Lunch finished and off along the Gisborne-to-Bacchus Marsh road which has had some improvements lately and provided some smooth sweepers, in contrast to what was to come, and some spectacular views across Lake Merrimu to Melbourne, if you had time to look. On from the Marsh using the old highway to climb the Pentland Hills, through Myrniong to Greendale and Ballan.

Looking for a different route to Meredith I picked the road to Mt. Egerton and then south to Morrisons. What a fork seal tester! There did not seem like any part of the surface did not have a bump. At speed the ride was "interesting". Meredith reached so onto the Steiglitz road with its twisty bits and narrow bridges. Through Steiglitz and on to the Sheoaks turn off. Instead of looping through Sheoaks back to Meredith, which has a dirt section, a regroup and U turn to return through

the historic settlement and refuel at the BP in Meredith. Rob commenting at the U turn that a bit more dirt may have been fun. BMW low centre of gravity dirt handling in mind. I must admit to no pre-ride of the Sheoaks loop. Maybe next time.

TRX showing some signs of an "off" at the refuel: right side front indicator not as Yamaha san intended but otherwise pristine. Bernard and Trevor May's bikes sporting polished wheels which sparkled in the rather weak sunlight, now the dominant weather feature. Still cold though. Brad Cain taking some advice on a return to the Western Highway instead of a Werribee finish: join us on the road to Durdidwarrah but turn left at the end for a better quality run to Ballan. The rest turned right for the sweepers through the Brisbane Ranges National Park to Anakie Junction, heading east past Ford's proving ground and running along the north side of the You Yangs.

Long, straight, nearly empty roads where some spark plug carbon removal was engaged in on the run to the ride finish at Werribee. All seemed happy with the day and, apart from the "Trixie", no "incidents" to report. Joanne even saying that the ride on the Hayabusa was not too bad. Given the state of some of the roads, that was surprising, although Wayne had done some suspension resetting since a recent ride day. Not sure of total distance; near 400 kilometres I think.

Thanks for coming, hope the "newbies" enjoyed themselves, and maybe come again. New blood and all that.