Axedale Pub 26^th May 2002

Ian Payne - CBR919RR (leader) Ian and Sherry Handforth - XJ900 (rear rider)

Dave Skitt - TL1000S Ben Warden - CBR929RR

Dianne Welsford - CBR600 Dave Nimmo - GSXR1000

Ray and Katrina Walker - GSXR1000 Pete Weyermayr - CBR929RR

Liz Oliver - CBR919RR Craig Morley and Emma McKenna – CBR929RR

Mal and Karen - CBR600 Bruce Saville - VFR800

Julie Warden – car 12 bikes, 1 car, 17 people

I turned up at Whittlesea to find quite a large group including a few more pillions than usual. Although it was still freezing at 10 am, the weather forecast for the day was good and the temptation of a pub lunch had obviously made the ride a good option for many. Ian quickly made a phone call to the Axedale pub to let them know that there would be a few more than he had booked for, gave the pre-ride talk and 15 of us headed off.

Leaving Whittlesea we headed towards Eden Park, a number in our group getting a nasty surprise as they flew past a police car that was on the side of the road locking up a gate. I think for most it was a case of head down, throttle open, don’t look back, and where is the next turn-off… On through to Wallan where I saw Di trying to look inconspicuous while she was corner marking outside the local cop shop. She was worried that the police car everyone had flown past was the one parked outside the cop shop. From Wallan we went through Romsey and on to Lancefield for a quick break. While everyone was having hot coffees to warm themselves up, Craig took the opportunity to take Dave’s 1000 for a quick blast on it’s back wheel down the main street of Lancefield. Good entertainment.

By the time we left Lancefield the day was starting to warm up a bit. We headed north to Mia Mia and from there to Redesdale and across to Sutton Grange. I was starting to notice an interesting phenomenon. With Ray and Craig both having pillions, I wasn’t constantly getting overtaken by them. Instead I had the opportunity to overtake them. What an unusual feeling. I doubt it will happen again. Anyway I think that their pillions, Katrina and Emma, deserve a special mention for their bravery. On to Axedale via Eppalock for lunch.

Lunch was at the rather warm and cosy Axedale Tavern. We ordered meals and while we waited to be fed Julie turned up in the car. Lunch discussion jumped from bikes, to holidays, to skiing, to hair dyeing (and that was just the boys), to monos, to how to hide the speedo from your pillion when the numbers get too big… In the meantime the country sized meals turned up and everyone tucked in – everyone that is except Craig who seemed to have upset the waitress somehow and had to wait for ages for his meal. While we were eating Bruce turned up – he must have had a big night and missed the start of the ride. Better late than never.

All too soon it was time to leave the warmth. We filled up with petrol and Craig must have eaten too much at the pub as he busted the zip on his jacket. Poor Emma had to ride all the way home hanging on to him to keep him warm. Well that was his excuse anyway. We headed back on a slightly different route via Eppalock, Knowsley and Derrin to Mia Mia. From Mia Mia to Baynton and Emu Flat where Ian came across some sheep wondering on the road. The next wildlife we came across was near Glenaroua where a huge kangaroo bounced across the road in front of a few of the bikes, resulting in some heavy braking.

At Broadford, while Ben and I were corner marking, a guy in a car stopped to chat to us. It turned out he was the mayor and ran the local bike shop. He was organising some rides and wanted to know if we were interested. I left Ben to do the PR thing and carried on to Wandong. I think it was around here that we spotted our second police car, this time coming towards us. I know the group I was with got a bit of a shock when we saw it – everyone diving for the brakes, followed immediately by the throttle. Luckily he didn’t seem too interested in us, and the ride finished up at Whittlesea without any dramas. It was a great day, and Ian appears to have broken his run of leading wet rides. Well done!

Liz Oliver (Honda CBR919RR)