Launceston

Today we ride from Coles Bay to Launceston, normally a trip of about an hour. I say normally, as that is the direct rouite via the main North/South highway. We don't do direct routes on this trip, preferring the scenic version.

After an excellent night's sleep in the very comfy and again quiet guest rooms we polished off a light breakfast (though our hosts wanted to feed us like warriors), and armed with a packed lunch we headed out about 10.00am.

Up the coast through Bicheno again and on to a little location called "Chain on Lagoons", there is nothing there apart from an intersection, left turn and up the mountain we go. This road is sublime for motorcyclists, wide enough for traffic in both directions, good well maintained surface and corners that would make a maze builder swoon. There are all sorts of combinations on this road, sweepers, hairpins, up, down, right angels on so on. At the very top lies a little cafe at a place called Elephants Pass, that serves the best pancakes ever! We stopped here to recharge with pancakes washed down withhot chocolate, I could get used to this but I don't think the doctor would be overly impressed.

After that roadwhat do you do for an encore? Why head down the other side back to the coast at St Helens, a busy littel tourist spot next to a location called the Bay of Fires. This place has miles ofpure white sand that is so fine it squeaks when you walk on it.

After this we headed uo another mountain on the way to Scottsdale, dropping in to the Pynegana Cheese Factory for some cheese tasting. We dont half look after ourselves on this trip. The cheddars they had out for tasting were particularly yummy, so we bought a couple of packets to have for afternoon tea.

Back on the bikes for some more twisty fun. The roads tend to widen as we reach the top of the range but the twists continue on, damn they have fun roads in this place.

Traffic starts to increase as we get closer to Launceston, a mixture of commercial traffic and tourists in all manner of vehicles form busted old vans, backpacker "specials", mum & dad in the famiy car and camper vans of all sizes. The commercial traffic is generally very courteous, pulling over to allow us past on the tight bits or waving us past when they can see the road is clear ahead. Sadly the tourists tend to sit slap bang in the middle at 80kph.

I'm starting to get used to the big Panzer now and find that she will corner as well as a sports bike when given a bit of a gee up. So much so that I have touched the boots down through some corners. All this is done with no fuss or complaint, just tip it in look at the corner exit and roll on the throttle to help her stand up, or alternately a nudge of the bars will accomplish the same result. The smile on my dial at the end of the day says it all.

Tonight we are staying at the Penny Royal Hotel, an old place that has been recently renovated. Its in the Olde English style with lots of exposed beams, thick walls & solid doors. As the room is right next to the main entrance driveway I think I'll stick my earplugs in tonight.

Tomorrow we are off to Mole Creek, close to the Cradle Mountain area. Stay tuned, though I'm not sure when I can next get internet access.