Loch or “it usually happens in threes” – Sunday 11^th January 2009

The new Blade was now officially ‘run-in’ with over a thousand kays on the clock and I was ready to enjoy the bike on typical club roads. But for me new bikes seem jinxed as when I pick them up its always raining and peak hour traffic or on the first outing a large stone smacks into the pristine fairing. With global warming, rain was a distant memory and with the clear contact fitted, hopefully so would stone chips! But there had been some recent concerns, so let’s recap!

While up at Porpunkah I’d had my first scare while riding to Bright for a run up to Falls Creek. I noticed two young boys riding bicycles up ahead on the left of the road. As I drew level, one veered to the right directly into my path. I braked and swerved until I was on the far right of the road with no more bitumen and we were still on a collision course! I screamed “Look out” and at the last minute jolted the bike to the right just touching the boy with the left mirror as we passed! He was okay; I was okay and the bike was okay thanks to Honda’s moveable mirror design. He was very sorry and I was VERY, VERY abusive. – Incident 1.

After an otherwise enjoyable break at Porepunkah, I was packing up. Cliff helped me load the Honda into the van. As I was securing the bike he brushed off the lose grass from the rear tyre and said “look at this”. Oh no, a large split pin was imbedded into the 1200 km old tyre. Hoping it had just penetrated the surface, I gently tugged at it until the awful ‘psssst’ sound occurred. Hopefully during the first service an internal plug could be inserted into the near new tyre - Incident 2.

Back to Loch; good run so far and after a break at Korumburra we were heading back towards Warragul on a great riders’ road. I was following Cliff and we just started into the twisty section when on a tight right hander Cliff suddenly veers onto the right hand side of the road. I can now see the reason. On the road in front of me, a bike spinning on its side. I brake to wash of speed but that only stands me up, so now I’m heading directly towards the stricken bike. Maybe I can squeeze between it and the Armco on the left side of the road! Yes we can, but then the front tyre digs into the soft soil, folds under and I’m down. – Incident 3.

Fortunately, it’s at a slow speed so ONLY a few scratches to the fairing. But the tumble has upset my fragile neck so it’s off to the physio for some remedial manipulation after which we will have the bike assessed and decide the best repair option.

During some of my ‘despondent’ moments the words of wisdom from one of Mansfield’s finest returns to haunt me – “Ian, at your age you should know better.” But I do know better and there are few things more exhilarating than carving through a set of corners with a group of like-minded individuals! So pick yourself up, dust yourself off and get back on the bike and go.

Oh, just one thing: don’t mention the ‘incident’ to me mum or daughters!

Ian Payne