Redesdale Sunday 3^rd June, 2007

Ian Payne (leader)	Honda CBR1000	Cameron Stevens	Suzuki GSXR1000
Paul Southwell	Honda CBR1000	Andrew Bartolo (2^nd ride)	Suzuki GSXR1000
Paul Stavrakas (3^rd ride)	Honda CBR1000	Misho Zrakic	Suzuki GSXR750
Ben Warden	Honda CBR954	Martin Thompson (rear rider)	Kawasaki ZX9
Chris Gash (1^st ride)	Honda CBR929	Ron Solomon	Yamaha R1
Rob Langer	BMW R1150 GS	Pina Garasi (1^st ride)	Yamaha R6
Trevor Harris/Barbara Rolfe	Yamaha YZF1000	Dave Mann (1^st ride)	Yamaha R1
Lorry Ciantar (1^st ride)	Aprilia Mito 125		15 bikes, 16 people

I arrived 10 minutes early and already fuelled up. The forecast of fine weather for today had been predicted for the past 7 days with rain either side. Hence, the fine turnout, particularly 6 non-members with four first time riders. I set about gathering In Case of Emergency telephone contact numbers and names and addresses of the new riders to send them stuff, my Secretarial Hat working overtime.

Ian arrived late, somewhat flustered, surprised at the large turnout, and announcing himself as rear rider for the day – but of course he meant “leader” for the day. In the interim, first time rider Lorry (spelt “like a truck”) had been keeping us amused, having already been booked on Bell St doing 83 in a 60 zone, just where it changes from 80 to a 60. He recognised the man in blue as the cop who had booked him at an astronomical speed in his BMW car at the same spot, sentencing him to 3 years “all licences cancelled and suspended”. Now, he was just getting back to bikes and hence the restricted capacity seeing him on the Mito 125, a very tasty bike in its day. He assured us he would have no problem keeping up and would be fast in the corners, having unlimited clearance. The more he said it, the more we wondered.

Chris Gash was on his first ride, having been worded up by Ian. He immediately recognised Pina, also on her first ride, and also not riding with the Melbourne branch of the Ulysses Club, which I saw forming at the Donny Brook Shell servo on the Hume on my way across from home. I noted Peter Philferan was there, so his health must have improved. Thankfully.

Paul Stavrakas was back for his third ride, his first event being the infamous Thompson Dam ride back in April. He and Paul Southwell have common initials, common bikes, common bike shops, and similar smooth riding styles. Paul Stav. had brought his mate Andrew on the GSXR1000, also last seen on the Thompson Dam ride.

Marty was there, back on his ZX9, his yet to be sighted R1100S in the dock with gearbox problems. His rear tyre was deemed the worst one there by ever vigilant Captain Trev. Marty and I simultaneously volunteered to be rear riders as none other were forthcoming after a long silence. He decided to do the first stint and me the second. Barb was along for the ride as well, her first serious Club ride.

Mono Rono Solomon was on his R1, and true to name, spent much of the day conserving his front tyre wear. Pina was so impressed, seeing it clearly as a phallic symbol (something about getting it up and keeping it up), she obliquely noted that “His wife must be happy!” Presumably so.

Leaving the usual die hards, Ben, Cameron, and Misho. Misho is now riding the restored, crash damaged yellow GSXR750 – and loves it. Cameron had his usual Sunday pass from the family – twin 18 month (boy /girl) and a three year old boy.

No-one volunteered to do the write up, so this is what you get. It was going to be a day of minor incidents and my memory is still fresh, so read on!

Rob borrowed my tyre pressure gauge with the proviso that it reads 2 pounds high and then we were on the road leaving at 10.17 am. I thought Ian had found a new road leaving Whittlesea but a quick U-turn saw us back on the correct exit strategy heading for Wallan and the Eden Park twisties. I was aware that the road surface was damp in the corners and it was along here Greg Hales ditched his TL1000 some years ago in similar conditions. We all made it through unscathed and continued up the highway to Wallan before turning off to Romsey. Lorry was already finding the Mito underpowered and the bumpy roads not to his liking. After the three or four steep downhill and uphill plateau drop-offs we reached Romsey, continuing up the highway to Lancefield and the Burke and Wills track. Near Baynton we stopped to regroup at the propeller monument after 80 km or so. Visors cleaned, legs stretched, backs arched, we pressed on. The 50 km planned route had been extended by another 40 km of “good roads” thanks to my input to Ian’s map reading. Keep me away from maps in future.

Leaving nearly last, I arrived at the crash scene moments after the event. Lorry had been hit in the visor by a bird and loss control mid-corner – the first corner at the end of 30 km of straight roads, and run off, dropping the Mito. Bikes were stopping everywhere but as it was clear no real harm was done, other than crushed pride, I shooed the others away. Marty and I remained, checked the steering lock, started the motor on full throttle (to sort any flooding issues by providing maximum air). All levers were intact and functioning. Muffler bent away from swingarm to restore full travel. Blinkers and mirrors were collected. Bike pronounced rideable, and we carried on, somewhat chastened.

