Highlights: 3 weeks in Australia for Phillip Island MotoGP. 2024

[DavidFL]

Chiang Mai On The Way Out.

For the last two years, I have been supposed to go to Australia with my brother for a ride to Phillip Island MotoGP.
In 2022, he bought a MotoGuzzi V85 TT for me to ride, but I had a nasty accident that year and could not make the trip.

In 2023, I had a carpal tunnel issue that required surgery & was unsure if I would be able to handle the 1,0000 km ride.
So we postponed again until 2024 and coordinated with my brother in the UK to go "home" to allow all four brothers to hook up in Oz again.
With one brother in the UK, one in Thailand, and two down under, we don't all get together often.
2024 was all go then.

The best option for flying into Adelaide from Thailand was Chiang Mai—KL—Adelaide with Malaysian Airlines, with baggage checked straight through from Chiang Mai.

KL International Terminal.

Nervous about missing this attempt to get to Oz and ride to PI with my brother for MotoGP, I took a leisurely ride down R1 to Phayao, then 120 to avoid the flooding issues and muddy roads on R118.

A nice day by the lake in Phayao.

There are #46 fans in Phayao.

In Chiang Mai, my favourite hotel, the Panerai, was closed due to the flood, so the Top North was the place to be.

The Top North is my second favorite hotel in Cnx. It is great for its location, pool, and undercover parking.

A few nights in Chiang Mai saw me catch up with a few friends.

Jurgen, who has posted hundreds of photos and a beautiful trip report on this forum, was at the top of the lis

The Kafe is still my fave hang out in Chiang Mai.

The sensational Ms Yui, ex-Mr Mechanic, was in town on holiday from France, where she now lives.
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Another entertaining night was at Winstons Pub in Huay Kaew.

I met several expat mates at Winston's and noted that it is a top-run expat pub with good live music, friendly service, a pool table & multiple TVs for whatever sport you may wish to watch.

Sunday was MotoGP day, and the UN Irish Pub still rates as the best pub in the North to watch the races!

The customers watching MotoGP at the UN Irish are serious fans of the sport and watch the race closely without any great disturbing noise or silly comments.
The final and deciding race is this weekend, and I genuinely wish I was watching it at the UN Irish instead of in Chiang Khong, where I will be.

While in Chiang Mai, I made a pit stop at Helmet2Home to check up on their business and flood damage.

Bags of flood damaged items on the pavement.

Suchee claims the damage was minimal, as the waters were not deep, and they had moved all the expensive stock upstairs.
Some cardboard boxes that he had stacked up toppled over in the water.

Rumpair Pub
Of note in Chiang Mai was site of the old Bier Stube, is now a flash new cocktail pub, with hooch from Phrae.

A significant contrat to the old Bier Stube, it certainly lifts the standard & is a delightful spot for people watching in the evening.


More to come....Australia.

 

[DavidFL]

The MotoGuzzi v85TT

As mentioned earlier, my brother bought the Guzzi so we could ride together to PI for MotoGP.

The colours and style of the V85 TT appealed to me, but I was unsure how I would ride that Vee with the cylinders sticking out the side like that. However I was perfectly comfortable and relaxed when I rode it for the first time - it was the easiest bike I had ever ridden.
There were zero top-heavy weight issues, and it was easier than the Vstrom 650. I could not believe it—I was stunned!

Recently, I've been thinking that in a year or two, I will give up on the Vstrom and bigger bikes, as I've lost my upper body strength, and bigger bikes are getting to be a handful to ride and manoeuvre around. But not with the V85TT. It is just too easy to ride and manoeuvre. I would take one of them over the Vstrom 650 any day to keep riding forever.

The bike's fuel economy ran from 21.5 - 24 km a litre. Coupled with 23-litre fuel, you can get 500 km on a tank.

An item I would improve on the bike would be the screen on the front - it is not quite high enough for someone of my height. My brother who is considerably shorter has no issues with it, but I would add a small spoiler.

With that shaft drive and fabulous light easy handling the bike would be a total winner for me in North Thailand or Laos!

More to come the ride & playing tourist..

