Look Who's Torquing: 2017

Sunday, May 21, 2017

Torquing with a Harley tamer, Sophie Mcmanus

In light of the recent 11th International Female Ride Day, which went down on the 6th of May, I reached out to one of the most bad-ass Female riders I know to find out more about her moto story. Sophie Mcmanus is 25 years old and has called Brisbane home for the past five, completing a bachelors degree of psychology in that time. Originally from Sydney, her family moved south to the picturesque coastal town Dalmeny, where she lived from years 8-18. Sophie currently works as a paralegal in a small law firm, but is a self-confessed creative at heart who hopes to pursue something of that vain in the future.

Sophie with her Harley loaded and ready for adventure in Timbarra, Victoria.

Where did your interest in bikes develop?

I was exposed to bikes around the age of 10, on a weekend away at a friend’s farm in Cobargo. I can't remember much, apart from dodging alpaca poos and crashing in to a blackberry bush. My next experience with bikes ended in my brother breaking a leg when I was 12. It wasn't until I was a pillion on the back of a road bike at age 17 that I really started to consider getting my license.

On her first bike, the Yamaha Virago XV250 at Mt. Nebo in Brisbane

How old were you when you learnt to ride? How/where did you learn to ride?

I'm 25 now and first attempted seriously learning to ride when I was 19. It started with some dodgy back street lessons on a Virago 750, with my teacher on the back. After about half an hour he let me take it for a spin without him and naturally I dropped it. He persisted in teaching me though, and across the course of three years and many life changes, I finally got my license and a bike in 2012.

I was thrown in to long distance road riding pretty early on, tackling Brisbane to Sydney in one day only a week after getting my license. I have never known a sore butt like that day. For a few years there my bike was only used for big trips, otherwise sitting under the house gathering dust while I drove to work. In 2012 I finally ditched my car and by 2014 I was riding every day, rain hail or shine.

In full femme fatale mode on a Harley Shovel

Tell us about the bikes you've owned?

I've owned three bikes since then. I started on a Yamaha Virago XV250, which served me from 2012 to 2014 during my poor student phase. I then graduated to a Honda Steed VLX600, which unfortunately was a lemon (breaking down a total of 3 times in six months). When the tank began to piss fuel on to my leg during a ride I finally gave up and got rid of it. In August 2015 I treated myself to a Harley (XL883) which is my current ride.

All smiles with the XL883 Sportster in Wilmot, Tasmania

Have you ever had any accidents/close calls?

When it comes to close calls, like every rider, I know that heart-in-throat, adrenalin pumped, near-death moment all too well. As someone who rides every day, I continue to experience near misses all the time. As time goes on the environment doesn't change, but your way of dealing with hazards does. The more time you spend on the road, the better your hazard perception and responses will be. Unfortunately, the more time spent on the road also directly correlates with the chances of you having an accident...but that's a risk I'm willing to take.

I've had the usual near misses; people pulling out, wildlife, wet roads, oil slicks, locking the back wheel, bike troubles...but I'm still here. I've dropped every bike I've owned at least once. The only crash I've had has been on dirt, this year in fact, and thankfully I had all the relevant armour on so I just limped around for a week til' the bruising healed.

Double trouble from the Time Warp Festival ride in Palmoods, QLD

What’s your favourite road you recommend?

My favourite road would hands down have to be Thunderbolts Way, closely followed by the Great Alpine Road. Both beautiful, picturesque roads that are virtually deserted every time I visit. That was the one problem with the Great Ocean Road - too many bloody caravans!

Misty conditions from Mt Wellington in Tasmania

What’s your most memorable ride?

My most memorable ride would have to be the longest ride I've ever done. I did Brisbane to Tasmania and back and it was the best time of my life. Covering 9,000kms in 18 days was no easy feat though, and with bike troubles and severe weather to boot it certainly wasn't comfortable. But it was an adventure. The places I saw and the people I met are still so vivid in my mind. That's the beauty of riding; you become fully immersed in the scene. The weather soaks through your clothes, the wind chills you to the bone, the locals invite you in and you leave all your worries behind. I have found peace and happiness like no other on a motorcycle.

The Great Alpine Road, VIC

What advice do you have for those who are considering joining the motorcycle community?

For anyone considering joining the motorcycle community, there are a range of avenues you can take to get involved. Starting as a pillion with a person you can trust is always a great way to see whether bikes are for you. If you can find someone willing to lend you a small bike for a lesson or two that’s even better. Getting involved in motorcycling events, even as a spectator, can also put you in touch with the right people. The motorcycle community is a very friendly one, and there is always someone willing to teach and offer advice. As cheesy as it sounds, I’ve found Instagram to be a great platform for meeting fellow riders and hearing about motorcycling events and charity runs. The more you get out there, the more confidence you will get and the more weird and wonderful people you will meet!

Safely owning the road!

Thank you very much for your time!

A Rick & Morty edition skateboard deck by Sophie shows off her creative talents

You can follow Sophie's adventures on her Instagram account @deadbeatdame__ (with two underscores)

Tuesday, April 18, 2017

Variety is the Spice of Victoria - From Australia’s highest road to the untainted beauty of Wilsons Prom.

