Licola Sunday 9^th November, 2008

Ron Johnston (leader)	Suzuki GSF1200	Willem Vandeveld	Honda ST1300
Rob Jones	Suzuki GSXR1000	Mark Welland	Honda CB1300
Bruce Fleming	Suzuki GSXR1000	Richard Marek	Honda CBR1100XX
Mark Rigsby (rear)	Suzuki GSXR1000	Ken Goederee	Honda CBR1000
Rob Langer	BMW R1150GS	Lee Solomon (2^nd ride)	Honda CBR1000
Dave Hives	Kawasaki ZX10	Misho Zrakic	Honda CBR1000
Cliff Peters	Kawasaki ZX10	Tim Emons	Honda CBR1000
Daryl Lyons (1^st ride)	Kawasaki ZX10	Ben Warden	Honda CBR954
Pina Garasi	Yamaha R6	Dennis Lindemann	Honda CBR600
Cameron Stevens	Yamaha FZ6	Richard Buck (1^st ride)	Honda CBR600
Mr Lost (1^st ride)	RS125	Vladimir Klaric (1^st ride)	Honda CBR600

1 Aprilia, 1 BMW, 2 Yamahas, 3 Kawasakis, 4 Suzukis, 11 Hondas 22 bikes, 22 people

It’s 8.30 am and Julie is on my back about getting going, and I tell her that I am not leaving until 9 am. Today I’m leading the ride to Licola; it must be at least 18 months since I last led a ride. The last 12 months haven’t been very kind to me, crash and injury wise.

I started to put my gear on at 8.50 am and I’m nearly ready to go when Stuart, my neighbour, comes knocking on the door, “What time are you leaving?” “Shortly. Why?” “I have just put the racer back together (GSX1100) and I need a push.” (Stuart’s bike has just been rebuilt after a big get-off at the back of the Hay Shed at Philip Island.) “Okay, see you at your place.” I wandered across the road while Stuart was getting the bike ready. His wife Megan and I push the bike down the drive for about 20 feet and it fired straight away, which was a relief. He rode it up and down the main road and back home.

Stuart was taking the bike to Broadford to do some testing before the bike goes to Perth next week. By the time I went across the road to Stuart’s, it was already 9.15 am. Julie wasn’t happy. Time factor. “You know what happens when you are in a hurry,” she said. I left home and still got to Berwick in time. (I don’t want Ron to have to rush and get caught for speeding; it’s his responsibility, I know but … Julie.)

The day is starting to warm up with lots of people including some first timers turning up, which is good. Ben is taking down ICE names and numbers. Good boy isn’t he. Soon it’s time to get everyone’s attention and give them the usual spiel about where we are going, how far to the next fuel stop, etc.

I had studied the Vic Roads Country Edition carefully, made some notes, and got the photographic memory organised. Yet, I still made a few mistakes. But there you go! It just proves I am perfect. Others will beg to differ. Time to hit the frog and toad.

Highway to Nar Nar Goon, then follow the rail to Longwarry. Noted Commodore station wagon camera car was parked on the left, about quarter mile back from the intersection. I was flashed by a passing car.

Left over the rail to Longwarry North and on to Jindivick and Neerim South. Corner markers observed Mr Lost on the Aprilia and Richard Marek on the Blackbird going straight ahead at full steam, missing the turnoff. Who knows where they ended up. On to Westbury, then the back way into Yallourn North via Purvis Road and on to Tyres for the first stop. I had hit a magpie and there were feathers stuck on the disc rotor and calliper.

Back on the road again. At Toongabbie we turned left at the General Store taking the back road to Cowwarr. This is a nice scenic route, plus it gets you off the main drag. I went past the turn off at Cowwarr, so did a U turn. I hadn’t been all the way down this road before so Rob Langer had to set me in the right direction a couple of times.

Also, we did the loop around the Glenmaggie Weir and across the old trestle bridge. Then back onto the Licola road which has had a lot of work done on it since I was last down this way. There is even a new bridge across the river about half way in.

Instead of stopping at Licola like we usually do, we continued along the road for another 15 kms. I had never done it before. The road is tight and twisty, and has had recent road-works leaving gravel in places, especially on the corners. After a few kilometers the road started climbing steeply, continually turning left, right, left, right, making for hard going. About half way up I passed Ken coming down and thought that given the state the road was in, it was no wonder. I persevered to the end of the bitumen. Everyone parked, enjoying the atmosphere and alpine views. There is a lot of new regrowth after the bushfires. Photos were taken.

Tim Emons and friend had caught up to us, Tim showing off his new CBR1000 Fireblade. Ken also arrived. He must have changed his mind.

Soon it was time to go back to the Licola General Store and get lunch. I was getting hungry. Back at the store there was a mad rush to buy what was left of the pies etc.

The weather was now getting very warm. Time to hit the road. We did the reverse route, except we didn’t go around the weir. Cowwarr, Toongabbie back to Tyres, food and fuel. Talk the talk, usual bullshit. Rob Jones and Dave Hives left us at Tanjil South to head back to Healesville via Powelltown. The rest of us continued along the Old Sale Road to Neerim South, Jindivick and Longwarry North where the ride finished.

I think everybody had a good day, no incidents, no punctures or holes in radiators; even I stayed upright, which is good. The ride was around the 400 km mark.

Ron Johnston

(Bruce Fleming got a puncture in Tyers, fixed by Misho. Cameron and Mark stayed to assist. Bruce, Cameron and Mark rejoined the ride at Longwarry North. Misho and Pina headed directly from Tyers to Phillip Island in time for Monday’s Honda ride day. …Ed.)