Reefton
Spur via
|
Joel Haley (leader) |
Honda CBR1000 |
Dave Ward |
MV Augusta Brutale |
|
Paul Southwell |
Honda CBR1000 |
Lyn Duncan |
Suzuki GSXR1000 |
|
Ben Warden (rear rider) |
Honda CBR929 |
Cameron Stevens |
Kawasaki ZX9 (3rd ride) |
|
Michael Pearson (1st ride) |
Honda CBX750 |
Chris Pointon |
Suzuki GSXR1000 |
|
Brett Emmerson |
Honda CBR954 |
Marty Thompson |
Honda CB900 Hornet |
|
|
|
|
|
The weather bureau had forecast scattered showers for the day and, had I listened to just the weather, I wouldn’t have bothered getting out of bed. Thankfully, I took the time to check out the synoptic charts the night before which showed a massive high pressure front standing over southern Vic for the entire day. So it was with confidence of a dry day that I pulled on the thermals early Sunday morning to head off for the 10 am Yarra Glen meeting point.
The road out was pretty dry, even in the misty bits around Warrandyte and Eltham. Pulling into Yarra Glen, I noticed a venerable CBX750 with a chilly looking rider aboard attempting to make an awkward U-turn to head back into town. We then met again filling up at the Caltex. I could see he looked a little lost and asked the question, and sure enough he was riding with us. So after a quick hello I let him know where the meet point was and headed down there myself.
Tucked up nice and snugly in the warm café, Brett was having some hot breaky and a coffee. So I joined him for a coffee while awaiting the others to arrive. Joel arrived a few minutes later, his leathers covered in water. He had elected not to put the waterproofs on and had ridden through some of the many misty hollows on his way to Yarra Glen.
The usual formalities took place as well as some more bullshit being
swapped before we departed. Ben had volunteered as rear rider and he and I were
last to pull out from the Café. We both got caught at the lights, and, while
stopped noticed Paul on the side of the road in front. A glance at the rear
tyre revealed the reason. Flat as a tack! I had a repair kit so I motioned Ben
on and suggested we would catch up by Warburton. Paul and I limped to the servo
to utilise the pump. After a patch or two falling
apart attempting to fit it, we finally made it slide in. Mint!
Paul set a comfortable pace most of the way up to Toolangi. However, once he reached the resurfaced part, he was gone. We stopped at the top to wait for the others and timed it almost to perfection with the rest of the group turning up around five minutes later. Enough time for a chat with a tree.
Most people took it carefully down the Chum Creek road to
Healesville, with many parts covered in mud, gravel, water, or moss. At
Healesville we turned right towards
We stopped at the Warburton panel shop and Bakery for some carcinogenic pies and lattés before setting off towards the spur. The speeds were kept in check on the straight bits from here, and the corners were attacked with gusto by the usual suspects.
Coming into the first set of sweepers where there are some tricky parts, such as road entrances covered in mud, and off camber tightening radius turns, our newest rider Michael, decided to do a Don Burke and do a little gardening! No harm done: he jumped on the picks, stood it up, and took the escape road! We watched in the mirrors as he gathered it back up and got back going again.
Through the last left hand sweeper before the turn for the Reefton Spur there were bikes everywhere. A little confusion ensued so I just continued on, albeit at a reduced pace. Soon enough the rest of the riders were back on it. I had ended up in the lead at this point, not intentionally, of course. (Nudge is as good as a wink to a blind man). Soon enough Joel was on my tail. And soon after I noticed the oblique shapes of an MV headlight looming rapidly in my mirrors. Then I heard the raspy sound of an MV having its nuts revved off as it came past. I hung on to, or tried to, for about a kilometre before a decided lack of clearance started to hamper progress and make the run hard work. So I backed it off at tad. Soon enough a dude (not with us) on a slick shod gixxer thou started to want to get past. He was giving the brake and throttle a work out, and took me coming off a turn. I managed to tag along behind him for the remainder of the journey with Joel just behind me.
At the top he was keen to have a chat. I think he may have been a Reefton specialist. Watching his lines, you could tell he had been up and down that road a few times. As Paul arrived, Joel and Dave took off. I suggested to Mr Gixxer thou that if he really wanted a challenge he should see how long he could hang onto the back of that Red MV. They all took off together. About five minutes later Mr. Gixxer thou came back past us and back down the spur. Dave said Mr Gixxer lasted one corner and gave up!
I had a solo run back down
Chris departed pretty much as soon as we arrived in Marysville as he had to be home early. We all had a bite and told some lies before setting off for Healesville via the Black Spur. It was in good nick today with no wet patches and only the occasional damp patch which still allowed enough grip to drag the Hornets rather low slung peg everywhere.
The run down the Spur was the usual calm, smooth, processional ride, with Joel making his bike do an accidental wheelie over one of the crests on the Spur. Hoon!
The ride then broke up in Healesville. Lyn led Ben, Paul Dave and I through the Christmas Hills, with Paul, Dave and I turning left before Kangaroo Ground and then Paul and Dave turning left at Eltham. I arrived home about 4 pm with about 360 kms travelled for the day.
Thanks to Joel for a sensational ride, and to Ben for bringing it up the rear as he does so well!
Marty Thompson