David Ward –
996SPS (leader) Craig Morley –
CBR929RR John Clowes – R6
Ray Walker –
GSXR1000 Peter Weyermayr – CBR929RR Eric
Makin – R6
John & Sonia –
Hayabusa Ian Payne &
Kerrie - CBR919RR Dave Moore – R6
Clint Vertigan – GSXR750 Mathew
Clarke – CBR250RR Mick Hanlon – YZF600
Mick Bosworth –
ZX9R Liz Oliver –
CBR919RR Joanne ??? – YZF600
Tim Walker – ZX7R Tony Fabris –
VFR800 Marc Knight
– TZR250
Rob Langer &
Kirsten – R1150GS Dianne Welsford –
CBR600 Mick Barnes –XT600 (rear)
On arriving at Yarra Glen I had intended to volunteer for rear rider as
this was the first time Kerrie had been on the back of the ‘Blade’ on a twisty
ride. In fact it had been her first outing on a bike with the Club for a couple
of years! Hence I had intended to be fairly sedate and smooth! But Mick Barnes
beat me to it.
Quite a horde of bikes (21 bikes, 24 people in total) had already
assembled at the start and it was immediately obvious that this was not to be a
“leisurely” ride. In fact Mick Bosworth summed it up later when he observed
that the run lived up to the Club’s new “sports” name.
Dave gave the pre-ride talk and warned us of the ‘fine gravel’ on the
road between Cumberland Junction and Marysville. He also related about the
eight marked and unmarked police vehicles seen in the area the previous week
(bikes and cars). Then we headed off to the
We proceeded through town before heading towards Woori Yallock and
As Dave had planned on stopping at Marysville only a further 60klms
away, this would be a quick regroup and pee stop. As usual, parking was at a
premium in Warburton so most of the group found the ‘bus-stop’ area quite
convenient and, it being Sunday, this should have been oaky
but then a bus arrived!
With all the horn blowing and arm waving you could tell the bus-driver
was a little upset. But there was no way that this would stop him from
fulfilling his duty: he merely stopped in the middle of the road and blocked
both lanes of traffic while his passengers disembarked!
We left shortly after and headed towards Reefton, keeping a sharp
lookout for any police presence, especially any of the new unmarked BMW’s. Once
we reached the Spur I marveled at how well the Honda felt two-up. Little by
little I upped the pace and actually started to catch and pass a few bikes. The
big Hayabusa took a lot more effort so when I finally caught up to Rob and
Kirsten I was quite content to sit and follow. But then Rob waved me through. Thinking
he wanted to take it easy I obliged but as soon as I got by, he started to
apply the pressure. (He said later, “He didn’t realize it was me until I passed”.)
So now it was “on” as Rob, Kirsten, Kerrie and I “enjoyed” the twists and
turns of this marvelous bit of road.
We stopped at Cumberland Junction for the obligatory regroup and when
Kerrie complained about her arms being nearly wrenched out of their sockets, I
knew it had been a good ride!
Next stop Marysville. Initially a little slow as fine gravel covered
the ‘newer’ bit of road to
As Dave starts work in the afternoon, he broke the ride up here. Those
that wanted accompanied him through the Black Spur. We stayed for a leisurely
lunch and eventually rode back to Healesville with Dianne, Liz and Peter. All
in all a very enjoyable run with good roads, good company and good weather. Thanks
Dave.
Ian Payne and Kerrie Gooding (Honda CBR900RR)