The weekend started early with three houseguests, Paul Tallents ute with with XR400, Ben Warden and Julie McCall (car with trailer and Dominator). They arrived soon after dark but I had to leave them to make themselves at home because I’d had an abscessed tooth removed and all I wanted to do was curl up and sleep.

Saturday morning and seven more bikes appeared at the front of the house — for what was advertised as predominantly easy dirt roads. I apologize to one rider. It may not have seemed that way.

I was worried leading up to the day that the troops might be bored because it would be too easy. Instead I felt I may be facing a lynching for the opposite reason. Because of recent rise of the lake water level, heavy fog on Mt Torbreck, fallen trees and pretty constant drizzle, the day’s planned events did alter slightly. We missed out on the Big River bridge crossing, Snobs Creek water falls, Rubicon Power Station and scenic views of snow capped Hotham, Buller and Buffalo.

The first part of our ride was a big circuit: Jerusalem Creek Road, Barnewell Plains Road, Snobs Creek Rd and back to Eildon for morning tea. After coffee, a chat and warming by the fire/furnace Eric Makin, TTR250, his mate Dwayne WR250, and Michael Barnes, Degree 250, departed for home. That left Ben who would stay with Julie, who’d been doing homework, Eddy on my KDX200, Paul, XR400, Tom Saville and Andi Sirninger, on a stunning pair of DR2400’s, and myself DR250 to ride back to Jew’s Creek, across Jerusalem Creek Bridge, which, until recently, had been underwater for 50 years. Eddy had previously crossed it in his Range Rover and obviously heaps of tourists before us.

Tom lead the five of us along an interesting track, then back to another uncovered bridge that didn’t look quite as sturdy as the first. This track petered out to single file. As it was getting late we returned via Wilson Track and Taylors Creek Track onto Jerusalem Creek Road and home. We pressure washed the bikes and fully clothed Tom and Andi. I don’t think I’ve seen that before. Thanks for the turnout. Good to see you all again.

Sunday morning outside the weather was great and I thought what a good day for a ride. I put my leathers on and got the bike out of the garage, warmed the engine up, put helmet on and headed off to Whittlesea. Weather was still okay. At Doreen, someone on a TL1000 came up behind me. I did not know who it was. I turned left at the roundabout and the person on the TL went straight ahead.

As I got closer to Whittlesea the weather started to get colder, roads were wet, light drizzle falling and the horizon looked blacker in the distance. I was wondering whether it was worth going, but I decided I had come this far so I wasn’t going to let the weather stop me. Finally arrived at the service station. There were 4 or 5 bikes including the person who passed me at Doreen who was Greg Hales.

Filled up on fuel and parked the bike, then went and had a chat to a few people until the others turned up. Ian and the other riders arrived. Some of them fuelled up. Ian got everybody’s attention and gave a run down on the corner marking and where we were going. He then asked for a rear rider to which I volunteered and I volunteered for that other job which nobody seems to like doing, the write up. It is one of those jobs that when you ask for someone to do it, silence reigns. It is like an incurable disease that nobody wants to have anything to do with it. It would be good to see other people contribute to the magazine and see other peoples’ point of view or opinions on how the rides go …enough said. Back to ride.

We headed off to Wallan East. The last time I came along this road they were doing road works. They certainly have improved this part of the road, that’s for sure. On to Wandong, across to Kilmore, then Lancefield for smoko. This was a welcome stop, that’s for sure. Hot drinks and food for everybody. Time to thaw the hands out and loo stop. We must have been there for a good half an hour. By then everybody was thawed out and ready to go. From there up to Sidonia, Bald Hill and Kyneton. We encountered some rain through here. Around the Upper Coliban Reservoir the road is nice and twisty and goes across a dam wall. On to Spring Hill and the Pig & Whistle Hotel at Trentham East for lunch.

The Hotel was a welcome sight. Everyone parked up and went inside. It was warm inside. Open fire, cosy atmosphere. Everybody abandoned their riding gear and made them selves comfortable. After ten or fifteen minutes most of us had thawed out and were quite content to stay there for the rest of the day… who the hell wanted to go back out in the cold weather while siting inside with the warmth of the open fire. ….Order lunch, have a drink and a bit of idle gossip while we wait for our meals. Food arrives, tuck in and enjoy, Some people left early.

After lunch we were down to 7 bikes. We travelled to Woodend where we got fuel. As we left Woodend we passed over the new bypass they are building. On to Hesket the roads are a bit narrow here. It was around here somewhere Jacinta and I had a bit of trouble passing an old bloke in Toyota tray truck. He wouldn’t move over and we couldn’t pass. We followed him for quite a few kilometres before we could pass. Jacinta managed to okay but I nearly came off the bike - got caught on the shoulder - give me a bit of fright but stayed upright.

On to Romsey and Wallan . The weather had been alright since leaving the Pub. We head out to Wallan and we are down to 5 bikes. A couple more have left. Then the clouds open up and it poured. Visibility was poor and I didn’t even stop to put my wet weather gear on. We went via Eden Park and finished at Whittlesea. I was glad when we got there so we could shelter from the rain. The ride finished here and we all went our own way home. I followed Greg to Warrandyte because he reckoned his way was quicker than my way. But his was the long way. Anyway, a good day was had by all apart from the cold weather and rain, and there were no incidents.