 

[DavidFL]

The Ride Playing Tourist.
My brother and I share similar hobbies and interests.
Motorcycles, photography, nature, trees, culture, and history make travelling together very easy.
The ride to PI was to be a leisurely one, taking winding back roads through some beautiful countryside and old historical towns.
We both appreciate stopping in rural cafes for a break and admiring the many historical buildings in rural Australia. There are many, plus the upcountry people are always friendly, with a "g'day and where ya heading to."

Gawler, where two brothers live is often referred to as the “Gateway to the Barossa Valley,” a major wine-producing region, and serves as a key center for local businesses and services. It is a magnificent area for riding with rolling hills and stunning landscapes, renowned for their stunning natural beauty, and rich history.

Gawler​

The beauty of Gawler lies in its blend of country charm and proximity to nature, while still being close to the bustling city of Adelaide. Some highlights of the area include:

• Historic Architecture: Gawler is one of South Australia's oldest towns, founded in 1839. The town’s heritage buildings, such as the Gawler Town Hall and the Anglican Church, reflect its colonial past and offer a glimpse into the history of the region.

• Natural Beauty: Gawler is set amidst beautiful countryside with rolling hills, vineyards, and farmland. The town is surrounded by the Light River and offers access to scenic walking trails, parks, and reserves.

• Proximity to the Barossa Valley: Gawler sits at the gateway to the famous Barossa Valley wine region, making it an ideal spot for visitors looking to explore the nearby vineyards while enjoying the slower pace and relaxed atmosphere of a historic town.

Barossa Valley​

The Barossa Valley is one of Australia’s most celebrated wine regions, known for its breathtaking landscapes and world-class vineyards. Its beauty is a combination of lush, fertile land, rolling hills, and an enduring sense of tradition. Some of the standout features of the Barossa Valley include:

• Vineyard Landscapes: The Barossa is characterized by its lush vineyards stretching across undulating hills. The changing colors of the vines through the seasons—from the deep greens of spring and summer to the rich reds and oranges of autumn—create a picturesque landscape year-round.
• World-Class Wineries: As a premier wine region, the Barossa Valley boasts some of the most iconic wineries in Australia. The rolling vineyards are interspersed with stately cellar doors, offering stunning views of the surrounding countryside. Many wineries are housed in historic buildings, adding to the charm of the area.
• Cultural Heritage: The Barossa Valley is also known for its strong German influence, which is reflected in the region’s food, wine, and architecture. Quaint towns like Tanunda and Lyndoch feature traditional German-style buildings, and there’s a rich tradition of food and wine festivals that celebrate this unique cultural blend.
• Flora and Fauna: The valley is home to a diverse range of wildlife and native plants, which contribute to its natural beauty. Wildlife enthusiasts can enjoy bird watching or hiking through the surrounding conservation areas, which are teeming with local flora and fauna.
• Historic Towns: Besides the wineries, towns like Tanunda, Nuriootpa, and Angaston add to the beauty of the area with their historic streets, beautiful public gardens, and old-world charm.

Out for a 100 km test ride, before starting out for Phillip Island.

Packing up ready to roll.

I don't have side boxes on the Vstrom in Thailand, as there's no need for that much luggage.
However, in Oz, there was a need to share luggage with three of us riding on the two bikes.

The happy riders.

My brother & sister-in-law.

Ready to roll.

Light showers prevailed the day we set off, but after an hour, it was time to take off the waterproof pants for my brother & his missus.

I had my Assero tropical pants on & never needed to wear the rain pants the entire time in riding in Australia. Assero tropical pants really are an awesome piece of kit; the material rain-repellant properties work extremely well in light - medium rain & then they dry out super-fast.
If you don't have a pair for riding in Thailand, get a pair. They are incredible value for money. James @ Assero recently told me he has 20 more pairs in his stock.

Tropical Riding Pants - Assero Gear

I believe there are a few pairs of these pants left & inbound for Thailand. https://asserogear.com/ Jimboy will provide the details.

www.gt-rider.com

2 hours after stands up, Mannum was out first break for a fast brekky & coffee on the road.

I really enjoyed passing through these rural upcountry towns and the little cafes on the trip.
There are some real gems out there.

I made sure I got my fill of farang croissants, cakes & pies on this trip.

To be continued...