Eildon Ride Sunday 6^th October 2002

Rob Langer leader BMW R1150GS Ben Warden Honda CBR929RR
Geoff Jones Yamaha R1 Ron Johnson Suzuki Bandit1200
Dianne Welsford Honda CBR600 Dave Ward BMW R1150GS
Dicky Otzen KTM640 Mike Sampson Honda VFR800
Matt Clarke Honda CBR250RR Andi Sirninger Yamaha R1
Tom Saville Yamaha R1 Martin Hastie & Carmen   Honda CBR1100XX
Clint Vertigan Suzuki GSXR750 Kate Stewart Honda CBR250RR
Tony Grant Yamaha R1 Dean von Schill (rear) Honda VTR1000
Stuart Lens Bandit1200 Andrew Symes Yamaha RF900
Mark Easterbrook Ducati 750SS Darryn Webster Suzuki TLR1000
Chris Landman FZR750/911

The sun was shining as I rolled into the main street of Yarra Glen. I was pleased to see a few people waiting, as I don’t wear a watch and wasn’t quite sure of the time, especially with a fuel stop on the way. I wasn’t late this time!

A fine and warm day was promised, so I expected a good turn out for the ride and I wasn't disappointed. Twenty one bikes and 22 riders was the final head count after picking up a couple of people along the way. I had underestimated the temperature, as had several other people, and so had to remove a layer of clothing before leaving Yarra Glen.

Rob gave a quick rundown on the route he had planned. Just before we all headed off he mentioned to me he hadn't informed/reminded the riders that the 250s don't have to corner mark. Confusion was evident at the first corner as Matt and I (both on 250s) arrived as 2nd and 4th rider respectively, with the 3rd rider unsure why neither Matt or I were stopping. Rob realised the problem and stopped. Then all of a sudden the remainder of the group appeared and it got a little congested as all the riders turned to find the leader stopped on the side of the road. All was fine and the group proceeded up the Christmas Hills Road, a bit raggedly, as the group negotiated the many slow vehicles and slotted into the procession of cars.

The problem with a great forecast is the number of day-tripping, slow, sightseers. Also the number of other bike groups out and about increases, particularly in close proximity to Melbourne. Apparently one of the new riders got confused and turned off at another club’s corner marker and headed off around the reservoir. The rest of the group became very strung out as our own corner markers were left waiting at the many intersections between Christmas Hills and Healesville. It was a very interesting, winding route that Rob had chosen, by-passing many main roads. I need to consult my map and learn that area better!

Rob, Mike, Tony, Martin and Carmen, and I stopped at the tricky, double turn in Healesville and waited for the ride to reassemble. We were waiting quite some time so I decided to take the opportunity to top up my fuel at the Ampol servo rather than use the Shell at Warburton. (My bike seems to run roughly on Shell fuel). This proved to be a bad move and it became immediately apparent that the fuel I had just put in was contaminated. My bike stalled every time I stopped, refusing to idle. It had been running fine until then so it had to be the fuel. The only option was to run the bad stuff out as best I could and hope the next fuel I used was good. Martin and Carmen used the time to catch up on some smooching as they corner marked! Very cute ;)

From Healesville Rob led us up Don Road towards Mt Donna Buang, then turned off for a 3 km stretch of gravel road down the Don Valley to Launching Place. I cringed at the prospect but was assured it was hard packed and would be good practice, so I set off ahead of the group at a nice slow pace.  Rob flew by me about half way down the road, pursued by Dave Ward on the other BMW duel road bike. Then Clint, Matt and a few others. (I was concentrating too hard to identify them all). I made it safely, but was pleased to see the asphalt again.

Did anyone else notice how our bikes freaked out the poor little black goat tethered to the side of the road? When I passed with my quiet bike it flipped out and hit the end of its chain. I'd say it would have a pretty sore neck after the Club had passed. Most roadside grazing animals are desensitised to traffic, so it mustn't have seen many bikes before. The sleeping ponies in a paddock next to road a bit further along didn't even raise their heads as I went by.

We turned off the Warburton Highway just before Launching Place and rejoined it near Milford, cutting out quite a bit of patrolled and slow road. Excellent job, Rob! I will remember that short cut. By the time everyone had collected at Warburton it was 12.30 pm, so it became the 'lunch break'. Warburton was bustling with tourists and bikers a plenty. The traders must really love warm, sunny weekends.

After the necessary food, fuel and pit stops we were back on the bikes and heading up to Reefton. Rob leading, Ben, Dianne, Matt and myself in close pursuit. I really enjoyed the fast flowing section to the Reefton turn-off. This road just gets more fun each time I do it. I had decided, as we left Warburton, that I would corner mark at the bottom of Reefton so that I wouldn't be an obstruction for most of the group up the really twisty section, and so relieved a rather pleased Ben from his duty. This wasn't an entirely selfless act.... I hate slowing others up, especially when I know there are limited opportunities to pass. I usually slow up in straight sections when I see a bike behind me, so staying back to corner mark meant my Reefton run would be quicker and smoother, or so was the plan.

Half way up I came upon a mass of bikes (20+) parked haphazardly along the road around a bend..... not a sight I ever like to see. Dianne had stopped so I pulled over dreading to hear who had crashed. I peered over the cliff to see a red bike and its rider in bad shape about 15 metres down amongst the tree trunks. The guy was conscious but obviously in pain. It wasn't one of our group and they already had an ambulance on the way, so we continued heading up.  Rob and the rest of the group were at the top in the usual bike parking bay, waiting for us stragglers. They obviously had been waiting some time and were keen to get going, for as soon as we arrived Rob jumped back on his BMW and took off. So I got back in my usual 'close to the front of the group' position while most people were still putting their helmets on.

