Last modified: 5th January, 1998
Leisurely = Not too many kilometres, not too many corners (in theory).
No Dirt = It is not planned to travel on poor quality roads.
KBCP = Kings Bridge Car Park, corner of Flinders and Spencer Streets, Melbourne.
Club Hall = Theatrette at rear of Camberwell Town Hall off Inglesby Rd, Melways Reference 59 J 2
Go to the end of the calendar.
Sun 5th January Noojee Trestle Bridge - Counter Lunch
Rob Langer leading
9.30 am KBCP, 10.30 am Yarra Glen
28 bikes, 34 people, 150 km, 37 deg C = too hot!
Sat 11th January Tom Saville's 50th Birthday Surprise
Ride
Tom Saville leading!
9 am Warrandyte Bridge
1 pm lunch, John Willis' Healesville
25 bikes, 29 people, 350 km
Sun 12th January Tarra-Bulga National Park (Traralgon)
Jack Youdan leading
9.30 am KBCP, 10.15 am Hallam
22 bikes, 26 people, 450 km
Thu 16th January Social Sip The Swan Hotel, Cnr Swan & Church Sts, Richmond, 7 pm onwards
Sun 19th January Maldon Train Ride
Steve Leyland leading
9.30 am KBCP, 10.30 am Whittlesea
13 bikes, 15 people, 300 km, 39 deg C
Australia Day Weekend 25th-27th January Confusion Rally, Licola
Jon Riddett leading
10 am Hallam
~8 bikes, 10 people
Australia Day Weekend 24th-27th January Tallangatta Weekend
Accommodation: Victoria Hotel, Tallangatta, Approx. $20 per room,
bed & breakfast.
Ben Warden leading
Friday 4.30 pm sharp: Whittlesea, or make own way (via Hume:320 km;
via Whitfield & Myrtleford: 450 km)
Saturday 9 am: Corryong, Kiandra (Snowy Mountains Hwy),
Adaminaby, Jindabyne, Charlotte's Pass, Guthega, Jindabyne, Thredbo (base of Mt Kosciusko, highest mountain in Australia), Alpine Way
(sensational motorcycle road), Corryong, Tallangatta, easy 650 km.
Sunday 9 am: Granya Gap, Walwa, Tintaldra, Elliot Way, Kiandra,
Tumut (Snowy Mountains Hwy), Tumbarumba, Walwa, Granya Gap, Tallangatta. Easy 590 km of sensational roads.
Monday 9 am: Kiewa Valley Highway, Tawonga Gap (horn), Bright, Mt Hotham (the
best Mountain Pass in Australia?), Omeo, Bairnesdale, Bengworden,
Maffra, Tyers, Melbourne. Home by 5pm; lazy 630 km.
This event is becoming an annula pilgrimage to motorcycle heaven:
some of the best roads and scenery in Australia. Distances look big on
paper, but time flies when roads and scenery are this good. No dirt
except for 10 km on Alpine Way and 15 km near Dinner Plain. This is an
epic ride; don't miss out!
17 bikes (average 10 per day), 17 people, 2300 km, 2 crashes, 1
serious (bike write-off, broken hip), 1 cosmetic (gravel in corner).
Route: as described above. Weather: varied from pouring rain (5
minutes) to sweltering hot and strong wind. Sensational trip.
Sun 2nd February Swimming, Lake Arrakoon
Steve Leyland leading
9.30 am KBCP, 10.30 am Whittlesea
21 bikes, 24 people, 400 km
Thu 6th February General Meeting 8.15 pm Club Hall
Sun 9th February MTCV Cricket Cup, Walhalla
John Willis leading
9.30 am KBCP, 10.30 Yarra Glen
13 bikes, 14 people, 400 km, new rider crashed (gravel in
corner) - broken wrist and some licence "inconsistencies"
Fri 14th February Night Ride, Mt Dandenong
Jon Riddett leading
7.30 pm Dinner at Hallam Hotel
8.30 pm ride leaves
22 bikes, 2 cars, 32 people, 70 km
Sun 16th February Powers Lookout
Danny Vits leading
8.30 am KBCP, 9.30 am Yarra Glen
Arduous
19 bikes, 20 people, 570 km, 39 deg C, member crashed - some skin and
bike cosmetics (black FZR1000)
Thu 20th February Social Sip The Swan Hotel, Cnr Swan & Church Sts, Richmond, 7 pm onwards
Sun 23rd February Churchill Island (off Phillip Island)
Ben Warden leading
9 am KBCP, 9.45 am Hallam
Arduous
10 bikes, 10 people, 480 km; member crashed (dark blue YZF600) -
broken collar bone; possibly avoiding 4WD on wrong side of road.
