There was some concern that the last couple of days it had been raining. By Sunday morning the weather had cleared up and it was a relief that it would be ideal for riding today and those who had been at Ben’s roast the night before. I was organised and did a quick check over the bike before heading out to Yarra Glen. Arrived at Yarra Glen, 9:15 am. The place was unusually quiet. Not at all like Yarra Glen … 9:25 am. no bikes in sight … I am thinking, whats going on, there was no rain, and it was also top riding weather, and not a bike in sight, where is everybody? Must be going by myself I thought. It wasn’t long that a couple on a BMW pulled in and enquired if this is the place the Club ride was leaving from, I said "it was". The gentlemans name was Brian Murphy and his partner, June Long. Brian said he was an ex club member about 30 years ago and it was called Motor Scooter and Cycle Association of Victoria. I told him one of the members, Ben Warden, had a roast the host the night before and some of the photographs on display showed the M S and C ASS of VIC signs which were old. Ben said he had been in the Club 18 years. I think the name changed to MTCV. Must have come a couple of years after that. I stand to be corrected on that.

Ian Payne arrived on his CBR 900. I said to Ian that it was quiet and I could not believe there was no one around. About another 5 mins later Danny K on his VFR 750, Jeff Hornby ZX6, Danny Carr Apprillia 250, Rob Wordie and Ingrid Airs GSXR 750 arrived. We waited until 10:45am. until it looked liked that no one else was coming, so we were heading off soon. I gave the usual spiel about the corner marking system and said what direction we were heading.

We headed out of Yarra Glen and turned left into Eltham Yarra Glen Road, across the aquaduct and up around the first corner. Tim and Vincent were heading down the hill to Yarra Glen when they realised they were passing us lot on the ride and did a quick u-turn and followed on. We passed through Rob Roy to Watsons Creek and turned right to where there was a police car parked in amongst the gum trees. Thank goodness we were slowing down to turn. Otherwise some of us might have got tickets.

Up Alma Road which is tight and twisty. Panton Hill to St Andrews and on to Kinglake, everyones favourite road. Just before the road works, I got stuck behind an AU Falcon s/w with a tandem trailer going rather slowly and taking a lot of road up. I waited patiently until I thought I could pass, and when I did, I was halfway past his trailer and there appeared a Holden Ute coming towards me … sh……t Thankfully he was not going fast and slowed down. I hit the brakes. Decisions, decisions. Should I run off the road into the ditch on the rhs or try and pull back behind the trailer? I took the latter choice because the person in the ute had slowed down enough to let me get back in behind the trailer. Just about time for a change of pants I think. Danny Kosinski had been behind at the time so it must have been interesting to watch. I wonder what Danny thought.

Carry on to Kinglake and race off down Mt Slide road across Melba Hwy to Toolangi and down Chum Creek road to Healesville where we had our first stop. There were a couple of bakeries and coffee shops to choose from. The roads had been wet but reasonable. A branch of a tree was encountered on the Chum Creek road. While having something eat, I was telling Ian where we were going and after some discussion I decided I would change the ride owing to the rain that they had been having in the Dandenongs. Some of the people went ahead and got fuel and we would pick them up on the way out, regrouped again.

Out of Healesville and did a left turn into Healesville—Koo Wee Rup road to Woori Yallock across the highway and keep going through Yellingbo, Nangana to Cockatoo. The roads through are okay. We come to roundabout reconstruction. What a mess ! ! ! With all the water they had had there was about 2 inchs of slushy mud we had to ride through. Danny on the Aprillia came off the worst. He said some looney in a Falcon came into the roundabout flat out and splashed him all over from head to foot in mud. He was not amused.

From Cockatoo we did a loop over Mt Burnett, Pakenham Upper back to Gembrook, through Cockatoo and finished up at Emerald. There was a lot of water lying on the roadside and running across in places. There were 10 bikes and 12 people. About 200 kms for the day and only one incident where Brian and June on the BMW came to a stop at Cockatoo and Brian put his foot down on the low side and fell over. No injuries and only cosmetic damage to the bike: broken mirror and left pannier broke a bracket. It was held together with a couple of ockey straps. I hoped everyone enjoyed themselves.

Christmas is all but on us and it is time to make bookings at our favourite Xmas Camp destination, Mt Buffalo Caravan Park.

Situated on the fork of two rivers it offers a range of activities from swimming, fishing and bush walking. Great road and dirt riding country abounds. Mt Buffalo is a sensational 25 km climb to the scenic Chalet and lookout. Nearby are good half-day rides to Falls Creek, Mt Hotham and Dartmouth Dam. Or full day rides into the Snowy Mountains and some of the best roads in the world. Who can forget Tawonga Gap. On the flip side there are lots of fire trails and mountain ranges offering spectacular views of the surrounding alps, most of which can only be reached by 4WD or dirt bike. So, bring your road and dirt bike, and the 4WD.

Other attractions in the area include an Alpacca Farm, wineries, cheese factory, berry farms, Smoko Trout Farm, hang gliding, ultra-lights, gliders, para-sailing, horse riding, and the El Dorado monster steam shovel.

Supermarket shopping is available in Bright. There are a variety of places to eat from up-market restaurants to pizza shops and hotels.

The Club has booked three unpowered sites. Last year a few couples rented log cabins for the week, another good option. I have booked a powered site for the Taj and am contemplating bringing both bikes. Ring Kelly on 03-5756-2235 to secure a cabin or powered site. Otherwise tell Ian Payne of your intention to camp with the group. Do it now. And book your annual leave.

Great location. Good people to ride and socialise with. Bring the family. Be there.