Drouin Counter Lunch                 Sunday 26th September, 2004

 

Honda CBR929           Craig Morley/Emma                 Suzuki GSXR750         Damien Glynn

Honda CBR929           Ben Warden     (lead)               BMW R1150 GS         Rob Langer (rear)

Honda CBR919           Brett Emmerson (1st ride)          BMW R1150 GS         Dave (1st ride)

Honda CBR954           Paul Southwell                          Suzuki GF1200            Ron Johnston   

Honda CBR929           Ian Payne                                 Yamaha R1                  Geoff Jones

Honda CBR1100         Martin Hastie                            Aprilia RSV1000          Ken/Louise Wright

Honda VFR750           Bruno Urli (1st ride)                  Honda  CBR600          Pete Pondeljak (only at start)

Kawasaki ZX12R        Paul Grosser                             Honda CBR600           Kate Stewart (only at start)      

 

I arrived at Berwick and was told that Kate could not lead as she was still having problems with the finger she broke after being pulled off her pushbike by Pete’s dog. She convinced Ben to take over leading, and, although he was experiencing some back pain after a gardening mishap, had agreed to lead.

 

Ben outlined the route and introduced the new riders. Rob volunteered as rear rider. Then we headed off down the Freeway to Pakenham and the back roads to Bunyip and Longwarry. Next, over the Highway to Labertouche and Jindavick. The ride had been quite bunched up till this point but as the twisties beckoned, the pace picked up. Even Craig, with Emma on the back, showed he could still mix it with the best.

 

We turned right at Noojee South, then after 3 km left down through Crossover and the 8 km of magnificent sweeping road. At this point it started to rain. Fortunately, it was only a light shower and didn’t do much to dampen our enthusiasm! We continued on through Buln Buln and Bandy Creek, then the back roads into Drouin for our morning tea break. Now we had a chance to talk the talk and get to know the new guys. I was admiring Brett’s Fireblade, “just like my old one” I thought. After spotting a tell-tale stone chip on the front mudguard and Brett confirming that he had bought it from Nova Honda, I new it was my old one!

 

After the leisurely break we headed south to Drouin South, Topirim and Poowong. Then onto Loch and around to Nyora and back up the twisty hill racetrack into Poowong again! This little figure 8 loop is a favorite of Ben’s and one day we may actually catch up with the stragglers on our own ride!

 

We continued straight on and through the high speed sweepers to Ranceby, then onto the Warragul Korumburra road which has been a favorite with the Club for a long time. I remember way back in the mid 80’s when Ben on his old faithful GPz900 was trying to find the wet weather limits of the then new Dunlop K700 radials in the rain on this stretch of road. He did find the limit and crashed right in front of me and slid right off the road only to be stopped by a barb wire fence – Ouch!!

 

At this point Paul Grosser disappeared, but he had only gone off to check out some roads for his forthcoming Loch ride and would meet us back at the pub for lunch. The group pushed on to Ellinbank, then around the cork screw road and onto the north/south road with the newly widened section at the top. The big sweepers make this section a real hoot! We continued on to Drouin for our lunch stop at the Royal Hotel.

 

What started as a very pleasant stop quickly soured with the arrival of the rain, but with excellent meals, company great, free drinks - thanks Geoff, and a great mornings ride, it was a perfect way to end the day.

 

Ian Payne  (Honda CBR929)