Motorcycles and Torquay

Motorcycles and Torquay

After leaving the zoo, there were some choices that had to be made. The weather has been sketchy and trying to stay ahead or wait behind has been a choice to be made throughout this leg of the journey. We stayed the night not far from the zoo then hit the road early the next morning with a goal of Torquay. Some of my surfer friends might recognize this beach. It is the unofficial start of surfing in Australia and the official start of Ripcurl, Billibong, and Quicksilver merchandise. Bell beach is also mentioned in the movie Point Break with Keanu Reeves and the late great Patrick Swayze. Torquay is also the unofficial start of the Great Ocean Road…but I am getting ahead of myself. The lack of wifi has seriously hindered my keeping up with this blog, so I am a few days behind but I will do my best to catch everyone up.

So let’s back up to Melbourne. I have heard from countless people that once you see a big city, you have seen them all. To a point I will agree, however, since Phillip Island and the race museum was nixed from the list due to constant wind and rain, I wanted to find something along the way that was motorcycle oriented. Thanks to Uncle Google, an Antique Motorcycle Shop was found. It is called the Naked Racer Workshop and Antique Motorcycles (free plug here) on 1 Grange Rd, Cheltenham VIC. We rode up to the door and upon entering you were slammed with every kind of old school motorcycle was there to be seen! I even found an old 1979 Goldwing! (My first big bike). I will post total motorcycle enthusiast photos below. There were so many that wanted to jump in my pocket and come home with me.

After seeing each and every one of the bikes, I will have to admit, I geeked out a lot! I bought my first souvenir. A slick black t-shirt representing the shop. I just couldn’t help myself! I found room in the saddlebags to fit the shirt and after a long black (coffee) back on the road we went heading to Torquay.

Unfortunately, I didn’t miss the rain and wind. Fortunately, the traffic was moving smoothly and there were no hiccups along the route. After checking into the room and viewing a very stunning beach out the window, it was time to hit the Surf Museum.

There is a great amount of history in this museum and every exhibit is updated and spectacular! It is even mentioned how Americans brought fiberglass boards to Oz. So much information and I was fascinated by the board making process and the trial and error in creating the perfect board. I am including a few pictures but trust me, I took hundreds.

Bells Beach is the next photo.

To be stuck in a hotel room is not my thing, so I donned a rain jacket and went looking for music…FINALLY, found some. The bloke wasn’t bad at all! Next up…the Great Ocean Highway