Geoff Jones ZZR600 Leader Lyn Duncan GSXR1000

Eddie Seitz R6 Martin Quinn R6

Stuart Lens Bandit 1200 2nd Ron Johnston Bandit 1200

Ben Warden CBR 900 RR R/R

7 bikes & 7 people

It had been raining early on this morning and I was in two minds whether to go or not. Waited till 9 am and decided the weather looked okay so I got my gear on and headed off. The roads were wet over my way and they seem to dry out around Eltham area.

Arrived at Whittlesea thinking I might be late but I wasn’t. I had 10 minutes to spare so I filled up the bike along with a few of the others who had arrived as well. It was good to see Lyn Duncan there because I haven’t seen her on a ride for a long time. Also Eddie, her other half, was there as well. It’s good to see new people riding with the Club. Geoff gave a run down on where we were going, (Ben was rear rider again), so off to Lancefield we go, via Wallan and Romsey. The road between Wallan and Romsey is a nice sort of meandering type of road. The bridge at the Romsey end of the road (it’s in a gully) has been widened which is good because it used to be a single lane bridge. Lancefield a welcomed stop….. time for something warm to eat and drink and warm the cold hands on the exhaust, plus empty the bladder, a bloody nuisance on cold days.

From Lancefield we went down the Burke and Wills track to Mia Mia. I noticed on the way there are a lot of new houses and a couple of new sub-divisions being built. Obviously more people are moving out of the rat race and living in the bush for a bit of piece and quiet. Turned left at Mia Mia through Redesdale and across the old bridge that was built in 1867 (seems to have stood the test of time), carry on to Sutton Grange and across Dogs Rock Saddle where there are rocky outcrops of rocks in the surrounding area. An interesting road to ride on but had to watch for moss on parts of it. Faraday to Chewton, another twisty but tight little road. If you had a trail bike it would be a grouse place to ride (off road that is). Castlemaine here at last. On the way in there was one of the old houses was painted a bright blue with 4 purple verandah posts and window frames …yuk… some people have no taste.

Next stop a petrol station where we all topped our tanks up and Ben took the particulars of who used how much and who was the winner. Bens got the details. Ben used the least fuel 7.3 litres, Eddie used the most 10.4 litres, Lyn came second, I think Martin on R6 might have come third. I am not sure but Ben will print details. Next stop is food. Its been one of those days where you can’t seem to keep warm, its been COOL all morning. We stopped at a takeaway shop where everybody ordered and waited patiently for their food. We sat outside at the tables and chairs and had a yak about the ride and other things in general. We must have been there about an hour before we headed off on the next leg of our journey.

We leave Castlemaine for Chewton where we turned right and followed the road to Fryerstown and to the right. There are signs of gold diggings from a bygone era with all the tailings every where. There is still some old brick and stone buildings plus a large steel A frame with a pulley on top to lower and raise a lift into the mineshaft for the workers. (I think it might be called a poppet head. I stand to be corrected on that). There is a Chinese cemetery as well. It would be worth taking a look if you were up there and had some spare time on your hands.

Anyway, the road was pretty good for a few kilometres in and then it got narrow and was rough and ready in places, but it was okay. Guildford and on to Shepherds Flat where Geoff and Lyn were summoned to a call of nature along with a couple others, (Woolworths bladders). Carry on to Hepburn Springs. The place was busy as usual, people everywhere and a market up at the old Railway station. Further down the road I saw the railcar in service doing the touristy thing taking people for rides.

Daylesford, Trentham and through Blackwood where I passed through a couple of weeks ago previously on Wayne’s ride. I remembered a couple of corners where we ended up on the wrong side of the road …thought I had better watch out. I did and it wasn’t gravel on the road either, it was a couple of soft spots with ruts in them. There is not much you can do when you go over them. A bit dangerous on the bike because its too late once you are on them.

Myrniong to Bacchus Marsh …who cares about the fuel economy now…and Geoff took us on some grouse roads between the Marsh and Melton. We all ended back at Geoff’s place for some refreshments. It was very welcomed indeed after a cold/miserable sort of a day on the bike. I forgot to mention we did have some rain before we got to Melton.

A good day was had by all and there were no incidents, even if it was cold and miserable. I would like to thank Geoff for leading the ride and Val for going to the trouble of preparing the food for us lot and for putting up with us. …Many thanks, much appreciated on the cold day that it was … There was the usual discussion about the day's ride and other things in general. We broke up here and all went our own way home. I did just over 400 kms. for the day from door to door.

Ron Johnston Bandit 1200