Or, what you do on a motorcycle in 10 days.

A 12JE class reunion had been on the cards for several years. Thanks to covid, it remained unfinished business until now. After near on 40 years between drinks for some of us, we’d finally managed to lock in a date for mid January, 2024.
I couldn’t pass up this opportunity to attend our reunion, catch up up with old friends, incorporate a shakedown ride of the new to us Honda ST1100, as well as chase some silo art for the IBA Silo Art bronze challenge.

It’s Friday afternoon, it’s hot, we’re lacking energy after recovering from a dose of covid, the procrastination level is high and we’ve got a Sunday afternoon deadline to meet.
Kate starts loading the bike and hands me a can of concrete. I stop sooking about manflu for 5 minutes, make a quick phone call to my old mate Ron and suggest we stop in for a cup of tea on our way past. That soon escalated to dinner and a bed with the promise of an escort down the GO (Great Ocean) road the following day. Sweet.
As this is our first 2 up outing on the ‘new to me’ Honda ST1100, it came as no surprise that I discovered a few gremlins in the bike and consequently, spent a bit of time resolving minor issues on our way to meet Ron n Marls.
We had a great evening chewing the fat followed by a leisurely start to the following day.

The GO road was mostly as I remembered it, but we should’ve taken notice of the congestion leading into Lorne. There was a festival in full swing and by crikey, was it well patronised!! It took some time to negotiate our way through the main street before the traffic thinned, allowing us to be on our way again.
We came across a few vehicles that needed to learn what the slow lane was for, but apart from that, we enjoyed a pleasant ride to our lunch stop of Lavers Hill.

Lavers Hill with Ron and Kate

Lunch done and we said our goodbyes. Ron peeled off at Princetown Rd, returning home to Ballarat.
5 hours later, after more roadworks than I can poke a stick at and cross winds of 60km/h plus, we’d arrived at Mt Gambier. We found a motel, declared beer o’clock and called it quits.

We awoke to a sunny and somewhat warmer Sunday morning. A better day for riding. While the wind remained strong, the direction had shifted to more of a tail wind making life much easier. Coffee consumed and we’re back on the road. We arrived in Adelaide mid afternoon and spent a couple hours catching up with family.

After checking into our motel, we headed off to my reunion, not really knowing what to expect. All I can say is that we’re grown up versions of our teenage selves. Most of us look a bit older, may be a bit more responsible and have had a few life lessons. There were some interesting stories told. It’s both enlightening and inspiring to understand how people handle life’s curve balls. 
It was one of those nights that could’ve marched on forever, absolutely fantastic to catch up again!

Class of 84 12JE and partners

Monday morning and we’re back on the road. This time headed for our first silo art at Bute. As we approached the area, it didn’t take long for me to question where the GPS was taking us. No GPS, the big ST is not an adventure bike!

Anyway, a quick reroute and we’re heading in the right direction again, albeit still covering a few more km on the dirt before arriving at Bute. I reckon I need to go back because I didn’t capture all the images. 

Bute Silo Art

Next stop is Wirrabarra.
The artwork depicts the rich history of the area which has strong ties to the forestry industry as well as referencing the beautiful local flora and fauna for which the area is also well known for.

Wirrabara Silo Art

After leaving Wirrabarra, we headed off to Melrose and then to Pt Augusta via Horrock pass .

No sooner had we left the Horrocks Pass cairn, this scooter followed by an BMW1250RT came past. I bet I know who that was! Quick u-turn and chase said pair back over the pass to Wilmington. G’day Karl (Skidoo) and Alan (Hagar).
Now Karl is a bit of a bike nutter, having just ridden his little scooter to Perth (from Sydney) and was heading home. Oh, and he solved that time / distance equation in just a tick under 50 hours. Nice Karl, nice!

Karl, Hagar and Kate with the bikes.

More goodbyes and we venture over Horrocks Pass yet again. Oh, the humanity. Onto our next catchup, Davo. Our friend and the bloke responsible for setting up FarRiders in this country and herding them cats, them being the long distance riders of Oz. FarRiders – its just a road.
My bike is positioned to emulate the banner shot which sat proudly as the header photo of the FarRiders forum. The photo next to it, the plaque of remembrance.
We lost Davo in a motorcycle accident in 2009. Ride well my friend. Blue skies and smooth roads.

Banner Shot and Plaque at the Banner Shot Location

After taking care of some business in Port Augusta, we headed back to the Jamestown area to catch up with Reg and Daisy. It was nice spending a couple of days hanging out in air-conditioned comfort, enjoying their hospitality and catching up on everything since their big move to the mainland. Thanks again!

Next stop is Farrell Flat. Kate may have called the wind just a bit feral wind as she fought with hair and the rally flag. I swear I caught a fleeting glimpse of “The Doc”.
Completed in November 2020, the silo art at Farrell Flat depicts the last train to pass through this historic township.

Farrell Flat Silo Art

Next, a short ride up to Owen.

Owen Silo Art

Followed by Eudunda. This is quite a spectacular work!

