Licola Sunday 10^th April, 2005

April is supposed to be one of the best months for bike friendly weather: clear nights, crisp mornings and days that are not too hot. Not this day, however, as temperatures soared to summer levels for most of the day, each stop requiring the strip ritual and liquid intake. 10am at Berwick, already high 20's, and no sign of Rocket Ron who had been listed as leader but was unable to attend due to other commitments. Ben stepped up to the plate as usual.

Corner Marking System explained strongly, probably for my benefit, as the Snake Valley ride was a lesson in how not to explain the Club's System to new riders. I have just received the latest mag and am feeling the guilts a bit on losing such a large percentage of the ride. Must do better next time, if I get another gig. No mention of write up duties until Licola but some sort of secret vote results in this lot.

First section of the ride included the freeway to Pakenham, then through to Longwarry and across the freeway onto the Larbertouche road for a nice run through the farms to pick up the Old Sale Road to come into Moe from the north west. Fuel, then first break after about 100 kays. Not much choice at the bakery, pasties only, and no water. Gear off and into the shade as quick as possible, wet T shirts the look once the jackets are off.

On the move again through Yallourn North and Tyers. Then flat open roads to Glengarry, Toongabbie, Heyfield and the Glen Maggie Lake where the road enters the foothills and the climb to Licola begins.

The road follows the Macalister River for most of the time but features all of the conditions that make sports bike riding so addictive: corners. Water freak, Lyn, who seems to require a dip whenever there is a likely spot, was by now, keen to swim, but the ride flowed on towards Licola. She and Joel corner marked at the bridge on the entry to the town but directed the ride onto 23 kilometers of more great riding along the Wellington River until the gravel begins. Some talk here of a corner mark "malfunction" that had Peter's heart rate rise. A regroup at the gravel but no Lyn who had her way with the Wellington and has her dip. Bikini clad bum in the air as I come upon her getting dressed on the return run to Licola.

Lunch break, fuel at $1.24 per litre, and the gentle throb of the diesel generator. No relief from the heat, so gear off, visors cleaned, talk the talk and notice a flock of black and red Gang Gang cockatoos making their racket in the trees. Sweaty stuff back on, then off south for the return run. A variation saw us off the main road and onto a loop that came through Cowarr and into Toongabbie before the flat road to Tyers where a stop was taken, black clouds now the feature of the sky in the direction we were to take.

Rain came with strong winds just out of Yallourn North and a stop to don wet weather gear as the temperature dropped. On to the Old Sale Road again dodging the fallen trees that had been blown down by the storm. Lightning flashes and strong rain creating vision problems through the visor.

Flashes of another kind in Buln Buln, camera for Ben or Lyn, or more likely power cables down on the road arcing away. Time will tell as we await the postman. (You have proved right …Ed. No ticket.) Only other reportable incident was the Ducati base gasket oil leak. The sound from the Duke still music to the ears though. Anton seems to be thinking about a larger device. More power is never enough.

Road conditions now bad as I pass Anton and tweak the throttle resulting in a near lose as the R1 breaks traction and does a tank slap. Off the gas and lucky to stay upright. Anton was sure he was going to share the crash.

Through Robin Hood to the freeway and ride end. Long drone in the wet on the Freeway to pick up City link in close company with Lyn and Ben. Trinity springs to mind but no way was it a Holy one as we dealt with the traffic in that "Mad Bikers" way. At least the rain eased a bit. Home around 5.30-6 after more than 600 km door to door. Ride distance 450 km.

Thanks Ben for the lead and Rob and Wayne for rear rider role.

Geoff Jones (Yamaha R1)