Riding from Melbourne to Sydney

Later this month I'll be riding from Melbourne to Sydney.

I'll be on a DR650. Before I go I'll get it serviced (I usually do it
myself but this time I'll get it done by a professional , get new
tyres (Michelin Anakees), hopefully get a more comfortable seat :-/ and
check out the petrol stops along the way.

I hope to do the trip in a single day, straight up the highway. My tank
only allows legs of 200-240kms so I will have about 4 stops during the trip.

If anyone can shed light on any hazards on the way (and their locations)
I would greatly appreciate it.

Is there anything else I need to do in preparation? :-}

- soakes

 

in a day ?
it's a days run down and back so htfu

 

Stopping at
the service centre near Seymour 110 k's
then to Glenrowan....130 k's
Glenrowan is about 240 k's from Melbourne but I wouldn't take the risk for a
five minute stop
then Holbrook 150 k's
then
Gundagai 120 k's
to Goulburn 180 k's
then Sydney should get you there 200 k's, but there are plenty of servos as
soon as you hit the suburbs

Are your tyres in need of changing ?
it is only 850 k's or so.

 

They're pretty close, yeah, having done 15,000 kms.

I didn't mention it (since the leg to Sydney is the only big one), but
I'm going up to Coff's after that, and then returning to Melbourne... so
in total it'll be over 3,000kms.

- soakes

 

Earplugs. Don't leave home without them. Wear them all day. They'll
make the day much easier and reduce fatigue, esp on the big single.
You'll have no problems with fuel up the Hume.
Run extra pressure in your tyres.

Nev..

 

BOREDOM is your only hazard!
Get a throttle-lock or cruise-control because it's a pain in the arse
and *very* tempting to stray into the "go direct to gaol, do not pass
Go" zone.
If you're heading for Coffs how about you avoid Shitney and go up to
Albury then inland to Wagga Wagga, Junee, Cootamundra, Forbes,
Coonabarabran, Gunnedah, Tamworth, Armidale and the lovely "Waterfall
Way" to Ebor then Coffs.
(Or the much-lauded Oxley Hwy from Tamworth to Walcha, to Wauchope and
Coffs)

 

Me too.

 

Yep, getting new ones.

OK, good point.

- soakes

 

Luckily I am good at amusing myself... although admittedly 9 hours might
be pushing the limits of my imagination. :-/

uh yeah, that's kind of why I was asking where the hazards are %^)

Sounds great, but sadly I have to go via Sydney.

- soakes

 

An open packet of snakes in the left pocket.
Something to protect the neck.
Water.

 

My mate has one and swears by his airhawk. The stock seat on one is a bloody
plank. He tried the factory gel seat and it wasn't much better.

Fraser

 

I've been listening to audio books on the bike recently. Gets rid of the
boredom. Not for everyone though.

Fraser

 

What do you use? Baked Beans and Guinness perchance?

N/

 

Yeah, I've been reading about these.

They're not cheap though... is there anywhere I can go and actually see
one instead of ordering online?

- soakes

 

Sheepskin works well.

 

Nearly everyone I know has been booked around Goulburn - be very wary there.

Chucking in my 2c for an airhawk as well - it's brilliant, and it doesn;t
make the seat higher/wider, the way a sheepskin does (which is a real issue
if you're vertically challenged.)

betty

 

Dunno about the airhawk, but, as a counter offer, why not try pushbike
riding nix?

The built-in padding makes them comfy for longish rides, doubles as
incontinence pad, if you get overly excited, and you can wear lairy
Lycra under your motorbike gear without anyone knowing. ;-)

regards,
CrazyCam

 

No wonder they call you crazy.

 

I second that motion. Natural food company brand are the best. Make a
habit of reaching into the bag and popping on in your mouth every time
you stop, be it for petrol, or food, or to stretch the legs.

Sunscreen. Put it on your face. Make sure the brand of sunscreen you
have doesn't make your eyes sting the first time I bead of sweat runs
down your face.

If you yawn, particularly in the early/mid afternoon after lunch, get
off the bike, have a drink, have some of the above mentioned snakes. As
tempting as it is to ride along with one eye closed while you navigate
with the other, fight the urge.

Don't stop for a big meal at lunchtime. it will make you yawn after
lunch. Apparently what you really need is high-protein low-fat food,
and little bits of it, not a whole lot, so google tells me that stuff
like canned tuna, protein bars and beef jerky fit the bill, and they all
are conveniently packaged for motorcyclists too.

Someone else mentioned water. Make sure you have a camelbak or some
similar hydration system you can drink from without getting off the bike
and take a sip often to avoid dehydration. I know some people who like
to take a regular swig of <insert sports drink brand here>-ade, on long
rides, it probably wouldn't hurt, particularly in summer.

Nev..

 

Then you can amuse yourself while you ride along the wide flat bits by
shouting "I have had it with these motherfukken' snakes on this
motherfukken;' plain!!"