Highlands Sunday 23^rd January

BMWR1150 GS Rob Langer (leader) Honda CBR1100XX Martin Hastie (rear)

Buell 1200 Nigel Hellyer Honda CBR600 Jason Miller (3^rd ride)

Yamha R1 Geoff Jones Honda CBR954 Paul Southwell

Yamaha TDM850 Ern Reeders Honda CBR929 Ben Warden

Suzuki SV1000S Orlando Iluffi Honda VFR750 Renzo Cunico

Yamaha R6 Joel Haley Honda CBR1100XX Wayne Pope/Annette L.

Suzuki GF1200 Ron Johnston Suzuki GSXR1000 Lyn Duncan

Suzuki TL1000S Grant Yamaha R1 Stoimen Stojanov

More glorious bike riding weather. I left home at 9 am to give myself time for a leisurely ride to Whittlesea via Warrandyte, Kangaroo Ground, Wattle Glen where my bike spat a chain out the back a couple of years ago, Hurstbridge, go quietly past the Police Station, Cottles Bridge to Arthurs Creek some nice tight and twisty roads. Arthurs Creek to Yan Yean a good bit of road to twist the wrist and go for a blast, past the Reservoir and onto Plenty Road and head to Whittlesea and stop at the first servo cos the other one don’t look like its going to fixed, its still got the security fence around it.

There were lots of people already there when I arrived. I pulled up beside a pump and I saw a familiar face; it was Lyn Duncan. For those that don’t know, she used to be a Club member, and was an avid rider, out there mixing it with the best. Last time I saw her was at the Xmas camp a couple of years ago, then she just faded away. Good to see her back.

Speaking of past members, on the Mirboo ride the week before, Jacinta Thomas was there, as was Orlando Iluffi. Jacinta went interstate about 3 years ago for her job, and it was a surprise to see her back. I think she still has the same bike, a CBR 600. As for Orlando, he was last seen on a ZX6 Kawasaki, 18 months ago and is now sporting a new Suzuki SV1000S, and was riding it well. Welcome back.

Rob got everyone’s attention and told us where we were going and where our first and second stops would be. He then asked who might do a write up, and, suddenly there comes a deathly silence. You could almost hear a pin drop; it’s like asking someone to sacrifice themselves for the good of others. It’s crazy, nothing has changed, there is no need to be shy and nobody will turn you into a pumpkin after midnight. Be brave and put pen to paper, it’s safer than you think…

Out of Whittlesea we go, up the hill through the twisty bits to Kinglake West to Flowerdale where we turn left. About 3 km in, through a gentle S bend, there was black tyre skid marks across the road where someone had lost it big time in a car. Most people on the ride would not have noticed them. There was a VT Commodore lying on its side, in amongst the trees, on our right, in front of the farm house fence.

Just as we get to Strath Creek, Nigel, on the Buell, had to pull over. I was corner marking with Geoff Jones. Two people mentioned that he was having trouble. Then he came rolling down the hill and parked the bike and mentioned something was possibly wrong with the speedo drive gearbox and that he would ring his wife to come and pick him up. Wayne and Annette said they would stay with him. I told Wayne our first stop would be Lancefield, but it would probably better if they met us at Yea for lunch.

The road from Strath Creek to Broadford is great, I just love it. Twist the wrist and go for it. Near Highcamp we encountered a divvy van, a bit of a surprise being in the middle nowhere. Around Golden North they were doing some more road works which will complete the section. On to Lancefield for our first stop.

It was fairly warm and I took my jacket off, along with most of the others. Grant, on TL, left the ride here due to other commitments, but reckons he will be back, and had enjoyed himself.

From here we took the Burke and Wills track to Baynton, Emu Flat, Pyalong, Glenaroua, and Hilldene to Seymour where we stopped for fuel, a drink, clean visors, etc.

From Seymour to Highlands, what a pleasant ride. There were some roads I have not been on for a long time. I got to the top of one hill and just over the crest had a flashback: the last time I came this way with Rob, we had 3 riders crash on the one corner, the first one, on a R1, hit some gravel, the second and third ones were a product of target fixation. I can’t remember what the 2^nd bike was, but the third person was on an SV650. He had an electrical problem such that we could push start the bike, but it wouldn’t start with the starter motor. Ben had to take one bloke to hospital. When Ben came back looking for me, I had gone off looking for the others to no avail, so I ended going back home.

Back to the ride. Highlands to Caveat and Gobur to Yarck. From here we travel the Highway to Yea for lunch. Some park on the grassed area under the shade of a tree. Most of us were eating lunch when a member from the local constabulary asked / told us that we would have to park our bikes on the roadside, which we all did, reluctantly. The policeman came back and explained why and had a bit of a chat to a few of us. He was okay. Wayne and Annette were also here, along with a lot of other bikes.

From Yea back to Kinglake West over Junction Hill was a hoot. I turned off at Flowerdale to get some photos of that Commodore that was lying on its side. After having being flogged around the road and tripped up, it decided it was going to have a rest, regardless of what the owner thought!

I got some photos and then headed back to Kinglake West, but not before encountering a group of mobile homes. Jacket off again and get something to drink. A lot gas bagging going on, the highs and lows of the days events.

Time to go home. Kinglake for fuel, Saint Andrews, Panton Hill, Almo road to Watsons Creek, Kangaroo Ground to Warrandyte where the ride finished. Thanks to Rob for leading the ride; the weather was great, no incidents and thanks Martin for being rear rider.

Ron Johnston(Suzuki Bandit 1200)