By Jolene Doller of Dartmouth

G’day, g’day. I discovered this site about a week ago. I had few laughs and a few reality checks and thought I’d add some wisdom. The fact I need a new pair of boots didn’t cross my mind at all!

I’m just a typical country girl originally born and bred in the Goulburn Valley, also known as the ‘Flat Land. I moved to the Legends, Wine and High Country in North East Victoria two years ago, but in the last 12 months I’ve been shocked by the amount of fellow bikers visiting Albury/Wodonga outpatients.

I learnt a few heart thumping lessons early in the piece, so here are a few handy tips before you come to visit.

• I remember my dad saying before I’d head off on long trip, ‘have you checked the weather forecast?’ Yeah yeah...with the opinion that if you can’t ride in the rain you weren’t really having a go...but rain up here means a hell of a lot more. When it rains, we get rock slides. When we get wind, we get trees, debris and rock slides. When we get storms we get all of the above plus stray cattle and increased heavy traffic.

  My suggestion: don’t just rely on national weather forecasting, call a local pub and ask them road and weather conditions...preferably around noon, before the amber liquid clouds their vision!

• Critters! Well we’ve all probably crossed a critter or two over the years, but in hilly territory you’ll find an abundance of fat large multicoloured wombats, roos, foxes, rabbits, domestic and wild dogs...

  My suggestion: during the day keep in mind road kill and farm dogs, Dusk and dawn...take it easy! Fog, critters and tight corners which literally don’t see the light. While you’re on the phone to the pub ask about them too!

• Many people are not aware that Dartmouth and the Mitta Valley do not have mobile coverage and it’s fantastic! But in the event of a mishap...

  My suggestion: have a destination. Take a mate with you, or if you’re after a solo escape, phone ahead with an approximate arrival time.

• Finally, probably the most terrifying encounter you could ever have...the bloody local!

  My suggestion: avoid at all costs, anticipate every possible move they might make...stopping for no reason, throwing a can out the window, driving anywhere at anytime on the road, and don’t presume they have seen or heard you.

The great part about Dart...one road in and one road out...a sealed road with it all...

Hope you come to visit soon! Happy Trails!

Watch out for kangaroos!!!

By Brian Beardon of Narre Warren North

Touring on motorbikes is a completely different experience to long distance car driving. As a motorcyclist you’re open to the elements, which cause fatigue, exhaustion and hypothermia far quicker than other road users.

Planning your trip is essential. Touring maps are readily available from many different sources and are available on the internet for download for free.

Once you have planned the route it’s always advisable to contact an organisation such as motorcycle touring club,  association or the RACV to find out the availability of fuel and road conditions. There’s nothing worse than at the end of the day’s riding finding out you have to complete a 60km journey on dirt and gravel road.

Your bike preparation is an integral part, ensure that it is serviced and a safety check is advisable. Packing your bike with all the necessary bags and stuff will alter the handling and suspension setup of all motorcycles. A good idea for this is to pack the bike previous to the trip and go for a quick ride, test how the bike fully loaded corners, handles and brakes and try different suspension adjustment to make this as smooth as possible.

Packing for a long trip I would recommend including items such as wet weather gear, first aid kit, cable ties, electrical tape, tools, puncture repair kit, sunglasses and a mobile phone.

Due to the variable range of a motorcycle you usually will need to fuel up every 2 to 3 hours. This is an ideal time also to eat, drink and have a good 15 minute rest period. It is always a good safety thought to lube your chain every 400km. Given it takes approx 10 to 20 minutes for the chain lube to set it’s a great time for a rest period.

Night time country riding would be the hardest as the headlights on motorcycles are not the greatest. Sit in the middle to right hand side of your lane to avoid animals merging from the road side. Also when overtaking a car allow for the car to follow your headlight across into the other lane, this is a normal issue for many drivers to follow headlights at night time.

Upon arriving at your end of day location it’s always a good idea to call someone to inform them you have arrived safely at your destination, and to check on up the next day’s weather condition.

Some other good points:

• Make sure you get a good night sleep before heading off

• Don’t drink alcohol during your riding periods

• Limit a day’s riding to approximately 600km

• Take regular breaks

• Ensure you drink sufficient fluids to avoid dehydration, particularly in the warmer months

• Give your visor a good clean at each stop, to ensure good visibility

• At each break, do a safety check of your bike, tyres, suspension etc.

• Check with the Local Police, RACV (or similar) or Service Station about road conditions ahead