Lavers Hill via Great Ocean Road - Sunday 9^th February, 2003

Suzuki GSXR1000 Ray Walker (leader) Honda CBR929RR Ben Warden

Honda Blackbird Martin Hastie Aprilia RSV1000 Anthony Veal (2^nd ride)

Kawasaki ZX12R Cliff Peters Suzuki GSXR750 Matt Clark

Kawasaki ZX6R Orlando Iluffi Yamaha R1 Geoff Jones (rear rider)

Suzuki Hayabusa John Pergonas Suzuki RF 900 Andrew Symes

Suzuki Bandit 1200 Ron Johnston, BMW R1150 GS Rob Langer

Ducati 750 SS Mark Easterbrook Kawasaki ZX12R Hans Wurster

Friday night I bumped into Anthony Veal and partner at Eastland, Ringwood. I didn’t have a clue who he was until he said he was on the ride the week before to Pyalong. We corner marked on one of the intersections. I told him to put his leathers on and I might recognise him!

I telephoned Cliff on Thursday evening. During the conversation I told him that the Club was going on the G.O.R. ride this Sunday. He said he would ride up on Saturday afternoon, stay overnight at my house, go on the ride on Sunday and depart from Deans Marsh. Saturday, Cliff rang at 3 pm and told me he was leaving and would arrive at my house at 7 pm, which he did. Sunday morning, we left home at 8.30 am and had a leisurely ride to the West Gate servo.

There were already a few familiar faces when we arrived. Fuel up the bike and then catch up with any hot gossip. Before departure time, Ray got our undivided attention to explain that the ride would have two leaders, and that Ben would be doing the first part because Ray was unsure of where to go, due to changed conditions. Ben gave a quick run down on where we were going, and the corner marking system. Then mount up and head off.

We had to be law abiding citizens and cruise down the Princes Freeway to Werribee where we turned off and headed bush. Hans Wurster joined the ride here. I am a little unsure of where we went but I will try to remember. You Yangs, Anakie Junction to Anakie and then towards Steiglitz. Any other time I have been here it has rained, but today hot weather. I wondered what Geoff Jones was thinking, he’s not leading the ride and we have got hot weather. Somewhere along here we turned off to Maude and Bannockburn, then along the Hamilton Highway to Inverleigh. We did a lefty here and headed down to Winchelsea where we had a break.

I was glad to get off the bike and get rid of my leather jacket. The roads we traveled on were good and there were some really good twisties amongst them. Everybody was having a lot of fun. The store we stopped at made some really enjoyable sangers, according to those who bought them. Ray wanted Ben to lead the rest of the ride because he was having lots of fun with John on the Hayabusa. Orlando left the ride here.

There was a white Subaru Forrester with POLICE emblazoned all over it. One or two of us watched where it went – hiding on the nature strip radar at the ready.

The road from Winchelsea to Bambra to Deans Marsh to Lorne is grouse. I love it. Lorne was packed, people everywhere, a queue of vehicles at the servo. We all had to wait. About half an hour went by before we were ready to hit the road again. Ray kept a steady pace all the way to Lavers Hill. On the way we came across someone who had gone down on a Moto Guzzi cruiser. The bike seemed okay, but there were some big gouge marks in the road. There were a lot of tourists in Queensland plated cars around. I think they may have received a special deal.

At Marengo, John, on the Hayabusa, said I was leaving a lot of black lines coming out of the corners. (Now I know where the rubber on my back tyres is going.) The rest of the ride to Lavers Hill was uneventful, though the weather had cooled a little and it looked like it could rain. Someone said, don’t mention that word, otherwise it will.

A few of us got petrol. Ray said they wanted my helmet as security, and that they would give it back when I paid for the fuel. Then we all sat down to lunch, some inside and some outside. Whilst talking to John, he said he was surprised that I was riding the Bandit, because he hadn’t seen anyone ride one like that. I told him that you would normally see them being ridden two up and touring. He agreed, but was still surprised to see me out with our lot.

Cliff said he would leave the ride at Forrest. I mentioned to Ray that he should stop at Apollo Bay so the rest of us could get fuel. He came back with, “Don’t tell me, I am only leading the ride.” A swift ride back to Apollo Bay on damp to wet roads made it exciting, a few scary moments had by some of us. Apollo Bay came and went. Hmm, I thought, this is going to be interesting. Countdown will be on to see where I get to before reserve.

We arrived at Skenes Creek turn off and headed inland. The road between here and Forrest is pretty good, up hill and down dale, with twisties thrown in. Part way in, the road started to get damp and then wet. I was following Ray but backed off bit. There were road works just to make it more exciting. I went onto reserve about Forrest and thought to myself, where the hell is the next stop, because we just seemed to be in the middle of nowhere.

At Barwon Downs, there is a General Store with a pump. Phew! I quickly pulled in. Sign on pump said “Cash Only No Cards” I pulled my wallet out (checked for moths), discovered a five dollar note and quickly put $5.00 worth in. I thought, that will get me to next fuel stop, and rushed into shop, paid for fuel, rushed out, got on the bike and rejoined the ride. Only a few of the boys had gone past. Cliff had turned off at Forrest, or so I thought.

The road through here is boring and I was getting desperate for a drink because it was so hot. I came to an intersection where there were other bikes not on our ride. At the next intersection, there was no one there. I stopped, looked and waited. When the rest of our group turned up, we carried on straight ahead, but there was no one in sight.

I seemed to ride for ages and then I noticed someone in the far distance. I kept riding and caught up with the rider. It was Cliff! Surprised to see him, I motioned to him to pull over. I asked if the others were ahead. He said yes. I asked why he had come this far presuming he had turned off at Forrest. No, because he too was low on fuel and decided to follow the group until we got fuel. The others caught up and we rode at the speed limit to conserve fuel. The group of riders that we passed earlier rode past us at great rate off knots.

Eventually we arrived at Moriac General Store, a blessing in disguise. Fuel for the bikes and something to eat and drink. Cliff said there was only two litres left in his tank. Some of us were very low on fuel. We were here for half hour or so before we left. Cliff left the ride here to go home down the highway to Tyrendarra, probably another two and half to three hour ride. He’s certainly a keen rider. Mark took up the rear riding duties.

The rest of us hit the back roads to Lara via Barrabool, Stonehaven, Moorabool, and the back of Corio. (Geoff Jones must have left the ride somewhere here.) We split up at Lara and went our own way. Ben hit the freeway and I took the back roads. I came across a couple on a Triumph and they turned onto the freeway. I wasn’t wasting anytime and they were still keeping up with me. When I entered the freeway at Little River we kept neck and neck till just before the Westgate bridge. Over the bridge and onto the Bolte Bridge where Ben appeared behind me. I followed him and then turned off at Racecourse Road, taking the Eastern Freeway and home.

I had done six hundred kilometers door to door. Cliff would have done 1250 kms. It was a long day. No accidents, no one got lost, and good weather. I hope every one enjoyed themselves because I did. Thanks Ray (and Ben) for leading and Geoff/Mark for rear riding.

Ron Johnston (Suzuki Bandit 1200)