Harrietville via Omeo  Weekend 6th / 7th March, 2004

 

Honda CBR954           Paul Southwell (leader) Honda CBR954                       Liz Oliver

Honda CBR929           Gregory Hales                          Honda CBR929                       Ben Warden

Honda CBR929           Ian Payne                                 Honda CBR929                       Pete Weyermayr

Honda CBR600           Pete Pondeljak                         Honda CBR600                       Kate Stewart

Suzuki GSXR1000       Clifford Peters                          MV Augusta 750 SPR              Dave Ward

MV Augusta 750          Darryn Webster                        MV Augusta Brutale                 Bronwyn Manifold

Ducati 900M                Julianne Duncan                        Yamaha R6                              Stewart Lee (1st ride)

Yamaha YZF1000       Trevor Harris                            15 bikes, 15 people

 

I woke in the morning and listened to the weather forecast which indicated a mild day, so I donned two layers of thermals (expecting to be cold in the high country). We met at Hallam at the normal start time of 10:00am where I was surprised to see such a decent turn out for a two day ride.

 

Ben lead us on the first section of the ride which headed along the old highway to Trafalgar, on to Yallourn North, to Tyers where we stopped for morning tea.  Paul (the official leader) took over and we headed off to Toongabbie, on to Cowwarrr, then to Stratford where we had a stop for lunch. At this point I realised what a stupid idea it was to wear the thermals. It must have been 30 degrees, so I stripped off on the street to make myself more comfortable.

 

We then took the back road through Bengworden to Bairnsdale. Through Lucknow and on to Bruthen. We had a break here to take photos, have a loo break and re-group. This is where the FUN started.  We rode up through Tambo Crossing, along the Tambo River (very picturesque, rocks, river, hills) so I’m told.  I admit I didn’t notice the views because I was too busy watching the road as I chased Dave on his brand new MV (which was being run in).  I guess this is the only reason I was able to go past him. The pace through this section was quick because these roads are windy but not super tight. We went through Swifts Creek and then on to Omeo where we stopped for petrol and another re-group.

 

After a short break it was on again: off to Hotham Heights and down into Harrietville, where the roads reminded me of the Reefton.  My sort of roads with heaps of tight corners.  We arrived at Harrietville, booked our rooms, had a shower and headed off to the bar for several well deserved beers (the ride for the day for officially over).  Ben and Cliff decided that they hadn’t had enough so they went and did another 140km up to Falls Creek and back.

 

The evening was spent sitting at a table on the paved area outside the pub, eating, drinking and talking about the events of the day.

 

The next day started with a full breakfast in the dining room.  We took off at 9am. We headed for  Germantown and then took the Bright Tawonga Road to Tawonga South. This was a fun little road, particularly when we came across a bunch of push bike riders doing scary speeds down the hill. Then we headed up the Kiewa Valley Highway to the Ovens turn off. Paul then lead us to Myrtleford for fuel and our first stop of the day.  Ben and Cliff had to go into Bright for fuel due to the extra kays they had done the previous evening. Amazingly, there was no petrol in Harrietville. They ended up chasing the ride for a 100 km, catching up with us at the Myrtleford stop.

 

After the break we headed up the Alpine Road to the Glenrowan turnoff and on to Milawa and Oxley. Turning south on the Whitfield Road, we headed down along through King Valley, stopping at Whitfield to re-group. Where were Ben and Trevor? (Apparently they were spent a long time waiting for the undefined rear rider at the first corner, eventually going back to Myrtleford to see what the hold up was. Of course the rear rider had long departed with nary a wave, toot, or other indication. Hence they arrived half an hour after the main group, somewhat frazzled.)  This part of the ride had been monotonous straight roads, but more fun was about to come.  We went up over Wombat Hill and through Tolmie, then more fun coming down the hill into Mansfield where we stopped to re-group, get fuel and have lunch.

 

Ben mustn’t have seen us because he didn’t stop (where were you Ben?)

 

(As I was about to leave Whitfield, I noticed Stuart’s large back pack, abandoned. Kate suggested I had a bike rack and promptly disappeared.  After getting organised – not easy carrying someone else’s stuff with no ocky straps, despite having a rack. I pursued and caught the stragglers, eventually catching up with Stuart in the Mansfield servo. He had only just realised his bag was missing. I also noticed that my bag zip had failed and I had lost my wet weather pants and jacket, somewhere between Whitfield and Mansfield. After paying for fuel, I returned to the bike to see that everyone had departed. I fully expected to see the rest of the group in Mansfield and dawdled down the Main Street, holding my gloves. By the time I reached the end and seen no-one, I assumed they had pressed on to Yarck, and so continued on. …Ed.)

 

After standing around in the sun once again discussing the recent part of the ride, we took off to Yea, and then a quick run to Kinglake West. Due to a potential meeting with an SS Commodore the break up was a little awkward.  Where did everybody go???  (While you were hiding in the bushes with Paul, the rest of the group went past and waited in Kinglake West. After a while they dispersed, wondering what had happened to you!  …Ed.)

 

Thanks to Paul for a great weekend and to all who attended for their company.

 

 

 

Gregory Hales (Honda CBR929)