Meredith Counter Lunch - Sunday May 16^th, 2004

Geoff Jones (Leader)	Yamaha R1	Ben Warden	Honda CBR929RR
Trevor Harris (Scribe)	Yamaha YZF1000R	Paul Southwell	Honda CBR954RR
Rob Langer	KTM 950	Ian Black	Yamaha FZ1000S
Martin Hastie / Carmen	CBR1100XX	Joel Haley	Yamaha R6
Dave Skitt (Rear Rider)	Suzuki TL1000S

After a night of showers, a cool, overcast morning showed itself, with a non-threatening day forecast. So I dragged myself out of my warm bed, tied the wet-weather gear onto the bike and headed off to Whittlesea, arriving right on the scheduled leave time – oops. So much for my ‘I’m going to get there early this time’ approach. I noticed that Martin has got the standard four-into-two fitted again. He’s happy: the bottom-end and midrange is back, and he got a full refund on the four-into-one. We gather around Geoff who gives the rundown on the day’s route, and seeks rear rider and scribe volunteers. And then it was time to hit the road.

The road up to Kinglake West had some damp patches, and they increased in number and size from there on towards Flowerdale. I settled into a calm frame of mind and rode accordingly. Ben came along and went past, obviously more comfortable with the conditions than I was; that also meant that I didn’t have to be the first corner marker of the day – thanks Ben and Rob.

Heading to Strath Creek on an open, dry road, I found myself a few hundred metres behind Paul on the Red/Black CBR. He passed a 4WD and disappeared from my view around a bend. Then I found him pulled over, kicking his rear tyre. It seems that the bike had moved around unexpectedly, and he was performing a roadside tyre pressure check. Everything checked out; possibly he hadn’t noticed a remaining damp patch or two. Then it was our turn to corner mark at Strath Creek for the right turn north to Kerrisdale. Nice road, but getting bumpy. Or do you just notice things like that more in colder weather?

We turned left onto the Goulburn Valley Highway and rode along the nice bends leading to and past the Trawool Resort. Some riders were better behaved on this stretch of Highway; you are more likely to encounter those funny white cars with the coloured lights on the roof along here. The group, together now, headed left to Tallarook and resumed a more enjoyable pace. Next, under the freeway and along the usual back road to Pyalong. Surprisingly, we didn’t stop there but continued on to Lancefield for the first regroup/refuel/food stop. (There is no fuel at Pyalong any more. …Ed.)

While filling up, a couple of guys pushed an XJ900 into the servo. It seems we had arrived a few minutes after a ute, stop sign and the XJ had an unfortunate meeting. At least we could account for three of the local cop cars… and the unmarked FJR1300 camera bike was also seen on our way into Pyalong. Tanks filled and it was over the road to the bakery and milk bar. GSX-R Matt (Clark) was there to greet us, but decided not to join the ride as it was still cold and the weather was looking as though it would soon begin to rain, something that wouldn’t go too well with his worn rear tyre. Martin was overhead telling Carmen that she was ‘hot’ – it’s so nice to see he still feels that way. Some of us suited up here, just in case it did rain on the next leg. During this social pause, Paul’s key played hide and seek, later to be found in Martin’s jacket pocket, much to his surprise. Ben got the camera out and took a few pictures, including some of the horse tied up in the median strip. Don’t think he gave the rider an itinerary though.

Fed, watered and emptied, it was time to get on our way to the Meredith pub for lunch. We zigged, we zagged, and we came out at Trentham, Geoff’s local knowledge put to good use. Some rain was encountered on this leg, but fortunately it didn’t stick around for long. Back on familiar roads, it was the usual follow-the-leader down to the Western Freeway. Geoff’s game plan was set up to cover both cases for the 1:00pm booking at the pub: (a) arrive too early in Meredith and do a loop of the Brisbane Ranges before lunch or (b) arrive on time and do a loop of the Brisbane Ranges after lunch. But first it was a 25 km run down one of the bumpiest sealed roads you will ever encounter in Victoria. Ask anyone who was on the ride – I’m not exaggerating! If you ever want to test your suspension, then Geoff or Ben will give you directions. I spent a fair bit of time standing on the foot pegs to reduce the pounding on my bum. Even Rob on the long-travel KTM commented on the bumps.

At the pub we were met by Peter P. on his Yamaha Majesty 250 scooter. Also Ron and his wife Julie, Geoff’s wife Val, daughter Melissa and son-in-law Andrew McKenna, all in cars. Another group of 15 people had just walked in, completely filling the dining area; nothing like a bit of pressure on the kitchen staff to get everything moving smoothly. Carmen and Martin decided they liked the open fire burning in the main bar, and chatted around it until they had thawed out. Lunch came out quickly for most of us, Paul being the final one to be fed. Maybe they had to catch and kill his steak…

Approaching 3 o’clock and, with lunch over, it was to the Brisbane Ranges as promised. The rain had held off, but the day was cold away from the warmth of the pub. I don’t recall too much of this part of the day, so it was obviously uneventful. We continued around the You Yang’s on our way to Werribee, the occasional straight road encouraging the removal of a few engine cobwebs. At least this time the roads weren’t choked with traffic - the last time I was through here with the Club the Freeway had been closed due to a fatality and the traffic had been redirected on to the back road.

Through Werribee, the break-up next to a gas station, close to home for Geoff. That’s one of the benefits of being ride leader, I guess. For most of us, it was back along the Freeway to Melbourne and home. I went through the City Link tunnel for a bit of variety. Paul was kind enough to point out the fixed cameras on the Westgate bridge plus the ones in the tunnel.

Thanks to Geoff for leading, the pub for feeding and Martin/Carmen for rear rider duties. I covered 386 km door to door, and was gone for seven hours, of which just over four hours was riding time.

Trevor Harris (Yamaha YZF1000R)

Re: Paul’s lost keys. Trevor, please read Rule 17 of the Club Road Rules. …Ed.