Lunch at Toolangi.

Post by **DJ Downunder** » Tue Dec 12, 2006 7:06 am

Today was a beautiful Summers day here in Melbourne...

Boxerboy, Mick and myself had the day off work so we all hit the road headed for Mount Donna Buang and planned to have lunch at Toolangi.

It all started great....but it almost ended in tears....Here I am about to head off.

First stop was Mick's place...he was waiting and ready to go.

Next was Boxerboys house..after checking out his new telly we hit the road.

Boxerboy needed to check his tires and we all topped up with fuel.

Check out those beautiful snowflake cast wheels...not bad for 1975 (just guessing)

We had been riding an hour or so..and almost at the top of Mt Donna Buang and we stopped at a clearing to check out the view.

We walked down to a spot where we could see the city of Melbourne..you could only just see it in the distance...too far for my little camera.

One last stop for a pic before reaching the top.

Here we are at the top...and time to climb the lookout tower.

There were no strong winds or snow/ice...so the tower was open.

The view from the top was great..although a bit hazy due to the bush fires that are burning around the state.

Here's the view of the bikes down below.

Mt Donna Buang is a very popular spot during winter because it's one of the closest places that gets snow...it's only sight seeing and tobogganing.

Heading down we took this narrow gravel road..we took it easy..Here is a spot where the hang gliders launch from.

The others were well ahead of me because of stopping for these pics..here's a few more..I thought "no worries..I'll catch up"...(Famous last words).

The dirt road was very slippery..I found while seated the bike was very squirrily..but standing I was cooking with gas...and thinking I'll catch up.

I had a few minor scares...and then the dirt road ended and I was back on the smooth stuff...oooh it felt good...I had my head down..and arse up.

Then I come around this bend..into the bright sun light..I see what looks like a fork in the road and signs...not knowing where to go my eyes focus on the signs...and then out of the corner of my eye I see gravel.

Lots of gravel...gravel everywhere and no way to avoid it..it was all over the road..I see the road turns right..there's no way I could turn..and going too fast..I wasn't going anywhere but straight ahead...BUGGER!

I was doing the 'brake, skid, release..brake, skid, release' dance...and thinking there is no way I'm going down...I'm gunna have to just ride this thing through..even if it means riding off the road and into the bushes..and I did.

This first pic shows the out-riggers were down...and that red thing in the bushes is my tail light and where I ended up...but I didn't go down..phew!

Lucky the Toolangi pub was just up the road..it was time to stop and change the underwear...and cool off with a cold coke.

Do I look a little flusted...still shaking a little...btw..I checked..and the undies were still clean.

The Pub at Toolangi is only new...we parked our bikes out the back.

The sign over the bar said.."I dips me lid"..anyone guess what that means.

The food was sooooooo good....I had the crumbed chicken...and Boxerboy had the fish...how good does it look.

The barmaid's name was Michelle..this must be her tea garden next door....nice if you want to sit outside.

Here I am all filled up and cooled down..and ready to hit the road again...I was mucking around with my camera..the others were inside paying for their meals...before we knew it we were back on our bikes and riding and I get this thought (I haven't paid for mine...sheesh...what a dummy)...I gave Michelle a call once I got home and appogised...she was cool about it and said don't worry...fix us up next time...so...looks like another ride is coming up.

Anyone visiting or headed out Toolangi way should stop in and check it out...I know I'll be going back (and not just to pay up)

Back on the road now..Mick has headed off to go home another way...and I follow Boxerboy down this nice little driveway.

It was a vine yard...by the look of these crates they sell a lot of wine.

While Boxerboy was inside I checked out the vineyard..and take more pics.

Here I am..back home..it's late afternoon...and glad to make it home in one piece....I hope you guys like my pics...and they warms you up a little...

...and remember...Watch out for gravel...you just never know what's around the corner.

DJ

Post by **taosports** » Tue Dec 12, 2006 1:01 pm

DJ,

Thanks for the pics.

Glad you were able to keep upright...you don't need another crash! Were those double tracks leading to the woods from your bike?

I'm surprised you did not get your bike right up to the edge of that hang gliding ramp. I'm sure if there was a way, you would have done it!

Btw...your ride reports always makes me hungry...wonder why that is?

Post by **sjbmw** » Tue Dec 12, 2006 1:11 pm

Nice stuff.
Retirement Plan:
Summers in USA, Winters down under. OK, that works.
I know now I will find the eats satisfactory.

Way to keep the rubber side down, literally. (whew! That first sentence gave a me little oh no!...)

So frazzled you forgot to pay, and the owner didn't chase you down or call the police? Nice country you got there.

darcym · Post by **darcym** » Tue Dec 12, 2006 1:56 pm

Way to keep it upright, DJ. Dangblasted gravel! Bad enough when you know you're in it, the devil when it creeps up on you sudden-like.

Great pics as always. I'm glad to see all of Oz isn't in flames -- from the news reports here it sounds like you've got it bad in some places.

Dips me lids: Tip of the hat?

chris · Post by **chris** » Tue Dec 12, 2006 2:55 pm

Entertaining as ever DJ, extreme skiing! Nice job there.
I once did a trick like that on the XR but ended up trapped in a bush. My two riding buddies had to pull me out backwards...bugger.

The foreshortening in that 4th shot makes your bike look tiny!

mnnden · Post by **mnnden** » Tue Dec 12, 2006 3:57 pm

DJ, Very Nice, I am glad everything turned out all right, going down again would not have been good!!!. Again, great pictures. Den

Post by **DJ Downunder** » Thu Dec 14, 2006 6:48 am

Were those double tracks leading to the woods from your bike?

I'm surprised you did not get your bike right up to the edge of that hang gliding ramp. I'm sure if there was a way, you would have done it!

Thanks guys...those double tracks were from the outriggers (my boots) ..

...I think I had the back wheel skidding a little..and the left foot down..and then both feet down..well it looks like that from this pic.

Those who have done dirt bike riding and gone down a very slippery hill knowing that you don't dare touch the front brake too hard or you will be doing a face plant before you know what happened..because the front end will slide out from under you ..and sliding your feet can give some extra stability..it's not something you can do on the road because your boots grip too much..unless it's wet or icy..the only problem with doing this is you have no rear brake..not that it does much in times like this.

This pic shows the gravel better (note we ride on the left) and that small white dot near the center in the bush is my mirror relfecting..I think.

I was positioned on the far left side of my lane getting ready for the right hander (as you should be) but that's where the bad gravel was...if I had of been closer to the center line it would not have been so bad...it sure pays to be looking well ahead.

darcym...yes I think it means a Tip of the hat...an old English tradition.

taosports...yes I would have got my bike on that hang glider ramp if I could..

DJ

hirsty · Post by **hirsty** » Thu Dec 14, 2006 8:28 am

Another narrow escape, I thought you'd only just got it back!

Remember, there's no such thing as a free lunch DJ ...