The National HOG® Rally being held at the alpine resort of Mt Buller, Victoria was the destination today. I woke up a little "tired" after being forced by weather to remain in a pub longer than I would have liked last night. My son, Zanderhar(d), wasn't prepared to concede any compassion for his old dad, a buffet breakfast at our accommodation (the Albury Georgian) had his highest priority.
It was a relatively short trip between Albury and Mt Buller (about 218kms), an easy stroll down the Hume Freeway and left near Benalla to Mansfield and then up the hill. It was damp and foggy when we left Albury, but didn't look like rain despite the forecast. The water level in the Murray River, creeks and other waterways we crossed heading south were higher than I'd ever seen, remembering that last time I rode this way was in March this year immediately after widespread storms and flooding in Victoria while attending the Victorian State Rally in Maryborough.
On the way we fuelled up at the Service Centre at Glenrowan, sadly not having the time to drop for a scone and coffee at the little town famously associated with Ned Kelly. The day was getting more pleasant as we rode and by the time we turned left at the Midland Highway/Mansfield Road it was very pleasant. The road into Mansfield was also very picturesque. We stopped quickly in Mansfield to top up the tank keen to head into the mountains.
As soon as we started to climb we found ourselves in thick mist/fog and noticed the temperature dropping fast. We were not aware of the 96mm of rain that fell the previous afternoon/night there that had blocked the road, left it covered in dirt and debris and revealed some areas where the edges of the road had been washed into the ravine. Given the limited visibility, tight corners, dodgy surface and the loaded up weight on the Road King® the ride up the mountain was quite a challenge but we made it OK despite the occasional expletive being uttered.
The Rally Registration tent was a welcome sight, we stopped, said g'day and then continued up the mountain to locate our accommodation for the next four nights, Breathtaker. After unpacking the Harley-Davidson and putting on warmer clothes Zanderhar and I rode back down to the registration tent to help out. It's a great place to say g'day to other HOG members as they arrive and share stories of the trials and tribulations of getting to the Rally through rain, flood and ..... that bloody trip up the hill!
After a while it was time to return to our lodging, get cleaned up and join in the organised festivities of the evening that included a sensation dinner at the Hotel Enzian. It was cold on the mountain that night but the atmosphere among the early arrivals was warm and it was clear that despite the weather, this rally was going to be fun!
