Longwood - Sunday 4/11/2001 by Ron Johnston

Ron Johnston Bandit 1200 (Leader) Dave Hives, ZX9

Matt Clark, CBR250RR Jeff Hornby, ZX6

Mick Bosworth, ZX9R Dean Von Schill, VTR

Rob Langer and Kirsten, BMW R1150 GS (Rear Rider) 7 Bikes, 8 People

Today had riding weather written all over it…not a cloud in the sky, no wind and its was warming up. Another Yarra Glen departure. Passed a few bikes on the way out there; quite a few cars on the road as well…wondered what the traffic might be like on the ride; wasn’t too worried because there wouldn’t be much traffic where we were going.

Arrived at the Glen to find some people already there but they didn’t belong to a club and were not going on our ride. I talked to them for a little while, hoping somebody from our Club might turn up, otherwise I would have gone by myself. Two people rode up: it was Mick Bosworth and Mathew Clark. Jeff Hornby, Dean Von Schill, Rob Langer and Kirsten followed by Dave Hives. What a turnout for the holiday. Mick said it was his first ride in about 3 months and that he was doing some house renovations (sounds like he might be busy for a while). I waited until after 10:30 am before I gave a brief spiel on where we were going. Considering Dean was on the VTR how many kilometres between fuel stops was important. Dean went and got fuel as did Rob just to be on the safe side. I waited until they got back and asked Rob if he would go rear rider to which he agreed.

We headed off on the usual route to Healesville taking a left turn into Chum Creek Rd and up to Toolangi. It was rather a pleasant ride through there and we passed a few cyclists as well. Toolangi …another left turn. Dean was the first to arrive and said that he liked the Chum Creek Rd; it was good. Through Toolangi to the Melba Highway and onto Glenburn were we turned left and went to Break O’Day. A couple of kilometres in and we came across a fairly new Celica driven by a P-plater and a Land Cruiser towing a large caravan. The P-plater went to overtake the caravan but the person towing it decided he needed all of the road, and the P-plater could not pass. I don’t know wether the person towing the van knew if anybody was behind him or not. I even had to wait so I could pass and even then he was still in the middle of the road (TURKEY).

After I passed them I cranked the bike up only to find anything over XXX km/h it would go into a violent tank slapper and I couldn’t hold it. So I was restricted to that speed, a nice quiet pace…I was a bit peeved off because of it. Steering head bearings too loose?

At Break O’Day we turned right and headed off up the hill through some fast sweepers and then the down hill run which is quite good. Then some long straights and on to Yea which was the first stop. Food, fuel and gossip. Kirsten wanted to know where the Bakery was so I pointed her in the right direction. I mentioned to Jeff and Dean what was happening with my bike. Jeff commented about my riding and wondered what was going on, and that he could see something was wrong.

Rob said it was his second day out on his new BMW and that he was still getting used to it. He had bought the bike from the auction, repaired it (cosmetic damage only, 2001 model, BMW 1150 GS with 4,000 kilometres on the clock) and he seemed quite happy with it. We chatted for a while, and, about half an hour later, I summoned the troop together because it was time to mount up and move out. I didn’t rush things today because I wanted everybody to enjoy themselves.

Of we went towards Kerrisdale where we turned left and headed to Strath Creek. I lifted the pace through here; it’s a good road. I think just past Homewood you have that good up-hill climb to the top (twistys) before you head down to Strath Creek. You have to watch for a bit of loose stones in places; grouse bit of road though. The next stage to Broadford is quite good as well: you can hoot through there too. Waited at Broadford for the others to catch up.

Left at servo and go up the main road and turn right at the shops and go down towards the river and cross the narrow bridge, up the hill and turn left towards Glenaroua. According to the map we had gone through Glenaroua; some nice rolling hill country, roads are not too bad either. I thought we were to go through Sugarloaf Creek but I am wrong. I will have to check that out later. We carried on through Hillend to Seymour.

We stopped next to the old Hotel, the one on the left hand side when you get to Seymour. There is a brick building next to it where you can buy hot food. Kirsten had Rob take her to a bakery because she was hanging out for some croissants. Most of us got fuel first and then food etc, more gossip, visors and bikes plastered with insects. It was quite warm and every body was enjoying themselves.

Rally the troop together again, and set off from Seymour to Avenel via Mangalore. Set off at a brisk pace but couldn’t go over XXX without doing the tank-slapper bit. One good thing about it, Mathew on the Baby blade didn’t get left behind. Avenel, turned left at the pub down the road, turn right at the cemetery and follow the railway to Longwood. I stopped there and checked the bolts on the forks on my bike; I was not very happy with the way it was handling.

From Longwood we crossed the Hume and headed towards Ruffy. The road is narrow and bumpy but its okay. A few kilometres in and the road starts to twist and turn. It is a bit rough but is okay. (Last time I was on it, it was alright. It has since had some resealing done but I think a lot of trucks use the road.) Before we got to Ruffy the road was in terrible condition. Pot holes and patches; a shocker. At Ruffy we waited and regrouped. We waited a while and I thought someone must have come to grief, but it wasn’t so. When nature calls you gotta do what you gotta do. Regrouped, off we go again. There is a good down hill run with some twisty bits and more good road through Gobur to Yarck. Dean, Dave, Jeff, Mick, Matt, Rob and Kirsten said they liked that road. Rob also mentioned that he hadn’t been on that road for a while.

Down the Highway to Molesworth (another well used road) where I had Dean hard on my heels. Back on the Highway again through Acheron and Taggerty to Buxton where I rode as fast as I could (without losing control of my bike). Nobody seemed to catch up. Marysville: fuel for bikes, then stop at bakery for some needed refreshments. The trip from Seymour to Marysville was 156 kilometres, so it’s a fair sort of a ride without a break.

We head off again to that favourite road, the Black Spur. We all had a good run over there, weaving in and out and passing cars (for some) to arrive at Healesville where we break up.

I hope everybody had a good day and enjoyed themselves. The weather was great; no accidents and was a leisurely sort of a day. I was a bit disappointed with the way my bike was handling. Other than that, I also had a good day… The trip was 400 kilomeres for the day.