Seymour Sunday 28^th May, 2006

Breht Emmerson	Honda CBR 954	Paul Southwell	Honda CBR1000RR
Ron “BALLS” Solomon	Yamaha R1	Lyn Duncan	Suzuki GSXR 1000
George Haddad	Suzuki GSXR 1000 K5	Ian Payne	Honda CBR1000RR
Arpad Marton	Suzuki GSXR 1000 K5	Geoff Jones (rear)	Yamaha R1
Cameron Stevens	Yamaha R1 (2^nd ride)	Marty Thompson	Honda CB 900
Ben Warden	Honda CBR 929	George Gouzvasis	Yamaha R1 (1^st ride)
Joel Haley	Honda CBR1000RR	Jon Lord	Yamaha R1 (1^st ride)
Trevor Harris (leader)	Yamaha YZF1000	Renzo Cunico	Honda VFR 800

What a turn out for such a wet day! The crew was not out for a toddle either. Trev would have his work cut out all day trying to keep the hounds from nipping at his heels. It was good to see Balls back again after his long absence. He always seems to add a bit of excitement. His son-in-law, George, and another mate, Arpad, helped boost the numbers. They both proved to be very accomplished riders. A good showing of the Club officials with six committee members on hand. Throw in a few first timers, an ex-President and a handful of regular members, set to 10am and wait to boil.

Trevor had come up with another carefully planned ride and delivered the pre-ride formalities well. Last time I tried following Trevor I piffed my bike away on a corner and thence off to the wreckers. Considering the weather, I thought I’d take it easy (that lasted until we hit the dry stuff). It was a wet ride over to Healesville and up the familiar Chum Creek Road to Toolangi. Hopefully, St Andrews might be dry. Nope. It did, however, have a thick cover of fog and I was very grateful to be able to follow Paul’s tail light down the goat-track, having corner marked with him at the top roundabout.

At St Andrews we picked up our 16^th and final rider for the day. Renzo had rung Ben at Yarra Glen and arranged to meet us along the way. Not sure exactly which way we went from here but we ended up in Whittlesea via Yan Yean for our first stop. Some topped up their tanks while others walked the main drag looking for an open bakery or similar for something hot to eat. The shop we parked out the front of was clearly marked as “Open Sunday” but the space for the time was empty. They mustn’t want to commit to anything specific in case the morning starts out as cold as today.

After morning tea a quick pace is set over to Flowerdale via Kinglake West, albeit on wet roads. As we entered Flowerdale the roads were dry which made for an exciting run to Strath Creek. Here we passed a convoy of Toyota MR2s. We must have added to their day’s excitement because we got plenty of smiles and waves as Joel and I corner marked the turnoff to Kerrisdale. We soon re-passed them, most moving well over to let us through safely. A small stretch of Highway before heading the back way via Tallarook into Seymour for lunch.

Hamburgers at Seymour are always good but you have to order early to make sure you get time to eat them. Well, one guess who had to corner mark the last turn and wait for everyone else to go by! Oh well. One of Marty’s friends George G. also corner marked here but he was having too much fun to worry about lunch. More fuel, a bite to eat, a chance to rest and cool down and to see how the new riders were going, given the hot pace so far. All reports were good and return visits are more than likely.

Recent regular appearances by Marty Thompson continued today despite his off earlier in the week. The pain of riding with suspected broken ribs was taking its toll. I didn’t expect to see him on the ride and was not surprised when he left us at this point. George and John decide to accompany their mate home.

After lunch we headed for Pyalong where I slotted into the bullet train with Ron, George and Joel. We made our way to Emu Flat and the short stretch of dirt (which was completely dry, so much so that it was dusty) before arriving at Kyneton. Mr. Plod (as Ben likes to say) passed us as we strolled into town, heading down the road we had just come from, taking a good, if not disgruntled, look at each of us. Luckily, our honorable rear rider, Geoff, was just exiting as they turned in. A short stop for a bit of a stretch and drink, then back to it.

Out of Kyneton to Spring Hill, Tylden and then Woodend for another stop. We fueled up this time. Half the ride broke up here with Paul, Ian, Ben and Geoff each leaving after a yarn or two. The local teens seemed impressed with the GSXR K5s, asking Arpad for a ride in exchange for a drive in their rice-burner capable of 200+, apparently. The reply went something along the lines of “You are not a girl, nor good looking, and I can do the rest in first gear”.

Final stretch was up to Mt Macedon, left onto Straws Lane and right to Romsey. Sounds simple but when you get carried away and pass the leader (Accidentally, I swear Trev!) then it does get a bit confusing. Luckily, Joel knew the way and was able to catch and turn us around. Ron, George and Lyn decided to head home, which left six of us.

It was a grouse ride through Romsey to Wallan with Joel, Arpad and Cameron, especially when we were trying to catch the pack. Little did we know there was only Trevor and Renzo left. They had gone to the top of Mt Macedon looking for us, failed and continued on, riding into Wallan shortly after we did. The ride ended officially here but Joel, Cameron and I continued on, as per the magazine itinerary, and finished at Whittlesea. We had to go home in that direction anyway.

Thanks, Trevor, for leading what turned out an awesome day! Thanks, Geoff, for rear riding again! Also, Renzo, for rear riding on the final leg, and to the rest of the riders for making the day all that more fun!

Breht Emmerson

p.s. It just shows you can have a good day in the wet if you get a good turnout.