Left at Mia Mia, right at Redesdale, meeting 20 or so outlaw Harley riders coming towards us. Right again at the roundabout heading for Lake Eppalock and Axedale, now getting amongst the high speed sweepers. Paul Stavrakas passed close and pelted my new top fairing with rocks. Bugger. Maybe I had better get some of that protective film from www.tankslapper.com that Ian, Dave Ward and Paul Southwell are sporting. Right again for the pleasant sweepers around the Eppalock Dam wall (almost completely dry), right again heading for Knowsley. Caught Ian now and corner marked. Tricky left and then right onto the highway for 9 km of cruising before another right turn into the never-never where we meet the Melbourne branch of the Ulysses. They had about the same number of riders as us. Left at Mia Mia completing the extra 45 km loop bringing the total up to 175 km for the first stop. I had hit reserve at 210 km some 15 km back, having filled close to home, not at Whittlesea, so perfect timing.

Twelve of us filled at the servo in dribs and drabs while Ian lead the troops the 1.1 km into town where we stopped at the usual spot, near the facilities, opposite the bakery and fish and chip shop. All needs catered for. Lorry and mate Andrew were off to visit Lorry’s grandmother and would be back in 20 minutes or so. Marty got a firm commitment to that effect. Life Member Les Leahy appeared out of nowhere and talked the talk. I battled my memory and the ATM machine, making two trips to the bike to recover forgotten passwords stored in the mobile.

A monster ham and salad roll for $6.00 required disassembling to eat while we sat in the comfy chairs outside, soaking up the brilliant sunshine. Weatherwise it was cold, Monday’s weather map showing 14 degrees maximum. Lots of people were cold. I had taped up Misho’s leather jacket wrist area as the poor fit and slim gloves left a gaping holes for the wind to blow up his arms. The only down side was he couldn’t take the jacket off all day though Ian did report he was pretty chuffed with the warm outcome.

Tall stories about what the police are getting up to along the Great Ocean Road, and what lengths they will go to, to get a collar. Ron was leading the charge, every story getting more incredulous. He claimed that he knows a bloke, who knows a bloke, … radared by a cop on a fishing boat on the water! My only comment was, “Lucky we don’t speed.”

Lorry had reported home to his wife that he had survived the crash. She reported that he was to head home – immediately. Do NOT pass Go, do NOT … Lorry and Andrew departed, but not before Lorry told us he nearly crashed the car the other day when his 6 yo son asked if it hurts when you put a penis in a vagina. Apparently googling (see, it is part of the lexicon) “penis” has a lot to answer for.

It was my turn to rear ride, giving Marty a breather. Somehow I think I got the best of the deal. He did look pretty shagged though.

We headed back across to Mia Mia continuing south on the long straight roads towards Kyneton. About 10 km out I came up behind Paul Southwell travelling well under the speed limit. It took a millisecond to work out his rear tyre was flat. After a while I passed him and caught up with Cameron at the next intersection and nominated his as the next rear rider. Paul and I would plug his tyre at the nearest servo.

Paul duly arrived and we continued into Kyneton proper, the Club long gone. Clearly the mother/daughter combination were having trouble getting air into their car tyres. I filled the first car, then blew up Paul’s tyre so that he could start looking for the hole, then blew up the next 4 tyres. Hard to hear the hiss of the puncture above the hiss of the air leaking form the pressure gauge. Paul raised the bike, I spun the wheel and quickly spotted the puncture by listening. Paul had been telling me earlier about only just repairing another puncture and finding his glue had gone hard. Now when he needed it he didn’t have any. Lucky I had my new Repco plugs which don’t require glue. A few minutes later the puncture was plugged, end trimmed with the rusty knife and back to 36 psi with not a leak in sight. Back to the road.

Meanwhile Ian and troops have overshot the intended path and Pina has continued up the dirt road for some way. Trev set off in pursuit while the others regrouped at the Carlsruhe turnoff for 10 minutes or so. Then on to Hanging Rock, Straws Lane and up and down Mt Macedon to New Gisborne before turning east to Riddells Creek and Clarkefield. Then on to Wild Dog road and the deep galleys and treacherous wooden bridges mixed in with fine sweepers, eventually popping up on to the plains with magnificent views of the city. Around the back and into the Bulla service station, much improved since our last visit with new concrete everywhere.

Back at the ranch Paul and I set off in determined pursuit, maybe 20 minutes behind, Bulla the destination. We exited the freeway at Carlsruhe heading for Lancefield. A quick U-turn saw me taking the better option to Newham and Hanging Rock. Rather than continuing up Straws Lane as per the Club I continued east towards Romsey taking a right turn along the very seldom used Mt Eliza road (it used to be dirt) heading due south east towards Bolinda and Clarkefield, after negotiating some heavily treed roads skirting Mt Macedon. I reckon at this stage we were already ahead of the Club, but thought we were still behind.

On to Wild Dog Road and with lots of right and lefts. We arrived at the servo with no-one in sight. Paul was blown away by the roads, completely lost, but obviously quite close to Melbourne with planes taking off steeply in all directions. We headed home, plug working fine. I was home 15 minutes later around 10 to 4, about the same time Ian and the gang reached Bulla, Ian and I worked out the next evening.

By all accounts, a good day was had by all, even Lorry who emailed his apologies the next day. Bike likely to be written off and a new Mito on it’s way. I suggested taking the money and putting it towards something a little bigger.

In the vicinity of 350 km for the day and 427 km home to home, a shorter ride than usual, finishing on this side of town. Thanks to all who attended and made the day enjoyable, exciting for some, producing lots of memories. See front cover of magazine for participants.

A plan is formulating in my mind for the Labour Day Monday ride. See you there.

Ben Warden