On the previous Friday at Geoff Barton’s funeral, some Club members discussed today’s ride and our leader, Tim Walker, agreed that the ride should take place. It’s the first Club event following the tragedy and we sincerely believe Geoff would have wanted us to continue - reflecting his "don’t talk about it, just get on and do it" attitude.

The Reefton Spur run starts at Yarra Glen and the group is:

* Tim Walker ZX7R (leader ) * Rhys Williams ZX9R * Ian Payne CBR900 RR

* Ray Walker GSXR600 * Darryn Ford ZX7R * Jack Youdan VFR800 (rear rider)

Tim’s pre-ride speech describes it as advertised: a short ride, ending at Marysville. He emphasized the safety aspects covered by the Club’s ride-rules.

It is patchy fog, misty weather with guaranteed wet roads throughout the ride. Methinks not really suitable for those wide soft tyres, but as leader Tim says "We’re not out to break any Reefton records".

We are off on the back way to Healesville, then the Chum Creek Road to Toolangi and back to (guess) Healesville. Yes the road’s wet. Darryn leaves the ride here and the intrepid five continue to Warburton for morning stop.

The leader decides to give the up-and-back Donna Buang bit a miss, noting the signs tell of "patchy snow" on the mount. We are all in agreement!

We head up the Reefton and the question is "where are all the bikes? None at the pub and only two coming down and none at the Reefton-top stop. Did I tell you the roads were wet, wet, wet? It says something about the Clubs’ reputation for riding in all weather! (OK, we dodged the snow.)

In Marysville the ride ends and it is very civilized lunching in the bakery, discussing Club happenings - past, and our members. Hey reader, you may have been one mentioned!

Today is a very emotional day, full of memories and perhaps this ride can serve as a memorial to Geoff, the Motorcycle Touring Club’s way of saying thanks for his all-embracing camaraderie.