Yep, it’s the start of a new century (some would argue with this, but….) and I get to do the Club’s first ride report, and no cracks about Youdan. Probably did the first for the last century also.

Below are the bikes we ride now and one wonders what we will ride in another decade or two. Suspect it will be either 300 HP machines or 15HP hydrogen fuel thingies if the social engineers win the day!

The starters at Whittlesea:

Ben Warden (leader) ZXR 750 Nick 1^st ride with Club VF750F

Mike Bosworth ZX-9R Darren 1^st ride with Club GPz750

Ray Walker GSXR-750 Jack Youdan (rear rider) VFR 800F

Theo Kalkandis FZR-R1

The weather on January 2 was superb for riding: sunny but cool enough not to "bake" when stopped. A day for cruisin’ leisurely, rather than arduous and high-effort riding, and that’s what we did.

Leader Ben told us the route when given the "start talk" so the mystery ride ceased to be a mystery. We went via Flowerdale, Strath Creek and onto the Yea-Seymour Road. Then to Pyalong for lunch (108 km in total). The return was via Broadford, Strath Creek and Kinglake West (81 km) …… told you it was leisurely.

One highlight was ogling the many passing bikes at our Kinglake ride-end stop. This weather sure brings ‘em out. Among these passer-bys were members Tom and Andi. No they didn’t see us, but it was 2:03pm and we checked their speed in case they were doing anti-social things to start off the new year/century.