Noojee Sunday 7^th February, 2010

Dave Ward	Honda CBR1000	Bill Simpson	Suzuki GSXR1000
Misho Zrakic	Honda CBR1000	Rob Jones	Suzuki GSXR1000
Paul Simonson (1^st ride)	Honda CBR1000	Tom Collins (1^st ride)	Suzuki SV1000
Ian Payne	Honda CBR1000	Peter Feistl	Suzuki GSXR750
Kate Stewart/John Rousseaux	Honda CBR1000	Jane Robins (1^st ride)	Suzuki SV650
Bill Wee	Honda VTR1000	Geoff Shugg	Suzuki DL650
Ben Warden	Honda CBR954	Mo Rifat (1^st ride)	Yamaha R1
Kurn Bridgeman	Honda CBR600	Trevor Harris	Yamaha XJ900S
Ha Du (leader)	Honda CBR600	Pierre Ong	Ducati 1098
Dave Hives	Kawasaki ZX10	Ken Goederee	Ducati 999
Mark Copeland	Kawasaki ZX10	Tony Raditsis	Aprilia RSV1000
Jason Wilson	Kawasaki ZX9	Adam Wright	Triumph 675
Heath Richter (1^st ride)	KTM RC8		25 bikes, 27 people

At 9.45am there were only a few people waiting in Yarra Glen; by 10 there were heaps, with people still trickling in on a huge array of machines. The first thing that most people noticed after they pulled up was the beautiful KTM RC8 glimmering in the sun; then the sheer number of riders waiting to get their adrenalin fix for the week, a huge 27 people and 25 bikes! Ha sure knows how to pull a crowd.

After a quick ride briefing from Ha we set off, or at least most of us did: one of the first time riders couldn't get his R1 started due to an electrical problem. (That’s what happens when you buy a Yamaha!) He had to stay behind along with his mate on the KTM RC8 who stayed to help out.

We headed off along Old Healesville Road and down in to the back of Healesville. It was about here that my little Triumph decided to show off how much power it has by trying to throw me off the back with a very unexpected wheel stand. But the motorcycling gods were not ready to see me come off, so with my feet still dragging on the ground, kindly placed my front wheel back on the tar. PHEW! We then continued through some interesting back streets to Myers Creek Road, up past the Toolangi Pub and back down Chum Creek Road. I had the pleasure of watching Dave on his CBR1000 dragging his knees corner after corner until he pulled too far ahead; it was just some more inspiration for me to keep practicing!

After Chum Creek Road we made our way through more Healesville back streets and along Don Road with some very slippery dirt road. Then on to the Old Warburton Road - an interesting road littered with debris and gravel, as Bill Simpson found out on one corner when he went down. His GSXR1000 slid off a nearly two metre high bank shattering the rear wheel, twisting up his handle bars and scratching his exhaust and fairings, ending Bill’s ride. Luckily he was okay.

We regrouped in Warburton for morning tea. Once we had our fill of coffee and food we set off, making our way down through Hoddles Creek and Gembrook. It was just before Gembrook that first time Club rider Tom, my boss from work, riding his wife’s SV1000S, decided that he would take the scenic route, heading straight through a corner, turning the SV into a small bulldozer. The gear shift lever and indicator snapped off, his pride was severely bruised, and his ride ended early.

The rest of us continued on, stoping briefly for fuel at Longwarry. Then around to Jindivick, Neerim and up to Noojee for a well deserved lunch stop.

Once the chit chat and banter had died down we saddled up and made our way along the beautiful, flowing and very fast road leading back in to Powelltown and along to Yarra Junction. Then we had a relaxing trip in to Healesville to finish at the very pleasant Beechworth bakery for a delicious afternoon tea.

To sum up, it was another fantastic ride through some great country. Well done Ha!

Adam Wright