Motorcycle Therapy

by Batfastard

I love touring alone.

You can be selfish.

Start when you want, stop when you want, turn -- or not turn -- when and if you want.

It's as relaxing as it is self indulgent.

The B-King in Full Touring Mode. Falls Creek's dam-thing in the background.

Don't get me wrong, it's not like I don't love touring with mates. I love the adrenaline-fuelled motorcycling mayhem that is mandatory due to our natural testosterone induced competitiveness. I love the lager frenzy at the end of the day. I love it when those that indulge in tim-tams start hitting their straps during the course of the evening, all of it ensuring that the stories get taller, the jokes funnier and the friendships closer.

But for this trip, I needed to tour alone.

I won't go into details of the towns I visited, the places I explored. Suffice to say that not much of Victoria east of the Hume missed my attention.

Victorians are pretty proud of the standard of literacy and obedience demonstrated by their livestock

Instead I'll describe how a week and a half away from the stresses and hassles generated by my 'normal' life has helped me to recharge, regenerate, regroup. And this is mostly due to my love affair (some may say 'obsession') with motorcycles.

Leaving home on the Friday morning, I bid adieu to my oldies who had kindly agreed to come down from Queensland for baby sitting duties, and gave both my kids monster hugs. They're young enough to not really understand the concept of not seeing daddy for a fortnight, but that didn't help MY knowledge in the certainty that I'd be missing them. But I didn't cry, as being clad in black protective motorcycle leathers meant I was MUCH too manly for that.

My plan was as vague as I could make it – aim for the Superbikes race at Philip Island on the first weekend, then meet up with my lady for a romantic weekend in Melbourne the following weekend. All the rest was 'me' time.

First port o' call at The Holy Island was iMick's place, where I was reacquainted with a bunch of old mates, and finally got a chance to meet a few others that I'd only crossed paths with in cyberspace.

After a few hours at Turn 13 (iMick's garage/bar/den), I followed Scotocon via the scenic route to our accommodation. There I met up with Cambambalam (a Bikeme lurker) and his bro Jamie, as well as the gals Jazz and Em (Superbike Stalkers extraordinaire). Race Day and we're at the track. I shall allow the images to tell the story.

Scotocon and Cambambalam

The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen – Is Res wearing a Codpiece??

iMick and Olivia (who, incidentally, still owes me a bikewash)