85 Search Results for "victoria"
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AussiePete
- Member
- Points:388
- Views: 29
- Since: 5 days ago
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Victoria
- Member
- Points:255
- Views: 15
- Since: 2 weeks ago
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great weather
- From: Cehszar
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Description:
A beautiful clear sky, perfect day to be on the road.
Taken on the highway from Matamoros to Victoria in the North of México.
- 2 weeks ago
- Views: 54
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Steampunk Triumph (Pink Ribbon
- From: Wolfye
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Description:
The pink ribbon ride 2009 in Victoria Australia raises funds to aid breast cancer research
- 2 weeks ago
- Views: 42
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Custom helmets (Pink Ribbon Ri
- From: Wolfye
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Description:
The pink ribbon ride 2009 in Victoria Australia raises funds to aid breast cancer research
- 2 weeks ago
- Views: 28
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Custom trike - front detail (P
- From: Wolfye
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Description:
The pink ribbon ride 2009 in Victoria Australia raises funds to aid breast cancer research
- 2 weeks ago
- Views: 31
- Not yet rated
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What a cutie (Pink Ribbon Ride
- From: Wolfye
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Description:
The Pink Ribbon Ride, Victoria, Australia 2009 - all funds raised go to aid breast cancer research
- 2 weeks ago
- Views: 31
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My bike - with a hint of pink
- From: Wolfye
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Description:
The Pink Ribbon Ride, Victoria, Australia 2009 - all funds raised go to aid breast cancer research
- 2 weeks ago
- Views: 30
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At Point Cook (Pink Ribbon Rid
- From: Wolfye
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Description:
The Pink Ribbon Ride, Victoria, Australia 2009 - all funds raised go to aid breast cancer research
- 2 weeks ago
- Views: 21
- Not yet rated
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Nice 6 cylinder trike (Pink Ri
- From: Wolfye
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Description:
The Pink Ribbon Ride, Victoria, Australia 2009 - all funds raised go to aid breast cancer research
- 2 weeks ago
- Views: 30
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Nice custom trike (Pink Ribbon
- From: Wolfye
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Description:
The Pink Ribbon Ride, Victoria, Australia 2009 - all funds raised go to aid breast cancer research
- 2 weeks ago
- Views: 32
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Pink Ribbon ride report
- From: Dimitra
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Description:
Today was the Victorian Pink Ribbon Motorcycle Ride. This is an annual event to raise awareness and money for breast cancer research. Spacemonkey69 and I have made an effort to do this ride each year since I got my learner permit actually, and so it's become something of a tradition, and something we look forward to each year. I'm sure it is a cause that is close to many of our hearts (excuse the pun), as we all know someone who has gone through some form of cancer or another, it's a disease which doesn't discriminate.
Our day started at the reasonable hour of 7.30am (thank goodness as last night was my 15 year high school reunion which went till late - that's another story). We rode first to my sister's place, as we've promised my 7yr old niece that she could ride with us this year now that she can go on the back of hubby's bike. Just as we pulled into their driveway the rain began. Just great! We had a few minutes to wait anyway, as we put the pink bandana around the niece's neck, adjusted her 'pink wings' and put a pink ponytail (helmet hair) on her helmet. The rain stopped and we were ready to go. Mum and little brother watched her hop on the back and us taking off, and I'm sure her mummy had a tear in her eye watching her little girl leave for her first "real" ride (before this we'd taken her only as far as the local cafe).
We rode out to the Westgate bridge meeting point near Melbourne city. The bikes had already started to arrive and fill the car park of the Shell Servo - which is a huge car park. In all there were 10 different 'meet points' across Victoria, all leaving to arrive at 11am at Point Cook. Point Cook town centre was closed off to all cars, only allowing bikes and pedestrian access. A band (Retromax) set to play in the town square, trade stalls, all local retail outlets open for business, some even with specials and part of purchase being donated towards the pink ribbon cause, raffle tickets, etc. Lots of other things organised to make it a memorable day.
We met up with XRAYX and all paid our registration fee - all funds going to breast cancer research. Checked out all the other bikes, chatted with other riders about their bikes, had people talking to us about our bikes... actually it was here I ran into Greg Evans (local media celebrity from the 80's - hosted a match making tv show back then, now on radio) who was checking out my bike really well - imagine that! Turns out they came on his daughters bike which is a 650 Drag Star, similar looking to my V-Star and we got chatting. It was great, lovely guy and his daughter is really nice as well. Got a few tips from him on roads we can't miss on our trip to Sydney, some of the best riding roads he's ever experienced. We'll try work those into the trip.
