Reefton Spur - Sunday 18^th November 2007

Dave Ward (leader)	Honda CBR600	Bernie Foley	Suzuki GSXR600
Craig Morley	Honda VTR1000SP1	Jean Eldridge	Suzuki Bandit 250
Ben Warden (rear)	Honda CBR954	Nick Jacka	Hyosung GT 250
Ian Payne	Honda CBR1000		7 bikes, 7 people

After 10 years of constant use my Tiger Angel leathers were starting to show their age. Although repaired after my recent ‘get-off’ at a Phillip Island ride day, the time had come for a replacement. After a bit of research I settled on a Dainese 2-piece. “They must be a tight fit” I remember the sales guy saying. Although ‘quite snug’ in the shop, “they WILL stretch” he assured me. But now with a back-protector they were so tight I could hardly move! To make matters worse, I was decked out with new gloves and boots!

I headed for Berwick under stormy clouds and was greeted with “who’s the new guy!”

After fueling up, we proceeded down the highway to Pakenham, then the back roads to Nar Nar Goon and Longwarry. We then crossed the highway on our way to Jindivick and Neerim South, but a local street parade had blocked the main road! Fortunately, the detour took us onto a back road that led to Neerim and Noojee where we took our first break. Boy was it great to get off the bike and have a stretch. I was so stiff as the leathers are ‘pre-molded’ into a crouch position that I wasn’t used to. After a walk and a coffee I felt much better.

Back on the bikes and we headed to Powelltown. This stretch is usually taken at a ‘brisk’ pace but not today as an ambulance with lights blazing trundled along the road. Fortunately, it speared off on to a bush track before we got to the tight stuff. Yarra Junction came and went, and then Warburton, where a scheduled fuel stop was cancelled as Dave estimated we would all make Marysville on the one tank of petrol!

We continued up the Reefton, where Ben temporarily abandoned the rear riding duties for some fun. A short regroup at the top, then off to Marysville where half way down an oncoming Police 4WD had Eric Makin and his group all bunched up behind, making for a very boring trip to the top!

After fuel it was off to the bakery for lunch. Although we had two 250’s on the run, the guys ‘knew how to ride’ so we had made very good time. So Dave decided we would do the full trip to Warrandyte.

During lunch, Bernie had mentioned that he expected Craig Morley to be on the ride – probably had a big night we concluded! But as we headed off for Narbethong, who should appear on the SP1 but Craig.

As the damp conditions of the morning were now only a memory, the Black Spur beckoned but much headlight flashing from oncoming cars tempered our pace! Sure enough a welcoming party at Fernshaw Reserve checked our breath, license and registration. Fortunately no problems for our group although for Craig, this was his second check, having just come through the Spur earlier! Later, he told us while waiting for the earlier check, a race prep’d R1 (no blinkers, rego plates, etc) had run the road block. The Police knew him as the “Black Spur Racer” and it would only be a matter of time until they caught him!

We continued on to Healesville and Toolangi where another Police TOG car had Dave stopped for another license/rego check! Being leader-less, we waited until he appeared, then continued on to Kinglake, St.Andrews and Panton Hill. Then the twisty little back roads of Alma and Pigeon Bank brought us out at Warrandyte cafe, the planned stop.

It was hot and sunny; quite a contrast to the wet and overcast morning. Bronwyn met us to share a leisurely coffee; a most welcome way to end the ride.

Thanks to Ben for the rear riding duties and Dave for leading.

Ian Payne