Not the Kongwak Ride               Sunday 24th October, 2010

 

Willem Vandeveld

Honda ST1300

Philip Hotschilt

Suzuki GSXR1300

Misho Zrakic

Honda CBR1000

Rob Jones

Suzuki GSXR1000

Tim Emons (leader)

Honda CBR1000

Darryn Hutchinson

Suzuki GSXR1000

Paul Simonson

Honda CBR1000

Chris Pointon

Suzuki GSXR1000

Chris Tran

Honda CBR1000

Cindy Lee

Suzuki GSXR750

Damir Djikic

Honda CBR1000

Geoff Shugg

Suzuki DL650

Craig Morley

Honda VTR SP1

Paul Sorenson

Suzuki SV650

John Willis

Honda XL1000

Cliff Peters

Kawasaki ZX12R

Ben Warden

Honda CBR954

Pierre Ong

Ducati 1098 S

Noel Brown (1st ride)

Honda VFR750

Rod Merrett

BMW HP2

Ha Du

Honda CBR600

Raj Malhotra (2nd ride)

Yamaha FZ1

Pina Garasi

Honda CBR600

Damian Jones

Yamaha R1

Henry Wright

Triumph 675

Ed Simonis (rear rider)

Guzzi 1200 Sport

Hi all, this is my first attempt at a ride report so please bear with me.

Spring has sprung and so had every other bike and car club in Victoria, or so it seemed. From the MG car club to the Torana car club, plus other bike clubs, the roads were going to be busy.

Twenty-six bikes with riders had fronted for starters orders on this fine looking morning. I am getting to know a few more faces now, so I felt comfortable sticking up my hand to be rear rider.

Heading off, it was up Chum Creek Road and then down to Healesville. I don't think I've ever ridden down the hill, only up. Another new route, which you guys always come up with. Around the back of town on to Don Valley and then Launching Place. I didn't know of that road behind Healesville.

On to Noojee for morning tea. We had two members leave on the way. You will need to check with them for those stories. This rear rider thing is working well for me as I can ride at my own pace and not worry about holding anyone up.

Now on to the next leg. Up to Neerim and turn left. I have never been up this road and it’s good fun. Back to Trafalgar for a quick fuel stop and then around to Thorpdale on another road I've never been on. Good stuff. About this time I notice the same people corner marking again and again, but I am too busy having fun. There was a little bit of dirt road to cover, but nothing to worry about. Not like the old days when I’d go out with the Motorcycle Touring Club of Vic. If I turned up in the morning and all their bikes were dirty, I'd just go home because it would be a day of riding on dirt.

I'm now somewhere I do know, the Thorpdale corners; a series of perfect corners rolling downhill. Motorcycle heaven. Pulling up in Mirboo North for a late lunch it became clear that someone had turned right instead of going straight, taking other trusting souls with him. Again talk to those involved for the full story. I haven't been here long enough to start dishing dirt. Once reunited with our lost members the decision was made to shorten the ride as time was marching on.

The new route would now cut out Leongatha and Kongwak and take us back to Longwarry. Fairly straight forward I thought. But out of Mirboo North we turn right and on to roads I've never been on. I love it. More corners, another short bit of dirt and more and more corners. Can it get any better?  We cross the Princes Highway somewhere and come in the back way to the big servo at Longwarry North. 

I've had a great day with a bit over 400 kms covered. A quick check of the time means I have to hurry to get home in time for dinner. A quick goodbye to all and I'm away for the as always interesting blast to the Monash; anything but free way. This is the upside down free way as the slow drivers always sit in the right lane. Anyway, no major dramas and I make it home with time to spare.

Thanks to Tim: great roads. And thanks to my fellow riders. I had a great day out.

 

Edward Simonis