Am I insane or what?

Maty10 · Post by **Maty10** » Wed May 03, 2006 5:09 pm

I've been saying for donkeys that I want to do the Great Alpine Rd (Wangaratta to Bairnsdale).

Well..... The Pillion in a million has gone away.... and I'm bored...... and I have Sunday free.....

So the idea began.

I'd talked a mate into going with me if I go, so I'm not alone.

Then I've organised to stay in Euroa on Saturday night, shaves an hour and half of the trip, or so.

The GPS reckons its 706.9km from Euroa to home (probably more, it likes to turn curvey roads into straight ones), now whilst thats HUGE, its not massive, and its doable in a day.

So if this was Summer, I reckon we could do it easy. Only problem is, its not Summer.

I've been watching the weather report for Sunday over the last few days, and its getting worse.

Currently the prediction for the Alpine Region on Sunday is:
Weather Pattern:
A cold front will move to the east of the State tonight with another front to
follow on Friday morning. Yet another front will approach the west of the State
later on Saturday, moving through Victoria overnight and Sunday morning. This
series of fronts will mainly affect southern and mountain areas of the State.

Outlooks:
Friday Scattered showers. Fresh to strong northwest to westerly winds.
Saturday Showers becoming isolated.
Sunday Showers falling as snow later.

So would we be crazy to continue? Will black ice and snow be a serious threat?

I think we could sufficiently prepare ourselves for the cold, with thermals (or 2), leathers and one piece rainsuits. It's just the road conditions that are scaring me.

So opinions are greatly appreciated here.....

Motorcycling is supposed to be an adventure

Lainie · Post by **Lainie** » Wed May 03, 2006 5:59 pm

Yeah your insane.

Good luck and BE CAREFUL Keep us posted

z900/zx9 · Post by **z900/zx9** » Wed May 03, 2006 6:03 pm

I think you answered your own question with the black ice,snow inclusions,

kellz · Post by **kellz** » Wed May 03, 2006 6:11 pm

go for it jsut be carefull.
just take it easy..
i am heading to jindy on friday night... but i will be in the warm comfort of a 4wd....

good luck and we want pics..

smek · Post by **smek** » Wed May 03, 2006 6:16 pm

Sounds like fun!

Might be a tad risky, but it's not suicidal.
So enjoy yourself and take it easy.

RMIT has wheelchair access anyway

Maty10 · Post by **Maty10** » Wed May 03, 2006 6:17 pm

smek wrote:RMIT has wheelchair access anyway

Thanks for the vote of confidence mate!

ttc · Post by **ttc** » Wed May 03, 2006 6:28 pm

Maty, that is a dangerous road, my advice is seriously wait till summer.

Imagine riding your bike on a skating ring, tha'ts what black ice is, and worse is you can't see it..

the kid · Post by **the kid** » Wed May 03, 2006 6:30 pm

Do it !

You can always turn back .
Being prepared with the thermals and Wets will help .
And if things go to shit with the weather you always remember the Hell Trip for the rest of ya life as a great experience .

Take it easy

mick_dundee · Post by **mick_dundee** » Wed May 03, 2006 7:54 pm

Give it a miss I reckon, ice anbd motorbikes don't mix well and black ice is far worse as TtC said, ya can't see it...

mike-s · Post by **mike-s** » Wed May 03, 2006 9:04 pm

its your choice, but remember that in AMCN they do an annual pilgrimage to th snowfields from sydney on a whole raft of bikes.

be interesting, but by god, you do not want to be doin that alone.

ninja9 · Post by **ninja9** » Wed May 03, 2006 9:50 pm

Remember to take changes of gloves. Winter ones will be best for keeping fingers functioning - but not good for 'feel'. Black ice is the worst thing to encounter on a bike, as has been mentioned before, as it is not visible until it is too late! Good Luck

Maty10 · Post by **Maty10** » Wed May 03, 2006 11:39 pm

At this point it looks like my mate is chickening out.

And there's no way I'd attempt this alone.

So unless I talk someone else into it things look like a no goer.

Oh well, there's always Summer.

Still a few days away, maybe things will change.

Tyre Kicker · Post by **Tyre Kicker** » Thu May 04, 2006 12:05 am

Just

Say

No

Strika · Post by **Strika** » Thu May 04, 2006 12:41 am

I will go with you but not this weekend as i'm working. sort another weekend out n i will pull out the snow chains!

swabio-ACT · Post by **swabio-ACT** » Thu May 04, 2006 1:33 am

hmmm I would skip it dude! it is freakin freezing both in the morning and afternoons...... and not many hours of sunlight!

I did a bit of the snow mtns hwy the other day with MickC, and both of us were numb as hell by the time we got back to canberra and i was wearing winter gear for the rtn trip!!!! And there was still bloody snow in parts!