10.30am all engines started and we hit the freeway towards Point Cook. Kept up a good pace considering there were probably a hundred bikes, and we saw other riding groups from other directions merge with ours as we were arriving at Point Cook Town Centre.
The town was abuzz, splashes of pink everywhere, bikes literally everywhere! People lining the streets, getting off bikes, watching bikes, taking pics of bikes and generally just a lot of fun. My sister was there waiting for us - takng video of all the action (and if I can figure out how to edit it and upload it, I will!).
I had to back the bike into a bike space I thought I might have a bit of trouble with, as there was a lip on the road and it went uphill. "Concentrate" I told myself, "Think about it before you do it", "Ignore all the people watching you, just concentrate and do this"... then, with the right amount of momentum I bumped over the lip and the bike just rolled back smoothly into the perfect position - great! I might finally be getting better at this slow speed, walking around stuff. Just after I parked, the rain began again, but it only lasted a few minutes and was light. Then it was gone - and hasn't come back the rest of the day. We were blessed.
We had a good time at Point Cook really checking out the diverse range of bikes and chatting with various riders. Always interesting to see what other people are doing with their rides, and other people wanting to know about ours. I think spacemonkey69 showed about half a dozen riders the easy bracket system for my saddlebags, cos they hadn't seen it before, stuff like that.
Home early now, had a full on day yesterday, and late night. Got a family dinner on tonight, then going out until late tomorrow after work, to a concert - so trying to conserve a bit of energy - for the next ride!
Hope I haven't bored you all... I'm not much of a writer, so thanks for reading this, and if you made it this far - well you get a gold star LOL
Take care and ride safe to all!
Dim
- Blog post
- 4 weeks ago
- Views: 143
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A Road Trip
- From: australian6
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Description:
Woke up on saturday morning 10th of October, walked outside and saw what a magnificent day that it was, so looked at the VN and thought, time for a an inpromtu Road Trip. Went back inside threw a few things into the tank bag put on the leathers strode outside, saddled up and rode off into the morning heading west. Had no real idea of where I was going but thought since I had three days off I would just head west towards Adelaide and then see where things led from there.
Arrived in Murray Bridge, in South Australia {about 76 kilometres from Adelaide} around four pm Saturday afternoon, having taken a lesuirely cruise down the Western Highway passing through Ballarat, Ararat, Stawel, Horsham and Bordertown on the way to Murray Bridge. Made numerous stop offs on the way as it was such a beautiful day I was not in any particular rush and besides it is all about the journey not the destination.
As I had never been to Murray Bridge, and as it is situated on the banks of the once Mighty Murray River {dying now thanks to the stupidity of various State Governments and inaction by the Australian Federal Government} I decided to stay overnight, which, as it turned out, extended into a two night stay.
Whilst sitting in front of my Motel room enjoying a quiet beer, I gave some thought as to where to head off to on the Monday. Remembering back to a message sent to me by Dimitra about how I should, at least once in my life, ride the length of the famous Great Ocean Road {G.O.R}, I decided to take her advice and return to Melbourne via that particular route.
I awoke around 4:30am on the Monday morning loaded up the bike and headed off towards Mount Gambier - home of the magnificent Blue Lake Crater - another place that I had never visited, then onto Warrnambool - the Whale Watching Centre of Victoria and then on towards the start of the Great Ocean Road, through countryside, most of which I had never been through before, well at least on a Bike lol.
The weather when I left Melbourne on the saturday was brilliant, however by the time I left Murray Bridge it had turned to shite, overcast with rain threatening. For a part of the ride back the rain held off but about 40 kilometres out from Mount Gambier the sky opened up and down it came by the bucket load. I pulled off the road and managed to find some shelter under some trees where I dug out the wet weather gear and although slightly damp, I managed to don the gear and continue on to the first planned stopover. Spent a good couple of hours in Mount Gambier having a look around this major Rural City before heading off to take a look see at the rather stunning Blue Lake Crater, where I managed to take a few photos, in between dodging rain squalls. Being concious of the time I saddled back up and headed off to Warrnambool, where again I stayed for a time having a look around yet another Rural city that I had never been to. The rain I must add did not stop and remained with me all the way back to Melbourne.
