Day 9 - Albury NSW - Melbourne VIC - 2311km Completed

Ulls: So if you haven't realised yet, that we're not riding by the planned route, then I'll let you in on the big secret. We're not riding by the planned route.



I decided to fill up the bikes today, prior to loading them up, as the fuel station was just over the road. I took mine over, filled her up and went in to pay. An Indian chap behind the counter seemed interested in the scooter, asking if it was an LML. Those of you that aren't aware or overly into scooters, LML is a company in India that had a license to reproduce Vespas for Piaggio in India. Nowadays, they no longer have a license to do so, however, still make scooters that are almost identical.



I let him know that it was Italian, and that was the end of that conversation. Minutes later, I returned with Torstens bike, slightly different colour, filled up and went in to pay. "You're back already?" The fellow asked.

"No, this is my brothers bike." I said. I felt like saying, "Do you really think I could have used all that fuel in five minutes?" Anyway, I filled him in on our adventure and he seemed interested, asking me all sorts of questions about mileage, speed etc... The fact that this was a massive trip raising money for CCAF over ruled the fact that I wasn't riding an Indian bike. The more I think about it, the more I wouldn't mind an Indian version. We've lost 2 mirrors already on this trip, I wonder what else will break. Who says European made is better?

Anyway, we left the bustle of Albury with little fuss and hit the highway. Leaving Wodonga, we passed through a speedo check trap, where at an indicated 100kph, the display read 82kph. I was extremely dissapointed, and couldn't get the idea that I was that slow out of my mind. I worked out that if that was true, to complete the 25,000km at 82kph, it would take an extra 11 days than if it were at 100kph. I was comforted however, when we came across a truck driver at our next fuel stop. He had a chuckle as we pulled in with our fitout. I'll tell you, they say laughter is the best medicine, I think Torsten and I must be travelling healers with the laughs we've had. The guy told us not to trust the trap, and with my mathematical genius, I agreed as I'd worked out our averages and had come to the conclusion that the speedos on our bikes were only 10% out.

Moving on, we eventually hit the Western Ring Road and braved Melbourne traffic. With Torsten in tow, I weaved my way across dissapearing lanes, over bridges and under tunnels to our destination of Richmond. Leaving our bikes at our hosts, Paul & Laura, place we made our way up to Bridge street to enjoy a Caffe Latte.



Who said that there would be few coffees on this trip...

383km Speedo - 400km GPS