16 bikes, 20 people

Lyn Duncan rang me Saturday night to confirm I would be at Whittlesea, and to let me know she was bringing along a few friends. Eddie on a new CBR250RR and Porky & Andrea on the "Hulk" – well that’s what it said on the Trumpy’s number plate! Yep, I would be there and we would travel around through Kinglake to meet the rest of the group leaving from Yarra Glen, probably on the Chum Creek Road.

Julie and I arrived a few minutes early. Lyn and the gang were already there, having ridden down from Flowerdale through the fog and maybe ice, Lyn mentioning a lurid slide. The sun was shining brightly, no wind, and the temperature warming slowly from a miserly 4 deg C. Pleasantries exchanged, including a big hug from Lyn – well it has been months and months: she’s been to Cairns four wheel driving and otherwise generally keeping a low profile – and off we headed.

It was a sedate ride and true to plan we met Tim, Rhys etc on Chum Creek Road. I headed on a bit further to find a lay-by to do a safe u-turn and hopefully work out who was rear rider. Mind you, Lyn and co. were creating chaos doing 27 point u-turns in front of the on-coming bikes, pillions dismounting, I heard later. After about 7 bikes, Ron and Daniel came through followed by a gap. I figured he was rear rider and took off. I soon learned Rob and Mandy were the real rear riders for the day.

Back through Toolangi to Kinglake and Kinglake West (note steam rising off ploughed paddock and other lake-like patches of low-lying cloud) where we corner marked with Warwick. Rob and Mandy arrived and we took off, dropping down through the series of 60/70 km/h corners. Splutter, spit, hit reserve – a tad awkward mid corner. Switched over and continued on at a steady rate. The roads were wet and dry – wet under the trees where the water was dropping off. It was now very cold and fog all around, though not too dense – but still requiring a regular swish of the visor.

Onto Flowerdale and up Junction Hill. Baulked by a few bikes and car, but managed to get past them to enjoy the thrillingly steep downhill set of corners, trusting in the new set of "207s". Sensational tyres. Slotted in behind Bronwyn on the RGV, riding well, for a few kilometres before two-stroke fumes got the better of my patience.

Into Yea for fuel and morning tea. 289 km and 16.13 litres for the tank – good economy for two up, though I put a litre of oil in before the ride. Valve guide seals and rings I suppose. The milk bar did a roaring trade with many people looking for hot food and drinks, and a warm place to thaw out. Those less well dressed were suffering from the cold. Daniel’s teeth were chattering uncontrollably, cotton pants and parka– not really adequate for the conditions. We had expected the weather to be better once over the divide, but it was overcast and cloudy, looking like it might snow. The sun was trying to break through.

Ron was espousing the merits of his visor cleaning solution. I caught up with Tim, Warwick and Rhys. Rhys was giving me curry – my disk carriers are worn out and rattle like crazy – and probably the whole shebang needs replacing, but the disk part is fine. Rhys suggested that it was like throwing out an old pair of worn out shoes but keeping the laces. The disks are fine, but carriers – anodised aluminium – are worn and sloppy- and, at $800 new, I am hoping to get a bit more life out of them. Steel carriers would solve the problem.

On the highway again, Tim leading, heading for Molesworth and Alexandra. Tim passed the big truck taking up all the narrow winding road, and was gone. The truck’s turbulence when passing under a tree caused a dump of rain only furthering my resolve to pass it. Soon enough Warwick came sweeping by. Later I said he needs a new bike, but he noted that it still gets the job done with ease, so why should he? Good philosophy.

Heading south from the Alexandra turn off the sky suddenly cleared and we were bathed in magnificent sunshine. It was very picturesque. Through Taggerty and onto Buxton Pub for lunch.

Unfortunately for the group we ended up distributed around the pub on separate tables. It would have been good to catch up on the gossip from Lyn and meet her friends. Ian headed to his daughter’s house after a ham and cheese toasted sandwich. The pretty average meals took a fair while arriving but we were happily entertained by the spectacular crash and burn videos.

Back to the bikes and glorious sunshine. The group was somewhat depleted now, Lyn and Eddie heading back to Flowerdale, Rob and Mandy leaving earlier. A leisurely cruise into Marysville where we came up behind a suspicious four-wheel drive with three aerials. Porky passed it as we were leaving town, and immediately regretted it! We dawdled along at 60 km/h, Porky in front, Mr Plod, and now 5 bikes stacked up behind. I looked to overtake in the D-restricted zone, Plod’s lights came on, and he swerved to block my progress, motioning for all of us to pull over. Hmm. I figured it could not have been more than a licence check. "Keeping us honest" were his words. Rego’s and licence numbers were noted. No grief. We soon found ourselves battling the cars and buses across the Black Spur, fighting the bumps, passing the odd bike, Dianne riding like a demon. Good fun.

At Healesville I told Warwick we were leaving, and once again many riders departed here. Tim continued up to Toolangi, back to Kinglake and St Andrews breaking up at Kangaroo Ground. Maybe only he and Warwick were the sole survivors. A round trip of 350 km. A good day. Thanks to Tim for leading and Rob for rear riding, and the others for being there.