touringvalvoline

Limestone Lakes to Adelaide

Day 2: Warrambool, VIC to Adelaide, SA. The Airbnb place which I stayed in was a modern built home, which very good soundproofing, because I was out to the world and didn’t hear the massive storm and wind that passed over us. SO glad that the Lawnmower was able to be tucked away on theirContinue reading “Limestone Lakes to Adelaide”

The Great Ocean Road – Kite surfer’s dream

Leaving Melbourne towards South Australia. Day 1: Melbourne to Warrambool, VIC Didn’t sleep all that well, due to the anticipation of the upcoming trip. That’s normal and to be expected. I am certain this isn’t something new, and something that even the well-seasoned riders get at the beginning or even a race. Time stops forContinue reading “The Great Ocean Road – Kite surfer’s dream”

Scrubbing in new rubbers

Melbourne – The Dandenongs & Yarra Glen Scrubbing in new rubbers Between paperwork, lawyer’s office appointments and the consulate, I managed to find and book in to replace the old and in with the new rubbers for the Lawnmower. I was also gearing up for a longer stint away as I had lodged the mainContinue reading “Scrubbing in new rubbers”

Mount Tassie, but not in Tassie.

Melbourne – Settling in: First trip in Mount Tassie but not in Tassie. It was one week since the first introductory ride, and I am hungry for more. I received a call from the couple that I met at the advanced group ride and they came through. They took inspiration and organized a weekend rideContinue reading “Mount Tassie, but not in Tassie.”

Introduction to the Melbourne Riding Scene

Settling in: Introduction to the Melbourne riding scene For this trip on a budget, and tight for time, I never invested in a camera or large laptop or too much technology. I have an iPhone (not even the latest) and I borrow a laptop when I can to transfer photos to a portable hard driveContinue reading “Introduction to the Melbourne Riding Scene”

These boots are made for ridin’

Melbourne – Settling in: These boots are made for ridin’ I arrived to Melbourne to my temporary accommodation in time for the start of the weekend. Which meant that the Spanish consulate was shut, however all the motorbike shops were open 🙂 Since living in Qld we do not have the full range of motorbikeContinue reading “These boots are made for ridin’”

The Goodbye – Gold Coast to Melbourne

Day 1: Gold Coast, QLD to Walcha, NSW Since at this stage I wasn’t sure whether I would be leaving the Gold Coast for good or not, I enlisted a ride buddy for the 1st day. My riding instructor would ride with me all the way to Walcha for the 1st night. Next morning IContinue reading “The Goodbye – Gold Coast to Melbourne”

Moto Packing 101 – Long Term Touring

have been looking at many other websites trying to work out what is the best way to pack the metal beastie to the hilt – packing for a non-camping tour. One of the tips I’ve read is that anything you pack, any item, has to have at least 2 purposes. May be good for tools, but in some cases I’m not sure that’s going to be of use…

To eat or not to eat? That is the Q!

To eat, or not to eat? That is the Q! It seems like my days of multi-day trekking and camping trips on foot have paid off by making me learn how to pack, small. This is particularly true and useful when it comes to food and rations. Yes, I could buy food everywhere I stop,Continue reading “To eat or not to eat? That is the Q!”

Is bigger, always better!?

Is bigger always better!? Finally getting the first 1000kms on the new grafted motor on the old bike frame, it was time to book in the bike for its first service. There is always a question in my mind as how to bed in a new engine. I’ve heard the two camps of mind: WhereContinue reading “Is bigger, always better!?”