The Kosy-Hosko tour
by Hosko
This ride report was originally published in the April 2007 issue of the Motorcycle Tourers club magazine, ‘Chain Lube’.
A gallant group of 14 tourers participated in this years annual week away. This years trip was shortened to 51/2 days of the best fast, windy, and scenic roads that Victoria and NSW offer in such close proximity to Melbourne.
Some stats… 2400klms $200 unleaded for an R6 accommodation costs approx $180 ranging from a basic ski chalet to Snug as a bug family rooms… 13 bikes…. one mobile phone lost… Thomas bear and with Tim B nearly losing his as well… 2 tyres down to bare threads… Peter H and Tim B
Peter H, Tim B, Tim H, Gary V, Glenn Mc, David A and myself left my place on Wednesday afternoon at 3pm hoping to pick up The Bears (Peter C and gorgeous George and their 500 kg carrying capacity bike) at Kinglake West soon thereafter… however traffic slowed us down in plenty road and Yea for a Coffee ( one of the first for the trip of many) saw us getting into Mansfield only a short time before the second group of David P, Mike V, Darren B, Phil R and Paul H arrived as well after leaving Melbourne at 4.30pm.
A bite to eat at local pub and trying to find accommodation in the dark was a little hard for some riders… Phil, Gary and Paul had to wake up the local Mr plod to arrange an escort to Wondalla lodge on the Mt Buller road… well sort of anyway… 8 stayed here whilst 6 others stayed in Mansfield at a work friend of mine’s house. A little rain fell overnight and this coupled with the large tree in the pub for some strange reason left Paul H with fond memories of France…
Breakfeast, lattes etc finished and David P took us to Khancoban via Myrtleford, Tallangatta and The Hume weir with no water for the first nights stay. Local Pub in a small local town means very average service but the pool and drinks afterwards was good. I learnt a lot of new words when having drinks with bears… Love Putty????
On Friday morning, someone had deposited a strange condom/balloon on Paul H side mirror with a beer can inside it, had words like CARN THE HAWKS or someone… much to our amusement, we then left for Jindabyrne with Darren B leading. A short but very nice twisty ride through the snowy mountains is a nice way to have a holiday.
Jindabyne for two nights at local motel/hotel at $45 per head including cooked breakfeast was a hit. Dinners at the local pub and Thai restaurants and pool table and table tennis played till wee hours of the morning. Here Thomas and Bill from lakes Entrance meet us for a overnight stay and dinner.
Peter H lead his day ride of 499klms to Tumut and the thermal springs through some of the best twisties i have ever seen. Nearly all of us took the plunge into the 27c Fungus pool (this means it is clean!!!) and then took the 750metre walk back to the bikes… we needed another swim after that climb.
Sunday saw Tim B lead us to Bombala and Cann River along some nice sweeping roads …unfortunately a few police keep the pace a little slower, but still very pleasant. Glenn Mc then took over as lead rider and lead us to the Bellbird Hotel for lunch and then to Bruthan for afternoon stop and time for me to catch up with Tim B who had to leave his trusty R6 in Lakes for a new tyre to be fitted later. Many Thanks to Bill and Thomas for the emergency house/bike sit and for loaning Tim their bike for the Omeo trip so he could spend the night with us.
Dinner at Omeo at The Golden age hotel where Paul H showed his talents with his new teeth and made us all laugh….local staff didn’t know how to take him!!
By this stage Peter H also had to decide whether the MV would make it home with rubber only left on the sides of his back tyre and the canvas showing in the centre… I’ll be alright he says… it’s all corners to Bright… Pete ended up going very slow to Bright and 80kph home on the freeway, David A followed closely behind…
David P lead us to Bright for morning tea , which was needed after the cold trip over Mt Hotham and i then lead us to Mansfield via Whitfield for lunch. Yea then was the final farewell point and most then via Flowerdale to home. Many thanks to all lead riders, ride leaders and all others who helped make this the 8th annual trip another success.
Next year sounds like a later in march trip of 9 days… ie two weekends and 5 days midweek… possibly the Blue mountains and Hunter Valley region… Stay tuned…
Pictures from the ride:
