Economy Ride – 8th  Sept. 2002

           

            Les Leahy – KTM640 (r/rider)            Ian Payne  - CBR919RR (leader)

                        Dean Von Schill – VTR1000                            Dave Skitt – TL1000S

Greg Hales – TL1000S                                    Rob Langer – R1150GS

            Geoff Jones – R1                                              Andrew – ZX7R

Michael – Ducati 907                                        Phil – GSX1300R

 

For such an overcast and cold day there was quite a turnout at Whittlesea. Apart from the usual regulars we had some first timers. Michael had seen the ad and e-mailed Ben for some info and Phil and Andrew where mates of Dean. While waiting for everybody to fuel up I gave the new guys advice on today’s ride, the cornermarking system and the approx distance to our destination of Castlemaine.

 

With the whole group now together I explained the “economy” part of the ride where we all start with a full tank of petrol and then ride directly to Castlemaine. All riders must maintain the posted speed limits until we stop, then we re-fill our tanks and the bike using the least amount of fuel wins! Quite simple apart from the mathematics of working out individual fuel consumption. Phil explains this is quite simple on the Hyabusa as it has an in-built “computer” that calculates the exact “kilometres per litre” at any speed! That could be handy chimes in Geoff – get it to e-mail the results directly to Ben!

 

With Les as rear rider we are soon away and heading across to Wallan and Romsey. This part of the ride is quite unusual with my speed hovering around 100/110kph but strangely on this great riding road, there is “no-one” behind me. Everyone is in economy mode! We continue on to Lancefield, then Mia Mia and Redesdale. At this point Dean “lost-it” when a section of fast uphill sweepers beckoned – Grabbing a fist-full he thought “stuff the economy”. Guess that explains his VTR’s dismal fuel consumption! We passed though obscure localities such as Sutton Grange, Faraday and Golden Point before arriving at Chewton and then Castlemaine where the group headed straight to the nearest service station where the winner was decided: -

 

Name                           Bike                 litres                 Distance           Km/L               MPG

Les Leahy                    KTM               6.14                 138.7km          22.59               63.70              

Greg Hales                   TLS                 6.24                      “                  22.23               62.69

Ian Payne                     CBR                6.70                      “                  20.70               58.37

Dave Skitt                    TLS                 7.09                      “                  19.56               55.15

Michael                        Ducati              7.20                      “                  19.26               54.31

Andrew                        ZXR                 7.21                      “                  19.24               54.25

Rob Langer                  BM                  7.36                      “                  18.84               53.13

Geoff Jones                  R1                    7.38                      “                  18.79               52.99              

Phil                               Hayabusa         7.82                      “                  17.74               50.03

Dean Von Schill            VTR                 9.33                      “                  14.86               41.90

 

While tallying up the results, Michael receives a phone call that his mother is quite ill. He leaves straight away but thanks us for the day and will hopefully see us again soon. We settle in for some lunch but the hardest thing for Greg to swallow is that he had been beaten by a mere 100ml of fuel. He protests that it was probably what he had spilt!   It seems Greg had his sights set on the “Club double”, first the Hill Climb and then the Economy Ride. Still, he did take out the prize for the newest leathers!

Interestingly, when we compare the results between Greg and Dave’s identical bikes there is quite a large difference. It seems that both where riding quite conservatively with the only difference being Greg crouching down as low as he could. Says a lot for aerodynamics!

 

After lunch, Phil decided to do his own thing and make his own way home! This left a slightly smaller group for the return trip.

 

 

Economy Ride – cont.

           

We headed off through town and down to Campbells Creek, then around to Vaughan where an unfamiliar intersection required the use of a map. We continued to Drummond, then Spring Hill, Tylden and Woodend for a quick fuel stop. At this stage Dean and Andrew decided to leave and head home to Melton. The rest of us proceeded towards Romsey before diverting at Hesket for Kerrie, Bolinda and Clarkfield, then the fast Wildwood road to Bulla.

 

What a great event, not only a fun day but also one with a practical application that gives riders the opportunity to see just what they can squeeze out of a litre of fuel. Congratulations to our winner and a big thank you to all those who came along to participate.

 

Ian Payne (Honda CBR9)

 

 

 

Email received from Liz Oliver a couple of weeks before their big trip. ... Ed.

 

Hi Ben, we'll put you on the list to send emails of our adventures to - however don't hold your breath. I don't expect that we will spend a lot of time emailing while we are away.

 

Already two weeks without going for a ride and I am missing it. Not sure how I will last for another seven weeks. It will be the longest time for me without a bike since I have been riding. Not that I am addicted or dependant or anything. Speaking of which, you may find this quiz on motorcycle abuse that a friend sent me amusing. I scored fairly highly... Liz.