When I think of diversity in nature, a road trip from Marrakesh to the Sahara Desert springs to mind. In a little over 500km, 8-9 hours of driving due to road conditions, you go from bustling metropolis, pass through snow covered mountains in the High Atlas and finish up surrounded by sand dunes as far as the eye can see before sundown. Previously I’d thought this only to exist in Morocco. Maybe it’s because I’m a Queenslander, but the past week and 1500km trip exploring Victoria has taught me it’s available right here in Australia.

The sun cracked through the clouds over Phillip Island on the first day.

Departing from Ballarat on Monday, we made a beeline for Phillip Island. Sticking to the main highways and stopping only briefly in Melbourne for coffee, the otherwise bleary day shone light on the island at dusk; a sign of the good weather to come. A morning stroll to the lookout at Berrys Beach was the perfect way to capitalise on the return of blue skies.

Views over Berrys Beach on Phillip Island

Next up was an obligatory stop at the Moto Grand Prix Circuit. With limited time to spare we skipped the History of Motorsport where they have 24 grand prix winning motorcycles on display as well as a plethora of other machines, articles and images dating back to the first ever GP held in Australia in 1928. Taking a moment instead to enjoy watching cars out on a track day; most amusingly a Mazda 3 whipping round amongst the more typical Porsche and Lotus variants.

Mercedes-McLaren SLR 722 Trophy on display at the Phillip Island GP Circuit

Then it was back on the bike, heading as far south as you can go on mainland Australia to Wilsons Promontory. This little corner of the country offers motorcycling at its finest. With undisturbed nature protected by the national park and well-kept tarmac ribboning through, it feels reminiscent of a scene from Jurassic Park. Rugged granite mountains dwarf its beautiful coastline, with easy walking trails offering up some extraordinary views. Also worth a look are the sand dunes at Darby Beach as well as Big Drift near the entrance to the Prom if you really want the desert experience. We stayed in the campgrounds at Tidal River. The site cost $62/night which is steep if you’re travelling alone but mighty reasonable if you take up to seven friends with to share the space.

Campsite at Tidal River in Wilsons Promontory National Park

The next leg of the journey was up to Omeo, a town nestled between the Alpine & Kosciuszko National Parks. On the way a chance stop in Yarram turned into a great chat with Andrew ‘Puds’ Barker, the owner of Puds Four Parts who specialise in parts and restorations for Honda SOHC models. While an array of classic Honda’s were extremely enticing, it was his Harris Mag 2 which really caught my eye. When Andrew bought the bike it was one of only 6 Harris’ variants in the country. The brand is Harris Performance Products, consisting of two English brothers who design, develop and manufacture racing motorcycle chassis’ and components as well as the odd limited-run machine. The Mag 2 is from 1984 and uses the engine and some running gear from the Suzuki Katana 1000 of the time. Andrew knows of only one other Mag 2 in Australia, so it’s an extremely rare machine!

An extremely rare motorcycle, the Harris Mag 2

By the fourth night we’d reached Omeo and stayed at the art deco Golden Age Motel. It was a lovely old pub that served up a cracking meal to go down with the cold beer. Nice not to be in the tent as the following morning it was just 3 degrees! Fortunately it didn’t take long for the temps to reach double digits once more and by midday we’d reached Mt. Hotham. This is where the Great Alpine Road, named so as it’s considered the equivalent of the world famous Great Ocean Road, reaches its highest point of 1845m, just 16m shy of the mountains peak.

Immense luxury after tent living!

This is the location of Australia's highest year round accessible sealed road.

The views up there were sensational, the roads soaring along the ridgeline before carving their way down to Harrietsville on the route north. It was the finest riding I’m yet to experience and I was chuffed with how nimble and punchy my Honda VFR800 felt with a pillion and loaded camping gear through such urgent changes of direction. It was exceptionally good fun and the road towards Mt. Beauty was equally engaging. From there we needed to start heading west, quoting ‘The Castle’, “we’re going to Bonnie Doon,” as Lake Eildon would be our stop for the final night.

A quiet estuary off Lake Eildon, in a locale made famous in 'The Castle', Bonnie Doon

One last surprise was in store as we ventured back towards Ballarat. While having a quick photo stop at lookout near Strath Creek, some fellow riders told of a bike event on just a little way up the road. Turns out it was the Broadford Bike Bonanza, an event I’d always wanted to attend! A lovely gentleman let us through the gates for a quick coffee and it was long enough to ensure a return trip for the whole weekend in years to come. With motocross, road racing and eye-candy from every era and style of bike, it’s a very well put together event with some amazing volunteers helping it all happen.

Broadford's Bike Bonanza lives up to the name!

So there you go, it’s not necessary to go to Morocco to get such variety in a short trip. From Melbourne to Australia’s highest road is less than 400km! If you have as little as even one or two more nights to spare, a stop in Wilsons Prom will reward you immensely.

Words and Pictures by Paul Joshua