Day 18 Launceston - Scotsdale - St. Helens - St Marys

After a late night yesterday we were always going to make a slow start today. It was about 11 before we got going. Today's ride was going to be twisty and Deanne and Shelby decided not to make the trip give they had been prone to travel sickness and Shelby was not feeling that great anyway. Kate was feeling a bit worn and well Joel had to go with the car. They put the day in exploring Launceston. So the rest of us headed off on what would be the best day of winded riding in the hole trip. The ride into Scotdale wound through forest and farmland with a couple of range climbs and descents. In fact there was so many of those today that I don't really remember where they all are. Warren had got the wrap from a bloke in Oatland on they way to Launceston that we should visit the Pub in the Paddock on the road to St Columbus falls. Warren made a friend of and old farmer in Scotdale while I fuelled up. The old fella told Warren it was a slow road and about 50 minutes to the pub. Being 12.30 cause we had a Dee tour get through Launceston. We decide to push on to the Pub for lunch. This old fella may have looked steady but he must rally driver. We got to the Pub about 10 to 2. It was worth it lunch was great. Anna reckoned the best steak of the trip. Great old building with heaps of memorabilia and a wall of photos of motorcyclist that have visited the pub over the years. Reminded me of the Lion's Den outside Cooktown. We when for a look at the falls to wall off our lunch and about 4 we headed on the St Helen's. I was keen to have a pancake at Elephant's Pass near St Mary's. It was late and I had given up until a biker at the servo told us they do tea. He also told us to do St. Mary's pass as elephant pass was pretty rough at present. We followed the coast then turned up to St. Mary's the road was as our biker mate had said. Warren and Kerry got out in front. It really looked like rain but we were just climbing into light cloud. We turned down the hill toward Elephant Pass in St. Mary's and yes they were open. This is one of those must visits in Tassie. The run home was open and free flowing ride. A very satisfying day but he drama saw still to come. As Robyn and stopped to make the last right for home the dash in the GTR started to flash "No Transponder". I had had the fob in my bike jacket pocket and it forgot to zip it and it had fallen out. It bike system only checks for the transponder when you go through 20 km/h the last time we had slowed below 20 was about 60 kilometres back. We had a bit of a look. It seemed hopeless. So soon as we turned the bike off it could not be started again until the fob was near by. I thought our trip was over my heart sank. We looked until dark with no luck. Logan wasn't going to be beat. He and Andrew went out in the car. The rest of us went to bed to have another look tomorrow and work out what to do on a fresh head.