Alex's adventures

Vic TT offers riding for experienced and skilled riders only. Camped out at Kirth Kiln, I was invited to join the TT crew for a thrilling run to Eildon. I always get a bit nervous about riding with this crew. I never know what new crazy experience I'm signing up for! Maverick Octane at Eildon Dam It was good to see the TT riders screening and filtering the hopefuls trying to join in. Rookies trying to keep pace with experienced riders put themselves at serious risk. I watched a hopeful rider being tested out and then turned away due to his limited skills and concerns for his own safety. The Vic TT crew Seems I've been given the honorary mantle of Vic TT rider number 1. Thanks Mav and great to see you living the petrol-header's dream. "Passion has no limits!" Good to catch up with Phil again and I still can't believe how well he rides that 600cc Kwaka. Morning fog gave way to a gorgeous sunny day and dry roads! The real challenge of thi...

Nothing like a good rare T-bone, except when it involves a land-cruiser pulling out without looking! Bill was keen to show me the good roads around the Sunshine Coast, but 5 minutes into the ride he was cleaned up with me riding just behind him. The land-cruiser just pulled out in front of him from a T intersection. Bill did a great job of emergency breaking but the distance was just too short. Bill Hill seriously hurt after being T-boned His knee and leg were smashed. A huge gash on the back of his leg allowed his severed calf to hang out like a tongue. The ligaments in his leg were torn beyond repaid. Nasty! Fortunately several nurses were at the scene and provided first aid. Bill then underwent several surgeries on his leg. It was touch and go if it would have to come off but they managed to save it. Bill's high level of fitness was a key factor. No stopping this staunch old-school Kiwi Bill had pulled my caravan apart just prior to his accident, but s...

I'm really loving the Hobie. Decided to call her "Savage" since she's based on a traditional Polonesian boat used by savage cannibles. I challenged myself to do the entire Moorochy River, traversing mud flats, swamps, low bridges, strong currents, narrow passes and impenetrable forests on either shore. Mosquito swarms in Dunethin Swamp bit right through my cloths The mosquitoes were ridiculous. At sunset they formed clouds and there was no escape! Cloths did nothing to stop them. The bastards savaged me big time! I had to constantly switch between sailing, peddling and paddling as the nature of the river changed. Low power lines and extremely low bridges meant that my mast had to be dropped repeatedly. No place to get the boat ashore Wind and current were against me and my paddle broke so I had to abandon the attempt and failed to traverse the entire river. I will make another attempt when wind and tide are in my favor. To achieve my ch...

The HiLux is officially written off, but there's no sense in wasting time. Trish took me out for a lap of her property in the family quad, then let me take it out for a spin. It's a fun little toy, especially around the corners!  St Patrick's Cathedral Headed into Melbourne on my Triumph Sprint ST. Got to love a city where parking your bike on the footpath is perfectly legal. I stopped by the Eye and Ear Hospital for a checkup. There is metal still embedded in my eye but the doctors assure me that it can stay there and may work it's way out at some point. The laceration has healed up nicely. Triumph Spirnt ST on footpath Melbourne Fitzroy Gardens, Melbourne While in Melbourne I went sight seeing. I felt out of place in my dirty biker leathers around all the well dressed Melbournites. Free battery installed into caravan under seat by Bill Bill helped me purchase 160W solar panels for under $150 online. He then installed them into my van, ...

Springvale Road Melbourne is the #1 rated accident hot-spot according to AAMI's crash statistics. I discovered that they are right when I was hit by a truck in a 4 vehicle accident. Luckily and amazingly, nobody was killed. So this is what it looks like after being hit by a truck. I was stationary at traffic lights in my HiLux, with a truck on my right. Then I heard an impact and the truck's rear end slammed into my drivers side window at head height. I had nowhere to go and just had to take the blow. Glass from my shattered window cut my face and sliced my right eye. I was covered in glass shards. Went into shock for a minute or so. Bystanders immediately came, applied first aid, contacted emergency services and took my phone and let my family know. I was very impressed and grateful at how helpful they were. I was very lucky that the truck took the majority of the impact! A fireman got me out of the cab, unfortunately dragging me across spiky broken glass. M...