Kawasaki ZX900 Wayne and Verity: rear riders, Verity freezing to death, left at Kyneton to go to the footy or feed the horses. Ben took over rear riding position.

Suzuki RF900 Ian Payne: never made the Whittlesea pickup but found himself taking to a bunch of bikies at Laverton. When he proffered an itinerary he realised the error of his ways and headed via the ring road to Whittlesea seeking bad advice at a service station along the way. At Whittlesea he coincidentally ran in to Derek.

Yamaha FZR1000 Derek Atkinson: missed Whittlesea pickup because Jumping Creek Road, Warrandyte was closed due to road works. He was also travelling slowly running in his freshly lubricated swing arm, shock linkage, and steering head bearings. He traveled with Ian to Maldon, then returned home, missing the train ride.

Yamaha FZR1000 Warwick Piper and Kim: long time non-members. There for the duration.

Guzzi 1100 Graeme Maizy: first ride. Tried hard. Bike handling not up to MTCV touring speeds. Read about the Club on the Internet. He’ll be back.

Yamaha YZF600 Mick Hanlon: still had his sea legs and was riding very cautiously, hands suffering from vibration or cold.

Kawasaki ZXR750 Ben Warden: swapped bikes with Geoff from Maldon onwards. His 600 seems to have more power, geared 1000 rpm higher, sweeter gearbox, easy to ride, grounded peg – ground clearance less. Unable to evaluate handling at legal speeds – roads open and fast.

Kawasaki ZZR600 Geoff Jones: swapped bikes with Ben. ZXR seating position more crouched, floating disks rattly, heavier steering, harsher suspension.

Car Ron & Julie Johnson: got mixed up with ride on narrow roads. Met us at Maldon.