Walhalla Sunday 15^th November, 2009

Monday mornings at work I’m usually very tired but satisfied after the Sunday ride; today I’m tired but also feeling flat as a result of coming off the bike yesterday on a downward twisty on the way to Walhalla. (Oggy knob did its job and R6 okay.) Too much speed and not enough skill and experience to get me through. I replay the event it in my head and, apart from feeling so disappointed in myself, there is some consolation in that I came out of it well. I will endeavour to learn from my error by going over it with Misho and Ben.

Apart from that, it was a great day’s ride… smiles all round. The ride-leader, Tim had the biggest smile, having just had himself a good ride-day fix at Phillip Island, followed by today’s real stuff.

Craig was up to his usual antics keeping us entertained with his stories of bad love, bad food, bad beverages, bad sunglasses, bad tyres, bad drivers, bad everything.

Dave Ward was behaving like a naughty puppy again and hassling me all day – he even managed to hide my bike when it was time to head home. I can only imagine how tickled pink he was when he saw me searching for it in disbelief, only to find it parked down a side lane. Bad boy.

Paul Southwell impressed us all with his new, very-ventilated, slimming summertime leathers – a bargain from the Malaysian MotoGP. Very nice.

Ken turned up with a ‘molto bella’ Ducati 999. It’s almost unfair to put this beautiful beast through the rigours of an MSR Club ride. Ken, I wonder how long this Italian beauty will keep you entertained? I should warn you: beware of all things of Italian origin which may fascinate; there is always a little bit of pain purposefully included to remind you to never take it for granted. Scusa!

Good to see Ern Reeders back again. I think the Club needs a few more yellow bikes so that Misho doesn’t stand out so much when members of the speed-control force are about on a Sunday – which they were yesterday, interrupting the smooth flow of things, ever so briefly. Tim did a bit of lateral thinking and got the ride going again - in a different direction! Clever boy.

Thanks to John Rousseaux for rear riding – you looked so happy to have the rear all to yourself, even though I did offer several times to swap. You sure know how to have fun back there. Good man.

And thanks to all my fellow-riders who helped me on my way again after coming off. And thanks for your moral support when it’s most needed– greatly appreciated. (Ha, your hug was a little gem!)

Pina Garasi