Lake Eppalock – June 20^th 2010

Ian Payne (leader)	Honda CBR1000RR	Trevor Hatcher (1^st ride)	Yamaha MT01
Misho Zrakic	Honda CBR1000RR	Paul Southwell (rear)	Honda CBR1000RR
Pina Garasi	Honda CBR600RR	Ron Johnston	Honda CBF1000
Ha Du	Honda CBR600	Mirko Strasser	Honda CBR929RR

This ride was originally to be led by Ben Warden but over exertion while moving furniture had punished his back to the point where he was unable to walk, let alone lead a ride. Fortunately, I was familiar with his intended route, so had no qualms about stepping in to lead.

As I left Springvale the constant rain gave me a false hope that no one else would venture out on such a dismal day and I would be back home soon but as I neared Whittlesea the sky brightened and so ended that thought. Misho, Pina, Ha and Paul were at the servo, then Trevor on the big 1700cc Yamaha arrived and inquired as whether this was the Honda Club or the MSR! After reassuring him who we were and giving a rundown of the day’s activities, we headed off to Flowerdale, Strath Creek and Broadford.

Being a small group, it was easy to keep everyone together.

We continued on the myriad of narrow back roads until we reached the Northern Highway where I was supposed to take the next turnoff at High Camp. Damn! Missed it! Oh well. We continued on to the ‘usual’ road to Lancefield where we would take a break.

While walking to the Lancefield Bakery, the CB1000 parked on the footpath looked familiar! Sure enough, it was Ron Johnson who earlier couldn’t make up his mind about coming on the ride. Then no sooner after Ron joined us, Mirko rolled in, having missed the start. Another two bikes reinforcing Trevor’s idea about the Honda Club!

We set off again for the infamous Burke and Wills Track before passing through Redesdale and then the high speed section past Lake Eppalock which was noticeably dry when viewed from the dam wall road. We continued on to Knowsley, then back towards Heathcote before detouring to Mia Mia. With Misho and Ha marking the corner, I headed for Heathcote proper, with Mirko in tow.

After waiting a while, I had that uneasy feeling of ‘something’s wrong’ which was compounded when Ron arrived saying the MT01 had ‘disappeared’ from behind him! Fortunately, Trevor had only run out of fuel, a consequence of ‘pushing’ the big twin along harder than normal. Paul and his siphon hose soon had them going again, except Trevor headed the opposite way to Heathcote! Seems his GPS indicated the closest fuel was at Redesdale so that’s where he went. Paul soon reined him in, but after apologising, Trevor indicated he would continue home on his own!

We eventually regrouped at Heathcote for a leisurely lunch where Mirko recalled his close brush with an errant roo and the braking efficiency of his Honda.

Apart from the occasional showers, the trip home through Tooborac, Lancefield and Romsey was uneventful until Wallan where the construction of new roundabouts gave the bikes a good dousing of mud. We continued to Eden Park and then Whittlesea where the ride finished.

Thanks to Paul for the rear riding duties and the others for coming out on such a dismal day.

Ian Payne