I met the group coming from the city rejoining the Christmas Hills Road at Kangaroo Ground and slotted in behind Tim. As I was on the Dominator I could see him looking in the mirror trying to figure out who it was. We made our way to Yarra Glen, the first pick-up to meet the others. The Yarra Glen main street (called Bell St) by-pass is really taking shape, the earthworks looking very serious and grand. Looking around at the group I could see it was a pretty sports focused – all sports bikes and mainly long standing members. It should be a fun ride I thought.

We set off to Healesville taking the back route, across to Yarra Junction and Warburton before heading up Mt Donna Buang. The Dominator was having to earn its keep to stay with the other more sport oriented bikes but has sufficient power and handling to keep a few at bay, particularly in the tighter stuff. Remember Andrew Kennedy on his Dominator? – hard to pass in the twisties.

It was quite cold at the top of Mt. Donna Buang and only Tim and I climbed the tower to be greeted with a fine view of cloud. Hmm. Back down the mountain to Warburton for refreshments. Tim pulled into the servo for fuel with a couple of bikes following him. Only Les was in town, and not realising that I had passed quite a lot bikes, I thought some may have kept going straight, and so went off in pursuit to the next town. Along the way I numbered off those who I had passed or were on corners etc, realised the error of my ways, and returned to morning tea.

After Saturday’s freezing temperatures including snow on all the peaks and as low as Kinglake, the weather was relatively mild. The sun was shining brightly and by the end of the day most people were red faced and sunburnt. Rhys regailed us with his usual humorous stories before hitting the road again.

I corner marked at the bottom of the Reefton Spur with Eric. When Geoff on his R1100 wizzed by we set off on a playful dual the full length of the Spur. I managed to pass Eric early but he passed back a few corners later. I spent the rest of the Spur chasing and hounding him, thinking I could make up some ground under brakes because my bike was lighter. Then it dawned on me: it wasn’t! Hmm. The knobbies weren’t helping either, the rear tyre destroyed by the end of the day. I managed to squeeze by him a few corners from the end, the extra ground clearance or desperateness spooking him. Top ride. Brought back memories of battling with Steve and Craig on the Tengai. Meanwhile at the front, team RGV had been setting a hot pace, but madman Danny Kosinski managed to catch them on his VFR. He practices up there he said. It shows.

Marysville for lunch and tale telling before tackling the Black Spur. I remember passing a few bikes and being chased down by Dave and John, me acting as the bunny, slipping past the cars a little easier. From Healesville we headed north up Chum Creek Road to Toolangi and onto Kinglake and the St Andrew’s tight twisties. We broke up at Kangaroo Ground at about 3 pm. A great ride with no incidents and lots of fun. Thanks Tim for leading and Geoff for riding at the rear. Next week I hope to be back on the ZXR after a few cosmetic repairs to the fairings.