HIGH COUNTRY NSW & VIC MOTORCYCLE RIDE

Frank Sebastyan, with riding partners John White, Tim Bradshaw, Chris Pattichis and John Kaidonis.

This was truly one helluva ride for all of us. Being my first time in a mountainous region and being 80 years of age I was somewhat apprehensive whether I could do it. Sharp bends, rolling and sweeping long curves, steep climbs, very steep descents and hairpin bends - seemed like thousands of hairpins. It was a big challenge. But with consummate care we and I pulled it off. Total distance 3,491 kms home to home.

We took lots of wee breaks, coffee stops and rest breaks along the way. On 2 days we travelled 9 and 9 1/2 hours. It gave me a blister on my bum.

Destinations we passed through or visited included: Swan Hill, Wagga Wagga and Tumut which is a beautiful town with much heritage on display. Then the Snowy Mountain Highway to Cooma and the thrill-of-the-tour seeing

Mt. Kosciuszko from across a valley. Saw Smiggin and Perisher. Entered the Great Dividing Range and Thredbo, Jindabyne and entered the Kosciuszko National Park for $7 entry each. Saw a number of Snowy Mountains Scheme installations and the Hume Lake and Dam.

Finally to ever-favourite skiing resort of Falls Creek which was staging a Mountain Bike Social Weekend for thousands of entrants.

Reminiscing

My visit to Falls Creek brought back wonderful personal memories. In 1970, Christine and I went for a skiing holiday at Falls Creek with our beautiful Dutch friends John and Tina VanGastel of Dernancourt where both couples then lived in Karingal Road. It was a great time in our lives. Hard to believe that it was 53 years ago. Sad that both John and Tina have both passed away.

It was tragic to see many of the bushfire ravaged areas of these mountains that we’ve witnessed on the the tele news in recent years.

In Victoria we rode through the birth town of Sir Reginald Ansett in Inglewood - best known for Ansett Airways. Then Bordertown as the birthplace of former Prime Minister Bob Hawke. A touch of important history.

I fitted a windscreen to my Harley for the trip which was a total success providing a comfortable cocoon for me from the powerful headwinds.

FRANK SEBASTYAN