Licola Sunday 16^th May 2010

Chris Tran	Honda CBR1000	Cliff Peters	Kawasaki ZX10
Paul Southwell	Honda CBR1000	Viet Nguyen	Kawasaki ZX10
Tim Emons	Honda CBR1000	Jason Wilson	Kawasaki ZX9
John Rousseaux (rear)	Honda CBR1000	Damir Djikic	Kawasaki Z750
Ron Johnston	Honda CBF1000	Chris Pointon	Suzuki GSXR1000
Mark Copeland	Honda VTR1000	Ken Goederee	Suzuki B-King
Ben Warden (leader)	Honda CBR954	Geoff Shugg	Suzuki DL650
Dennis Lindemann	Honda CBR600	Piere Ong	Ducati 1098
Pina Garasi	Honda CBR600	Edward Simonis	MotoGuzzi 1200 Sport
Tony Raditsis	Aprilia RSV1000		19 bikes, 19 people

It’s been a while since I’ve been on a Club ride so, since the weather was looking clear and opportunities are getting thinner (eg crap weather in winter), I thought I would make the effort and get on down. I was also keen to see how my latest purchase, a Suzuki B-King, would stack up on this sort of ride with such talented company.

The morning was very fresh with lots of fog, but at Berwick the sky had cleared. It was good to see some familiar friendly faces among the good turn out; 19 bikes in all.

Noticing Chris and Viet shivering with cold, I was glad my leathers were being repaired; I was forced to wear my winter suit.

After Ben gave us all the low down on the route, collected names, called for volunteer rear rider and article scribe, it was time to head off on our first leg to Tyers.

After a bit of a stint on the freeway we finally started cruising through Longwarry North towards Jindivick. The road was damp in places and not being used to the bike, I was taking it a little tentatively. Paul and Cliff went past and soon disappeared into the distance. Not long after through some left right fast turns, Dennis on his new CBR600 came by like Valentino Rossi.

Just past Jindivick, on one of the tight slow left handers, there were piles of gravel all over the corner. I made a mental note to remember this for on the way back!

The temperature was still a bit fresh but by the time we reached Tyers the fog had cleared and it was starting to warm up (although Viet and Chris were still shivering). We stopped to fuel up and have a rest. Jason left for home as his front tyre was considered too worn to continue safely.

I had discovered that the after market screen fitted to my B-King, while doing a good job of stopping the wind blast, creates a high pitched / high speed wind noise. Even with ear plugs I am almost deafened. After some consultation with Geoff Shugg, I pull out the spanners and make the first of many adjustments, trying to find a happy medium height.

Heading down the highway we turn left at Toongabbie making our way past Lake Glenmaggie and on to the twisty road to Licola. It has some great fast sweepers and some really tight corners through the mountains. It is bloody marvellous!

At Licola, where Paul leaves, we turn right at the bridge and cruise along a gently winding road up to Wellington River for a brief stop and photo before heading back to Licola for lunch and a rest. The sun is out and it’s jackets off for a while to enjoy the warmth and replenish food and beverage stocks.

After a big night last night it’s about now that I realise I’m knackered and still have to ride home.

After yet another screen adjustment and more front preload we head off back along the Licola Road. The B-King feels not too bad through medium to fast sweepers but I’m still coming to terms with its girth in the tight turns; it’s no Duke or Blade.

Through one section of tight windies I come up behind Pina on her CBR riding very well. I follow her for a while. There is some really picturesque scenery along this road, overlooking rivers and valleys. After numerous turn offs and minor delays (Dennis’s rear tail tidy fell off - fixed with cable ties thanks Cliff …Ed) we arrive at Tyers again for a brief rest and fuel.

Now I’m really knackered. I adjust the screen yet again. Then we start on the final leg to Longwarry North. After leaving the highway near Moe we head up towards Hill End along a fast, smooth, winding road where I hang with Pierre’s 1098 for a while, enjoying the sound of his exhausts as he powers on out of the turns.

Then back down to the Old Sale Road, through Crossover and on to the last Jindivick/Longwarry stretch. The first few kilometres after Neerim South have bumpy, tight bends where I manage to save a massive step-out when I hit the gravel I was supposed to remember! Through Jindivick and the final sweepers before arriving at Longwarry North to say goodbye and head home.

It was nice to catch up with everyone. Thanks to Ben and the team for another enjoyable day out.

Ken Goederee