Honda
CBR929 Ben Warden Honda
CBR900 Breht and Libby Emmerson
Suzuki
GSXR1000 Lyn Duncan Honda CBR1100XX Martin Hastie (rear rider)
Honda
CBR1000 Paul
Southwell (leading) Honda CBR900 Jacinta Thomas
At La Porchetta’s: Dave Ward and Bronwyn Manifold,
Darryn Webster and Julieann, Nigel Hellyer
I rolled up five minutes late at the new Whittlesea starting point, after checking out the old Plenty Road pickup point, looking for stragglers and refueling. I noted that it was a Honda Club ride with Lyn an honorary member for the day. Just as we were about to set off Breht and Libby rolled in, 10 minutes late and lucky to catch us. Paul gave us an idea of the route indicating the first stop would be at Healesville.
After 540 km the day before into deepest, darkest
Gippsland, with all the menaces that entails, now riding on familiar roads was
absurdly easy, even if the surface was damp in places. I noted Lyn and Paul had
removed the bugs from their bikes, yet mine was grubby as usual, with at least
a month’s worth of grime.
I slotted in behind Paul on his new Blade and we
cruised up the Kinglake sweepers and into the cold and very overcast skies,
making brisk progress. On through Kinglake West and down steeply, dropping Lyn
momentarily until the road flattened out along the creek. More lights behind
now as we acknowledge the 80 and 90 km/h sections (my first time) admiring the
scenery.
At Flowerdale, Lyn and I corner-marked. The others
arrived shortly and off we went on the very pleasant open road to Strath Creek,
the strong northerly wind most noticeable on this section. Breht was pushing
the newly decorated CBR along and I didn’t fancy being his pillion, jeans and
riding-up jacket not optimal for warmth.
Right at Strath Creek and north towards Kerrisdale on the Seymour Road.
Just before the “T” intersection a cloud of galahs sitting on the road took
flight. I don’t know how they missed me, as I instinctively ducked and shut my
eyes, expecting impact. Paul had had the same problem and they had just settled
back on the road when I came along to flush them skywards again.
Nose to tail, we slotted in behind a fast moving car
for the risky trip in to Yea where we turned right and headed for Junction Hill
after 10 km of leisurely highway riding. The steep climb approaches and a blip
and down change sees the heart rate rocket as the excitement begins. A pesky
old BM requires a minor detouring manoeuvre before hard on the gas again
looking for the first opportunity pass Breht, similarly motivated. A glance at
the speedo and flighty nature of the ride indicates that there is still life in
the old girl, even on her 150,000 km birthday. Plenty of lean angle with a
watchful eye on the ever increasing armo barrier sees the final cresting
sweeper dispatched and a clear road. Paul has slowed, negotiating cars, and
providing a clear path for me. He notes that he now starts his passing
manoeuvres much farther back than on the old 954 due to the rocket-like power
of the 1000 motor reducing distances faster than the brain can compute. Gulp.
At the bottom of the hill I corner mark with Lyn
again before peeling left and heading for Glen Burn, quite sated, happy to
follow Jacinta out enjoying a ride with the Club, having a great time. A
mini-regroup occurs here, possibly Paul cleaning his visor, not realizing how
close the troops are. Down the Melba Highway and through the pleasant forest to
Mt Slide where we turn left and head for Toolangi. Straight on at the junction
heading for Healesville on the Myers Creek Road, a lone GSXR750 making plenty
of noise in a straight line, but not coping with the damp twisties as we glide
by. Catching up to Paul now dribbling along, guarding his new asset very
carefully, the green road and difficult lighting sapping confidence. Breht was also riding much more sedately,
Libby’s viewpoint now being respected.
We regrouped at the servo on Don Road corner. I
wondered if John and Eric would magically appear amongst the myriad of bikes
heading for the Black Spur and beyond.
Lyn and I produced our ride rations, somewhat to the chagrin of Jacinta
who, in the end, decided that she would wait till lunch before sating her
appetite. A coffee would do in the interim.
Paul’s habit of parking around the corner a little
more than everyone else nearly caught me out as we fought our way through thick
Healesville traffic before ducking around the back streets parallel to the
highway. No damage as we were soon back together again and heading up Myers
Creek Road to Toolangi. Paul’s pretty quick in the twisties and the CBR1000
turns and changes directions even better than the 954 despite a slight weight
penalty. I noted to Paul at the next Mt
Slide intersection about how well it seemed to turn and he suggested that the
weight centralisation concept featured more strongly on this model, with the
fuel load very low, effectively under the seat. New tyres, superb suspension
and all those ride days also contribute to a smooth, fast ride. I was losing
him the longer the tight twisties went.
On to Kinglake with a couple of oncoming police
vehicles to remind us of the behaviour required. At the top we turned left down
towards St Andrews on the widened and resurfaced twisty section. Having not
travelled down this way for many months, it was quite a revelation, white lines
up the centre and sides. I followed Lyn, with no cars to overtake and diminish
the enjoyment, but a surprising number of oncoming cars.
On to Panton Hill and Eltham and traffic lights. We
made slow progress eventually picking up Manningham Road at Doncaster, then
Thompsons Road and the Eastern Freeway. About the only excitement was watching
the low fuel warning light burn brightly as we took a longer and longer route
to get to the city, but I figured 50 km on reserve would cover all
eventualities.
Paul pointed out the new speed camera on the
intersection of Smith Street and Alexandra Parade for Lyn’s benefit as it
flashed rapidly, now a Brack’s Special red light and speed camera all in one.
Around the cemetery and down Swanston to Victoria Street, dodging the trams and
onto the footpath outside La Porchetta’s after a very enjoyable 244 km,
according to Paul, (140 the first hop, and 100 the second hop).
Nigel had organised a table and we all squeezed in,
piling up helmets and coats where possible. Meals and drinks ordered, I
returned to Lyn’s bike to retrieve her camera, providing an entertaining moment
or two for her. Dave and Bron, Darryn and Julieann arrived and squeezed in. The
food was plentiful and fast, the conversation sweet. All too soon the deed was
done, after the pay-by-table mess was sorted.
Lyn and I found ourselves back at Jacinta’s patting
Georgie, her Bearded Dragon (lizard) that she has nursed back to good health on
a steady diet of crickets, worms and flowers.
Jacinta and Lyn set about working on some advertising material for Lyn
and I bade my farewells.
An excellent day with no rain. Thanks to Paul for
leading us on all the good roads close to Melbourne and getting us to the
destination plum on 1.30 pm. Thanks to all those who participated. We look
forward to seeing Dave back riding, his plaster to be removed sometime this
week.
Ben Warden
(Honda CBR929)