Theo Kalkandis R1 (Leader) Rhys Williams ZX7 Tim Walker ZX7

Geoff Barton R1100GS Ray Walker GSXR750 Geoff Jones(rear) ZZR600

Rob Matricciani VFR750

Arriving at Hallam around 7.15am I almost expected 40 riders, but that may have just been wishful thinking! A number of phone calls during the week from various Chapel Street riders (mainly R1's) said they'd definitely be there, but alas, it was all Club members which was a good thing for me as it was my first lead.

After the briefing we left Hallam at 7.35am and headed toward Nar Nar Goon via the Princes Freeway. I was concentrating so hard on not missing a turn, I thought I'd missed Nar Nar Goon, but no, it was just ahead. (Phew.) Through to Longwarry, Drouin, Warragul, then back onto the Freeway to Moe. On to Yallourn where we turned right to go into the power station, instead of left to go around it. I made the same mistake on the pre-ride only weeks earlier. Ah well, blame those first lead nerves again, although Ray certainly appreciated it as he'd never seen the power station before.On to Glengarry, Toongabbie, Heyfield, Maffra, and morning tea at Stratford. By this stage we'd only had a few spots of rain, and it was difficult to predict what would happen later on due to the distance.

With morning tea finished we headed of for Bairnesdale, via Perry's Bridge, Meerlieu and Bengwarden. These fantastic open back roads really provided opportunity to wind the wick right up, corners coming up quickly but very easy to see. I can't remember even seeing a car on this section. Wind speeds of up to (Sorry Theo.. Ed.)km/h were recorded here, and I'm sure similar speeds were seen by most as the group was still very close by the time we arrived at the highway intersection.

Through Bairnsdale onto the Omeo Highway had us travelling very sedately as this is a very heavily policed section of road. Through Bruthen and the real fun started. Great twisties complemented with some open sweepers. Through Tambo Crossing and more great twisties to Swifts Creek where it opened up a little for the run into Omeo for lunch.

Ray hadn't showed, but as he was running a little low on fuel, he'd stopped a few km's earlier for fuel. We had to keep it short and sweet so as not to get home too late, so about 15 minutes was in order. Everyone was still quite fresh at this stage as the fun continued on the uphill section through to Dinner Plain and Hotham. The twisties stopped at Harrietville where we continued on through Bright to Myrtleford for another fuel stop. We'd covered pretty close to 500km by this stage with a few more good scratching roads to follow.

Leaving Myrtleford we turned off the Ovens Highway towards Milawa. Through Oxley onto the King Valley Highway to Whitfield saw us tearing up the tarmac again on the fabulous tight section just out of Whitfield. Then onto the bloody awful, terrible, shocking piece of the worst gravel crap I've ridden on! You guessed it, I didn't like it! Four weeks ago it was a little damp so fairly stable; today it was dry and six inch deep loose gravel. Slipping and sliding around for 7 kms, the bike got filthy! And to think yesterday I was riding dirt track in Bacchus March on the DT! Ah well, we all got through OK without any problems.

Grouped back up again at the end of the dirt and then on to Tolmie and Mansfield. More fuel for Ray. Is that really a 750 or is there something he's not telling us? Through Yarck taking the turnoff to Alexandra, Buxton and the Black Spur on the way to Healesville, Woori Yallock and Cockatoo where everyone peeled off.

We covered around 920km for the day, and I think everyone enjoyed it. The weather was overcast for most of the day and a little cool, but we did enjoy the brief sunny breaks every now and again.

Next year I'll change it slightly to take in Tawonga Gap and a couple of other little nice sections. Any starters?