Marysville Bakery           Sunday 27th March

 

Dave Ward                  MV SPR750  (leader)                        Martin Hastie               Honda Blackbird

Craig Morley                Honda CBR929                      Nigel Hellyer             Harley Buell

Paul Southwell            Honda CBR954                      Lyn Duncan             Suzuki GSXR 1000

Dave Moore                 Yamaha R1                             Matt Settle (2nd ride)            Honda VTR1000

Darryn Webster            MV 750F4                          Mick Hanlon             Yamaha R1

Joel Haley & Megan            Yamaha R6                             Martin            Bastock          Honda CBR1000 (rear rider)

Steve Cowburn            Honda CBR954                      13 bikes, 14 people

 

I thought that there may be a few more starters on this alternative Club ride this weekend but I suppose a few of the regulars were doing the 4 day event. The day promised to be a good one with only the potential of rain late in the afternoon. A few riders turned up late so we ended leaving at about 10.15 a.m.

 

We headed back up through Christmas Hills at a very pedestrian pace and then we turned right up Clintons Road. After a few bends, Craig decided to blow out a few cob webs, pulling a wheelie while behind Daz, for the benefit of myself. Thanks Craig.

 

Then up to St Andrews where the road has just been resurfaced. On to Kinglake and Toolangi (all very uneventful, then down Myers Creek Road. I decided to try out my new compression settings on the front forks. Well, I found the feedback to be good, but a few of the bumps caused a bit too much movement in the bike to be completely comfortable. 

 

From Healesville we moved on to Warburton for morning tea. Next, the main course, the Reefton Spur.

 

At the bottom was the usual crowd of hard core bikers including members John Clowes and Eric Makin. Dave Ward gave them a wave as we went by. I followed Dave up the Spur at a good pace. Dave was nailing the apex of the left hand corners just a bit too close and managed to tag a post with his shoulder. Lucky it was a plastic one! About half way, Dave was sick of me on his ass, so he signalled me through and I showed him my R1 style. A good ride up with only a couple of cars on the way.

 

We regrouped at the top and swapped stories. I believe Daz, Paul and Craig were up to some fun together. There may have been a bit of blocking going on, but who knows the real sequence of events. It all depended on who was telling the story.

 

We were told of a cop on the way to Marysville so all were on our best behaviour. The cops must have moved on because I did not see any. Lunch was on the grass outside the Bakery. Steve and Matt left the ride here, heading home. 

 

We started back to Healesville at a moderate pace. Then I noticed an unfamiliar GSXR1000 pulling wheelies behind me. We continued on to the Black Spur where he followed. As I made my way through the pack this GSXR rider was sticking with me. I knew he wanted to have a bit of a go so I moved left, and in a small straight, he passed me, Paul and Dave.  I knew Dave would be up for some fun so I moved behind Dave and we pushed the GSXR along. He responded and soon it was on.

 

True to form the GSXR rider was a horse powder junkie. In the straight he screwed it on like there was no tomorrow. Unfortunately for him, the corners were not too far away and Dave I and let him know he had to go faster before we would drop off. He was trying hard. Coming out of one left-hander, with some pressure from Dave and myself, he succumbed to the horse power and gave himself a small but significant highside which he saved, but would have needd a change of underpants. Job done. Dave and I followed him until we hit some traffic coming into Healesville.  A good day had by all.

 

 

 

Dave Moore (Yamaha R1)