24th Feb - Mar 4th Tas Rally/Tas Tour
6 bikes, 11 people, 2000+ km, no crashes
Sun 2nd March Great Ocean Road (formerly Avalon Air Show)
Ben Warden leading
9.30 am KBCP, 10 am Laverton
8 bikes, 8 people, 550km
Thu 6th March General Meeting 8.15 pm Club Hall
Labour day Weekend 8th-10th High Plains Dirt Ride
Tom Saville leading
6 bikes, 6 people, 490 km dirt, no incidents
Sun 9th March Warragul
Luke Richardson leading
9.30 am KBCP, 10.15 am Hallam
14 bikes, 14 people, 320 km
Sun 16th March Wool Shed, Ballarat
Ian Payne leading
9.30 am KBCP
10 bikes, 10 people, 420 km
Thu 20th March Social Sip The Swan Hotel, Cnr Swan & Church Sts, Richmond, 7 pm onwards
Sun 23rd March Hopetoun Falls via Lavers Hill
Robert Matricciani leading
8.30 am KBCP, 9.00 am Laverton
4 bikes, 4 people, 450 km
Easter Weekend 28th-31st Beechworth
The Tanswell Commercial, 50 Ford St Beechworth
$30 per night
Ben Warden leading
9.30 am KBCP, 10.30 am Yarra Glen
Day 1: Yarra Glen, Kinglake, Yea, Swanpool, Moyhu, Beechworth, Mt Buffalo
Day 2: Tallangatta, Granya Gap, around Lake Hume to Khancoban,
Alpine Way till start of dirt, Khancoban, Corryong,
Tallangatta, Granya Gap (again), Lake Hume to Alburyish,
Yackandandah, Beechworth.
Day3: Ovens, Dandongadale, Mt Beauty, Falls Creek, Mt Beauty,
Tawonga Gap, Mt Hotham, Bright, Mt Buffalo, Beechworth.
Day4: Milawa, Swanpool, Mt Buller, Mansfield, Yea, home.
4-7 bikes, 4-7 people, 1950 km, perfect weather everyday, no
incidents.
Thu 3rd April General Meeting 8.15 pm Club Hall
Sun 6th April Reefton and Black Spurs
Dave Moore leading
9.30 am KBCP, 10.30 am Yarra Glen
9 bikes, 9 people, 320 km
Mon 7th April Phillip Island Ride Day
40 bikes, 40 people, $80 members, $100 non-members
12 member riders, 9 member helpers, weather dismal in morning,
cleared in afternoon; most people had sufficient track time; 5
crashes, 4 minor, cosmetic. No injuries.
Sun 13th April Circle Ride around the Bay
Luke Richardson leading
9.30 am KBCP, 10.15 am Hallam
18 bikes, 19 people, 450 km, one booking, weather perfect
Leisurely
Thu 17th April Social Sip The Swan Hotel, Cnr Swan & Church Sts, Richmond, 7 pm onwards
Sun 20th April Early Ride
Tom Saville leading
Arduous
8.30 am Warrandyte Bridge
21 bikes, 21 people, 450 km, weather perfect
2 deflated tyres (speed causing tyre valves to open!)
