Walhalla                      Sunday 21st December, 2008

 

Mark Welland

Honda CB1300

Geoff Jones

Yamaha R1

Misho Zrakic

Honda CBR1000

Peter Jones

Yamaha R1

Ian Payne

Honda CBR1000

Ken Goederee (leader)

Yamaha FZ1

Dave Ward

Honda CBR1000

Cameron Stevens

Yamaha FZ6

Paul Southwell

Honda CBR1000

Pina Garasi (rear)

Yamaha R1

Ben Warden

Honda CBR954

Dave Twentyman

Hayabusa GSX1300

Dennis Lindemann

Honda CBR600

Tony Stegmar (1st ride)

Hayabusa GSX1300

Rob Langer

BMWR100GS

Ron Johnston

Suzuki GSF1200

Geoff Shugg (2nd ride)

BMW K1200RS

Bruce Fleming

Suzuki GSXR1000

Cliff Peters

Suzuki GSXR1000

 

19 bikes, 19 people

 

It was an early start Sunday morning because I needed to change the rear wheel. Why? Because I didn’t have time on Saturday after being at work in Croydon in the morning, fixing carburettors in the afternoon, then out for tea in the evening at “The Manhatten” in Ringwood with Julie and her two friends from Box Hill. Coffee at home finished the day off.  Just as well it was a Yarra Glen departure; so close to home.

There were quite a few bikes at Yarra Glen by the time I arrived. Cliff had sent me a text message saying he was running late which explained why he didn’t call in at home on the way through. We had a few first time riders including Tony on a 08 Hayabusa.

Someone yelled at Ken to stop gas bagging and get on with it. Cliff turned up while Ken gives us a very brief talk on where we were going for the day.

So it was onya bike and let’s hit the road.  The route included the back road to Healesville, Koo Wee Rup Road to Woori Yallock, and the Warby Highway to Yarra Junction. The road to Powelltown is good especially the hill climb and down the other side in to Noojee. From the bottom of the hill, it is a brilliant bit of road, even if it is suffering a bit of damage from log truck use.

There was a rush at the General Store because the other shop was closed.

Next leg of the journey was Icy Creek to Tanjil South. At the final T intersection there was some confusion as to which way to go. We went right and did the back way through Moe and Yallourn past the power station stopping at Tyers for fuel. It was getting pretty warm now.

On to Walhalla for a late lunch. I had been hanging out for a long time to do the Tyers loop around to Walhalla. It would have to be one of my favourite roads; brilliant! The last time I came round here was on the Honda 400/4 in the rain about mid year when I left the ride at Tyers while it continued on to Licola.

At Walhalla there were a lot of people. We descended on the General Store. Ken had a penchant for tea and scones and was bartering a 3 for 2 deal. We must have been here for a long time as well as a good time before Paul Southwell said it was about time we moved on. Ken then yelled out “Five minutes”, and everyone slowly made a move and we are on our way again.

Next stop Thompson Dam to check out the water level. It has certainly gone down since I was last here. I think we should all reduce our tea and coffee intake to help save water; or wash with a friend.

Homeward bound we did the Old Sale Road to Longwarry where the ride finished. A good day was had by all: good weather, good company, no incidents, brilliant. Ken asked the few that were left whether they might like to drop by his place for a coffee. So Bruce, Misho and Pina, and I had a  bit of a tour of the hills to get to Ken’s place.

We drank, talked the talk, and had a Tiki tour of the place. Very interesting. Ken’s certainly a do-it-yourselfer. No job too big or too small; Ken’s the man, a man of my own heart with lots of machinery; plenty of gear to do the job. I wonder if Pina could help him with his shopping problem?

Ken has a couple of beaut dogs, a staffy called Diesel who is three and a Chiuawa/ Pomerainian cross called Scooter who is 17 years old and has outlived three other dogs. We must have been there a couple of hours and then went home. Thanks for a good day Ken.

Ron Johnston