Reefton Spur Sunday 14^th September, 2008

Ian Payne	Honda CBR1000	Ron Johnston	Suzuki GF1200
Paul Southwell	Honda CBR1000	Magnus Cameron (1^st ride)	Suzuki GSXR1000
Ken Goederee	Honda CBR1000	Misho Zrakic	Suzuki GSXR750
Ben Warden	Honda CBR954	Trevor Harris	Yamaha XJ900
Dennis Lindemann	Honda CBR600	Pina Garasi (rear rider)	Yamaha R6
Cliff Peters	Kawasaki ZX10	Renzo Cunico	Ducati 916
Dave Ward (leader)	Kawasaki Z750	Geoff Ross	Triumph 675

I woke up this morning and it was raining. The skies looked like they were going to drop the entire ocean across the state! I figured I’d head off to the meeting place and if it was too crappy, turn around and go home early. I’m glad I did ‘cause by the time I cleared Lilydale and rode into Yarra Glen it was a beautiful sunny day. (What a relief; I am so over winter.)

I arrived early and filled up with juice. There was a cop car using our parking spot to wait for victims. I thought “Don’t be intimidated”. But better wear helmet and stop at stop sign crossing road. After a while he took off after some poor sod. I awaited the arrival of the rest of our group with the usual down-blouse perv when the young sheila puts the umbrella in, out front of the shop. (Good call, whoever chose that meeting spot!)

Finally, we’re off up the Chum Creek Road to Toolangi and back down the Myers Creek Road to Healesville. While negotiating back roads to bypass the heart of town, I came round a corner to find debris and leaves settling over the road. A massive multi-limbed tree had just fallen over and completely blocked the road. Unbelievable! Talk about luck. Some time between the first few of our riders passing and the rest of us arriving, this monster of a tree had come crashing down across the road. One of us could have copped a massive headache - or worst!

After some consultation and backtracking we all finally regrouped at the Woori Yallock Road turnoff. Just near that intersection the government cash collectors had their new beaut satellite communicating gattling gun, van mounted, automated booking system in operation and parked beside the highway. About one kilometre back there where four cops in a four wheel drive waiting to snare their victims.

On to Launching Place and Yarra Junction. Then via back roads to Warburton for a brief stop for morning smoko, etc. As the weather was lovely, there were also heaps of rubber necks in town.

After smoko we headed up to Reefton, past the pub and around the Spur. I tried to keep up with Paul, Dave and Misho in the tight stuff but not a hope. After three rear end slides, I decided it was better to arrive in one piece than not at all. (Not too sure about those Michelin Pilot Powers.)

At Cumberland Junction we stopped to regroup and take a photo in the mud underneath the sign, then headed off down the bends to Marysville for lunch. This is a nice little stretch of road. I overtook Cliff on the way down. Unusual! He must have been day dreaming or missed a gear!

Weird but there were no other bikes in town. I guess the forecast was poor and our group are pretty die hard bike nuts.

After lunch we went out through Buxton and Taggerty where Misho got a puncture right outside a bloke’s house. Luckily this bloke was home and offered the use of his air compressor at the side of his house. Ben stayed to repair the tyre for him while the rest of us buggered off. We headed out through Alexandra to pick up the Molesworth Road, Yea, Kinglake West towards the Bakery break-up point. On the road to the bakery the cops were hiding on the nature strip in the bracken with their laser and unfortunately Ben got booked while looking in his mirror trying to figure out why Misho had slowed down thinking his tyre was leaking. Bugger! The cop wasn’t in the mood for bargaining, but they never are. Unfortunately, some of these blokes are so brainwashed they believe their own propaganda. And this cop was well warmed up after unsuccessfully giving chase to a bike we saw fly past earlier!

All in all, it was a long day’s ride. The weather was pleasant with the only place a little fresh up the top of the mountains near the Spur. It was a bit of an eye opener for me in terms of how easy it is to get booked or lose your license. No wonder Johnny took our guns of us!

Ken Goederee