1 crash - minor cosmetic, Fraser National Pk
1 thrown chain - Black Spur, minor cosmetic damage
1 stone damage - screen shattered, both blinkers, fairng hit "as if by shotgun"
Weekend Fri. 25th- Sun. 27th Rutherglen Wineries
Steve Leyland leading
Pub Accommodation, Wineries Tour or Mountain Riding
10 am Whittlesea
8 bikes, 10 people, ~1550 km, no incidents, weather 23-25 C, clear skies, no wind
Best roads: Tallangatta to Mitta Mitta - Dartmouth Dam, Granya Gap
(3 times), Mt Buffalo (twice), Tawonga Gap
Thu 1st May Annual General Meeting
Election of Office Bearers
8.15 pm Club Hall
Jon Riddet Pres, Stew Vice, Luke Secretary, Dianne
Vice, Bronwyn Treasurer, Jon Willis Captain, Lyn Vice, Gerry
Editor, no Social Secretary.
Sat 3rd May Easy Dirt Ride, Laverton
2 bikes, 2 people. One bike bogged - needed tractor with bucket to
remove; fell out of bucket!
Sun 4th May Buxton Counter Meal
Jon Riddett leading
Leisurely
9.30 am KBCP, 10.30 am Yarra Glen
15 bikes, 1 car, 17 people, 180 km, played own video on pub
VCR; wet, wet,wet
Sun 11th May Fraser National Park
Ben Warden leading (Gerry's collar bone still crook)
9.30 am KBCP, 10.30 am Whittlesea
14 bikes, 14 people, 430 km, 1 person ran out of petrol, weather
16 deg C, clear, sunny, despite forecast
Route: Whittlesea, Flowerdale, Strath Creek, Broadford (100 km,
morning tea), Seymourish, Trawool, Parrot Creek, Strath Creek,
Flowerdale, Yea (100 km, lunch), Molesworth (roadworks good), Alexandra,
Fraser National Park (lookout), Eildon, Mt Pinninger (lookout), Thornton,
Taggerty, Buxton, Marysville, Narbethong, Black Spur, Healesville (4.45 pm,
breakup).
Thu 15th May Social Sip The Swan Hotel, Cnr Swan & Church Sts, Richmond, 7 pm onwards
Sun 18th May Ballarat
Ben Warden leading (Danny Vits interstate)
9.30 am KBCP, 10 am Laverton
4 bikes, 4 people, 450 km, weather fine and cool
Sun 25th May Gippsland
Ben Warden leading
Arduous
9 am KBCP, 10 am Yarra Glen
14 bikes, 14 people, 550 km, weather sensational (for winter) 18.5
C, no wind, fine and sunny; 1 crash - minor cosmetic damage only -
gravel; 1 broken exhaust bracket - fixed with fencing wire
Route: KBCP, Kew Boulevard, Warrandyte (fog), Christmas Hills,
Yarra Glen (pickup), Healesville, Yarra Junction, Poweltown,
Warragul (100 km, morning tea), Lardner South, Yarragon, Trafalgar,
Thorpdale, Mirboo
North, Limonite, Dumbalk-ish loop back to Mirboo North (115 km, lunch),
Limonite, Boolara (CBR900R crash), Mirboo North, Dumbalk-ish,
Leongatha, Arawatta (75 km, regroup), Poowong, Drouin (50 km, afternoon tea),
Longwarry, Bunyip etc, Narre Warren (60 km, 4.50 pm).
Sun 1st June Carmen's Tunnel, Maldon
John Willis leading
9.30 am KBCP, 10.30 am Yarra Glen
18 bikes, 19 people, 420 km, weather fine and cool
Thu 5th June General Meeting 8.15 pm Club Hall
Weekend Sat 7th - Mon 9th Eden - Pub Accommodation
Gerry East leading
8.30 am KBCP, 9.15 am Hallam
Route:
Day 1: Back roads to Moe, Maffra, Stratford, Dargo, Bruthen,
Orbost (first and second night, Commonwealth Hotel);
Incidents: replaced Diane's chain clip; John crashed FZR at
T junction - minor cosmetic, continued on; Lyn buckled rear rim after
hitting pothole, carried on.
Day 2: Cann River, Rockton Junction, Narrabarba, Eden, Tathra, Bega,
Candelo, Wyndham, Cathcart, Bombala, Orbost
Incidents: Diane holed CBR's radiator - repaired sort of, made it back
to Orbost; Ben's exhaust mounting bracket broke - repaired with fencing wire,
continued; Glen holed TL1000's radiator near Cann River, rode back to Orbost,
repaired satisfactorily at second attempt.
