GPz900R - Gathering of the Faithful 2010

Introduction Updated 12th February 2010


NOTE: - Accomodation booked!
NOTE: - Draft of Rider Handout PDF completed - see UK forum for link to document or contact me (Sid)!


A group of dedicated GPz900R owners across Australia and a few from Europe, have decided to meet up for the first time as a group and celebrate the 25th Aniversary of the GPz900R, after some discussion on the UK GPz900R forum, these owners decided that the world super bikes to be held at Phillip Island from February 26th to 1st of March 2010 would make a great venue and for many forum members a once in a life time trip to travel across Australia with like minded ethusiasts.


We are happy for friends and supports to travel with us so any enthusiasts are more than welcome, you dont have to be on a GPz900R to attend!.


We have a number of people joining us for part of the run, so if you cannot make the full trip due to other commitments then feel free to join us mid route and travel along.

To assist in planning, some input from owners was gathered, colated and then the following planning has taken shape. As I am based in Brisbane and proposed the meetup I started my planning based on my trip in 2008 to the GP. If you are coming from any other city then email me your proposed travel plans so I can post it here and maybe others will be able to use the info.

Leaving from Western Australia

A small group are coming from WA and riding over the Nullabour over a 5 day period to meet up at Wagga Wagga on the 23rd of February 2010.
The current plan is as follows:

Perth - Narrogin (Im not counting this day’s ride compared to the others it’s a doddle)
Day 1 (20/02/10): Narrogin - Cocklebiddy (Trip Distance 1130Km
Day 2 (21/02/10): Cocklebiddy - Port Augusta (Trip Distance 1230Km) if your arse holds out :)
We were originally going to travel via Cocklebiddy to Cowell and then Cowell to Wallaroo on the ferry and bypass Port Augusta but have since learnt that the ferry is out of action until mid 2010. Bit of a bummer. Day 3 (22/02/10): Port Augusta to Mildura (Trip Distance 540 Km)....not long now.
Day 4 (23/02/10): Mildura to Wagga Wagga (the big meet and greet at Wagga Wagga) (Trip Distance 555 Km) - Made it.
Day 5 (24/02/10): Leave Wagga Wagga as per collective itinerary.

Leaving from North QLD

There are some riders coming from Cairns, Macaky, Bowen and Calliope. Most riders indicate that they are staying overnight in Rockhampton before arriving in Brisbane to stay with friends or relatives on the Saturday 20th February. If you are leaving from nth Qld then email us the details so we can post your timetable/route here.

Leaving from Sydney

A couple of people have indicated that they will catch up with us along the route, possibly at Singleton so they can ride down the Putty Road with us to Bathurst and Wagga Wagga.
The 22nd of February would be great to catch the south bound riders on the way to Bathurst or meet up at Wagga Wagga on the 23rd. So if you are leaving Sydney to ride direct to Wagga Wagga, the 23rd would be the day.
Please email us what you are planning so we might be able to let others know.

Leaving from Brisbane - Route Now Finalized!!!!

Sunday 21st February - Brisbane-Tamworth

A group of us will be leaving Brisbane early on Sunday the 21st of February 2010 from my home and stopping at The Mobil Service Station at The Gap (4061), cnr of Waterworks Road and Settlement Road at 7:30am and heading down to Tamworth for an overnight stay.

We will be collecting others at Beenleigh and Kyogle, if you are a late minute starter then you can catch us en route on the major roads listed below. Use Goolge maps to calculate the time and distance from The Gap to each point, we will be at that point within a 30 minute window provided no one braeks down. :(

The route is:

The Gap(4061), Brisbane CBD, South on M1 Freeway, off at Exit 34, take City Road, James St and head to Beaudesert, Rathdowny Google maps link BNE- Rathdowny
Then: Lyons Rd, Kyogle, Casino, Grafton (traveling over the Gibralta Range), Glen Innes, Guyra, Armidale, Tamworth.

Trip distance is around 700klm
Overnight Accomodation: Central Hotel, Peel Street, Tamworth. booked for 9 people. 02 6766 2160
Additional Hotels: http://www.gdaypubs.com.au/NSW/tamworth.html

22nd February - Leaving Tamworth
Tamworth - Bathurst

At this stage we leave Tamworth early in the morning and head South to Singleton, then travel through the mountains via the Putty Road, veer off along the Bells Line of Road, past the Zig Zag railway to Lithgow. After a stop at Lithgow we will head towards Bathurst and do some laps of Mt Panorama. Camp the night in Bathurst.

Trip distance is around 525klm

Overnight Accomodation: Jack Duggans Irish Pub

23rd February - Leaving Bathurst
Bathurst - Wagga Wagga

Leave Bathurst early and head to Oberon, Taralga and then either veer off to Crookwell or head down to Goulburn then straight down the Hume Highway to Wagga Wagga. This route has the most fantastic mountain roads north of the Snowy Mountains. A fantastic ride from Bathurst through the mountains and an opportunity for Sydney members to catch us if they didn't meet us in Singleton.
Trip distance is around 450klm

Wagga Wagga - The Meeting Point!
As we (members of the GPzZone Forum) are coming from a number of different directions around Australia, we decided that a common meeting point would be great prior to riding to the island, so Wagga Wagga in New South Wales was decided as most central for most riders. One of the forum members has opened his home so most people will be arriving on the 23rd and staying there overnight. We can do a group buy of Pizza and beer :) for a night of recounting our trip to this point.

24th February - Departure to the Mountains

Wagga Wagga - Bairnsdale via Great Alpine Road

On the 24th of February 2010 we will be leaving Wagga Wagga for the ride over the Great Alpine Road and ending up at Bairnsdale (was originally Maffra), Victoria in the afternoon-evening. I am booking Accomodation now for around 16 people and seeing if I have flexibility to alter this to include more people..
As the group is going to be large, we will need to make lots of stops during the day to ensure everyone sticks together.

Route: Leave Wagga and ride out through Gregadoo road to the Hume,turn left and head to Mexico (Victoria),turn right at the Tumbarumba turn off. Then head towards Mt Selwyn,then after 18km turn and head to Tooma, Corryong,along the Murry valley Hwy to Tallangatta. Then to Kiewa and down the Kiewa valley Hwy to Mt Beauty the turn of toBright is 3km before Mt Beauty, and that puts us on to the GREAT ALPINE ROAD to Omeo and down to Bairnsdale.

Total km is about 550km with lots of twisties.

25th February - Last leg to the Island

On Thursday morning, we will leave Bairnsdale to head to Phillip Island with a few diversions along the way, it should take a few hours all up. Our Victorian forum members will be leading the run as they will take us on some of their favourite roads and maybe a shed visit to see some bikes. We should arrive in time to get a good camp spot and settle in for the weekend.

The following map was initially proposed when we were going to stay at Maffra, with the change to Bairnsdale the route will change! here is the original route:Original route. note this route WILL change.

Leaving the Island

Monday 1st is packup and leave day, Dave has offered to take a group back to Wagga Wagga via Healsville and over the mountains. Some members are heading to WA for the Ulysses AGM, which will be a good (long) run accross the Nullarbor.

Other than those two route, no other set route has been planned back to your home town so you are on your own. I will be heading back over the Snowy Mountains and going till late into the night to cover as much distance as possible. A return trip may yet be proposed but as everyone lives in different directions this is unlikely! Have a safe ride home. See you in 2011?

Notes:

Sid

Contact Email
(read it out loud ;):		 sid DOT young AT gmail DOT com
or
  info AT gpz900r DOT org DOT au

-oOo-