Walhalla/Thompson Dam Sunday 25^th November, 2007

Ian Payne	Honda CBR1000	Trevor Harris (leader)	Yamaha YZF1000
Bronwyn Manifold (rear)	Honda CBR600	Peter Jones	Yamaha R1
Mirko Strasser	Honda CBR929	Tony Raditsis	Yamaha TRX850
Ben Warden	Honda CBR954	Chris Bouwmeester (2^nd ride)	Suzuki GSXR1000
Paul Punicki	Honda CBR1100XX	Murat Cam (1^st ride)	Suzuki GSXR600
Paul Stavrakas	Honda CBR1000	Misho Zrakic	Suzuki GSXR750
Mark Copeland (1^st ride)	Honda VTR1000	Dave Twentyman	Suzuki Hayabusa
Darryn Webster	Triumph 675	Marty Thompson	Kawasaki ZX9
Dave Ward	Ducati 1098	Mark Henderson (1^st ride)	Kawasaki ZX14
Rob Langer	BMW R1200GS		19 bikes, 19 people

The forecast was how I like it: low 20's, light cloud cover and little wind. Perfect riding weather. I was looking forward to the ride as I hadn't been riding with the Club for a while. There was a good turnout  at the Yarra Glen meeting point with most of the regular crew, a total of 19 riders  including quite a few newbies which kind of surprised me a bit because it was written up as not suitable for first timers.

Trevor gave us a good briefing on what our designated route was going to be, a few hazards to be wary of, and where they were. He was leading and Bronwyn the rear rider, the prettiest rider since I've been riding with the Club.

We took off out the Melba Highway and cut across to Healesville, then towards Launching Place and some back roads that I didn't know existed. You guys certainly do your homework. Either that, or you've got satellite navigation and an ear piece.  Paul Stavrakas, Mirko and Mark on the Hondas whizzed past me when we hit some serious roads. Then its Misho pulling in his head to clear the bull bar of an oncoming 4WD almost on the wrong side of the road. He has to go wide, does a little side step on the gravel and skips back on the road. I hope he's wearing underpants with elastic sides. 

First smoko break was at Noojee where we found out we had lost our first casualty. Nothing too serious. Ben and Bronwyn stopped to assist first time rider Murat riding a GSXR600 who had run wide, bandaged up the bike and sent him home to his missus.

I thought they must be having a Santa convention at Noojee, there were so many old timers with grey hair and beards on Harleys. It turns out it was the Ulysses bro's out for a cruise.

Everyone cleaned the insect corpses from there visors. I was really impressed with Paul Punicki’s visor: it changes colour automatically according to available sunlight.

Soon enough we head off for Moccasins On Everyone (Moe). Needless to say, this wasn't a direct route. It had the lot: tight twisties, sweepers and short straights. We arrived in Moe where everyone fuelled up and then rode back to Main St for lunch. There was a good selection of eateries with some seating outside in the shade.

Refreshed, tummies and tanks full, we took off for Thompsons Dam and Walhalla. Once again brilliant roads and a cracking pace. There are no slouches amongst this lot. I feel like I'm in the groove until Ducati Dave comes out of nowhere and disappears just as quickly. Thought I ran over a snake. Rob on the Beemer confirms it and tells me he left a nice tyre imprint on its head.

Walhalla has got this vibe about it: it’s a serene place. We park the bikes in the shade of a tree and relax the brain. I concentrate more when I ride with you blokes than I ever did at school. After a 15 minute break it’s off to the Thompson Dam for a breather, then focus for the quick trip back to Moe where we refuel and share a bit of banter of the ride. I leave the group at Neerim South and head for home. Top day again. I would like to be able to go more often but I'd need tyre sponsorship the way you people ride.

Thanks again.

Dave Twentyman