Mt Baw Baw 13^th April, 2003

Tim Walker (leader) Kawasaki ZXR750R Geoff Jones Yamaha R1

Ben Warden Honda CBR929R Liz Oliver Honda CBR929

Pete Weyermayr Honda CBR919 Stewart Lens Suzuki GS1200 (rear)

Ron Johnston Suzuki GS1200

What is it that makes Kawasaki engines so fuel efficient, I thought, as the R1 pulled into Yarra Junction at the end of Tim's mountain run. Stopped at the traffic lights and the R1 dies. Out of fuel. Good grief, not again. But at least some help at hand. Ron saves my day with the can trick. Do those Z machines run lean or what? Volumetric efficiency the name of the game.

So how did we come to Yarra Junction on a day that had threatened bad weather but had delivered good riding conditions for a demanding series of roads that were corner intensive indeed, a Tim specialty.

Starting at Yarra Glen, 10.30 am, 7 riders ready for the hills.  All members, so pre-ride is mainly about the route and a reminder to fill up at the first stop, Noojee. Then fuel should not be a problem for the rest of the day.

Across to Healesville, then up the old Chum Creek Road to Toolangi, noting a couple of bikes coming down and an MGTC, top down, grinning driver, testing those skinny tyres on the many corners. Still some wet patches on the protected corners but no shinny patches to spoil the fun.  Down the Myers Creek Road to Healesville, passing a trio of Morgan sports cars out for a blat. We head through the main street and off to Yarra Junction via Don Valley and Launching Place.

On the Yarra Junction to Noojee Road, bumpy at first with some tight stuff, then more flowing after the Ada Tree turn off. Into Noojee for first break, food and fuel. Old bikes everywhere, some getting fuel, others coming and going from a base at the camping ground. We had an interesting chat with a lady about her Douglas 350: twin cylinder, side valve, 2 speed, and belt driven. The brakes consisted of a wooden block that is levered onto the belt drive rim on the rear wheel. Hand levers for most engine functions, including oil pump plunger. Busy time on the move, I'm sure.

You can't hurry the shop keepers on either side of the road at Noojee. Competition does not seem to deliver better service in this neck of the woods. After a relaxing stop, with gear back on, visors cleaned, it was off through Icy Creek, Tanjil Bren and up to the top of Mt Baw Baw. We met a Ulysees group coming down, a 4WD, cars and quite a few of the old bikes. Many wide cornering antics noted and, on the steep part near the top, much brake odour. All through okay. A short break at the top. I thought I heard Liz going on about knee down stuff but, on further questioning, knee cramp was the call. Pete was also suffering from a sore hand after swinging from the odd ladder at work. Tyre talk done so off down the mountain we go.

I had said okay to the write up so had not reset my odo at Noojee in case Mr Stats did not note the ride distance. Tim had suggested that the fill at Noojee should see us okay to the ride end. Basing this info on Kawasaki fuel use of course.

Down the mountain, then through some of the many Neerims to a break at Drouin.  Some food, no fuel, then up through Jindivik and Neerim South. The R1 reserve light comes on but then goes off so silly me resets it and carries on, past the last fuel at Neerim then the Powelltown Road at Piedmont. I noticed Ron go onto reserve about here also, the Suzuki dropping power as Ron went for the tap. Limit revs to 6000  and hope.

Ben and Ron came through and I thought I had got away with it; not to be. Must have a look at the jet size in the carby's one day.  All into Yarra Junction OK, ride end. But some nasty looking weather coming from the west. Five litre can into the tank, thanks to Ron, then off home with Ben. We both fuel up at Healesville and then a wet drone home via the Ring Road and Melton Highway. Only excitement at Apollo Parkways roundabout (Diamond Creekish) in the rain when Ben narrowly avoids being cleaned up by tin-top Mug A all crossed up, sliding through roundabout avoiding tin-top Mug B blithely running said roundabout.

Thanks Tim for what I think is becoming a Club Classic. No problems noted and, on my odo, about 350 km from Yarra Glen to Yarra Junction.  Rear rider Stewart always there as the ride remained tight for most of the time.

Geoff Jones  (thirsty Yamaha R1)