Trafalgar via Reefton Sunday 24^th July, 2005

Honda CBR929 Ben Warden (leader) Suzuki GSXR1000 K1 Lyn Duncan

 Honda CBR929  Ian Payne (0.5 rear) Yamaha R1 Geoff Jones (0.5 rear)

Honda CBR1000 Paul Southwell Yamaha R6 Joel Haley

Honda VFR750 Renzo Cunico Suzuki GSXR1000 K4 Mark Dryden

Weather radar at 8.30 am shows a rain band from around Seymour moving south west and reaching through to Noojee. Not a pretty sight for a ride that would demand grip to appreciate the proposed route. The words "technical", "enthusiast" and "miscalculation" popping up in the July mag ride itinerary. Other words of interest "diehards" and "rewarding"  to add some balance. So on with the gear, pick up the freeway-ring road option to Yarra Glen, fuel up and join the "Diehards" at the Original Cafe meet point for the 10.00am off.

Rob, the designated leader, had called Ben, the actual leader, the night before to inform him of house renovation duties that needed attention and would not be able to lead.

The group for the off:

• Ben: leader, new chain, recent service and exhaust repair but still considering a 954 engine swap
• Lyn: checking out the radial calipers on the later gixer, feeling the need to update
• Mark: sparkling new unit, with the coveted radial calipers
• Paul: with Mk 2 version of the "mask", soon to be Mk 3 and maybe the start of something commercial; raving about "mass centralisation" all day
• Renzo: not happy with rear tyre performance, considering stuffing up the handling by fitting a larger size
• Joel: smiling all the while and wringing the 600's neck as usual
• Ian: rear riding till departing at Warburton, still not happy with his shoulders’ performance
• Geoff:  up to the slow in, wobble around stuff again, so happy to be rear rider from Warburton

Ben gave the ride details, introduced Mark as it was his first ride and invited us all to "hit the road".

Healesville via the Old Road, no Myers Creek/Chum Creek loop but onto the Black Spur with a part dry, part wet surface depending on the shadows. Lots of tree litter on the surface. These road conditions were to feature for most of the day as high winds in the ranges had done some pruning the night before.

Over the top at Mt Dom Dom, through Narbethong checking for camera vehicles. None spotted but these days you never know. On through Marysville and Cumberland Junction to the top of the fabled Reefton Spur. Then down through Reefton for a short break at the bottom. No sign of the regular "Reefton Raiders" this day. Noticed coming up the Spur an R1 fitted with blue headlight covers that really attracted attention.

Warburton first fuel and food break and a slight rain shower that was the only rain all day as it turned out. The wet patches persisted and hence grip could not be taken for granted. If the road was dry, there was usually bits of tree to spoil the fun. Talk the talk done and Ian heads for home.

The ride heads to Yarra Junction to pick up the road through Gladysdale, Three Bridges, Powelltown and Noojee. More open than the Spurs and the signs of a "Tight Formation Ride" were beginning to show. Corner marking ceased being a stop and scratch sort of activity as the group were now close together and usually in sight of each other as we turned towards Hill End and Willowgrove.

Trafalgar for another fuel stop then lunch break in the main street. Maps were checked for a different route to the south that had eluded Ben on previous rides.  Lunch complete we headed for Narracan and picked up partly dirt McDonalds Track to climb Hermes Oak for a 217 metre high view of the Latrobe

Valley's three power stations. Across the Freeway and into Yallourn North before running west in company with the Police chopper to the Old Sale Road at Westbury.

Oncoming Police car noted here and mirrors watched for quite a while. Buln Buln West and Crossover came and went, then north to Neerim South and a quick break where discussion of the London Police shoot to kill policy was discussed (good grief) and Renzo's need for a larger rear was debated.

Neerim East passed through, Neerim Junction ticked off and the Nayook road taken to pick up the Powelltown road for the run to Yarra Junction with the sun low and causing vision problems at times.   Yarra Junction and ride end after approx 370 km.

Thanks to Rob for the route, Ben for the lead. All on the ride seemed to enjoy the winter conditions, no "offs" to report but then "offs" are something that one likes to keep to one's self, are they not?

Geoff Jones (Yamaha R1)