Riders:

Ian Payne– RF900 (leader) Darren Hosking VTR1000 Phil Radcliffe – VFR750 (2^nd)

Ben Warden – ZXR750 Wayne Grant & Verity– ZX9 John Willis – Triumph #

Nick Prapas – RGV # Rob Langer – Van # Dianne Welsford – Car #

David Ward & Bronwyn Manifold – Car #

# Joined at Gembrook 7 bikes, 12 people, 3 cars

It’s unusual for a leader to do his own write-up as he may colour the story favourably but in this case the group insisted I do it as my penance for stuffing up. Yes I admit it, I did wrong by not pre-booking the pub for lunch. But let me explain, 8 weeks ago when I agreed to lead this ride, I enquired at the Gembrook Hotel about the need to book and was told "there would be no need as we have just extended the hotel and it now seats over 100". So imagine my surprise when I rang on Saturday to double-check and was told "sorry we are completely booked out". Seems a car club with 130 people were dining there!

Left KBCP at 9.35am with the group comprising ‘me, myself & I’ and proceeded down the arterial to the second pickup at Hallam. 10.15am came and went with only Darren, Phil, Wayne and Verity in attendance. Wayne was positive that Ben and Julie were coming so we gave them another 10 minutes. Just as we prepared to leave Ben arrives mumbling something about nearly running out of fuel!

From Hallam we headed to Narre Warren North, Harkaway, Beaconsfield Upper and Emerald. The weather was surprisingly warm with the roads wet but still offering a good level of grip. Along to Avonsleigh then a newly tarred section of road to Macclesfield, that contained few twists and turns. Left to Monbulk and after 37 minutes and 49 kilometres it was time for a short coffee/cigarette/ toilet break!

We continued on to Kallista, Menzies Creek and Emerald, due to the high volume of traffic going to "Wombat Gully Plant Farm" we detoured around the back of Emerald to pick up the Upper Beaconsfield road. Then down into Cockatoo and Pakenham Upper, next Gembrook where the road progressively deteriorated the closer we get to town. Another 36 minutes and 41 kilometres had past since our last stop. Certainly not the normal ‘Touring Club’ average?

Due to the previously mentioned saga of the pub, we parked outside the "Motorist Cafe and Museum" and went to check out the abundance of classic cars in town. From the models present, it appeared the Buick, Cortina and MG car clubs were the culprits packing out the pub bistro. Not to worry, "Puffing Billy" had just arrived so we went to watch the ritual of oiling, watering and steaming the little engine.

We proceeded back to the Café as John Willis arrived on his Triumph, he certainly looked the part with his black open-face and goggles. Next came Dianne, Rob, Nick, Dave and Bron. With Rob wishing he had come on the bike as overtaking in the van isn’t easy so a few desperates occurred!

We enjoyed a leisurely lunch, then Wayne, Verity and John departed. John returned a little later having left his wet weathers behind! Ben then headed off but he too returned to double check the best way home!

That left just the 3 of us to finish the ride but then Troy and Dee appeared having been dirt riding just out of town at the "powerlines".

After a bit of a chat with them, Phil, Darren and I headed back down to Pakenham Upper then Toomuc Valley, Upper Beaconsfield, Berwick, Narre Warren North and then Endeavour Hills for breakup at the servo.

This took another 43 minutes to cover the 55 kilometres. Hmm, that means we only travelled a total of 145 kilometres for the day in a little under 2 hour’s actual riding time! Wow an average of 75 kilometres per hour, perhaps the ride should have been labelled leisurely?

Thanks to all that came and added to the enjoyment of this ride.