Pyalong Sunday 24^th May, 2009

Paul Southwell (Leader)	Honda CBR1000	Ben Fuller	Suzuki Hayabusa
Tim Emons	Honda CBR1000	Rob Jones	Suzuki GSXR1000
Misho Zrakic	Honda CBR1000	Ettienne Gous	Suzuki SV1000
Dave Ward	Honda CBR1000	Geoff Shugg	Suzuki DL650
Bill Wee	Honda VTR1000	Marty Thompson	Kawasaki ZRX1200
Ben Warden	Honda CBR954	Cliff Peters (Rear)	Kawasaki ZX10
Ern Reeders	Honda CBR954	Graeme Tattersall	Kawasaki ZX10
Julian Mullins (1^st ride)	Honda CBR929	Pina Garasi	Yamaha R6
Dennis Lindemann	Honda CBR600	Dave Chisma	BMW F800ST
Ha Du	Honda CBR600	Ken Goederee	Ducati Multistrada 1000

The feeling started a few days before Sunday… I was getting excited. I have not been on a proper Club ride for yonks (probably over 15 months) and there is a new bike that is screaming to be ridden and the bureau forecast was for good weather, albeit with strong winds.

I had a ride with Raihanah as a pillion to Lancefield a couple of weeks before. The bike felt good but seemed to lack the instant pull of the old one. A dyno test seemed the best thing to do to see what was lacking. I spoke to Ben Warden and he recommended C & C Motorcycles in Thomastown. I was disappointed that the machine was found to be already running at optimum. Nevertheless larger jets and a K&N filter were installed. A 15 tooth sprocket (standard 16) will be installed in the following week to improve acceleration at the expense of top speed. Another excuse to go for a Club ride … hmm.

I got up early having had only a short sleep due to a late Saturday night. A new way to get to Whittlesea has to be better than the old Plenty Road with its countless lights and Sunday traffic. The GPS found an alternative route through Greensborough, up Yan Yean Road to Arthurs Creek Road, finally joining up with Plenty Road. Now that is more like it … a nice ride with some character and above all, ‘quick’.

Consequently I arrived at the Whittlesea Caltex Servo meeting place thirty minutes early.

Did the usual fill up and tyre pressure checks (leisurely for once). While walking out from the petrol kiosk I spotted Cliff with his gleaming ZX10 which took my mind completely off where I was going … and walked straight in to the path of a huge 4-wheeler that is pulling in for fuel. The smiling driver must have thought he’d give me a fright as he gently nudged me with his front bull bar. Cliff, the driver and I shared a hearty laugh … well that was a good start I thought … or is it a ‘warning’ to be careful?

More riders arrived shortly and the usual bustle of activity and chatter began. It was nice to see familiar faces and some ‘new’ ones. It was a big turn-out with twenty bikes and, with the assortment of bikes and riders, it promised to be a fast ride. If the weather held out, it will be a great day … I surmised.

Paul Southwell was leading this sojourn and proceeded with the usual instructions and contact details for ‘what could have happened’ and threatened to apply ‘mouth to mouth’ as first-aid should someone need it. I shall pass Paul … xxx

Leg 1: Whittlesea, Kinglake West, Flowerdale, Broadford, Pyalong, Lancefield. 120 km

The ride took off on time with Paul in front. The first stretch presented beautiful, progressively inclining sweepers towards Kinglake West. I love the sight of riders forming a ‘train’ weaving through those sweepers in front of me. I remember commenting in an earlier article that it was like watching a scene in a PlayStation game except that I was in it.

The conditions were perfect with dry roads and only a small amount of traffic. It felt great to be on two wheels on this sort of day.

Riding through the outskirts of Kinglake West and surrounding areas, I felt lucky, and grateful in many ways, yet with a sense of awe and fragility. Nevertheless, it is heartening to see fresh ‘green shoots’ marking the start of a new period.

The first section to Lancefield for morning tea went quickly enough. The ride was rather fast and furious with a handful of CBRs and Hayabusa making my VTR feel like a leisurely Sunday cruiser.

Morning tea was great, especially when free coffee was offered by Pina who preferred the one served down the road. ‘Frankie Chilli’ (Misho) was in his usual happy and affable self. I think Misho looks like Frankie and I also think that he reveres the association. Ask him next time you bump into him.

Leg2: Lancefield, Burke and Wills Track, Emu Flat (1 km of dirt), Pyalong, Seymour. 80 km

The short break and renewed enthusiasm made for a very fast second leg. I had my tyre pressures a little on the hard side and endured a bumpy ride through some sections. I tried to keep within sight of the fast riders and enjoyed the never ending corners so much that I almost didn’t notice the ‘dirt track’ portion of the road at Emu Flat. Noticed I did, but it was too late to brake then. Slipping down to fourth gear and letting the V-twin do all the braking I hung on to a straight course and waited for the bike to slow down. I was grateful that the dirt section was not in the middle of a bend.

With only 80 kms to Seymour, it seemed too early for lunch after having had morning tea. By coincidence the Bakery on main street, where we normally stopped for lunch, was closed. In fact, the whole street looks like it hasn’t woken up yet. It appeared that many of the riders still feel the sustenance of morning tea and decided to skip lunch as only a few ventured a way down the road for tucker.

The collection of twenty bikes on the same side of main street presented a formidable, if not beautiful, picture. A group photo was taken, of course, by Ben. Maybe we should invest in a small tripod, Ben, so that we can all be in the scene.

Leg 3: Seymour, Highlands, Yea, Kinglake West, Whittlesea 100 km

After all enjoyable rides it always seems that the last section finishes too quickly. This one was no different. Actually, I was quite glad to see the end as my shoulders and arms were starting to feel like they had been through a workout. I also noticed my concentration on a few corners faltering a bit. In spite of this awareness I kept up the pace, which in hindsight is not a good thing.

On the way our group came across contingents of classic cars and bikes apparently out on a charity run for the bush fire appeal. In fact we had to pass scores of ‘easy riders’ presumably the Ulysses Club …what hoons we were!

We ended up at the Caltex Service station in Whittlesea from where we started off in the morning ... what a nice round trip … a grinning and enjoyable day.

Many thanks to Paul for orchestrating the ride and Cliff for being rear guard.

Also thank you to Dave Chisma for the tyre pressure gauge. I will be carrying one on me in future.

Bill Wee

Note: tyre pressures are generally quoted as “cold” temperatures and thus would normally be set at home unless allowance is made for the higher reading after riding. A $25 foot pump from any car accessories shop is a wise investment. …Ed.