Riders; (15 bikes, 15 people)

Ben Warden – ZXR750 (leader) Derek Atkinson – FZR1000 (r/rider)

Tony ? – 996 Phil ? – VFR750*

Ian Payne – RF900 Jeff Servaas – TRX850*

Craig Morley – YZF750 Paul Tallents – YZF600

Tim Walker – ZX7R Steve ? – VTR1000*

Mick Bosworth – ZX9* Scott Schrieke – CBR600

Patrick Davey – ZX6R Theo Kalkandis – R1

Enzo Cunico – RF900

* Non Members

Yarra Glen to Healesville, Yarra Junction, Powelltown & Warragul for a break. To Arawata, Mirboo North, Boolarra & back to Mirboo North for lunch. On to Dumbalk, Marden South, Ranceby, Poowong, Drouin and finish at Pakenham.

I arrived at Yarra Glen to find a large group of bikes in attendance but on closer inspection I didn’t recognise any of them! Turns out they were just a group of friends going for a ride down to Korumburra. While waiting for our group to arrive another large bunch of bikes passed through. ‘The good weather had certainly dragged the bikes out today.’

First to arrive was Tim followed closely by Derek then Ben and the group arrived shortly after. Ben was holding up remarkably well considering the minor crash he’d had 10 days ago on Easter Friday had resulted in a couple of broken ribs, OUCH. Thank goodness for Panadol Forte. The spiel was given and Derek volunteered for rear rider duties but unfortunately the emergency kit was with new member Geoff Barton who was waiting at Hallam!

We headed to Healesville via the back roads then across to Yarra Junction and down the Noojee road. Along the way we caught sight of Darryn Webster, Gerry East and some other riders. They were apparently heading for the Reefton Spur.

Just past Powelltown we caught up to an early model Commodore towing a trailer who thought he could outpace us! But the only thing stopping us from passing him was the wildly swinging trailer that was either in the dirt spraying us with gravel or way over the white line in the other lane! We had just managed to pass him when as we rounded a right hand bend and were confronted with a CBR600 on its side! It was Scott. He appeared OK so Craig, Paul and I continued on to alert Ben. Scott had apparently run a bit wide, found himself on the loose stuff, and fallen over. He was unhurt and the bike had only some scratches on the fairing and a broken right hand front blinker.

We continued on and regrouped at a new service station on the outskirts of Warragul for fuel and allowed the others to catch up. In all the excitement Phil filled his VFR with diesel fuel. This necessitated pulling off the ducktail fairing to remove the tank and empty it! The extended stop gave us a chance to talk to Scott who explained that his bike had "just wanted to do a bit of gardening" and it was now the perfect excuse for that custom paint job!

Tony on the 996 left us here while the rest of us proceeded into Warragul proper for our morning tea. After a leisurely break we headed due south to Ranceby where along the way we came upon a yellow VTR in the bushes. It was one of ours! Steve had apparently run of the road and fell over in the soft stuff. Fortunately only very minor damage to both man and machine. We continued on through Arawata, Halston & Mirboo North then south to Limonite. At this stage I was following Phil when his VFR decided to launch the single seat cover at me! This was the second time it had come off today and unfortunately it didn’t survive the second encounter with the ground. On through Boolarra South and Boolarra , then back to Mirboo North for lunch at the new bakery.

There were quite a few bikes in town and a pristine early 70’s Honda 4 looked familiar. Yep, it was Nick, a friend of member Paul Burns, out for a ride with a mate on a Ducati, which just happened to be Pauls old bike!

After lots of talking and something to eat, it was off again to traverse more of South Gippslands twisty roads. Down to Dumbalk, Maude South, Leongatha, Arawata, Ranceby and Poowong. Unfortunately Theo missed the Poowong corner-markers and went straight on. Mick noticed the error and set of in hot pursuit, only to find Theo a little "difficult to catch". When they eventually stopped they were miles away but fortunately Theo knew the route Ben intended to take so they managed to rejoin us as we regrouped in Drouin. After a short break where much discussion centred on tyre wear; we refuelled then proceeded along the back roads through Bunyip and Tynong to Pakenham for break up.

All in all an excellent day even considering the ‘dramas’ that took place. The route was well thought out and as usual contained most of the "good" roads in South Gippsland. Also great weather and a good bunch of riders made for an outstanding day’s ride.