Day 3: Buchan, Bruthen, Bairnesdale, Bengworden, Stratford, Maffra, home.
Incidents: Dave crashed ZX900 hire bike near Buchan, minor cosmetic, carried on;
Gerry crashed her YZF600, same corner, same gravel, broken collar bone - other one,
dinked home. Retrieved bike on trailer later in week.
Summary: 10 bikes, 10 people, 1550 km, sensational weather and roads, epic
trip
Sun 15th June BBQ Ocean Grove
Steve Leyland leading
9.30 am KBCP, 10 am Laverton
10 bikes, 13 people, 250 km, very cold, overcast weather
Thu 19th June Social Sip The Swan Hotel, Cnr Swan & Church Sts, Richmond, 7 pm onwards
Sun 22nd June Whroo Caves, Rushworth
Les Leahy leading 9 am KBCP, 10 am Whittlesea
10 bikes, 10 people, 250 km, very cold, wet weather
Ride abandoned after 3rd crash due to loss of time!
Jenny dropped NTV approaching 'T' junction at Wallan end of
Whittlesea Road; Danny dropped TRX to avoid her/bike; Craig dropped
DR600 when he hit deep puddle on dirt - bike immersed, 2 hours
to restart. All riders and bikes relatively unscathed.
Sun 29th June Walkerville South (Wilson's Prom-ish)
Ben Warden leading
9.30 am KBCP, 10.15 am Hallam
Route: Drouin (morning tea), Poowong, Loch, Wonthaggi,
Inverloch (lunch), Walkerville, Fish Creek, Meeniyan, Mirboo North,
Thorpdale, Trafalgar, Drouin, Narrewarren (breakup, 5 pm)
14 bikes, 14 people, weather cool and threatening, one shower,
roads wet/dry, 480 km.
Thu 3rd July General Meeting 8.15 pm Club Hall
Sun 6th July Economy Run - Wonthaggi
Jack Youdan leading
9.30 am KBCP, 10.15 am Hallam
10 bikes, 11 people, 300 km, weather fine, no fog!
Sun 13th July Lavers Hill via Great Ocean Road
Ben Warden leading
9.30 am KBCP, 10 am Laverton
Arduous - not suitable for inexperienced riders ....
Route: Little River, Lara, back roads to Moriac, Anglesea
(morning tea), Lorne, Apollo Bay, Lavers Hill (lunch, 1 pm), Apollo
Bay, Skenes Creek Road, Moriac (regroup), West Gate Servo (breakup), 4.45 pm
30 bikes, 1 car, 32 people, 550 km, weather fine. Incidents:
Greg on his K75 failed to negotiate a bus and did a spot of
gardening - minor cosmetic; Paul on FZR400 blew a fuse.
Thu 17th July Social Sip The Swan Hotel, Cnr Swan & Church Sts, Richmond, 7 pm onwards
Sun 20th July Bendigo
Phil Curran leading
Leisurely
9.30 am KBCP, 10.30 Whittlesea
13 bikes, 15 people, 500 km, weather fine.
Sun 27th July Lake Mountain Snow Ride
Steve Leyland leading
9.30 am KBCP, 10.30 am Yarra Glen
10 bikes, 11 people, 160 km, overcast and cold weather, roadworks
on the Reefton!
Sun 3rd August Maldon
Geoff Jones leading
9.00 am KBCP, 9.30 am Laverton
12 bikes, 12 people, 500 km, weather sunny but cold
Thu 7th August General Meeting, 8.15 pm Club Hall
Sun 10th August Mini Bikes and Go Carts, then short ride
to Broadford via Lancefield
Dianne Welsford leading
9.30 am KBCP
20 bikes, 23 people, 16 cart racers, 16 riders, weather dry and
sunny though cold and windy; 200 km ride, new rider crashed YZF1000 at
low speed - rider ok, bike hit armco and suffered severe fairing damage, bent
forks, etc.
