Pyalong Sunday 7^th October, 2007

Ben Warden (leader)	Honda CBR954	Pina Garasi	Yamaha R6
Bill Wee	Honda VTR1000	Nic Jacka	Hyosung 250 (1^st rear rider)
Danny Vits	Honda VFR800	Marty Thompson	BMW R1150RS (2^nd rear rider)
Dave Ward	Honda CBR600	Cameron Stevens	Suzuki GSXR1000
Anthony Wilson (1^st ride)	Yamaha R1	Shelly Thompson	Triumph Daytona (1^st ride)
Sid Johnstone (1^st ride)	KTM 640 LC4	Craig Morley	Honda VFR1000 SP1

When formulating the itinerary, the Committee decided on something different: a ride that went up the Tullamarine Freeway via the Bolte Bridge starting at West Gate Shell Servo. Ian was going to lead but fate intervened seeing his bike out of action, care of a minor get-off at Phillip Island. Having just arrived home from two weeks in Coffs Harbour and about to head off to Tassy on a work related conference, I was keen to get back on the bike, leading never an issue.

A scribe was volunteered but never produced the goods. Luckily, I had sent them ride details, and hence, nearly a month later, can still piece together roughly what happened. Apologies to anyone who featured on the ride in some memorable way but doesn’t get a guernsey.

West Gate Servo was sensory overload: I was impressed by the variety of machinery, the three first time riders, two women riders – which hasn’t happened for a long time, the appearance of a recent crasher on a new bike, an old timer not seen for many years. In order, 7 makes and models of bikes, Shelley on the Triumph Daytona – who noted she was not used to city riding(!), Craig on a new (pre-loved) VTR1000 SP, barely able to ride with broken ribs hurting the most; and former member Danny Vits out and about on his trusty VFR800, normally seen riding with the Ulysses. He just felt like riding with us.

I gave Nic a more detailed and comprehensive rundown of the role of rear rider, sensing the opportunity for chaos and mayhem with so many new/inexperienced riders, or occasional riders. Luckily there were enough regular riders to assist if required. Sign Nic up one week, load him up with rear riding responsibilities and duties the next week, where will it end? Leading and the Committee I suppose.

It was hard to get a word in edgewise with Craig hyped up on … pain killers/excitement but I managed to convey the general route and we were away. I was conscious of “The Merge” being a potential problem, after finally figuring out how to get out of the servo with various entrances blocked off with road works. To avoid any issues at The Merge (Calder meets Tullamarine, notorious peek hour crash site) I rode at or below the speed limit until the group compressed. No problems.

We continued past the airport and on to Bulla where we turned right on to Wild Dog Road. At this point the bumps sent Craig scurrying for the safety and painless security of the road to Sunbury and home. Bye.

Over the wooden bridge – don’t ride up the middle or you’ll crash – and back on to the boring and dangerous Lancefield to Bolinda highway before heading inland again, off the beaten track skirting around the back of Mt Macedon. Up Straws Lane only to see a familiar looking BMW charging in the opposite direction – Marty! He did really well to track us down, having gone down to Point Cook Shell Servo – where we used to meet a long, long time ago. It pays to read the itinerary carefully! He was expecting to see Ian leading so initially didn’t think it was the Club, particularly with so many strange bikes, but as he recognised more and more riders, his suspicions were confirmed.

At this point Shelley, overwhelmed by the number of twisty roads encountered, and at Danny Vits invitation, took the direct route from Straws Lane to Woodend, the scheduled first stop after 90 km. While we were all at the bakery I saw her sail by, appearing to recognise us – or not. We’ll never know.

After a leisurely morning tea where I got to know the new riders a bit better, it was onwards to Tylden, Spring Hill, Glenlyon, Hepburn Springs, Daylesford, Guildford, Vaughan Springs, Chewton, and Castlemaine for lunch after refuelling first, having completed another 105 km. I usually do this route in reverse coming back from Castlemaine but decided to do it in this direction, effectively changing the look and feel of the whole ride. The roads felt all new, with a new set of landmarks and memory aids having to be learnt.

It was still pretty cool with a forecast of 17 degrees and a south wind blowing all day capping the temperature. Nevertheless, it was good riding weather with no rain and clear blue skies. We sat outside the local coffee and cake shop, a large piece of date cake provoking interesting comments. I had already consumed the usual ham and salad roll back at Woodend Bakery. KTM rider Sid felt that he had thrashed his motor enough and decided to head home. Similarly, Danny had hit the stamina threshold and after hearing we were only about half way, decided to take refuge in the highway and also head back to Melbourne. Pina may also have left here as well, accompanied by Danny, fellow Ulysses riders.

Marty volunteered to take over rear riding from Nic, allowing Nic to have a play. On the road again working our way east we back tracked to Chewton and turned left towards Mia Mia before heading north around Eppalock mud hole, across the dam wall towards Axedale and eventually Heathcote after a further easy 107 km. Great, car-less roads out this way, particularly the back way from Axedale down to Mia Mia and back to Heathcote; roads between nowhere and nowhere that require skill and concentration, making for fun and easy riding with the kays slipping away timelessly.

No Les Leahy to greet us this time as we again partook of a leisurely stop. But the sun waits for no man so we set sail for home. Down to Tooborac, Emu Flat, Pyalong, (the nominal ride destination!), Lancefield, Romsey, Wild Dog Road again and around to Bulla for a spot of plane viewing. We broke up here and headed our separate ways home. The ride length was 410 km.

Thanks to all who attended and to rear riders Nic and Marty. I think most people enjoyed the ride.

Ben Warden