Mt Donna Buang Sunday 16^th August 2009

Ian Payne (half rear)	Honda CBR1000	Mark Rigsby (half rear)	Suzuki GSXR1000
Misho Zrakic/Pina Garasi	Honda CBR1000	Grant Stewart (1^st ride)	Suzuki GSXR1000
Brien Armstrong (1^st ride)	Honda VTR1000	Geoff Shugg	Suzuki DL650
Ben Warden	Honda CBR954	Dave Chisma	BMW F800ST
Ha Du	Honda CBR600	Paul Wakeling (1^st ride)	Yamaha TRX850
Dennis Lindemann (leader)	Honda CBR600	Clifford Peters	Kawasaki ZX10

Well, as no one put their hand up to write the article for the Club magazine, and I forgot to ask again at the end of the ride – we didn’t really stop anyway – I’ll try to put a few words together while trying not to sneeze on the keyboard.

I did the pre-ride the day before: dry, sunny, no wind…Perfect. Coming home I noticed a shiny spot on my tyre. I looked a bit closer – a nail. Great. Trying to get a tyre plug kit via the Club newsgroup, Ben was the first who responded and I got it fixed the same day/night. Thanks for that Ben! Tyre plug kit is definitely the next item on the shopping list.

I felt almost confident the next day that this could be a nice ride despite the weather forecast. By the time I arrived at the servo in Berwick I noticed the first black clouds. It started to rain shortly after that, not to mention the wind, or should I call it the storm.

I was checking my tyre pressure and, as I turned around, I saw Ben running towards Paul’s bike which had just blown off its side stand, still at the bowser. The brake lever snapped off which left Paul no option but to ride home.

Bronwyn and Dave arrived, but made a quick decision and turned back as Bronwyn’s gloves were already soaked.

While bins were blown across the servo I briefed the crew for the ride ahead of us.

We headed towards Berwick and made our way up the Harkaway Road to turn right at Boundary Road for the first warm up twisty section only to be stopped by a tree across the road which had taken down a power line, SES in attendance. No option but to turn back.

I tried to access Google Maps with my mind to find an alternative route… It didn’t work. Luckily I got lost on the pre-ride and knew at least a way to get to Gembrook, which meant we’d miss Paternoster Road etc. Looking at the map after the ride I noticed a few other options I could have taken… Next time.

An easy, slow ride through Emerald, Cockatoo and Gembrook until we turned left towards Launching Place. The roads were mainly wet, covered with branches, leaves and other stuff. While dodging those things I noticed my left foot was slightly colder. The rain was coming down constantly and with the wind pushing me around I wasn’t feeling comfortable. Two of the three first time riders left somewhere before Launching Place – understandable.

We stopped at Warburton for our first break to get something to eat and to warm up. While sitting outside, the rain was coming from the side every now and then, just to make sure we didn’t get spoiled. I noticed that the water had finally made its way through my boot – yeah.

Ha reminded us to get going and so we headed for our bikes, leaving Warburton to start the Mt Donna Buang climb. I don’t think I have to mention the conditions, but I’ll do it anyway: wet roads, constant rain, fog and low temperatures all the way to the top.

Ben, Pina, Ha, Cliff and I climbed up the tower to enjoy the view…two metres ahead. A couple of photos and then down for a couple more and then back on the bikes. Brien left from here as his jeans were now completely soaked as well as the rest of his body, but he said he would be back - probably with more appropriate clothes.

At the bottom of the mountain we turned right back towards Warburton for fuel for those who needed it, or just wanted to be safe. The nice lady inside the servo insisted that we needed to take our helmets off if we wanted to be served. Pina explained nicely to her that we were all soaking wet and it’s really hard to get everything back on again… Some people.

Reefton Spur was next on the list. The first bit of twisties was not too bad, but the further we proceeded the more bark and leaves were lying on the road. Ben passed me, then Geoff and Cliff shortly after him. We reassembled at the T-intersection and then took off for Lake Mountain only to turn around at the toll point as they were charging to continue up; even in these conditions.

I couldn’t wait to get my clothes off at the second stop in Marysville. Mark and David left us here and headed home. Only six bikes left from the initial group now.

The bakery was busy as usual. We discussed the usual topics at lunch with Pina kicking chairs around to keep the biker image alive. After I squeezed half a litre of water out of my sock, I announced that I had decided to skip the loop from Healesville up Chum Creek Road. I know everyone wanted to do the loop officially, but I know deep down you guys wanted that hot shower/bath sooner rather than later… Admit it! Outside the bakery everyone tried to get back into their wet clothes. I didn’t notice before that my gloves and jacket were actually heavy.

We rode across the Black Spur, passed a few 4WDs and stopped at the Beechworth Bakery in Healesville for the break-up. Everyone left shortly after, the sun now shining brightly, for that hot shower at home.

What a ride! I can’t remember a section without rain - except the ride home. Thanks to everyone for joining me. I hope that this was the breaking point for a great riding season ahead of us. Thanks to Mark for rear riding. See you all next time!

Dennis Lindemann