Sun 17th August Powelltown
John Willis leading
9.30 am KBCP, 10.15 am Hallam
8 bikes, 8 people, 350 kms, weather dry (despite forecast) and
windy
Thu 21st August Social Sip, The Swan Hotel, Cnr Swan & Church Sts, Richmond, 7 pm onwards
Sun 24th August Arthur's Seat & Ten Pin Bowling
Bronwyn Manifold leading
9.30 am KBCP, 10.15 am Hallam
(Leisurely)
4 bikes, 5 people, 60 kms, weather abysmal (rain, hail, wind, 6 or
9 deg C maximum temperature). Ride abandoned!
Sun 31st August Mystery Ride
Tony Fabris leading
9.30 am KBCP, 10.30 am Yarra Glen
Ride may not suit inexperienced riders
9 bikes, 9 people, 300 kms, roads wet until Black Spur
Route: Toolangi, Kinglake West, Flowerdale, Yea (morning tea),
Molesworth Rd to Alexandra, Fraser National Park, Eildon, Mt
Pinninger, Taggerty, Marysville, Healesville, Yarra Glen, Christmas
Hills, Kangaroo Ground, break-up.
Thu 4th September General Meeting, 8.15 pm Club Hall
Sun 7th September Whroo Caves - Rushworth
Les Leahy leading
9.00 am KBCP, 10 am Whittlesea
12 bikes, 13 people, 400 km, weather: rained all day, gradually
heavier!
1 crash - mionor cosmetic, regular TRX rider, van did U turn in
front of rider
Sun 14th September Boolarra (Central Gippsland)
Ben Warden leading
9.00 am KBCP, 10.00 am Yarra Glen
Ride may not suit inexperienced riders
Route: Powelltown, Warragul (morning tea), Trafalgar, Mirboo
North, Boolara, Limonite, Mirboo North (lunch), Arawata, Poowong,
Drouin (breakup).
5 bikes, 5 people, 460 km, weather: rained all day
Thu 18th September Social Sip, The Swan Hotel, Cnr Swan & Church Sts, Richmond, 7 pm onwards
Weekend 20th/21st September Black Night Rally (camping)
Rob Matricciani leading
8.30 am Whittlesea
9 bikes, 9 people, 1000 km, weather: wet 1st day, dry second
Sun 28th September Hepburn Springs
Stewart Forster leading
9.30 am KBCP, 10.30 am Whittlesea
8 bikes, 9 people, 450 km, weather: cold, overcast, but dry
Thu 2nd October General Meeting, 8.15 pm Club Hall
Sun 5th October Australian 500cc GP, Phillip Island
Make your own way
About 22 members spotted at the track; Doohan crashes
spectacularly - unhurt - while leading by 6 seconds! Creville wins.
Crowd: 58,000 on Sunday.
Sun 12th October Poker Run - Lake Mountain
9.30 am KBCP, 10.30 am Yarra Glen
15 bikes, 15 people, 320 km, weather: cold, overcast, but dry
Tim (K100RS) drew a straight and won $25; hail storm on top of
Lake Mountain; broke up at Buxton Pub after watching video nasties
Thu 16th October Social Sip, The Swan Hotel, Cnr Swan & Church Sts, Richmond, 7 pm onwards
Weekend 18th/19th October PortCampbell
Dave Ward leading
Route: rode down Great Ocean Road to Port Campbell (motel 3 km
inland from 12 Apostles), dumped luggage in
motel, and those keen (5) went for derby around hills (Simpson, Carlisle
River, Colac, Lavers Hill, motel, 200 km); return home
next day via similar GOR route (Lorne, Deans Marsh, Lara). Heaps of
corners. Great roads. Lorne to Apollo Bay GOR is in best condition
ever.
9.30 am KBCP
7 bikes, 1 car, 10 people, 500 km 1st day, 300 km next, weather: 1
shower on Geelong Rd, then dry all day; wet to Apollo Bay on second
day, then dry and warm.
Sat 25th October Dirt Ride, Tallarook
5 bikes, 5 people
Sun 26th October Grand Ridge Road (Gippsland)
Les Leahy leading
Ninety (90) km of dirt
9.00 am KBCP, 9.45 am Hallam
Ride may not suit inexperienced riders
15 bikes, 15 people, 500 km, 1 crash, 3 finished, home by 7 pm
Melbourne Cup Weekend 1st-4th November Adelaide Hills
Route:
Day 1: 9.00 am KBCP leave.
