Ocean Road - In poor condition

[Rumpole of the Bailey]

Had 30 friends down for a ride this last 5 days. My friend Greg and his partner hit a cliff near Cumberland River (between Lorne and Apollo bay)
He smashed his leg and broke his arm. Has 3rd degree burns from sitting on the exhaust of his harley for 15 minutes before someone could get him off the bike.
Hit the cliiff and was wedged between a steel sign post.

I didn't ride that day as the road is very poor after all the rain.
Greg has been riding for a short time on an antique harley with ape hangers. No leather jacket, bike boots, gloves. Open face helmet .

before pics taken in my garage at Lorne 2 hours before the accident.
ride safe folks, this guy is in hospital for the long haul.

 

[Circle]

Really sorry to hear that Rumpy. I hope your friend Greg (and his partner-'no news is good news' I hope?) is o.k. Saddened to hear that some safety precautions (Gear, etc) could of been used to help minimise the damage. I do hope he/they get better soon.

I also know that stretch gets a lot of traffic (4 & 2 wheels) and I'm pretty disappointed to hear thats its in pretty poor condition. Being in NSW, I'm continually amazed by the lack of proper roads and road maintenance around here in NSW (Central coast anyone? Or anywhere north of Sydney...!)
I was on a trip down around Lorne 3 years ago and was pretty pleased with the road conditions, however I was on 4 wheels.

Speedy recovery!

 

[mxgolf]

Sorry to hear about your friend's accident. Just a reminder ATGATT!

 

[ozzieboy]

Very sorry to hear about your mate. I hope recovery is quick and as painless as possible.

The last decade of drought have enabled local governments to be able to spend minimal amounts on existing roads. It will be interesting to see what happens with the recent good rainfall we've had. The roads here are very ordinary, and with the trees down, landslips, potholes, and gravel driveway rivers, extra care really does need to be taken.

 

[JayJay]

Crazy stuff. Hope he recovers quickly. As mikey said the roads here are terribad

Im no harley lover but dam poor bike.

 

[Wolfman]

Nasty stuff! Have noticed in the past that the GOR is a bit roughin places...the very nature of the road is dangerous enough...hope your mate get's better fast, and pity about his bike...

On a brighter note, i did notice when i was out riding on the weekend, that several previously bad corners on Cudlee Creek Road, or thereabouts, had been completely resurfaced...and in a few cases, a "curtain" made of tensioned canvas, has been added to armco on a few corners...which according to a news item in AMCN this week, has been put there to stop Motorcyclists sliding under the Armco!

It aint much, but it's the first bit of road upgrade work i have ever seen in SA, that is aimed at improving safety for motorcyclists.

Bravo to someone!

:thumbup:

 

[ozzieboy]

Took some pics of that armco liner a few months back but never got round to posting it.

It feels really tough. Kind of like webbing, and I reckon it'll stop rider and bike from going under. Still don't wanna test it out though.

 

[Humperdinkel]

On a brighter note, i did notice when i was out riding on the weekend, that several previously bad corners on Cudlee Creek Road, or thereabouts, had been completely resurfaced...and in a few cases, a "curtain" made of tensioned canvas, has been added to armco on a few corners...which according to a news item in AMCN this week, has been put there to stop Motorcyclists sliding under the Armco!

It aint much, but it's the first bit of road upgrade work i have ever seen in SA, that is aimed at improving safety for motorcyclists.

Bravo to someone!

:thumbup:

Took some pics of that armco liner a few months back but never got round to posting it.

It feels really tough. Kind of like webbing, and I reckon it'll stop rider and bike from going under. Still don't wanna test it out though.

Not like the new CABLE barriers they are lining QLD roads with that cut bike & riders in half :spank: :rant: :spank:

 

[Humperdinkel]

Sorry to hear about your mate Rumps , hope all heals fast :thumbup:

 

[Wolfman]

Not like the new CABLE barriers they are lining QLD roads with that cut bike & riders in half :spank: :rant: :spank:

Yes, we have them in SA as well, in fact, i have seen them in Victoria, and NSW as well....those cable barriers are insane, and have been the subject of many a protest from biking representative groups over the years...

i think "Cheesewire" is the term most use for it these days!!! Just like cutting cheese!

 

[Rumpole of the Bailey]

Just been to see the man who is eating his food through a straw. Well on the way to recovery. There are no wire rope barriers on the Ocean Road.
Stay safe people, been too many accidents published on this site lately.
Maintain your machines and ride to the conditions and your limitations.
Rumps

 

[ozzieboy]

The cheese cutters I've seen are in between oncoming traffic lanes on straight bits of road and are well away from the road. You'd be doing pretty well to get anywhere near tjjjhem on a bike, and if someone falls asleep at the wheel of their care they should stop head-ons.

 

[Wolfman]

Just been to see the man who is eating his food through a straw. Well on the way to recovery. There are no wire rope barriers on the Ocean Road.
Stay safe people, been too many accidents published on this site lately.
Maintain your machines and ride to the conditions and your limitations.
Rumps

Glad to hear your buddy is on the mend...and your right, lots of accidents on here lately...

 

[Kazza]

Glad your friend is relatively ok.

What gear was he wearing? Open face helmet, standard jeans etc?

 

[Rumpole of the Bailey]

Had a mad pilot that flew me around the North Queensland Islands and communities for 10 years when I was a circuit judge some time ago. He had a philosphy about flying, plan every flight.
I have taken that same plan into my bike riding. Wear all the gear. Look at the BOM website. Maintain my bikes. Stop, rest, eat and drink. New riders and old need to learn these rules.

Oh yeah, about those landings on the ocean. Close eyes and pray.
Rumps

 

[Dunno]

Hope your mate is healing well Rumpole.

Was the condition of the road a major factor in the accident? My brother is heading to PI for the GP & is considering taking a day trip to Port Campbell via the GOR on his way home to Newcastle.

Should I tell him don't bother?

 

[Rumpole of the Bailey]

I can't advise on that. There are parts of the road that are good, Geelong to Anglesea and Anglesea to Lorne. Lorne to Apollo Bay is dangerous and I was letting cars go past me as they could travel faster.
Beyond Apollo Bay to port Campbell I don't know. The rain events we have had are the cause for concern and it aint stopped yet.
Best to call RACV when he gets here.

Its heavy when someone is smashed up like my mate.
Rumps

 

[Kriswithak]

Hope your friends back on his feet soon!

I've certainly seen a massive increase in riders without proper gear (or almost any except a helmet) in my area and it just makes me shake my head.
The roads near me, ie north sydney, st leonards, chatswood, mosman, are just total ****, and steadily getting worse, and I see them redoing gutters (with no problems) while corners with a 10cm deep hole in them are ignored.

I'm pretty sure that the RTA prefers the cheese cutter setups, dead motorcyclists afterall can't sue about road quality causing accidents.