Cakes cooked/bought, kids (timekeepers) sorted, pen and paper packed I head to the West Gate servo via some of the roads to be used to get to the hill climb site at Yaloak Vale, south of Ballan. Some police activity noted with a camera car in Hopkins Road, mentioned to the group at the pickup, who included;

Ben Warden ZXR750, Tim Walker ZX7R, Craig Morley YZF750, Ian Payne CBR900, Greg Hales TL1000S, Jack Youdan VFR800, Bill Scorgie Moto Guzzi Le Mans 1000, Warrick Piper and Kim Kreisel FZR1000, Tim Dahlgren (1^st ride) TL1000R, Vincent Melot R6 (1^st ride), Dave Ward Ducati 748 SPS, Darren Webster TL1000R.

At the hill, but too late for the climb, Ray Walker GSXR750, and sister Tania GPz250. Oh, and me Geoff Jones ZZR600. Helping out on the hill, Melissa Jones and Andrew McKenna Nissan Skyline 3 litre, with Ben Jones Laser Lynx 1.8 litre. Also worthy of mention Val Jones cake, coffee and tea "done good".

As there were some first time riders present Ian gave a corner marking tutorial and I gave the quick version of the hill climb timing "system", That is, a bike is seen from the top of the hill and is timed as it moves. The clock is stopped as it passes a noted spot on the top of the hill. No rocket science required.

Off we head via the camera car with no donations recorded but after turning west into Greigs Road and thinking I might clear out some cobwebs I get a flash from an oncoming car. A little further on, sitting among some trees, is a WRX with radar gun at the ready. As the car that had flashed me had turned off there was no warning of the problem to the following group. After Geoff Barton getting done on one of my rides some time back I was not feeling too flash about it happening again so I did a U turn and headed for the WRX. Happily the first riders saw my lights and all passed OK, no contributions recorded.

Through Exford, Rowsley and Glenmore and to the hill where the timing system is set up and contemplate the extent of some recent council work on the road. BULK GRAVEL. All the way up the hill there are patches of the stuff on top of some very rough tar work. There is not a clear line anywhere on the run up and initially the thought is "call it off". Tim seems willing to defend his title and goes up in 57.87 seconds. This breaks the drought and the times are as follows:

Tim Walker 57.87, 55.35 Geoff Jones 1.07.81

Ben Warden 1.05.34, 1.01.72 Darryn Webster 1.17.25

Craig Morley 54.44, 50.62 Vincent Melot 1.10.77

Ian Payne 1.04.22, 58.59, 55.82 Greg Hales 55.75

Warrick Piper 56.06, 51.94, 50.13 Bill Jorgie 1.25.16

Dave Ward 54.50, 52.43, 46.06 Tim Dahlgren 1.06.54

Jack Youdan 1.10.72

Some rolling starts were noted but the final time that Dave achieved was a pretty obvious winning margin. Dave Ward, MTCV Hill Climb Champion for the Year 2000.

To celebrate Dave's win the cake was released and tea and coffee makings supplied. Consumed in a flash so the time keepers departed and the ride left for Ballan. As we were leaving Ray and his sister Tania joined. Into Ballan for fuel, more food and other needs attended to. Ben and Dave left for home, Dave to bread baking and Ben to attend a sculpture opening. Very cultured is our Ben. (Actually I tagged along to Woodend, not being able to resist the twisties. Ben)

Short ride was indicated on the itinerary so from Ballan we headed north to Trentham, through Blackwood and Newbury. On to Woodend where Tim Walker left to visit friends, and across to Lancefield, turning south to Romsey for the run into Wallan. From Wallan onto the Epping road untill the Eden Park turnoff. Here I lost Vince on the R6. As I pulled off to indicate the corner, he was out passing a car, and obviously missed seeing the turn. The others, who now seemed to be on a mission, were able to get stopped and so enjoyed the twists down to Whittlesea where the ride ended

Thanks to Tim for rear riding to the hill and to Jack who rear rode to the finish and to all who turned up. Weather was kind even if the road surface on the hill was'nt. At least it was the same for all.

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