view is of the West Fall of the Main Range with Kosciusko out of view hidden behind one of the hills. RIP Hiedenui (tongue in cheek).



I arrived at Thredbo early and was able to swap out the front Tyre easily using the ‘oomph’ of a local service station air compressor. Thank goodness for that...I didn’t want a repeat of the night before.



For those riders who pre order tyres, they get them fitted the day before the start. It is a well oiled machine. It should be...they have been doing it long enough.

[Digger]

Thredbo Alpine Village....very busy, surprisingly busy. Many mountain bikers both family groups and groups of riders fully kitted out with all the protective gear including full face helmets.

Event starts tomorrow...destination; Bright.

SPOT Tracker here.
http://share.findmespot.com/shared/face ... UCtYLNPufa

[reklaw]

There's a good brewery in Bright, enjoy.

[Bozo]

The first day of the Safari has headed into some really interesting country beyond Lucyvale.

There are live feeds of still photos from fire towers where Digger is now (at Mount Benambra)

Mount Benambra


Bozo

[Digger]

Nobody died today...that’s a good thing (isn’t it?). First days are always unpredictable (for some riders). It takes a day or two to find your rhythm. One Rider over cooked a corner and because the drop offs are quite steep, it took 8 blokes to get his bike back on the track. Rider and bike are ok and can continue. There were a couple of other minor mishaps but nothing serious. Tomorrow (Tuesday) involves 2 loops...the second one is for riders who are ‘confident’. I’ll have all morning to decide whether I’m ‘confident’ or not.

Much the same photo as posted by Bozo but from a slightly higher elevation. We could access a couple of platforms higher then the remote control camera to be able to view Lake Dartmouth.
So far; so good.

[Bozo]

Digger

There is a great 360 degree view from Mount Benambra at:

https://www.360cities.net/image/fire-to ... -australia

You just have to use your cursor to drag a change of view in any direction.

Bozo

[Digger]

Digger

There is a great 360 degree view from Mount Benambra at:

https://www.360cities.net/image/fire-to ... -australia

You just have to use your cursor to drag a change of view in any direction.

Bozo

Well bugger me... I think that is the same bloke who was there today and gave us access to the platform. Don’t know who the shiela is though.

[Bozo]

Digger

The mystery grumpy woman:

I went full screen and zoomed to read what was on her tee shirt to see if it was consistent with being Frau Photographer.

All I can read is "speak and annoy you both at the same time". I think the full quote is "I am multi talented: I can speak and annoy you at the same time". Seems like a random grumpy person that people travelling in cars have to put up with.

Bozo

[Digger]

Today involved two loops...you could do none, you could do one, or you could do both. Some riders (who don’t get out much, no disrespect intended) took the day off. Most did the first loop but only 20 riders did the second loop. Both loops had some difficult climbs and difficult terrain. Egos were bruised, bikes were damaged and some riders improved on their skill level.
Tomorrow (Wednesday) we head off to Mansfield.




First loop...first hill. As soon as the first rider stops, everything else comes to a grinding halt. Some riders decided to turn around and lick their wounds. You can’t blame ‘em.



Ouch...at least he is still standing.



Coming on Safari sounded like a good idea...at the time!

[Digger]

Different hill...same result. You can understand why many riders ‘passed’ on doing the second loop after being told it was more difficult then the first.



Everybody usually acts as a team...no man gets left behind.



Riders briefing for Day three. 200 riders (plus support staff) give a healthy boost to some of the regional towns we stop/stay at.

SPOT Link is here;
http://share.findmespot.com/shared/face ... UCtYLNPufa

[Kots]

If these are the photos, I can't wait for the video!

Safe ride Digger.

Kots

[Digger]

Day three...no rain for weeks here. Lots of dust and little breeze so difficult riding conditions with such a big group. When you do hang back to ride out of the dust, some schmo will overtake and create another dust trail.



No crossings today that contained water but tomorrow (Thursday) will be a different story.



Went to Stringybark Creek today...the place of Ned Kelly’s final shootout with Police which resulted in three police deaths and the capture of Ned and his gang. I never thought I would travel to such a place. Travel is good for the soul. “Such is life”.



I reckon if you placed a plastic bucket on my head, we could pass for twins.

Huge day tomorrow...400km from Mansfield to Lakes Entrance. One section contains a looonnnng downhill section which will be very, very challenging. I expect most riders will avoid it. I may do the same.

[Digger]

Today (Thursday) we were high enough to see fog in the valley...



Today’s view from my office window as we ride thru a state forest....this was the fog (or part of it) from the previous photo. The fog was thick in places, so thick it was like a light rain.



The combination of the fog and the dust resulted in mud...

[Digger]

The result of the fog and dust...rest stop at Licola.



Today we had an option...part of the circuit was reported as being a bit snotty with a long, rocky and very steep descent...a very long descent which may have been a handful on a 1200. I chose to take the option. Turn left and follow orange route or follow the green arrows until it rejoins the original track. As it was, the orange route proved to be no challenge as a result of recent maintenance (or so I’m told).



A technical water crossing...due to the steep and slippery entry point. The large, slippery log under the water line didn’t help.


Final day tomorrow (Friday) we travel from Lakes Entrance back to Thredbo via the Barry Way and Jindabyne. Farewell dinner and lots of back slapping tomorrow night before I head to Melbourne for a bike service before deciding on my next option.

SPOT Link is here;
http://share.findmespot.com/shared/face ... UCtYLNPufa

[Digger]

On last day of Safari, Bozo suggested calling into Stony Creek trestle Bridge...it was on the way out of Lakes Entrance. Last used in the 1980’s after becoming unstable from a wildfire. Was used when the line was extended from Bairnsdale to Orbost in the 1880’s.



McKillops bridge over the Snowy River. Was built in the 1930’s and was washed away by floodwaters the day before its official opening. The bridge was rebuilt but much higher. Has 20 tonne weight limit...or 5 GSA’s.



Crossing from Vic to NSW on the Barry Way. No fruit fly inspection out here...