Linton                          Sunday 21st September, 2008

 

 

Geoff Jones (Leader)    Yamaha R1                                   Corbin Spur                 Suzuki GSXR1300

Paul Southwell              Honda CBR 1000RR                   Cameron Stevens        Yamaha FZ6

Ken Geoderee               Yamaha FZ 1                                Ron Johnston              Suzuki GSF 1200

Ben Warden                  Honda CBR 954RR                     Cliff Peters                  Kawasaki ZX10R

Hans Wurster                Kawasaki ZX12R                         Pina Garassi (RR)        Yamaha R6

Misho Zrakic                 Suzuki GSXR 750                        Mark Welland (2nd)     Honda CB1300

Dave Ward                    Honda CBR600RR                      Craig Morley               Honda SP1

Kurn Bridgeman           Honda CBR600RR                      Bill Simpson                Honda VTR1000

Mark Copeland             Honda VTR1000                                                              17 People, 17 Bikes 

 

Don’t you hate it! You know what you want to write, but just don’t know how to put it into words. Sit and stare at the screen and go over and over where you have been, and still can’t do anything. Argh!  

 

When I arrived at the Shell Westgate it was a busy place. I noticed a collection of Studebaker cars next to where the bikes were parked. Also the Falcon GT Club, XRs to FGs (67 to 2008). Good to see the old GTs. They look and sound muscular. Not like the new cars: feminine and sound like a vacuum cleaner. Older cars: poor handling and poor brakes; new cars: good brakes and handling. That’s technology for you.

 

Geoff gathers everyone around and gives us the run down on where we are going and how far between stops. He says that we are to get off at the third exit after Werribee. I think Misho was push starting Pinas bike; something about the battery being a bit flat. Doesn’t sound good…usually spells trouble. Let the ride begin.

 

Westgate, Princes Freeway to Werribee, third exit and come in from the other side. For those that didn’t notice, we went past the B24 Liberator Hanger. They are restoring a World War Two B24 Liberator Bomber, one of only a few left in the world. If you have the time, it would be worthwhile having a look. I came across it about a year ago. Unfortunately, it was closing time, so that put paid to that. I will have to find my way out there sometime to have a look.

 

We did a U turn over the rail crossing and followed the rail line. On past the Ford Proving Grounds at the You Yangs. Wouldn’t you love to take your bike on the track they have there; something different.

 

Anakie Junction had a few lookers, people coming out of church. Fairy Castle anyone? Boring ride down the road until we turn off and head for Maude. Between Maude and Steglitz we came across a procession of Morris Minors (poached eggs) on an outing. Lovely cars they are. My first car was a 1952 Morris Minor four door with a split screen and was powered by a four cylinder side valve motor.

 

The road between Maude and Meredith is brilliant. I haven’t been on it for some time, but it’s good to get out there. At Meredith I see we have picked up a couple of new riders, Bill Simpson and Mark Copeland, both riding VTR1000s. Bill is the Club member. They came along for the ride because they live out this way and it was easy to pick up the ride after reading the route off the Club home page.

 

It was a nice sunny day but the wind is blowing and makes it a little bit more work whilst riding. Fuel up the bikes and get something to eat and drink. Usually there are a couple of people serving in the shop, but today there was just one girl and the poor thing was rushed off her feet after we arrived.

 

From Meredith we went through Woodbourne where we encountered some gravel. From memory, the gravel part is only half as long as it used to be. (Yep, they’ve made up to the bridge in the last few months. …Ed.) It looks like they have sealed some of it recently. The roads are tight and narrow. Mount Mercer to Dereel is a long straight road, up and down like a roller coaster. The sun shining through the trees and the shade on the ground made it impossible to read the road. Picket fence or strobe light effect; not nice.

 

Some of the paddocks were green, some brown, some even growing canola which was bright yellow. Canola certainly altered the colour of the landscape.

 

The Rokewood/Cape Clear road is one car wide, meandering through the country side. Lots of houses in the bush. I was following a Camry for some distance and just sat behind because of the road, but decided I would try to overtake. First attempt no go - would have ended up in the gravel. Second attempt the driver moved over a little bit which made it a bit safer, but still tight.

 

I don’t recall having travelled this road before. As we came into Cape Clear there is a small Lighthouse in the centre of town outside the CFA building. There is a large white sign with black writing outside the Hotel with Cape Clear Hotel on it. You can’t miss it.

 

From here we travel down Ryan’s Road which runs into Happy Valley Crossing Road. This road is narrow and meanders through the trees, with lots of twists and turns. It’s just like you are on somebody’s private driveway. When you get to the middle of it there is a ford you have to cross. Riding through here made you feel like you were somewhere else, the peace and tranquillity of it all.

 

On to Linton. I corner marked with Mark. The group wasn’t too far apart, so back on the bike. A couple of kilometres up the road and through the trees there were some holiday houses with some small lakes. I think the speed limit was 60 or 80 km/h. Some old bloke was standing at the front of his property giving me a wave. I waved back, then looked at the speedo. I was going a bit faster than I should. Bad luck. I carry on. Well, what do you do…Snake Valley! Must be Geoff’s lucky day! It hasn’t RAINED! On to Smythesdale and then back roads into Ballarat.

 

Plenty of new housing going up,  flat out, by the look of it. We stopped at a large servo for lunch. There was a Subway and a couple of fish and chip shops around the corner. After we fuelled our bikes Ben did a head count and asked, “Had any one seen Craig?” “No”… But he left with us at Shell Westgate. Out comes the phone. RING RING, “Craig, where are you?”, “Werribee -  with a flat battery. Why didn’t you come back and get me?” Just goes to show we are not always quick enough to notice somebody is missing. The good thing is, he is okay, even if he is inconvenienced. Can’t help bad luck. (!!  …Ed.) I thought Pina’s bike had a dodgy battery.

 

After lunch we headed for Bald Hills on a boring piece of straight road. We passed a group of Hardly Dangerous riders coming the other way. If you cannot see them, you will soon hear ‘em. Noisy bloody things. If the EPA was doing their job, the bloody things would be put off the road… ha ha.

 

Across to Creswick, then Blampied to Daylesford, followed by a loop around Hepburn Springs. A nice tight, twisty road that opens up a little bit, around and over the top. On to Tylden.

 

I went past a farm where they have horses, big stables with a large brick archway going into it. Miles of white wooden fences around the place. A nice brick entrance and made road into the place, house and other out-buildings. Certainly had some big dollars spent on it. It looked magnificent, a sight to be seen.

 

Woodend, second last stop. The bakery had not closed, so a few of us went inside getting coffee and food, making the most of it. Soon it was time to go again on the last leg of the journey. We followed the usual circuit: Macedon, Hanging Rock, Hesket, Kerrie, Clarkefield, Wildwood Road and finish up at Oaklands Junction at the back of the Tullarmarine Airport, where you can watch the planes come and go about every three minutes.

 

Thanks to Geoff for leading and Pina for being the rear rider. A good day was had by all. Warm and windy, no rain, no incidents, everyone stayed upright including me! Only poor Craig suffered a flat battery.

 

Ron Johnston