Trentham – Sunday 14^th September, 2003

Ben Warden – Honda CBR929RR Ian Payne – Honda CBR929RR (leader)

Rob Langer – KTM950LC8 Allan Zimmer – Kawasaki GTR1000

With the forecast of rain, hail and extreme cold I doubted that anyone would turn up for today’s ride! But how wrong one can be for at Yarra Glen three other brave souls fronted up for the ride to Trentham. Rob was there on the big KTM LC8, complaining about excessive wheel spin on the wet roads. The GTR was a bike I initially failed to recognise but this was Alan’s new commuter bike! It was cheap to buy and was proving more economical to run than his ZX9R. And of course, Ben was there.

As the weather didn’t look too bad we decided to proceed with the ride and go as far as the weather would permit. So it was across the ‘back Healesville’ road, then up to Chum Creek and Toolangi. The roads on this section were quite wet and my 9,500 km old BT010 front wasn’t gripping that well so a cautious pace was maintained.

We continued on to Kinglake and then down to St. Andrews where, fortunately, the road was dry and so everyone could enjoy this challenging section of bitumen. We followed the road towards Hurstbridge but then detoured to Arthurs Creek, Yan Yean, Donnybrook and the big Shell servo on the Hume for a break. This was very good timing for just as we arrived the skies opened and heavy rain and hail began to fall. Over a hot coffee I contemplated our next move but fortunately the rain eased and then stopped completely so we could continue on as originally planned.

From the Hume we headed west to Mickleham, then down to Oaklands Junction and Wildwood Road. Wildwood Road is an interesting detour to the Lancefield road because the road snakes its way down into Deep Creek Valley and then climbs gently back up again. Once we reached Bolinda it was off to Kerrie and Hesket where the bright green algae on the road gave the impression of very low traffic usage! On to Hanging Rock, Macedon and Woodend where I had originally planned a detour up to Carlsruhe and Spring Hill. But as the temperature continued to drop, and the sky darkened, we took the most direct route to Trentham. As it was, we just made it as sleet began to fall. We quickly took refuge in a warm and cosy cafe where delicious home made pasties and strudel made for a very relaxing lunch.

After fuel it was off to Blackwood, Greendale, Myrniong and then along the Western Highway where, at the top of Anthony’s Cutting, we detoured to Toolern Vale and Diggers Rest where the ride finished.

What a day! We had all made it through without mishap and in surprisingly good weather which, thinking back to the start, I would never have thought possible! Thanks to Rob, Ben and Allan for coming along and braving the elements.

Ian Payne (Honda CBR929RR)