Highlands Sunday 1^st April 2007

Dave Ward	Suzuki GSXR600	Ron Johnston	Suzuki GSF1200
Matt Brice (3^rd ride)	Suzuki GSXR1000	Ron Solomon	Yamaha R1
Dave Twentyma (1^st ride)	Suzuki Hayabusa	Misho Zrakic	Honda CBR600
Cameron Stevens	Suzuki GSXR1000	Geoff Jones (rear)	Yamaha R1
Ian Payne (leader)	Honda CBR1000		9 bikes, 9 people

Today’s ride was initially to be led by Trevor Harris, but then Ben Warden was penciled in as the leader when Trev couldn’t lead. So I was surprised to get a call from Ben on Friday night to ask if I would lead! No problems. Just study the map and put a few roads together. A check in the newsletter reveals that my route was nothing like the one advertised. A quick rethink has it nearly correct, just that newly sealed section from Highlands to Caveat has me a bit perplexed.

Sunday morning sees Dave and I ride out to Whittlesea where we find the group raring to go. Dave gives me a wink and mutters something about “Having to hitch your skirt up for this group”.

A guy on a Hyabusa rolls in looking for the Hayabusa Club which also has a run today starting from this servo. As they are not here, he asks to join our ride.

We leave Whittlesea and head for Eden Park where Ron Mono shows us how to save front tyre wear by popping one of many monos on his R1. We continue on to Wallan and Romsey, then up to Lancefield where some sort of cycle race is taking place. We veer left to Baynton and then the short section of dirt to Emu Flat. As we take to the Pyalong road we encounter more cyclists, some 4 wide as they struggle up the hills. So, at a slightly slower pace, we finally make Pyalong for our first stop. Since the bypass has been built you certainly notice how quiet the area is. I’m sure the little shop and pub are now struggling to survive.

With the group itching to go, the next section across to Seymour will be over in no time. I inform those of the group who want to pass, they can! We make very good time and have a quick fuel stop at Seymour. Hayabusa Dave comments he hadn’t been out this way before and he tried to look at the scenery but all he can remember are some big rocks! We continue on to Highlands, Caveat and Yarck. A few of the guys pass me on this section. Later Cameron tells me he could barely see the road edges due to the trees’ shadows! Oh, the exuberance of youth. I only need to stop once to check the map and so make good time to Alexandra for lunch.

During the break I ask Hyabusa Dave about the day so far. He’s really enjoying it, although his firm suspension is not ideal for some of these back roads but the ‘pace’ is to his liking. I inform him that the next section will be much the same, in fact, more like: ‘open-slather’. I will let the guys pass due to my neck starting to stiffen up from the pounding on the bumpy roads.

We head across to Molesworth with Cameron getting the jump. He tells me later it is like being the hare at a greyhound race! We continue on to Yea for fuel, then down to Flowerdale and Kinglake West where it’s my turn to be the hare. Along the way Ron and Matt have a mono competition – very entertaining.

With the ride finished, I ask Hayabusa Dave about his impressions. He’s had a very good day although fuel consumption has been a bit high. But running a Hyabusa in 2^nd and 3^rd gear for most of the ride will tend to affect fuel economy! Even so, he’ll be back for more.

After a leisurely break its back on the bikes for the trip home. Dave Ward and I elect to go via St Andrews and it seems that three-quarters of the group have the same idea!

It’s a pretty spirited ride. With the lead riders ‘gone’, I follow Ron on the trusty Bandit with Misho just ahead – that is, until he runs out of road on one of the tight left-handers. He and the CBR are OK so I keep going to tell the others, but they’re long gone. I return to find the bike running and Misho ready to head home with only a bit of panel damage to show for the mishap.

Ron and I keep company until Warrandyte where I continue on home, happy, but totally stuffed, for me the usual symptoms of a great ride.

Thanks to Geoff for the rear riding duties.

Ian Payne