The weather outlook for this little adventure was a bit dicey even when I arrived at the KBCP. The sun was out. However the forecast was pretty ordinary and the clouds were looming. But we were heading north so there was a chance of staying dry. After waiting a short while in town Lyn and Eddy rolled up followed by Ben and Julie. Usually Ben would head to the second pickup although this was to be a more leisurely ride and perhaps he felt like cruising into town.

I had done the pre-ride the day before in the rain and wind so I was hopeful today was not going to be a repeat of those conditions. The rain isn’t so bad but the wind drives me crazy.

At the second pickup (Yarra Glen) we met up with Ian and Kerrie. To all our surprise the shop was closed. Hopefully this will have been for the day only. I mean it was Fathers’ Day and those that were on the ride must have sent or arranged their gifts to be sent earlier, just like me!

Before leaving we were graced with the reappearance of 20 or so Harleys owned by that youthful Club, the Harley Owners Group (HOG). We had seen the same bikes earlier when leaving the city heading for Yarra Glen. The left hand turn from the top end of Hoddle St on to the Eastern Freeway just kills em’; they waddle around the corner at about 15 km/h.

We left Yarra Glen a little after 10.30 am and headed for Kinglake via Christmas Hills and the St.Andrews Rd. I had heard some motorcyclists have clocked out around these parts and after riding it several times it is easy to see how that could happen. A great road, sure, but very tight, and some of those right handers seem to be on a cliff edge with the road angled the wrong way. I must confess some of those corners do make me feel a little edgy (no pun intended).

So far the weather was holding up just fine as we proceeded through Kinglake. The journey from Kinglake to Kinglake West was where the rain began, although I was not completely surprised, given how close it is to catchment areas.

From Kinglake West to Yea would have to be one of my personal favorites. Even though it was not raining now, I would not have cared either way. This road just flows and was made for clubs like ours to enjoy. The worst part of this section is that it always ends far too quickly. Those who needed fuel quickly filled up at Yea. Ben figured he didn’t need any juice and preferred to just use the facilities instead.

From Yea it was on to the quieter roads going via Strath Creek and Tyack, although near Tyack a 4WD was about to turn in front of Ian and I. Thankfully he braked instead as there was no way in hell we could have stopped. On came the rain again, just as we thought our morning dose was all we were in for. The blustery wind was just plain distracting as we headed towards Broadford.

Trawool was not far away, and, by this stage I was looking, forward to sitting down somewhere dry as my leathers continued to soak up ever more rain. As we were heading through Tallarook Ben gave a toot and headed in another direction. It was a mystery to me as to why. I later found out that the guy who didn’t need juice in Yea suddenly did now and we didn’t know what servo would be open out here on Fathers Day. Thankfully he managed to find some and before long we were all enjoying the atmosphere of the Trawool Valley Resort.

Of all those inside, we clearly stood out as the oddballs; everyone else was there for Fathers’ Day. The owners/staff were very friendly and had had 30 or so bikers stop for lunch the previous day. While enjoying our meal the sky opened with a little hail thrown in for good measure. Fortunately it had stopped by the time we were leaving. It would not have mattered too much as the football was on in the bar with Essendon showing a clean set of heals to Sydney. A shame really in Big Tony’s last game.

The journey home was quite simple going via Strath Creek, Flowerdale and back to Whittlesea. This is another section that can really be enjoyed, and, although the roads were damp, the surface seems to be very grippy.

Thank you to all that participated. It was a most enjoyable way to spend Fathers’ Day.

Wayne Grant