Reefton and Black Spurs Sunday 19^th June, 2005

Nigel Hellyer Beull (Leader) Lyn Duncan Suzuki GSXR 1000

Joel Haley Yamaha R6 Ben Warden Honda CBR 929 (Rear Rider)

Breht Emmerson Honda CBR 900 Ron Johnston Suzuki Bandit 1200

When you can’t go rear rider and everyone else suddenly can’t understand Ben asking for volunteers to do the article, doesn’t that shit ya? Oh well, it’s for the greater good.

Sky: grey and cloudy. Forecast: cold and raining. Why am I putting on the leathers and reaching for the wet-weathers? It must be something about motorcycling that makes you do strange things. It was looking like a three man outing with only Joel and Nigel waiting at Yarra Glen. Given it was the start of the rainy season, this was probably not un-expected. Late arrivals, Lyn and Ben, just make up five starters before heading up Bell St to Old Healesville Road.

Nigel was back after a two month absence from riding while the Beull was receiving paint and parts, thanks to the Don Road “off”. With this in mind, I was probably happy Nigel was leading and taking it easy. As we came into Healesville and headed up Chum Creek Road, there was significant water, bark and road grime. Across the top of Mt St Leonard’s, past the look out tower, and back down Myers Creek Road at a comfortably, cautious pace to Maroondah Highway where we picked up Ron who had been delayed in the morning and decided to meet us at Healesville.

Ron was facing towards the Black Spur when we came down St Leonard’s and turned when we headed the other way. Had I recognized him immediately I am sure I would have been moving a bit quicker as we turned up Dalry (Koo-Wee-Rup) Road but all I saw was bike waiting at bottom of the Spur, now riding with our group, and a new set of headlights on my ass. That smells like a bad day to me. Ron soon passed and put my fears to rest. His bike is easily recognizable if you are paying attention.

Towards Launching Place and the roads were nice and dry. Traveling this stretch several times a week I was hoping we would pick up the pace a bit. Nigel had said earlier that he was a bit unsure of the turn off to Launching Place and was probably keeping an eye out for it. Still, there was a bit of time for some fun on a couple of corners. When riding with the Club, more often than not I find myself on unfamiliar roads, so it is nice to know which way the next corner sweeps for a change.

Onto Warburton Hwy and settle into the 60, 70, 50, 70, 80, 50…etc drone along the heavily policed road to Warburton for our first stop. Small bite to eat, drink, chat, toilet (in that order), then on to the Reefton Spur.

Nigel, still taking it easy, gave the go-ahead to pass on the Spur and regroup at the top. Sitting behind the leader I wondered if anyone would pass, given the poor road condition. Not raining, but still very wet and foliage laden. I was happy just to cruise. Ok, there goes Joel past me, then Nigel. Yep, stuff it! Safety, shafety. Let’s have a bit of fun and suddenly I am back past Joel with a big smile on my face leading for a bit. Whoops, lost the back on that corner (still smiling, idiot!) slow down? No. Crap. There goes the back again (smile slightly straightening) slow down now? No. Shit there goes the front and the back, still upright and moving forward. Ok, cool, but we’ll slow down now. Yep, that’s smart I think. Give Joel the wave past and follow him for a while (still smiling, but. Idiot!)

At the top I pull up next to Joel, both sporting those idiot smiles. Joel tells me a couple of corners after he passed me he did the same thing! Soon the others arrive and Nigel takes over leading again. The road from the top of the Reefton to Marysville is a shocker in the wet. Crap everywhere: gravel, bark, heavy fog. No snow though. A shame; that would make for a good whinge.

Into Marysville for lunch and a rest at the bakery that was fairly busy considering the poor weather. Then to the Black Spur but not before Ben gathered the troops for photo time. I can just tell this is everyones’ favorite part of the day. The weather seemed to be turning bad as we headed down the Maroondah Highway to the top of the Spur. Very wet at the top but a smooth dry run down the bottom. Re-grouping in Healesville opposite the Myers Creek turn off, a quick chat and we said our farewells the ride finishing where it had started for Ron. It was a long, 27 second trip home for me after a good 170 km trip given the conditions. We were lucky the rain stayed away for the most part.

Thanks Nigel for doing such a good job leading after the lay-off and Ben for rear riding duties!

Breht Emmerson (Honda CBR900)