Daylesford Sunday 6^th July, 2008

Ken Goederee	Honda CBR1000	Geoff Jones (rear)	Yamaha R1
Mark Vowles (1^st ride)	Honda CBR1000	Rick Whitehead	Yamaha R1
Paul Niclasen (1^st ride)	Honda CBR1000	Cameron Stevens	Yamaha FZ6
Mark Burkowski (1^st ride)	Honda CBR1000	Cliff Peters	Suzuki GSXR1000
Ben Warden (leader)	Honda CBR954	Misho Zrakic/Pina Garasi	Suzuki GSXR750
Phil Harris (1^st ride)	Honda VF1000R	11 bikes, 12 people, 14 deg.

Not a bad looking morning as we meet up at Yarra Glen with some familiar faces and some new riders that helped pick up the numbers. Three of my son-in-law Rick’s mates turned out on their pristine CBR1000RR Fireblades after being invited yesterday when we met them on the Protest Ride down the newly opened East Link. Also, one of my old friends Phil came along on his pristine 1984 Honda VF1000R for the first time.

After our normal briefing by Ben it was off once again out of town, across to Healesville and up the Chum Creek Road. I love this road but wet patches and mud slowed me down a bit. Bugger. And then out through Toolangi, Glenburn and Flowerdale to Strath Creek towards Broadford. The road on the really steep part going up the mountain after Strath Creek has recently been resurfaced. It was dry, so I had a blast going up, pinning the throttle and loving it. But I ran a little wide a few times, scaring the shit out of myself!

Its funny: some time ago I was towing some earthmoving equipment up this hill with a truck and trailer, going so slowly that my son had time to get out while moving, go for a pee by a tree, then run and jump back in the truck like nothing had happened. And I’ve just gone from bottom to top in about 20 seconds!

We stopped at Broadford for morning tea and a chat. I couldn’t stop looking at Rick’s mates chrome wheels. “Damn they look good and I want some.” I need to win Tattslotto; I need to buy ticket to win! All three CBRs were very nicely presented.

From Broadford we headed off via Pyalong, Lancefield, Woodend and Spring Hill towards Daylesford. Near Tylden Phil accidentally went past Ben the leader and disappeared down the highway so I gave chase to let him know. Then we tried to rejoin the main group. It’s amazing how fast one has to go to try and catch the group, even with a minimal head start. (No, Mr Plod, I’m not going to say how fast!)

After a spirited run we arrived at Daylesford for fuel and lunch. By this time I think we were all feeling the cold big time; man it was cold. I decided to buy heated grips after that.

The bikes looked quite impressive, all parked on the grass in the heart of town.

After lunch we rode through Tylden, Greendale and Myrniong to Bacchus Marsh. Then on to the freeway for a bit and finally through Toolern Vale to Diggers Rest where we said our goodbyes and headed home.

All in all it was a good day’s ride with mostly dry roads and no incidents. The official ride length was 320 km.

I spoke with Phil on the phone the next night who was still a little gob smacked at the pace of the ride. He was also not used to the distance but he had a great time.

Ken Goederee