From Warrnambool I headed off towards the Great Ocean Road. Along the way I decided to do the "Tourist" thing and stopped off at the spectacular "Bay of Islands", took a few pictures damm near got blown off the viewing platform as the wind had picked to almost Gale force, which along with the rain squalls made riding a not too pleasant experience lol.
I also stopped off at the 12 Apostles, now down to four as yet another one collapsed not so many months ago from the erosion of the sea. Took some more pics before saddling up and heading off down the G.O.R back towards home. The G.O.R is a truly magnificent and spectactular road which winds its way along the coast before turning inland through the Otway Ranges - a magnificent Rainforest area - then returning back to the coast.
This single lane road is made for Bikes as it winds, turns and twists its way from its start right through till it ends. Not a road for the inexperienced rider, a fact proven by the number of motorbike riders who have perished over the years by underestimating the the dangers that exist all along its length. In fact even for the most experienced rider this road is a major challenge.
Given the prevailing weather conditions, I took undertook the journey along the Great Ocean Road with a slight feeling of disquiet, as there was still a fair amount of traffic consisting of Tourist Buses, Caravans and Cars {many of which were being driven by learners!!} so I proceeded with a fair amount of caution. The road was quite slippery and as I had overstayed at both Mount Gambier and Warrnambool as well as at the Tourist lookouts, the daylight, already poor due to the heavy overcast conditions, started to fail well before I had made it to the end of the road.
Needless to say I made it home safely, although I had a couple of close calls on some of the more dangerous corners, wet through {as the rain intensified into almost a torrential downpour along the final stretch from the coast to home and the wet weather gear just gave up lol}, tired but exhillarated by the ride and the challenges that were thrown my way.
I will return to the G.O.R, but maybe not till summer is well and truly with us as there is so much that I did not get to fully see or appreciate. Next time though will be without the tank bag and other baggage so maybe, just maybe I will test both myself and the 1600 out a tad more than I did this time round. Having said that the VN1600 did perform magnificently, never missed a beat and responded well each time I needed her to. A sure footed and most forgiving girl she most certainly is, which I am indeed thankful for.
Hope that you guys and Gals enjoyed this little narrative and I will post some of the pictures from this trip as soon as I am able, which with any luck will be tomorrow.
Stay Safe, Stay Upright and Enjoy the Ride
A6
- Blog post
- 1 month ago
- Views: 70
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jbarallon21281
- Member
- Points:411
- Views: 51
- Since: 2 months ago
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Riding in the Rain - PART 2
- From: Dimitra
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Description:
(Sequel to my blog "Riding in the Rain")
Latest motto... "Just do it"...
I DID IT!!!
Woke in the middle of the night to hear the pouring rain outside, thinking please just let it rain out tonight so tomorrow is a clear day. Woke up and the sky was not too bad. Overcast, but not raining. Geared up and put on the waterproof pants over my riding jeans... (they fulfilled their use during the day). A light shower sprinkled over me as I rode to the Victoria Police rider training grounds.
The day was great, unfortunately the majority of the girls weren't as brave as us few, only 4 of us showed (out of 12) for the training - good news for me, as this meant 3 instructors for 4 girls... more personalised training, suits me!
The course covered all the basics many of us know, but don't practice as much as we should. The morning weather was fair, but we covered most of the theory first, then we got out there on the bikes. It rained on and off throughout the training but I was enjoying myself too much to care. We took a break when the heavy stuff set in, and got some hail too (they said it might).
I got to practice slow speed maneuvering, balancing the clutch, using the back brake to keep balanced at slow speed, u-turns. Also practiced weaving through cones, that was fun! I didn't knock any over and kept up a constant speed. We got to practice counter steering through a series of cones too. We covered progressive breaking, keeping in the optimum gear for change in conditions, slowing to a complete stop without putting feet down then taking off again, and hey - after a very heavy downpour and the ground soaked with puddles and all, we did emergency brake stopping. Skidded out the back tyre on my first go (a bit heavy footed), but I didn't panic and lifted my foot to disengage and re-applied gently, came to a complete stop. Was able to emergency brake in 5th gear going around 75km+ by the time we finished.