Memories of bad surface gravel always has me cautious on this next section so I rode conservatively down to Marysville and waited at the roundabout with Rob, Andi and Matt. We were starting to wonder how long the group had lingered at the last stop when a rider (not from our group) stopped and told us someone had crashed. The news wasn't good. Dicky had lost traction on his new KTM640 and crashed. He had hurt his back but the bike apparently wasn’t too badly damaged. Dicky was taken to the Maroondah Hospital by ambulance, and his bike was left at Marysville for later collection. Both Dianne's and Mike's bikes had toppled over while parked on the roadside while they were assisting Dicky. Ben said "as he approached the scene it looked like a case of 'Reefton Carnage'."

Several riders departed the ride at Marysville leaving only 11 riders (Rob, Ben, Geoff, Ron, Matt, Tony, Martin and Carmen, Stewart, Dean and myself) to continue on to Eildon. The road between Marysville and Buxton just begs to be taken at speed and I was not about to argue. Luckily Mr Plod was picking off tourists elsewhere on the main roads. At Buxton I settled back into 'good behavior' behind Ben as we crawled along to Taggerty. Ben shows great control when on the highways and seems to just know when not to push his luck. Tony, on the other hand, didn’t seem at all concerned about likely police presence and spent a good deal of time saving his front tyre. Both Ben and Dean ignored his prompts to do the same. The rest of the riders were waiting at the Taggerty turn off to regroup and took off as we approached. It didn't take Ben long to crank his trusty blade into action and I could see it was on...... well in front of me I might add ;)

Carmen must be commended on her bravery for riding pillion, and apparently will be needing knee sliders soon. I had my lil’ baby blade fairly buzzing along until a car flashed its lights as it approached me. I immediately backed off and scanned the road for possible speed trap locations, but there were none to be seen. Hrmmm........ It’s hard to know if drivers who flash, are warning you, or displaying annoyance.

I knew my tank would be nearly empty so I made a beeline to get some good fuel, hopefully, at Eildon. Rob decided to do the same.  As I was filling, Ron sailed past, causing Rob to momentarily panic as he jumped back on his bike and took off in pursuit. I figured Ron would see there was no corner marker at the T intersection out of Eildon and return.... but I guess you never know. Rob obviously caught up and before long the servo was inundated with thirsty bikes all wanting to fill up at a limited number of pumps. Then it was up to the shops for a rest / food break. Tony became quite concerned that he had lost his bike's key. Geoff had mistakenly picked it up thinking it was his R1 key! It was sorted out pretty quickly.

We left Eildon towards darkish skies and I wondered if we would make it home before the rain. Everyone else must have been anxious to get home too, as the group seemed to be in a hurry to get up the Skyline Road and on down to Alexandra ;) Matt and I found ourselves corner marking at the Molesworth turnoff but were thankfully relieved by Ben and Geoff. Matt's 250 has a fuel problem at high speeds, so I flew past him easily, enjoying the sweepers and vacant road until about half a dozen Harleys coming towards me hogged the road through a nice bend.  (Must be why they are called Hogs!) I backed off and gave way (stuck to the edge of my side of the road).... not one to argue when the odds are stacked against me. Ben then went by followed closely by Geoff .... they must've absolutely flown :O

It was almost disappointing to have to turn onto the main road at Molesworth and join the throng of traffic heading towards Yea. I had resigned myself to behave on these well patrolled sections, however..... reason doesn't always prevail after a particularly lively stretch, so I was more than willing to partake in some serious traffic hopping in pursuit of Rob and Geoff. I could say those guys are plain crazy but then that might cause their partners to worry, so I will just smile at the memory...... Oh, did I just type that? :O Oops!  I probably shouldn't say this either but it was a lot of fun :D  

Most of the cars we had overtaken passed us as we waited at the Flowerdale turn off in Yea, several taking the same turn off as we planned, only to be repassed further down the road.

Rob set a steady pace until two R1s, not from our group, overtook him at high speed before the fun climb to the top of the range. At first Rob just let them go, but the urge to chase got the better of him and he set his BMW alight.....  it sure can fly. That was the last I saw of Rob until Kinglake West. Ben and Geoff passed me near the top and I tacked on to them for the next 10 or so kms. The road between Flowerdale and Kinglake West was remarkably vacant enabling us to establish and maintain a steady rhythm. We rode evenly spaced moving almost as one for a time, bend after bend. Fantastic.....it was like playing music in harmony. Definitely addictive ! I'm even keener to upgrade now. The feeling is new to me, as instead of being overtaken all the time I'm starting to ride at a similar cruising speed to the other riders (at least in the sweepers, I'm still slow in twisties.) I dropped off the back as the bends got tighter and finished the last few kilometres to Kinglake West on my own.

After a bit of a yarn the ride broke up and we went our separate ways. Rob, Ron, Matt, Tony and myself headed towards Kinglake and on to Warrandyte. Matt's bike stalled not far out of Kinglake, a fuel blockage the problem. It took some time to get the bike going again, though once running, it seemed fine.

After such a fine and warm day the temperature dropped and I felt cold for the first time all day. The skies were looking very grey and the view of the city in the distance made me realise how far I still had to go to get home. (70+ kms) It had been a long day and I was beginning to feel tired. I hoped to make it home without getting wet. Lucky for me, I made it with about 15 minutes to spare before the rain came down.

I had another fun day riding on some of my favourite roads close to Melbourne. I'm keen to get up into the North East Alpine region with the Club....... I love those roads even more!

I hope Dicky recovers quickly and managed to organise for his bike to be picked up.

Kate Stewart (Honda CBR250RR)