Honda CBR1100XX Martin
Hastie (leader) Kawasaki ZX12R Paul Grosser
Honda VFR750 Renzo
Cunico Honda
CBR 929 Ben Warden
KTM 640 Rhys Williams (rear rider) Honda
CBR 954 Paul Southwell
Honda CBR929 Simon Trubiano Bandit 1200 Ron Johnston
&
Annalisa Veneziale 12 bikes, 13 people
I arrived early at Yarra Glen to see quite a few people already there. Today’s weather was certainly a contrast from yesterday with the sun shining, though it was still partly cloudy. It’s funny what a bit of warm weather does for motorcyclists: blue skies, warm weather and they are out riding; a sniff of rain or cold weather and they head for cover. Some of us are a bunch of sooks.
It was good to see Renzo back on two wheels after a long absence, riding the ex Rob Langer VFR750. It is a 95 vintage, is black with 13,000 kms. Rhys was riding as well, though I didn’t get to talk to him much. He mentioned that he had looked at a late model Blade, but decided against it because he will never slow down if he buys one, consequently sticking with the KTM. I last saw Simon and Annalisa on Martin’s ride to Daylesford, when I was riding my 400/4. GSXR Damien is keen as mustard, attends all the rides, loves it. A few people mentioned that Greg Hales had been done for speeding. Like me, he likes donating money to his favourite charity, Vic Roads.
Marty gathered the troops around and told us the ride plan. He noted on the Black Spur there are three sets of traffic lights to contend with. Rhys volunteered for rear riding duties, and I dobbed myself in for the write up. The Emergency Kit was no where to be had. Let’s hope there are no punctures!
It’s time to mount up and
head off into the sunrise. We rode fairly quietly out of Yarra Glen to the
usual Old Healseville road, proceeding to Healesville, riding together, taking it
easy. It wasn’t till after we were on the Black Spur that the ride spread out a
bit, regrouping at the second set of lights. We continued on to the
After a couple kays most of
us were together again, ‘freight training’ at a leisurely 80 kays. No-one
passed anyone; poetry in motion. I really enjoyed riding together. About 13 km
in, we stopped, had a photo session a la Ben. After 15 minutes we left for
Marysville where there were a lot of bikes. Not surprisingly, John and Eric and
three of their friends were there. I spoke to Eric and asked him how he was recuperating
after his crash at
After queueing for food at the Bakery I tried to recruit a couple guys sitting outside. Then it was time to go. I was last to get going, stepping the back wheel out going around the roundabout. Then up the hill, behind Joel on the R6, and over the top we went. Near Cambarville I saw a couple on the side of the road. My first thoughts were, “Shit, who’s gone over?” They waved me on, and I realised they weren’t with us. See what happens when all the bikes look alike.
From Cumberland Junction I followed Paul all the way to the bottom of the Reefton Spur. It was a good ride down, passing a few bikes coming up. At Warburton, most pulled in for fuel, and then regrouped at the Bakery by the bridge. There were already a lot of motorcycles parked there, and with us arriving, it became even more congested.
After lunch everyone went their own way. Joel and I rode up Mt Donna Buang, the road clean with no traffic. It was a good ride, and would have been worthwhile for the rest of the Club to do. Thanks to Martin for leading the ride, Rhys for rear riding duties, and the motorcycle gods for the kind weather.
Ron Johnston (Suzuki Bandit 1200)