Poowong Sunday 8^th November, 2009

Stephane Buchard (3^rd ride)	Suzuki GSXR750	Adam Wright	Triumph 675
Tony Stegmar	Suzuki GSXR1000	Dave Ward	Honda CBR1000
Brien Armstrong	Suzuki GSXR750	Pina Garasi	Yamaha R6
Donte Newton (1^st ride)	Honda CBR1000	Brett Chambers	Honda CBR1000
Craig Morley/Ha Du	Honda VTR1000SP1	Cliff Peters	Suzuki GSXR1000
Ben Warden (leader)	Honda CBR954	Rob Langer	BMW
James Gravanis (1^st ride)	Kawasaki ZRX1200	Jarred Wade	Triumph 955i
Bronwyn Manifold (rear)	Kawasaki Z1000		15 bikes, 16 people

· 34 degree day. Lots of Suzis on the ride. Morning tea at Loch, lunch at Korumburra, afternoon tea at Neerim South, finished at Powelltown. About 450km door to door.

· Two first time riders, Dante and James. Note to anyone who ends up doing write ups: don’t wait until long after the ride is over before agreeing to do the article because by then, it’s too late to get feedback from the new riders and you’re pushing your luck trying to remember anything! Never fear though because there’s always the trusty old club Secretary to fall back on. J Ben spoke to Dante, who was tiring and departed with Brett near the Old Sale Road.

· I pillioned with Craig on his VTR1000. I instructed him not to go too fast and no wheelies, and regretted the words as soon as I’d said them when I saw him smile. Craig assured me that it would be fun. No thank you, no need for fun. I’m near certain that Craig tried to stifle a laugh as he said that he really meant ‘fine’. Not very convincing.

Having seen how Craig likes to fang it, I got a little bit nervous when he turned up in Northcote and I see that there’s nothing to hang on to. What was I thinking? Indeed. On the Monash Highway to Berwick, he managed to upset a couple of cars as revenge for upsetting him, catch up to Pina and tap her on the shoulder only to get left behind, and intentionally making an unknown rider jump as we roared past him in the same lane.

Dave laughed knowingly when he saw me on the back of Craig’s bike and I knew I was in for it. Craig couldn’t wait to pop his first wheelie as soon as we turned off the Monash Highway, and I subsequently popped my eyes and let out a scream. I quickly came to expect them along all the straight stretches and after every corner that we didn’t mark. Ok, I’ll admit that they were all surprisingly smooth and safe—that’s not to say that my heart didn’t have multiple palpitations at times—and ok, fun as well—except for one of the last ones, where I nearly rolled over backwards. Remember that one, Craig?

They were surprisingly smooth because I thought they would feel like I was going to fall over backwards but the experience was very similar to an aeroplane about to take off. Hmm, perhaps one day I’ll put the 600 to the test. J

I couldn’t agree more that the VTR is designed for speed rather than comfort. Sore knees, sore bum, sore arms, and signs of motion sickness had me swapping to Ben’s 954 at Woolamai for the 50 km trip to Korumburra. Ben had taken off the bike rack, but I figured after riding with Craig, I’d be fine. It wasn’t fine. On the contrary, rather unsettling with only one shoulder to hang onto. I let out my umpteenth scream for the day as Ben braked unexpectedly to avoid some animal scuttling across the road. Hey! I’m a girl, I’m allowed to scream. I dare anyone to come on the back of my bike and not scream. J Bike rack or no bike rack J

Lunch at Korumburra allowed me to suss out whose bike would be the least uncomfortable to pillion on—man I missed my bike! My decision was made for me when I spotted a big bag/case behind the pillion seat on Rob’s Beamer. Ahh, the comfort of a cushy seat and something solid behind me provided momentary joy. Bad timing though, as Rob had offered to take over from Bron as rear rider. Poor Bron—thanks for your rear riding efforts.

We regrouped at Neerim South near Old Sale Road and I hopped back on Craig’s VTR. Nothing personal Craig, but there is nothing like the pain of bunged knees, bum and arms to make you wish you were riding your own bike, but I’m sure you shared the pain every time you braked, huh? J

Finally, we’re in the safety of metropolitan Melbourne. So close to home and comfort, so I relax on Bell St. Big mistake. Going up a slight hill, first gear mono, my hands slip, second gear mono, hands slip further, third gear mono, both feet start to lift off the foot pegs! F#%*! Mmgunnafu%#^ngkillim!!! Craig reassured me afterwards that no pillion has ever come off his bike, and that he would have grabbed my foot as I rolled over backwards. Wow, that made me feel so much better. Craig, in case you missed it, that was sah-kah-stik! Lucky I’m such a nice person J

Once the pain had finally settled two days later, I was able to say that, yes, I enjoyed the opportunity to eye ball Craig’s, Rob’s and Ben’s different riding techniques. Thanks guys.

Ha Du

Now where did that ride actually go?

Loch for morning tea after 110 km via Drouin and the Korumburra Warragul road. Then we'll continue south 16 km before peeling off towards Anderson, Almurta and loops within loops, the risk of the ride lead intersecting with the group ever present, chaos the likely result. Glimpses of the sea will appear occasionally and totally in the wrong place. Woolamai, the triple K, (Kernot, Kilcunda, Kongwak) and finally (K4) Korumburra Bakery for lunch.

After a leisurely break and a few reminisces, its back up the Korumburra - Warragul Road to Lardner, bypassing Warragul town and its lights, to Nilma and the Crossover twisties to the Neerims, Nayook and the Powelltown sweepers to finish. Expect around 330 km for the day - plus start and finish commutes. Sun should be awkwardly low as we head back to Melbourne via Healesville. Hard ride, but enough to get you through the next week taking two days to recover.

Ed