Eudunda Silo Art

The suns rays dwindled as we made our way to Blanchetown and some home comforts at Kate’s Step Dads place.
The weather in NSW and Vic had turned to custard (no gliding), so we decided to delay our return home, instructed the kids not to burn the house down and came up with a new plan. Nothing quite like planning on the fly.

After a good nights sleep and a lazy start, we’d decided on a loop ride to go collect a few more silo arts.
A couple hundred km plus a fuel stop later and we arrived at Coonalpyn. The murals depict a magnificent tribute to five Coonalpyn Primary School children, whose images will now live on in the history of the town forever.

Coonalpyn Silo Art

Then a short backtrack, take a right at Yumali and head up to Karoonda. We find a cafe, have some lunch and pay a visit to the Karoonda Silos.
By day, one side of the Karoonda Silos is magnificent tribute to the heritage of farming in Karoonda. By night, an ever-changing display of art from South Australian artists lights up the main street attraction.

Karoonda Silo Art

Up to this point in time, we’d had a very easy run. Then things changed. Heading to the next silo of Copeville, the road surface became dirt. Fairly good dirt, but dirt none the less. I check with Kate that she’s comfortable enough to proceed at a leisurely pace. Thumbs up, lets go.
If I’d have planned this properly (no fun in that) I’d have realised we were in for about 90km of dirt to get the next 2 silo arts. Ah well.

We made it to Copeville without any incidents, albeit at a slowish pace. An interesting painting!

Copeville Silo Art

And then more dirt. The roads deteriorated a bit but it’s nice country out here with very few people around.

A few more km down the dirt road, we rolled into Galga and clamp eyes on the spectacular silo art. This place is well worth a visit. The Silo features local soldiers and pays homage to nurses, including POW Vivian Bullwinkel. 

Galga Silo Art

Time to get off these dirt road, well, in a bit anyway. The road is sealed from Maggea, and this assists in forward progress to Waikerie. I’ve driven and ridden past this silo art many times but never stopped for a look.
Featuring on Jimmy’s silo, is local native flora and fauna, including a giant Yabby and the endangered Regent Parrot.
I’d encourage everyone to stop for a look, these colourful images speak for themselves!

Waikerie Silo Art

A mere 50km had us back in Blanchetown and making like a pair of lounge lizards.

I need to be back at work Monday, so it’s time to bite the bullet and wind this holiday up, but not before a bit more fun. The SA Ozstoc (Australian ST Owners group) guys are having a get together in Mannum Saturday lunchtime. Ah, mere 100km down the road from where we are. I throw our names into the ring and say we’ll be there for lunch.
Now, to compound the fun, I’ve also said we’ll attend the Vic Ozstoc lunch gathering on Sunday, just 24 hours later.
I didn’t think anything of this but apparently there were some doubters. I figured I’d just stay quite, keep ’em guessing and attend both functions. Well, that was until another member outed me as a seasoned distance rider and suggested this was nothing more than a latte run.
Thanks for the welcome SA Ozstoc!

SA Ozstoc gathering, Mannum

It’s hot and I’m not inspired to get out there, but, we need to cover miles. Down to Murray Bridge, refuel and back on the road.
240km later we roll into Kaniva, grab a drink and admire more silo art. The design features the Australian Hobby bird.

Kaniva Silo Art

From here it’s a mere 58km and a detour off the main drag to Goroke. This silo features the Kookaburra (left) and the Magpie (right).

Goroke Silo Art

After a day on the road in 40 degree heat, Horsham became that place! Motel and beer and goodnight.

6am and stark contrast to yesterday. Overcast and cool. Put on a layer of thermals and lets go visit the Horsham silo art.
The mural is titled The Yangga Dyata which means ‘Walking on Country’  and it stands proud celebrating the significant story of Yanggendyinanyuk a Wotjobaluk warrior’s story of leadership, resilience and significant legacy.

Horsham Silo Art

A quick ride to Murtoa. This was a difficult site to access but the art is interesting.

Murtoa Silo Art

Short distances chew up time so we get our skates on and get over to Rupanyup.
The featured faces are those of Rupanyup residents and local sporting team members, Ebony Baker and Jordon Weidemann.

Rupanyup Silo Art

Then over to St Arnaud and the ghostly figures painted on the silos.
Titled ‘Hope’, Kyle has told the story of three pioneer residents of St Arnaud, a former gold mining town, situated between Ballarat and Mildura.

St Arnaud Silo Art

We’re in front timewise so agree that it’s time for breakfast, well, after covering another 60km down to arrive at Avoca.
Jimmi has painted two large images, one of the endangered Barking Owl and the other of the vulnerable Brush-tailed Phascogale, both local, native animals of the Pyrenees Ranges.
After leaving the silos, We stopped at the local bakery for a bite to eat. Sounds like the plan to attract people to towns is working!

Avoca Silo Art

Right, time to make the Ozstoc Victorian lunch meet. 4 hours and 300km to get to Dalyston. No worries!

We rolled in at the start time of 12:30 and were made very welcome. Now because I didn’t take any photos here, I umm, borrowed a couple from the website.

Dalyston RTE VIC

At 5pm we rolled into the driveway, bike shakedown complete and lots of friends visited and about 4500km covered. Job done. Until next time, have fun!!