I was the only cruiser on the day, and they usually train Police only, and as the police ride BMW road bikes in Oz (and BMW or KTM trail bikes), they haven't really had cruisers through their course before. There were a few things they weren't expecting me to do because my bike was a cruiser - low rider they called it once LOL (or weren't expecting me to do well... like u-turns) and they were quite surprised when I did them so well. Same with the weaving through cones and slow speed, they said I have good clutch, throttle, brake control. I was really pleased to hear that I'm up to par and not below the benchmark.
The only 'bad' thing I did on the day, was get my waterproof pants against my pipes, and guess what happens - they melt! (I'm sorry but I'm a shorty! My inseam is too short, my leg touches the pipe, I couldn't help it *sniff*) It's only a small spot but enough to wreck the pants (maybe I can put a waterproof bandaid over it? LOL) and now have to clean the pipes up! The bike is grotty now and needs a good clean - OH while I think of it, hubby PROMISED me this morning that he would even help me clean the bike after today... I was half asleep but I haven't forgotten and I will take you up on it!! haha
Although I love riding with my spacemonkey69, I'm really glad this was something I could do myself, rain hail or shine - and that I didn't chicken out...
I'm looking forward to putting all my new tips and skills into practice, over and over and over.
Ready for my next adventure...
Rant Over
Dim*BIG GRIN*
- Blog post
- 2 months ago
- Views: 86
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Riding in the Rain
- From: Dimitra
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Description:
Prepare for the worst and hope for the best... that will be my motto for my newest adventure.
I've enrolled to do a free motorcycle training day for women, being held by Victoria Police tomorrow... I am actually really looking forward to some structured rider training, as I have done none since passing my licence on a 250cc motorcycle, and I am now riding a much bigger bike. I figure I have nothing to lose and plenty to gain!
My dilemma? It's meant to rain tomorrow... actually it may not even be that nice, the forecast is this:
Forecast for Saturday:
Cloudy. Isolated showers, becoming more widespread during the afternoon. The chance of thunderstorms with local hail. Winds west to northwesterly averaging 20 to 35 km/h tending west to southwest at 35 to 50 km/h during the afternoon.So of course it's rider training, so they're not about to cancel it over a little bit of water, after all this is the reality, you may be out riding and the weather changes, and if it does this is what you have to deal with. What better way to get experience under controlled conditions of a training course.
In fact all the reasons I would consider NOT doing it, are the real reasons that I SHOULD do it!
So I've bitten the bullet, rain hail (literally) or shine I am going - by myself. I went to a camping store and bought myself waterproof overpants that I've always talked about getting but never done anything about. I've told a couple of girls at work I'm doing it - so now on Monday they will want an update on how it went... I gotta go... I'm also telling you guys. So when I get up in the morning, and if it happens to be wet and grey out there, there won't be a temptation to give it a miss... I am going to do it!
Wish me luck, it will be a good hour long ride just to get there, hope it's dry at that end of the day. Once I'm in their hands I'll be fine. And if it rains on my way home - who cares! Go home, get changed and warm up in front of the heater with a cuppa - and be proud of myself for getting out there and DOING IT BY MYSELF!
Rant Over
Dim - Blog post
- 2 months ago
- Views: 97
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aussieskippy
- Bronze - Neighborhood Rider
- Points:582
- Views: 105
- Since: 2 months ago
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VVMC Blanchtown Run
- From: Robin001
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Description:
Weekend 12-13 Sept 2009 the a few members of the VVMC took a run to Blanchtown on the River Murray. The River Murray is Australia's longest and largest river. In the 19th Century it was the life blood of the outback with paddlesteamers carting wool and wheat etc from inland New South Wales, Victoria and South Australia to the River Port of Goolwa. The river is now the life blood of fruit, wine growers throughout the region. More importantly it is the major water supply for the city of Adelaide. Unfortunately due to drought and mis-management the river is suffering badly. Too much water is taken for growing cotton and rice. The river is at its lowest for more than fifty years and it is estimated if recovery action is started now it will still take 100 years for the mighty River Murray to recover. I will add a couple more pics after this one.
Cheers to everyone
Rob
- 2 months ago
- Views: 62
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davidmann
- Member
- Points:331
- Views: 33
- Since: 2 months ago