Eildon via Torbreck River Sunday 9^th July, 2006

Breht Emmerson (leader)	Honda 954 Fireblade	Lyn Duncan	Suzuki GSXR1000
Ern Reeders (initial rear rider)	Triumph ST955	Joel Haley	Honda1000 Fireblade
Stoimen Stojanov (final rear rider)	Yamaha R1	Paul Southwell	Honda1000 Fireblade
Chris Pointon	Suzuki GSXR1000	Cameron Stevens	Kawasaki ZX9
Ben Warden	Honda 954 Fireblade

It’s been quite a while since I’ve been for a ride with the club... perhaps January of 2005! I’m sure I have been on a ride in more recent times…

Thought I’d make sure I wouldn’t be late, so depart Brunswick nice and early for Yarra Glen. I have forgotten how long this takes and found myself going down the main road of Yarra Glen at 9:25am. Just a little too early; there’s probably no one at the café. Wrong. Don’t know how early Breht was there but he’d already had his coffee!

The day’s forecast was pretty moist and I wasn’t expecting a big turnout. However, the hardy club souls wouldn’t let a bit of grey sky stop them. I won’t bore you with the route; I’m sure many a member knows the Chum and Arthur’s Creek Roads, the Black Spur to Marysville, etc. The roads were wet most of the way in the morning, though it didn’t actually rain. I wasn’t enjoying the down hill stretches, or the uphill ones for that matter…

After a quick stop at Marysville, it was onto the Highway towards Eildon. At Taggerty, Ben headed for home and the airport, while just before Eildon Paul, Ern and Lyn headed directly for the Eildon Pub. Breht, Joel, Chris, Cameron and I (unwittingly) slithered our way along the Jamieson Road to the Torbreck River. I didn’t enjoy the ride to the river much: loose gravel, wet road, green road, oncoming 4WD traffic. Everyone disappeared into the distance. At the River, the sound of the water and the beautiful natural scenery lifted my spirits.

With new found zest and more confidence in the grip available, I enjoyed the ride back to the Eildon Road. It doesn’t take long to relearn your skills in conditions you wouldn’t really choose to ride in. That’s what riding with the club on days like today is about… getting out there and building your experience. (Although I think we had it easy compared to Ben’s mud bath last week, from what I hear).

Back in Eildon, Ern and Paul departed, Lyn deciding to stay with us. I had a light lunch of soup while Chris, Breht and Joel enjoyed some chicken, beef and fish whose servings could support an African nation for a week! After 45 minutes of chit chat and eating we mounted up for a run over the Skyline Road. Again, beautiful scenery left and right along the spur.

Eventually we got to Yea and then onto Kinglake West. The roads were pretty dry in the open and made for brisk progress. Lyn, Cameron and I will be in need of new rear hoops soon. Ben, I’m sure you would get another 347.3km’s out of them. Sorry mate, but we did laugh at your expense.

Time to go. However, Cameron’s ZX9 was reluctant to start. Minor panic sets in while we wait. He has another go and it unexpectedly ROAR’S into life, scaring the hell out of Lyn standing just centimetres from the exhaust!

We parted company at Kinglake West. One of the things I enjoy at the end of the day is having a small group that gets even smaller until it’s only you on the way home. For me, it’s like a gent coming back to Earth after a high of a day on the bike with good company - people who share your passion.

Thanks Breht for leading, Ern for rear riding and the others for your company. 488 kms on the trip metre door to door and in need of a new rear tyre.

Stoimen Stojanov