Mt Eccles Sunday 10^th September, 2006

Cameron Stevens	Kawasaki ZX9	Chris Pointon	Suzuki GSXR1000,
Trevor Harris (rear rider # 2)	Yamaha YZF1000	Paul Punicki	Honda CBR600FI
Ben Warden Ride Leader	Honda CBR954	Geoff Jones	Yamaha YZF R1
Tony Raditsis (rear rider # 1)	Yamaha TRX850	Ian Payne	Honda CBR1000
Dean von Schill	Honda VTR1000		9 bikes, 9 people

Spring has sprung and motorcycle weather is on the improve. But the chance of changeable weather conditions is always on the cards, especially for a venture into Gippsland.

Gisborne to Berwick freeway drone sees me and the ride group assembled at Clyde Road ready for the Mt Eccles "raid".

Tony takes rear rider duty due to front tyre condition and after ICE number and route details it’s onto the freeway to Pakenham. Then off the freeway and on to the transport section through Nar Nar Goon, Tynong, Garfield, Bunyip and Longwarry to pick up the back way into Drouin where the ride turns south and is soon into the fabled Gippsland bike country. Patchy rain now adding some concerns as the road develops variations in grip levels.

First "Lead rider backtrack" of the day at the Lardner intersection as Dean (joined somewhere on the run to Drouin) needs to fuel the VTR and delays the rear part of the ride. Regroup complete and so onto the Warrugul - Korumburra road through Tetoora, Strezelecki and Ranceby.

Between Ranceby and Korumburra the MSTCV ride came across a Ulysses group also heading south.   Inter club cultural differences surfaced as an incident involving members of both groups and a milk tanker resulted in some spirited exchanges at the first break at Korumburra Bakery. Jacinta Thomas was with the Ulysses and attempted to use Ben's legs as a parking rack for her Fireblade. At least the MSTCV group got into the bakery first to place food and drink orders. 105 km to here and Ian left the ride.

As I had not fuelled at Berwick, I topped up the thirsty R1 as the ride returned along the road in to Korumburra until the Arawata Road with its section of dirt. At the end of the dirt is the Mt Eccles road which goes to the Mt Eccles Hall, located on Mt Eccles, I presume. Photos taken of the group as the hall caretaker attempted to sell some photos of the area and offered a hall tour. Offer declined.

Retrace the road back to the end of the Arawata dirt and turn east to the Strezelecki Highway and onto the Hallston Road. Through forest to Allambee South on the Grand Ridge Road, corners now the only option, straight roads a distant memory. Through Mirboo North, Limonite, and around to Boolarra via Boolara South to return to Mirboo North for lunch and fuel. 108k from first break

Club chat as we do, then some sweeper type roads south to Mardan South and east to Mirboo via Dumbalk. "Minor cosmetic" the reason for the ride's second "Lead rider backtrack" A regroup at Limonite was the site for some running repairs.

Tony has found air instead of traction on a bumpy right and rearranged the TRX somewhat after losing the front. He seems OK but has a section of leather missing from the right shoulder area of his jacket and aches and pains from his right arm.  The right hand Remus muffler is contacting the swing arm. A group search for a 6mm allen key results in a successful relocation. Rear brake lever and right side footpeg are gone. A tweak of the fairing bracket returns most of the steering lock. Tony is OK to proceed. Noted some damage to a fancy set of aftermarket levers also. Trevor takes up rear rider duties.

Back through Mirboo North and on to Thorpdale. Those magic sweepers now wet so time for smooth power applications. Regroup at Trafalgar for final fuel after around 70k. Tony, Chris and Dean go for the Freeway option, the remaining group followed Ben north to the Old Sale Road to Buln Buln East then north through the Crossover twists to Neerim South, Jindivick and ride end at Longwarry North, 70k.

Ride distance approx 350k.  Thanks to Ben for the lead and Tony and Trevor for rear riding. Gippsland, as presented by Ben, is always "interesting riding".

Geoff Jones