Ian Payne (Leader) RF900 Ian Handforth (Rear) Ténéré

Geoff Barton R1100GS Darren Hosking VTR1000

Tim Walker ZX7R Wayne Grant ZX9

Geoff Jones ZZR600 Ben Warden ZXR750

Mike Bosworth ZX9R Craig Morley YZF750

Having met Ian, and three others at the KBCP we made our way via the usual Yarra Boulevard route to Whittlesea. The rest were waiting, or arrived soon after, at the second pickup. The weather was fine but cold, on this, the shortest Sunday of the year. We were looking forward to a good day’s riding.

We were all members, so the corner marking spiel wasn’t required, but Ian told us that he had done some checking and had found out that the Heathcote Insect Museum had closed. Disappointment all around! But, not to worry, it had relocated to larger premises in Woodend as an Insectarium, and we would be going there after Heathcote.

Just as we were about to leave plod arrived in a Subaru Forester GT (the one with the WRX engine). "Going out for a ride fellas?" etc etc etc. Anyhow, the part of his tale that caught our attention was that there was a red or white XR8 out there, indicating to the north, that was looking for the likes of us. It had mobile radar that worked to the front and rear - so we had better not speed!!

Was he winding us up? I’m glad to say that we’ll never know.

We headed out toward Kinglake West and pretty soon achieved normal speeds. After corner marking just past Flowerdale I’m off to Strath Creek, and a few k’s later I hit "the pimple". That certainly gets the adrenaline pumping. This must be the third or fourth time - I think I’ll remember where it is now. Up the great little hill climb the other side of Strath Creek and on through Broadford to Pyalong where we stop at the shop. Wayne sails straight through, but Geoff Jones takes up the chase to return him to the fold. This was meant to be the tea break, but with the shop closed due to a planned power outage we continued on to Lancefield for fuel and food.

The power was also out in Lancefield, but magically the servo was operating, and hot food could be found in the darkened shop. After a break we’re off again, but Wayne had had enough, no doubt off to support the mighty Kangaroos at the G. Taking the back roads toward Heathcote via Mia Mia there were many rough patches where my Kawasaki had a fun time shaking its head. A U-turn in the main street of Heathcote and we’re pressing on toward Kyneton. After crossing a beautiful little bridge over the Campaspe River at Redesdale we stopped for more fuel and food. On through Kyneton and Tylden to the insectarium at the far end of Woodend.

We received a group discount, and all nine of us went in to check out the insects. Lots of bugs speared by pins: a tarantula the size of Stewie Loewe’s hand; a live scorpion that glowed under ultraviolet light; etc.

I departed the scene here, while the others headed back to Whittlesea via Romsey. Thanks Ian for a well organised leisurely (not) ride.