Geoff Jones — ZZR600 Ben Warden — CBR929RR

Ian Payne - CBR900RR (leader) Dianne Welsford — CBR600

Jon Riddett — K1100RT Jack Youdan — VFR800 (r/rider)

Ian Handforth — XJ900 Geoff Barton — ZX7

Craig Morley — YZF750 Nick Casemore — GSXR600

Dave Skitt — TL1000S Ray Walker — GSXR600

Lindsay Knight & Tanya — GS850G Wayne, Joanne & Michelle Nimmo (met us at the pub)

Lyn Duncan & Eddie (met us at pub) 15 bikes, 19 people

The day started cold and overcast but at least it was not raining as I wheeled the bike out of the garage. I was running late for the 10:00 am Yarra Glen pick-up so I decided to give the Christmas Hills a miss and go out along Maroondah Highway through Lilydale. Ever since they dropped the limit through there to 80, the route just has not had the same appeal. I cried and swore the first time I saw the 80 signs where the 100’s used to be. Another good road effectively gone — and it is policed. To ride through those curves at anything enjoyable now, would mean walking for a while if you were unfortunate enough to meet a mobile radar. Nice scenery though, and plenty of time to look at it now.

As I rolled in to Yarra Glen I noted with amusement that I was actually ten minutes early — despite crawling along Maroondah Highway through at least 3 speed traps! I was worried because I could not see any bikes at all. My brain was furiously running over the details — 10:00 am, Yarra Glen, today’s date, my clock is right, maybe I’m too early, too late …. Oops — there is a bike hiding behind that parked car, and another and another — everything was OK.

I was the fourth to arrive and over the next few minutes people started to roll up en masse. Ron Johnston had turned up in his car just to ensure the safety kit could be handed over - Jack Youdan was volunteered to be rear rider and Ian started the speech. No points for guessing who got to go scribe.

With no new riders, the corner marking system required no explanation and we were away. The roads were still damp and no one seemed to be in much of a hurry as we headed out north along the Melba Hwy taking the right turn just over the bridge and across to Healesville. I was up near the front, and, having not been on many rides for a while I was having difficulty identifying the bikes coming up behind me. Ben’s yellow CBR was quite distinctive in the mirrors and seemed to linger in sight just a little bit longer than the ZXR used to. Dianne’s bright helmet made her an easy spot, Geoff Barton’s one headlight black ZXR was also easy but the rest just had me wondering who was that ? A loud whoosh followed by an oily smell in the air identified Craig.

We headed up the Chum Creek Rd (or was it Myers Creek — always confuse them) to Toolangi. Apparently a few had slides in this very wet patch, with Ian on the XJ900 finding the white lines on the pedestrian crossing a bit exciting. Then on to Healesville via Myers Creek Rd for the run up the Spur.

Under the trees of the Spur the road was very wet and as usual, some considerate soul had left us a trail of petrol drops to follow just in case the white lines were not enough. Craig came past me near the start, and I decided to lift my pace and slot in behind him for a while — following him under brakes into a corner I realised my ABS was going and the gap between us was diminishing fast — I was on some petrol or something. It wasn’t long before I felt like it was too much work and dropped back.

Then Nick on the GSXR600 went by and we slotted into the flow together for the rest of the Spur, but not for long. We had just caught some traffic consisting of a group of 4WD carrying dirt bikes who waved us past on a straight. Just as I was thinking I could put the traffic behind me, the sight of a tow truck and a police car parked ahead brought the proceedings to a sudden halt. We were stopped by the CFA who had stopped the traffic in both directions. They were removing debris off the road. Speaking to the bloke, he explained that a car had slid into the bank and bounced back onto the road, dumping oil, petrol and coolant in the process. They were putting saw dust down. We were the first to be waved through, and it was quickly obvious that this was a real hazard. All the petrol had run down the hill and we slid all over the place going through it. It was bad at walking pace, but you could imagine the results of finding it at speed.

The bakery at Marysville provided for a welcome morning tea stop. As people enjoyed coffees and other snacks, a sight seemed to grab the attention of most the group. Some of us were lucky to have had modelled for us, a frilly white lace G-string — the things women do to get the attention of bikers!

Ian rounded up the group and we headed on out to Buxton and up the Highway to the Molesworth Rd. In Buxton several riders noted a pair of large wombats lying dead in the middle of a bridge. We must have seen seven for the day — you really wonder if they are sustaining a population. I’ll bet the panel beaters love them. The back road that cuts across to Molesworth is always fun. I was grateful that my earplugs kept the 107 knot wind roar at bay. I was behind Nick on the GSXR600 and Di was behind me. It was interesting to see what torque vs rpm and power translates to in real terms. All I can say is the 600’s seem to keep the left foot busy but boy can they go.

At around Yea heading out on the King Lake West Rd, a large group of bikes came towards us. Spread out over several kilometers, there were bikes of all shapes and sizes from Harleys to Fireblades. I think a club had a poker run on from memory. It was a good turn out. With Craig behind me, we had to swerve as one guy pulled out around a car and rode straight towards us. I think the sight of Craig’s outstretched leg feigning a kick and his shaking head spoke for both of us. At the next corner which was to be the last before the pub, I found myself wondering if it was in fact or group corner marking and realised that Ray on the GSXR600 had joined the ride. Better late than never — apparently he had been chasing us all day.

I was very impressed that as everyone rolled into the pub carpark, the clock struck our intended arrival time of 1:00pm precisely. Very well done by Ian who timed the day to perfection. With everyone lining the bikes up side by side, various cameras were produced and played with before going inside to be greeted by a nice warm fire. This was the official end of the ride.

Geoff Jones announced he was shouting the bar and put his credit card down for security. We ordered up big, mainly on soft drinks. Our attempts to add meals to his tab did not quite work out, but Geoff ensured no one had an empty glass the whole time were there. A successful business deal, the occasion. We also signed up Lindsay on the GS850 as a new member. That would make him one of the first new members of the new committee. His Suzuki would be one of the oldest bikes on a Club run for a while and seemed to keep good pace with the modern stuff. Newest member on oldest bike - good to see.

With lunch over people made their various own ways home. Thanks to Ian for leading and to Jack for rear riding duties.