Eildon – Sunday,                  Sunday 6th January    2002

 

Paul Tallents, CBR 900  (Leader)                    Ron Johnston, Bandit 1200

Craig Morley, YZF                                           Rhys Williams, ZX9

Jeff Jones,  R1                                                  Ray Walker, GSXR 1000

Liz Oliver, CBR 919                                         Enzo Cunico, YZF 1000

Peter Weyermayr, CBR 929 RR                       Wayne Mays, Triumph Tiger

Mark Anderson, CBR 250 RR                         Rob Langer, BMW 1150 GS

Matt Clarke, CBR 250 RR                               Allan Gould, GSXR 1000  (1st)

Dean Von Schill, VTR                                      Ben Warden, CBR 929 RR

Dave Alverado, ZX9                                        Derek Atkinson, FZR (Rear Rider)

 

More great motor cycling weather, sweltering in mid thirty degree heat, leathers acting like a sauna, sweating, dehydrating, waiting for that next stop so you can toss all your leather gear off, and let your body cool down as well finding some shade to keep yourself out of the sun.

 

By half past ten everybody had arrived. Paul gave a brief run down on where we were going and corner marking system. Of we go, back road to Healesville, turn left Chum Creek Rd to Toolangi, right turn Myers Creek Rd to Healesville. Went this way myself yesterday.  Left onto Highway and up and over the Black Spur. I think everybody likes this road apart from bumps and humps. There was a lot of traffic on the road and people still on holidays.

 

Saint Fillians, turn off to Marysville, we are well spread out, Jeff  Jones is in front of me and I thought he might like a bit of a run to Marysville but it wasn’t so, so I went ahead.  Left at Marysville and onto Buxton, passed Rhys and took off.  Buxton, turn right onto highway again and head for Taggerty where we turned right and headed for Eildon or so I thought.

 

Corner marked at Thornton with Enzo and Rhys. Pulled in as well had to get rid of insects on the visor - too hard to see.  Rear rider comes and off we go again, cruising around the road and we have to turn right onto the Rubicon Rd to Torbreck River.   I thought, we don’t usually come this way to Eildon, but, who cares, just follow the leader. 

 

I was following Enzo and it took me a little while to get fired up and into the grove. We passed a couple of bikes and I saw Dean pass Liz. He was coming up on me, but I was holding him off.  We were about half way in when Enzo lost the front end and went down on a right hander, lost the front end on the shoulder and slid off into the grass and rubbish on the side of the road.  Dean and myself gave Enzo a hand to pick the bike up. Damage was cosmetic and so was his pride, but other than that, he was okay. Took a few goes to start the bike but it went and off he rode.

 

Dean, Liz, Derek and myself headed off after him at much slower pace. Its funny sort of thing that, when someone has a spill it makes you stop and think and you sort of slow down yourself for a little while until you get yourself together and you are at it again. Finally we arrived at the river. Ben rolls in after everybody else. He had to get fuel. 

 

Dean had been on reserve for about 10 kms and was concerned he might not make it back to Eildon. (I forgot to mention Dave on the ZX9 joined the ride some where.) It was a slow ride out to Eildon for Dean, hoping he wouldn’t run out of fuel.  Eildon fuel for the bikes and food for the boys and girls on the ride. It was certainly welcome. It must have been in the mid thirties now ‘cause it was very warm. All leather gear was coming off left, right and centre.  Usual gossip, bikes, the ride, holidays and every thing in between.               

 

After lunch we headed of up over the Skyline road to Alexandra. Not a bad road if I say so myself. A nice hill climb that is tight and twisty, and the same on the way down. Through Alexandra and turn right into Whanregaren road which takes us to Molesworth. Another nice road where most people can’t help themselves, but go flat out. I wonder why?

 

Yea we pass through and turn left onto the Whittlesea/Yea road. By the time we reached the base of Junction Hill we had all regrouped and I noticed Craig and Ray had started to pass the slower bikes at the bottom of the hill and then it was all on….down a gear or two and go for it. Dean was going for it and I managed to pass him on the 4th corner going over the top and didn’t spare the horses. I caught up with the others a bit further on.

 

We slowed down near the turn off for Glenburn. Paul wasn’t quite sure where it was. Left into Break O`Day road to Glenburn and didn’t spare the horses here either. At Glenburn right turn down the Highway to Healesville where we break up. 

 

Everybody had a good day, warm weather, one minor accident. Incidently Enzo had a fall on his RF900 a couple of years ago on the Skyline road. It was a little bit damp and had moss on it. Again it wasn’t too bad from memory.

 

Thanks to Paul for leading the ride and Derek for rear rider. Its not everybody cup of tea but some one has to do it, just like the write up….Cheers .

 

Ron Johnston  (Suzuki Bandit 1200)      

 

    

 

Walwa feedback (via email):

 

Great ride and I had a fantastic time. Were you lonely at the front or did someone actually catch up to you? Sunday lunch was a real high, I was really starting to get somewhere. After lunch (the wasp incident) really was quite a downer. A reality attack, those things are bloody dangerous ;-) Sorry to hold up the ride but my brain would not let me cut loose. It was quite funny that by the time I got home I was over it all and starting to get into it again. Took me a full day to get some confidence back. Anyway, thanks for organising it. Unless I get some speed soon I can only go as rear rider!   …. Darryl

 

We had such a good time - so many good roads - great bunch of people. Pete and I are still going on about it.... In fact he is so inspired he may send you an email - a rare event for Pete. Don't hold your breath....  Have a good one.    …Liz

 

What a fantastic long weekend. Thanks for looking after us so well and once again taking us on some of the best roads around. We came home tired and sore (as you should) but very satisfied. As you would say....SENSATIONAL!!  My back tyre, new before the ride is f....d. Awesome but expensive. I don't think I'll see anywhere close to 6 thou km this time.    ….Pete

 

 

 

15.No husband has ever been shot while doing the dishes.
16.A balanced diet is a cookie in each hand.
17.Middle age is when broadness of the mind and narrowness of the waist change places.
18.Opportunities always look bigger going than coming. 
19.Junk is something you've kept for years and throw away three weeks before you need it.
20.There is always one more imbecile than you counted on.
21.Experience is a wonderful thing. It enables you to recognise a mistake when you make it again.
22.By the time you can make ends meet, they move the ends.
23.Thou shalt not weigh more than thy refrigerator.
24.Someone who thinks logically provides a nice contrast to the real world.

 

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"I am." is the shortest complete sentence in the English language.

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