Reefton and Black Spurs, Sunday 13th January, 2002

 

GSXR1000      Ray Walker (leader)                 CBR929          Ben Warden

YZF1000         Renzo Cunico                           CBR929          Pete Weyermayr

GSX1200        Ron Johnston                            CBR919          Liz Oliver

FZ-1                Rob Langer (rear)                     TL1000S         Greg Hales

ZX9                 Rhys Williams                           TL1000S         Bradley Cane

ZX9                 Mick Bosworth                        TL1000S         Dave Skitt

CBR250          Matt Clarke                              Pegaso 650      Dave Ward

 

Yarra Glen saw plenty of bikes, despite the cool weather, a pleasant change from the previous week’s sweltering 36 degrees. Ray’s bike looked a bit tatty after his run in with a near stationary car. It was held together with duct tape and cable ties, awaiting time and bits to effect a more permanent solution. Dave Ward was riding another interesting demo bike, an Aprilia Pegaso 650, with a view to buying. After riding around NZ he was bitten by the BM650 Funduro hire bike’s appeal – sufficient power, go anywhere, big comfy bike feel. (In the end he bought the Funduro.) And what better weapon to tackle the Spurs?

 

Rob Langer anointed himself rear rider, running in his new toy, the tasty FZ-1, which looks even better in the flesh. With the route outlined we were soon on our various mounts, though not so various given there were three TLs, three fireblades, and eventually two ZX9s.

 

Healesville came and went twice as we headed up Chum Creek Road and back down Myers Creek Road. The conditions were slippery, race compound tyres running too cool in the slow conditions. Around to Warburton for a leisurely morning tea. Though Mick and Matt didn’t start with us, we bumped into them sufficiently many times throughout the day to count them as part of the ride.

 

The Reefton was wet and foggy down the bottom, particularly if you corner marked at the bottom. Rob and I seemed to follow the rain, while others met none! Dave’s prowess on the Pegaso in the wet came to the fore as he passed the careful Ray. We all survived for the fast blast down into Marysville, the surface dry and clean.

 

Once again a leisurely lunch ensued, particularly for those who didn’t grab a number quick enough at the Bakery. The lovely lady wearing the AMF bowling shoes strutted her stuff, amusing the lads more than once. There was plenty of other natural bird life around, the feeders attracting plenty of galahs.

 

The Black Spur resulted in the usual spirited Club riding followed by a regroup in Healesville and breakup, the short ride now complete. While getting names and details Phill and Robin Duffy, ex-MTCV president and long time editors, rolled in on a VFR800. They are aging extremely well, their kids now grown up and left home.

 

Thanks Ray and Rob. Good day.

 

Ben Warden (Honda CBR929RR)

 

 

8. It is easier to get forgiveness than permission.
9. For every action, there is an equal and opposite government programme.
10.If you look like your passport picture, you probably need the trip.
11.Bills travel through the mail at twice the speed of cheques.
12.A conscience is what hurts when all your other parts feel so good.
13.Eat well, stay fit, die anyway.
14.Men are from earth. Women are from earth. Deal with it.