Lancefield Hotel Lunch Saturday 23^rd August 2008

Trevor Harris (leader)	Yamaha XJ900S	Ian Payne	Honda CBR1000RR
Ben & Julie Warden	Honda CBR954RR	Cliff Peters	Kawasaki ZX10R
Ian Handforth (rear)	Honda XL1000	Bruce Fleming	Suzuki GSX-R1000
			6 bikes, 7 people
At the Pub;
Barbara Rolfe	Geoff & Val Jones	Ben & Kellie Jones	Andrew & Melissa McKenna

I set off for Whittlesea but a car crash at the Springvale Road/Princess Highway intersection had wiped out the traffic lights creating chaos. Fortunately, being on the bike, I was able to thread my way through the traffic. This delay had cost me time so I was lucky to make the servo a little after 10 am. I got fuel and realised only three other riders were present. But then Bruce arrived followed by Ben and Julie whose normal Donny Brook Road route to Whittlesea had become a ‘No Through Road’ due to the massive roadworks providing an overpass over the Hume Highway. The Shell servo is no more. Ben and Julie ended up getting to Whittlesea via Wallan!

With the group now swollen to six bikes we headed off to Kinglake West, Flowerdale and Strath Creek. The small group enabled Trevor to set a ‘good’ pace so we arrived earlier than expected.

We stopped at the alternative Broadford bakery. This leisurely stop allowed us to thaw out and check the new bikes; Cliff had his new green ZX10 with the blinkers fitted inside the headlight, a nice aftermarket muffler and license plate holder – all fitted by the dealer. Bruce was also on a ‘new’ bike instead of his classic Kawasaki GPz900. His GSX-R had been brought as a wreck and built up with lots of after-market goodies and parts sourced over the internet. It looked great but was taking some to get used to! Ben and Cliff worked out it had been significantly lowered.

As Trev headed off to the loo we started to mark the route to Glenaroua but Bruce went on not realizing we would turn left just up the road. Once Trevor arrived I headed off in pursuit, but Bruce had already figured out his mistake and was heading towards Pyalong, our next destination. But then Trevor and the group came towards us heading for Seymour. We did a quick U-turn which had us all back together. I was just trying to figure out which route Trevor was taking to Lancefield, when another U-turn! Apparently he had misinterpreted the left/left/right instructions and it was only after Ben caught him that we resumed in the right direction.

As we approached Pyalong we encountered another detour but this one was planned for a group photo shoot at the Trestle Bridge. After a leisurely break and lots of photos, we continued into Pyalong, turning left at the highway, then right and across to Lancefield for fuel and lunch at the pub.

Barbara was meeting us here but then a surprise with the Jones’ clan also in attendance. So with the group now doubled to 14 diners, we took over the bistro and soaked up the roaring open fire. The food soon came. Over our meal we discussed the sharemarket and superannuation - must be showing our age! But then the conversation came back to bikes: Cliff’s ZX10, Geoff’s latest mod to the R1, tyres, Tassie `09, Cup weekend and Christmas.

All too soon it was time to go, so after our farewells we headed west to Newham and Hanging Rock, then Hesket and Romsey before a wet ride across to Wallan where the ride finished. Fortunately we stopped at the Bakery where it was warm as the weather was still very cold. From here most went their separate ways home.

Thanks to Trevor for planning and leading the ride and Ian Handforth for the rear riding.

Ian Payne