Meredith Sunday 19^th September, 2010

Geoff Jones (leader)	Yamaha R1	John Willis	Honda XL1000
Ha Du	Honda CBR600	Jean Eldridge	Honda CBR600
Pina Garasi	Honda CBR600	Hans Wurster	Yamaha FJR1300
Ben Warden	Honda CBR954	Gavin Cook	Suzuki GSXR600
Dave Williams	Honda CBR600	Andy Beattie (1^st)	Suzuki SV1000
Damir Djikic (rear)	Honda CBR1000	Ron Johnston	Honda CBF1000
Harry Buckle/Suzanne Halden (2^nd)	Triumph Sprint 1050	Cliff Peters	Kawasaki ZX12R
Paul Southwell	Honda CBR1000		15 bikes, 16 people

I arranged for John to drop by my house and we rode to the Shell Westgate where our ride starts from. We had some rain on the way, and John was wearing his new Tiger Angel leathers. As we waited at a set of lights, he wondered whether he should have put his wet weather gear on.

There was a lot of traffic on the Eastern Freeway, Alexandra Parade and the back of the Zoo; even City Link was busy. When we arrived at the servo, a few people were there already. I hadn’t seen Jean Eldridge for about 18 months since he hasn’t been riding with the Club. There were a couple of new faces, which was good to see. Damir rocked up on an `08 CBR1000RR. He had traded his trusty old Kawasaki Z750 in on something more exciting.

Geoff gathered everybody round and gave the usual spiel: we would be taking the first turn on the left after Duncans Road, and watch for speed cameras! Damir volunteered for rear rider and I put my hand up for the write up. All done, let’s go.

There was a lot of traffic on the Westgate Freeway down to the turn off at Werribee. We rode past the hangar where they are restoring the B24 Liberator Bomber (WW11 plane). Maybe we should check it some time. Over the railway crossing, through the roundabout where Harry and Suzanne and Cliff were waiting to join the ride.

The first part of this ride is a bit boring with lots of straight roads, but your patience is rewarded with some nice twisty bits later. You could liken this first part of the ride to a spring clean, i.e., blowing out the cobwebs, birds nests and spiders etc. We continued on past the You Yangs and the Ford Proving Ground. I have often wondered what it might be like to go for a fang around there.

On the Geelong/Bacchus Marsh road just before the Granite Road turn off we were flashed by an oncoming car. The police were nowhere to be seen, presumably on the other side of the intersection.

It’s been a long time since I was out this way. At Anakie I notice the Fairy Castle on the left up on the hill top. On to Maude through some tight and twisty back roads and then Steiglitz.

I was in the process of passing some riders when I spot the corner markers too late. I keep going and hit the brakes before heading off on the She Oaks loop. Back out on the main road and do it all again until we get to Meredith, our first stop where I wrote down all the names for the write up. After a short while Paul Southwell arrived, having missed the start of the ride.

Dave Williams on the CBR600 leaves us here because his rear tyre being a bit thin in the middle. That reminds me of last week when I was trying to get the last bit out of my rear tyre, and got a puncture on the Black Spur about a third of the way from Marysville. That spoilt my fun; it’s a bit hard cornering with a flat tyre.

From Meredith we take the Slate Quarry road to Durdidwarrah. The Dry Creek Reservoir looked rather empty despite all the rain we have had lately. Obviously it didn’t rain everywhere.

The road back to Anakie Junction is brilliant; bring it on, I say… Just short of the Junction on the down hill section we came across a set of traffic lights. Time for a regroup. Waiting, waiting, waiting… green light, off we go. The road had been reduced to one lane due to subsidence in the left lane.

I corner-mark at Anakie. Then continue on through Balliang to Rowsley where they have planted a line of trees and named it the Avenue of Honour in memory of the fallen in the war.

I haven’t ridden up this way for about 12 months and it’s good to be back. Not much has changed except some new houses here and there. Rowsley to Yaloak Vale is not a bad road with some tricky corners; you need to keep your mind on the job.

At the bottom of the Mt Wallace Hill Climb… who can forget that? The road is tight, twisty, potholes, gravel, steep. Ah, the good old days. Memories…

On to Fiskville, past the CFA Training Centre before meandering through Ballan. I corner mark at the Greendale traffic island. The road from Greendale to Trentham is good for a bit of top end stuff, but there is one corner just out of Blackwood you have to watch - it’s got a nasty bump that throws you off course. Going up is not as bad as coming down, but nasty all the same.

Trentham. Anyone for a game of golf? Cliff and I were corner marking at the intersection of Trentham and Coliban Roads. After about 15 minutes I suggested he ride back to the next corner and see what, or, if anything has happened. He was back in a short time and informed me that Damir had run out of fuel. The Blade is a lot thirstier than his old Z750. The rest of the crew turned up and we were on our way again, heading through Little Hampton, Spring Hill and Coliban.

Harry, Suzanne and Hanshad left the ride earlier on.

The reservoir looked about 80% full, a far cry from about two years ago when there were two blokes wading through the water picking out the carp and putting them into 8 or 10 metre skips. It’s looking a lot healthier.

Ben and Geoff had a discussion at the next intersection as to which way to go, and then it’s on our way to Woodend for fuel and food. This leg had got drawn out a bit - 167 kms. We will forgive you Geoff! A very late lunch. There was a market with lots of people everywhere.

On the next leg of the journey we ventured up the hill taking the first right and riding behind Hanging Rock, through Newham and on to Three Chain road where we blow out a few more cobwebs enroute to Lancefield.

Lancefield to Pyalong. What can I say? I, along with everyone else, love this road. It is fast, has flowing corners and good bits in between.

I corner-mark at Pyalong. Then down the hill and turn right and head towards Glenaroua. This also is a popular road for the enthusiast. We meet the bridge that was being re-decked and can now use it instead of going through the creek bed.

A bit further on I was wondering if Geoff would take that back road to Broadford. He did!

A few of us have come down hill and round the corner where there are a couple of unexpected corner markers. Cliff has overshot the corner. I am hard on the brakes. I don’t know what was going on behind me, but I would say much the same thing. I manage to turn in okay and continue on.

The first part of this road is narrow, tight, twisty and a bit rough. We continue on to Broadford where we have our last stop.

Last leg of the journey, Broadford to Kinglake West. Broady to Strath Creek, another favourite section of mine. From Flowerdale, the road is brilliant. Low flying and don’t spare the horses. I passed a couple of people early on and ended up riding on my own. I caught up to Pina and Ben and followed them the last few kilometres eventually passing them at the top of the hill and catching up to Geoff.

The ride stopped at the Kinglake West Post Office. It’s a portable building used since the bushfires. Until they build some new buildings it will obviously stay there. I spoke to Gavin and Andy and asked how they enjoyed their day. Both said they would be back, thoroughly enjoyed themselves.

Thanks to Geoff for leading another great ride, and Damir for rear rider duties, even if he had to save himself at Trentham. (The Fireblade ain’t the same as the Kwaka on fuel). I believe everyone enjoyed themselves. There were no incidents and the weather was reasonable. The ride covered about 400 kms. I forgot to check my speedo at Kinglake.

Ron Johnston