Took inland route via Ballarat and Glenelg Highway through Hamilton (base of
Grampians) and South Australian wineries region rejoining Western Highway
at Keith. Accomodation booked in Murray Bridge (72 km before Adelaide,
by-passed by freeway) for three nights.
Day 2: Investigated roads south of Murray Bridge including riding
down the Fleurieu Peninsula to Cape Jarvis, Victor Harbour and Strathalbyn.
Day 3: Investigated Adelaide Hills north of Western Freeway
including, Chain of Ponds road, Loebethal, Gorge Road, Mannum, Williamstown,
Birdwood.
Day 4: Headed back to Melbourne via similar route to first day, this
time picking up Grampians - Zumsteins, Halls Gap.
Ben Warden leading
9.00 am KBCP
5 bikes, 2 cars, 9 people, 2350 km , weather dry whole trip, no
incidents!
Thu 6th November General Meeting, 8.15 pm Club Hall
Sun 9th November Dandenong Ranges
Gerry East leading
9.30 am KBCP, 10.15 am Hallam
Leisurely
30 bikes, 32 people, 260 km, weather fine and warm
Sun 16th November King Crystal Mines
Andi Sirninger leading
9.00 am Warrandyte Bridge
(Lots of dirt - 70 km plus)
11 bikes, 12 people
Thu 20th November Social Sip, The Swan Hotel, Cnr Swan & Church Sts, Richmond, 7 pm onwards
Sun 23rd November Around the Bay
Ferry from Sorrento to Queenscliff - $14 plus $4 pillion
Andrew Kennedy leading
9.30 am KBCP, 10.15 am Hallam
26 bikes, 28 people
(Leisurely)
Sun 30th November Reefton and Black Spurs
Ben Warden leading
9.30 am KBCP, 10.30 am Yarra Glen
13 bikes, 14 people, 260 km
Thu 4th December General Meeting
8:15 pm Club Hall
Sat 6th December Christmas Barbeque
12 - 4 pm, Fairfield Park, Melway Reference 30 J 12
45 people, 34 members
Sun 7th December Walhalla Cricket
John Willis leading
9:30 am KBCP, 10:30 am Yarra Glen
13 bikes, 13 people, 450 km
Sun 14th December Great Ocean Road including Erskine Falls,
Lorne Lookout and Apollo Bay Lookout. Bring camera.
Ben Warden leading
9:30 am KBCP, 10 am Laverton
May not suit inexperienced riders.
11 bikes, 11 people, 450 km
Police blitz in Anglesea: licence, rego, EPA noise. VTR1000 and
916 over noise; 2 unmarked blue camera cars: Camry wagons at start
GOR, Eastern View and in Anglesea. Heavy rain encountered on Otway
ranges.
OR
Sun 14th December MRAA Toy Run
Jon Riddett leading
10 am KBCP
22 bikes, 32 people, 22 members
Thu 18th December Social Sip, NEW VENUE
7:30pm, Baden Powell Hotel, 61 Victoria St, Collingwood
(cnr of Cambridge St).
Melways Reference page 2C, E12
Sun 21st December Eildon via Reefton Spur
Tony Schrader leading
9:30 am KBCP, 10:30 am Yarra Glen
17 bikes, 17 people, 420 km, 3 finishers; 35 deg C, hot north
wind
Incidents: #1: wind blew over new rider's ZXR750H1 in Marysville breaking
clutch lever; #2: new rider crashed KR1-250 on Jamieson Rd, cut leg (jeans
only), usual cosmetic damage to bike, rideable; #3 Stew's VTR1000
deflating rear tyre near Yea.
Observations: #1 Eight riders left at Marysville (after
Reefton Spur) due to very hot weather conditions and/or Christmas
committments; #2 Seven first time riders.
Fri 26th December - Thu 1st January 1998
Club Christmas Camp - Mt. Buffalo Caravan Park, Porepunkah
26 people, 15 bikes, 9 cars, 1 trailer
Weather hot and dry, 1 minor crash on Tolmie dirt on way home