XTZ660 Ian Handforth RF900 Enzo

Triumph 1200 Vin (1^st ride) TL1000 Darren Morecombe

FZR1000 Derek Atkinson T509 Tim Casemore

VFR400 Terri (1^st ride) R1 Ray Toulson

ZX9 Joe Ivanko and Loretta (1^st ride) ZXR750 Ben Warden (lead)

VFR800 Neville Maggs (1^st ride) R6 John Clowes

TL1000 Peter van Meurs (1^st ride) R6 Eric Makin

ZX9 Mike Bosworth VTR1000 Peter Luch (1^st ride)

FZR1000 Waryk Piper and Kim YZF600 Mick Hanlon

Triumph 1200 Jack Youdan (rear rider)

This was to be Geraldine East’s run but other commitments had Ben Warden standing in as the leader and me as the rear rider.

Eighteen bikes and riders and a couple of passengers left Yarra Glen. There were many riders new to the Club so they needed the Ben-spiel on corner marking activities.

Our first coffee stop was Yea via the Healesville-Toolangi-Kinglake-Flowerdale route. With not-too-hot weather many bikes were on the road and in Yea-but we managed to avoid confusion and leave as a group.

Not familiar with some of this area (back down to Flowerdale, right to Strath Creek, up to Parrot Creek, left at Trawool …. Ed.) I just switched off and followed until we had our oops (not even an incident really). Someone, a prominent Club member, did not wait long enough at the Trawool to Tallarook turn off on the Yea-Seymour road and four of us souls sailed on into Seymour and reached the Old Hume Highway before sussing we were in wrong-mode.

I suppose it is understandable with two red Triumph Daytonas with riders wearing identical red Arai helmets, one of the two being the rear rider. Clearly a case of mistaking the oncoming Daytona as the rear most Daytona when it is the foremost Daytona ahead of the second most Daytona, (confusing eh?)

After all was sorted Leader Ben did us proud in avoiding busy, main roads and guided us through Pyalong, Lancefield, Rochford, Hesket, and Wallan to disperse at (love that word) at Whittlesea.Total ride length was 320-330 km and dispersed around 3:30 pm.

Footnote: A "new" rider asked if I am the "old Jack who always goes rear rider" on his brother’s trail riding group. Answer is no and listen you all: if one gets this reputation in MTCV, one will start charging a fee for rear riding service. Rate is currently $46.50 per hour (no annual leave loading) so a 5 hour run nets $232.50 out of the Club coffers!