Walhalla                        Sunday 18th  January 2009

Willem Vandeveld

Honda ST1300

Ron Johnston

Suzuki GF1200 Bandit

Mark Welland

Honda CB1300

Chris Pointon

Suzuki GSXR1000

Paul Southwell

Honda CBR1000

Rod Boulter

Suzuki DL1000

Misho Zrakic

Honda CBR1000

Trevor Harris (leader)

Yamaha YZF100

Dave Ward

Honda CBR1000

Pina Garasi

Yamaha R6

John Rousseaux

Honda CBR1000

Cliff Peters

Kawasaki ZX10

Ben Warden

Honda CBR954

Bronwyn Manifold

Kawasaki Z750

Rob Zivanovic

Honda CBR600

Allan Frame (1st ride)

Ducati 900 Monster

Dave Chisma(2nd ride)

BMW F800 ST

 

19 bikes, 19 people

 

Arriving at the starting point in Yarra Glen I was greeted by the usual suspects and a few new faces.   A quick introduction for the new riders, a run through our systems, rules and where we would go today, then we were off.  One could not have asked for a nicer day for a ride.

Ben led until the ride leader, Trevor, would catch us in Healesville after starting in Whittlesea.  The route was from Yarra Glen across to Chum Creek Road, up to Toolangi then down Myers Creek Road in to Healesville.  A nice gentle run to get the eye in and mind in the zone. 

We lost Dave Chisma and his first time rider mate, Allan Frame on the 900 Monster, at Healesville. I think he may have been a little rusty and not quite in the zone.  From there we headed for Launching Place, stumbling on the unpopular gentlemen in blue hiding (not surprisingly) in the 80 zone  just before Don Valley Road.  A nice little cut through the back of Launching Place and then across the highway then another little cut through to the back of Yarra Junction.  I am still amazed each MSR ride with the number of different ways to get to the same place.  I have spent most of my riding time in the Yarra Valley and have not known about half the roads the MSR has taken me down. 

At this time Rob on the CBR 600 got a flat tyre and Ron stayed with him to help.  We carried on to Powelltown where some twisties were enjoyed by all.  On to the first stop in Noojee. Ron convinced Rob to leave the ride due to the condition of his balding and now plugged tyre. Ron eventually caught us in Noojee. 

After a break, it was off down the road to Mt Baw Baw we flowed, well in the zone.  The left turn always creeps up on me. It came as no surprise that I arrived a little warm in to the corner but managed to muscle the bike round with little observable trouble.  I’m not sure if it is the same for others, but when I enter a corner too hot and have to turn and slow, it feels like trying to delicately and gracefully wrestle a well greased hippo through a door.  Firm hands, steady transition of weight and nerve.  Maybe it is just having a heavy bike. 

Down to Hill End through some more twisties and on through to the back of Moe.  Here we went round past Yallourn W station  and on to Tyers.  A quick fuel up and off to Walhalla.  A beautiful run through to the turn off.  Such a nice flowing section.  At the turn Cliff, Dave, Misho, Ben and I rode as a group through the tight section and I really had a good time.  I think I have to be less snatchy on the gas and trust the tyres a bit more but kept up none-the-less.  I do like the tight roads. I don’t quite have the bottle to ride fast in the open stuff yet.

Light lunch was had and a rest in the shade.  Once the worms were content, it was out of Walhalla and up to the Thompson Dam for a look at the puddle.  It was only then it was realised that we were one rider short.  John Rousseax on the black Blade was left in Walhalla.  A bit slow with the old helmet and gloves maybe?  Hope he got home OK.  Back out of the Dam, through Rawson and on towards the Valley.  On to Old Sale Road and along to Neerim South.  The little run through Jindivick and on to Longwarry is always a nice way to end the ride.  Stopping at the BP instead of on the side of the road was a good change I felt. We could fuel up and have a chat in the shade.

Perfect weather, great roads and excellent company.  What more could one for ask for?

 

Mark Welland