Thompson’s Dam Sunday 15^th April, 2007

Cameron Stevens (leader)	Suzuki GSXR1000	Matt Brice	Suzuki GSXR1000
Cliff Peters	Suzuki GSXR1000	Shane Hindle	Suzuki GSXR600
Trevor Harris (rear)	Yamaha YZF1000	Renzo Cunico	Honda VFR750
Rob Langer	BMW R1150GS	Andy Widhibrata (1^st ride)	Kawasaki ZX6R
Paul Stavrakis (1^st ride)	Honda CBR1000	Mirko (1^st ride)	Honda CBR929
Tall Guy (1^st ride)	Kawasaki ZX10	Mark	Hayabusa
Craig Morley	Honda CBR929		13 bikes, 13 people

No write up received for this ride, so here is a Clayton’s write-up – the write-up you have when you don’t have a write-up. Cameron Stevens assured me twice that Renzo was doing this write-up.When I called Renzo he assured me that the only write-up he would ever promise would be in Italian, and then his daughter would have to convert it to English. So much for that.

At the time of this ride, we were returning from the Dargo overnight ride, and, as planned, intended to catch up with Cameron and crew on the Thompson’s Dam ride. We had made a leisurely trip to Tyers, travelling all the back roads from Dargo. Avoiding the highways really reduces the mental strain and hence we felt quite refreshed when we got to Tyers, eating our salad rolls, sitting up against the school fence. Many bikes came through and eventually I recognised the thrash of Cameron’s GSXR1000 motor and the colour of Trev’s YZF1000.

Heading along the high speed sweepers towards Walhalla, it wasn’t long before we met the carnage. Trev was considerately flagging bikes down to earthly speeds, people were throwing leaves and sticks on to the long oil slick. The Hayabusa wasn’t going anywhere with a holed engine cover. The owner, Mark, on his first Club ride, was away off, chasing reception, and organising a tow truck. His riding buddies, loosely connected by the marvels of SMS technology, were not sure what to do. Plenty of other riders had stopped to gawk. Leadership (or one with a lot of similar experience) was required. I choofed off all the members, knowing Cameron would be stuck somewhere with no-one coming. I negotiated with Paul, one of the new guys who seemed to be their nominal leader/organiser as to what the Club would do next – lunch at Walhalla, then on to Thompson Dam. I produced a map and showed them where they were (a long way from the Reefton or the Great Ocean Road) and where we would be. I didn’t really expect to see them again.

I continued on to Walhalla just as the group was preparing to head off. I determined that this was the second incident! Shane Hindle had already crashed his brand new Suzuki GSXR600 on the Hill End twisties, just after passing Renzo, of all people. Shane thought he was ready for another Club ride after doing two Great Ocean Road rides and two Gippsland Rides by himself as preparation. But of course, unbeknownst to Shane, Renzo had just returned from 2500 km of Tasmanian twisties and was in fine form. He is the devil to pass at the best of times, age not wearying him in any way, let alone after a week’s practise. Personally, I would let Renzo go. Nevertheless, Shane was riding really well anyway, clearly the new bike agreeing with him, another bingle not bothering his head.

I also gathered from Cameron the general route had been up and down Myers and Chum Creek Roads (as if the ride needed lengthening!), across to Launching Place and down through Powelltown to Noojee. Then on to Hill End and Moe for lunch. This explained why they were so late – and Shane’s getoff.

Leaving Walhalla, a few people encountered Mr Plod coming the other way, but no damage done. On to Rawson and Thompson Dam on wet and dry roads. Surprise, surprise, all the new riders had managed to make it to the dam. I took a few photos – see front cover. A different photo has 3 or 4 more people in it, but the layout is less conducive to the magazine front cover. I gathered names and addresses and sent these prospective members information later in the week.

Dam suitably low – around 30% - we headed back towards Rawson and Moe. The pace was hot – too hot. By the time we reached Moe the ride was spread out over 10 minutes apart. Ian, waited for the rear rider at the Old Sale Road turnoff, attempting to leave the ride, but gave up waiting after about 5 minutes. It was only when we were fuelling up much later on that I figured out Ian was missing and started the telephone tag. Of course, he was trying to leave messages but either of us were out of range or riding when the other was ready to communicate. Figured it all out when we got home. But I digress.

Final hop back to Longwarry North next to the Freeway via Old Sale Road, Crossover twisties, Neerim South and Jindivick. Of course Peter, Paul and I were closing in on 1000 km for the weekend and feeling slightly the worse for wear. And our tyres, also were showing signs of stress, the Dargo Road very abrasive. Home around 6.30 pm after riding in to the setting sun most of the way in reasonably heavy traffic, lane splitting the norm. The day was certainly entertaining! Thanks Cameron and Trevor and all who participated.

Ben Warden