Heading home from GP

[Gak]

Hi All
As we do every year, a group of us are heading over to the Island from Port Augusta SA for the GP. A few of us want to return home a different way, thru NE Victoria, and seeing that none of us have headed that way before I was after some local knowledge or suggestions.
My rough plan was to head from Cowes-Bairnsdale-Omeo and maybe onto Albury. How big of a day would this be, remembering we are all in our mid 40’s and require beer by about 4pm(sooner would not be a problem). The next day I have no real plans other than to get close to Mildura and than push on home on day 3.
I realise that the weather will play a big part in our plans but we will cross that hurdle on that Monday morning.
Any suggestions will be appreciated.

Cheers Gak

[dilligaf]

grab a copy of bitchin bitumen
http://www.bitchnbitumen.com.au/locations.php
some of what you want is melb-canberra day 4 backwards

[The Moss]

Did the Cowes - Albury run on the way home from WSK, at the begining of the year. From Cowes to Barinsdale is pretty much straight road, with a lot of cops and cameras, so took till luchtime. Barinsdale to Omeo was awesome, very little traffic, great road, made Omeo about 4-5 pm and stayed at the motel next to the pub. The road was mainly 55 - 75 km/h corners, with a few 35 km/h as well. That was a pretty far days ride (on a TRX). Next day was 50 knot winds and rain, making the run over the top of Mount Hoffham very dicey. Would have been a top ride in the dry. Be careful on the way down the otherside of the mount if it is raining or damp, as the ecuycalytus trees drop oil over the road and make it very very slippery. The road was mainly 35 km/h corners with a few 55 + . I turned right at Albury a made Therdbo by 5pm that night. I was heading back to Newcastle.

Over the top of Hoffham

[Strika]

Hi Gak, there is an annual KSRC run from Cowes back to Tintaldra via Omeo on the Monday after both WSBK and MotoGP! There is a thread in the rides and get togethers somewhere. However, I will warn you, the first day is about 700Klms or more. But, if you don't like the sound of that, here is another suggestion which would be an easier ride.
Run back up to Omeo as you had planned. Then, take the Mitta Mitta/Eskdale Road. It's marked as dirt, however, it has just been completely sealed!!! Apparently it's a cracking road now. I am yet to ride it, but hopefully will in the next few weeks!!! This will take you down to Tallangatta. The Tallangatta pub has undercover bike parking out back and is bike friendly. Although with the amount of bikes out and about, bookings might be a sensible idea.

Alternatively, there is another warmer way to go, which still has some interesting roads. As a matter of fact, I usually do a run with another mob after GP and this is what they do. Cowes back north through Poowong and Drouin, then up to Neerim then Powelltown, Warburton, Reefton, Lake mountain, Marysville (see the devastation from the black Sat fires-The bakery is still open, but get fuel at Warburton as there is no fuel in Marysville at the moment. Then up to Eildon, down to Alexandria, up to Mansfield, then Whitfield, Moyu, Myrtleford, Bright for the night. Next day go over the tawonga Gap, across to tallangatta and do the Granya Gap, then follow the Murray River rd into Albury and off to wherever you want from there.

Hope this helps!

[Gak]

Thanks Fella's I have sent your info onto the rest of the lads. At least we have something to work on and which way we don't go this year we will do next.

Cheers Gak