Gembrook Pub Lunch Saturday 17^th January 2009

Ian Payne (leader)	Honda CBR1000RR	Dave Ward (rear)	Honda CBR1000RR
Robert and Aissa	Honda CBR1000RR	Bronwyn Manifold	Kawasaki Z750
Ken Goederee	Honda CBR1000RR	Tony Stegmar	Suzuki Hayabusa
Steve Cowburn and Susan	Honda CBR954	Mathew (1^st ride)	Kawasaki ZZR250
John Rousseaux/Kate Stewart	Honda CBR1000RR	Paul Southwell	Honda CBR1000RR
Rob and wife Zivanovic	Honda CBR600	Matthew Egan	Ducati S4R

At Yarra Glen it was good to see a few pillions and new rider Mathew on his ZZR250. Ken had the ‘old’ Honda out as “the new tried to kill him not once but twice on the last ride”. I explained the basic route, Corner Marking System and Dave volunteered as rear rider! DAVE yes, only as he was trying out his KroozTune suspension.

From Yarra Glen we took the ‘Old’ Healesville Road, then Chum Creek, Toolangi and Healesville. As Ken knew where I was going he was constantly passing, cornermarking and passing again with Tony in hot pursuit. We continued around to Badger Creek and Woori Yallock, where our first camera car was spotted.

I stopped at the Bakery becoming concerned at the lack of riders. Then news came of Tony having lost his footing while corner making and dropped the Busa. Fortunately, only a few scratches which may polish out!

The Bakery proved popular so we enjoyed a leisurely stop over a coffee. Then it was off to Yellingbo and Macclesfield where Tony passed the leader. Fortunately, he soon realised and allowed me to regain the lead.

Next it was Monbulk, Kallista and Johns Hill Lookout. Being 420 metres high, it offers a good vantage point to view right down to the coast. Coincidently it used to be Ken’s ‘parking spot’ when he was young and single, his many ‘censored’ stories had us in stitches!

We continued on through Menzies Creek, Emerald, Cockatoo and Gembrook for our countermeal. After ordering our meals I was just about to sit down when one of the locals came in and suggested I shift my bike as it was nearly hit by a bucket! Turns out he meant an excavator bucket. I quickly moved it.

Over lunch we heard about Steve’s tail of woe as another victim of the hoon law. It happened just before Christmas so he is now waiting on the date of his court case. Rob could relate to Steve’s problem as he was not long back from a ‘forced’ riding break and to make up for lost time, this weekend he was having a sicki. Rob works as a croupier at Crown Casino, so weekend work is unavoidable. It was fascinating to hear about the ‘high rollers’ where in a single throw of the dice they could win or lose the equivalent of a Ferrari, MV Agusta or Townhouse. Also a bit sad were some of the losers as their last throw was sometimes off West Gate Bridge!

After lunch it was decided to have a coffee in Berwick, so it was off to Pakenham Upper, Mt. Burnett, Dewhurst, Beaconsfield Upper, Harkaway and Berwick.

Thanks to all who came along.

Ian Payne