Theo Kalkandis - R1 (leader) Jeff Hornbie - ZX6R, (3rd ride)

Ray & Katrina Walker - GSXR750 Mick Boswell - ZX9R

Bruce Saville - FJ1100 (rear) Danny Kosinski – VFR750

Peter & Penny Doak* - Speed Triple Rob Wordie - GSXR750 (3rd ride)

Derek Atkinson & Kathy Robinson - FZR1000 Ian Payne - CBR900RR

Jeff & Kellie Servaas - VTR Firestorm, (3rd ride) John Murphy - ZRX1100

Kier & Jodie - RF900 (1st ride) Ben Warden* & Julie McCall* - NX650

* Met at Caffe Sienna

A hot and sticky night loomed for our first nocturnal ride for the year. Theo, our leader gave the pre-ride talk for the benefit of the newer riders and Bruce nominated for rear rider. We headed off down the highway amongst the peak hour traffic to Berwick before turning north for Upper Beaconsfield. The cool air, sensational road and the fading light made for an exciting run into Emerald and Belgrave. We continued on to Ferny Creek, Sassafras and Olinda. It was now getting dark and the combination of fading light and fading eyesight had reduced my speed quite noticeably. How I envied Danny. You would have thought it was broad daylight the way he was riding!

Back around to Monbulk then Emerald for a well-earned rest. The dark of night had shown up a few problems with the bikes: Jeff’s ZX6 had no headlight and Bruce’s taillight was refusing to work. This was a concern as he had only just replaced the globes!

The late-night take-away did a roaring trade in cold drinks as we talked about the nights activities and watched Bruce try to rectify the lack of illumination from the rear of his bike. Theo then advised us that the run to Gembrook would be cancelled due to the narrowness of the road. Instead we would travel to Mt.Burnett,then turn around and come straight back.

Jeff and Kellie and Kier and Jodie indicated they would be leaving, as one of the girls was not feeling too well. Jeff would also leave us as the lack of a headlight made it difficult to enjoy the ride plus it was closer to home from Emerald.

We headed of to Cockatoo and the challenging road to Mt.Burnett, around the round-a-bout, a quick regroup, then back to Cockatoo, Monbulk, Mt.Dandenong and Kalorama. The Mount Dandenong Tourist Road has undergone some resurfacing and was in exceptionally good condition which added to the fun. Even more so when we caught up to a Toyota Celica who showed it could go quickly when provoked.

Theo stopped at Montrose for a regroup to ensure we would all be together for the run through suburbia to South Yarra and Caffe Sienna. We proceeded straight down Burwood Highway until we hit the congested traffic of Toorak Road. In single file we snaked our way through the traffic to Chapel Street and down to the Café.

A side street offered some convenient footpath parking with just enough space to accommodate our bikes amongst the multitude of other bikes. Danny had missed the side street so while we waited for him Theo organized some tables. Remarkably he succeeded in a venue already bursting with people. While getting settled, Ben and Julie arrived, as did Peter’s girlfriend Jenny. We also learnt that Derek and Kathy had left the ride and gone home. The table we occupied gave us wonderful views of the passing parade of beautiful people, exotic cars, and motorbikes. With the amount of people about you would be mistaken for thinking it was the middle of the day, not closer to midnight. The bikes were a bit of a worry as they all seemed to be in a competition as to who could ride the fastest through the stationary traffic wearing the least amount of proper motorcycling clothing. Frightening.

We had a visit from Bronwyn who with Dave was across the road at another café. After our fill of iced coffees, Red Bull, and cold drinks the group started to drift off. For those interested Theo was heading to St.Kilda to check out the action there, but I’d had my fill so headed for home and bed. Thanks to Theo for an extremely interesting and enjoyable ride which encompassed the extremes of isolated and dark country roads to the congested and vibrant inner city.