Bikes: 12 bikes, 13 people

XTZ660 Ian Handforth (rear) ZXR750 Ben Warden

R1100GS Geoff Barton T509 Tim Casemore

ZZR600 Geoff & Melissa Jones XT350 Greg Whiter (1^st ride)

RF900 Ian Payne ZX9 Mick Bosworth

GSRR600 Mark Blashki YZF750 Craig Morley

YZF600 Paul Tallents (leader) GPx250 Greg Bryant (1^st rideish)

The roads were hopping with marked and unmarked police cars when I left home. By the time I reached Whittlesea, the first pickup point, I had seen three and heard of another at the truck crash just out of town. Paul arrived leading a couple of bikes from the city. As he told the assembled throng of the intended route, two more bikes arrived, non-members Greg and Greg. Greg’s (GPx) riding attire of tracksuit pants and runners left a bit to be desired in the safety department. But where was our Club Captain? Being run into while sitting at the lights on the Hume Highway, bending a handlebar and braking the top triple clamp. Didn’t fall over, but unable to continue riding. Bad luck Wayne.

Ian Handforth was nominated rear rider and we were soon away. The first big left hand sweeper heading up to Kinglake West taken at speed requires a fair angle of lean and a genuine "commitment" or trust (or faith) that the tyres are going to hang on. Questions such as: Are the tyres warm enough? Do they have enough tread? Is the suspension working okay? are all answered in a second all two. Anticipating this corner really gets the adrenanlin pumping.

I caught up to Craig and Paul after the 60/70 km/h down hill section heading for Flowerdale and corner marked at the Strath Creek turnoff. Craig and I warned each other of the two nasty "pimples" mid-corner coming up. One seems to have been removed leaving a bumpy, stone scattered surface.

Around to King Parrot Creek and on to Seymour. Great fast flowing roads, weather very pleasant. At Seymour we cut back towards Yea via Highlands along a sometimes narrow and twisty road, with narrow plank bridges, blind corners, overhanging trees, great views from time to time, and an uphill section of dirt/sandy road. I corner marked at the end of the dirt with Ian Payne. We noted a large 4WD going in the opposite direction and thanked our lucky stars we hadn’t meet it head on as the others were about to do. Sure enough Craig arrived swearing and cussing about a 4WD taking all the road and how he was sideways going past it, back wheel spinning. He seemed quite happy about it really.

After a fair while, still no sign of the rear rider, and having asked two cars if they had seen any riders stranded, Ian left to inform the rest of the group and act a as new rear rider. I sat and waited a bit, scoffing a sandwich, not overly keen to get all covered in dust again after cleaning the visor and lubing the chain. Soon enough Greg (GPx) and Ian (rear rider) arrived. There had been a problem starting Greg’s bike back at the previous corner (Seymour), battery suspected. It seemed okay for the rest of the day.

A leisurely morning tea was consumed at Yea. There were bikes everywhere. Soon enough we were back on the Highway again heading for Molesworth and Alexandra. I had expected to take the Molesworth back road but we remained on the highway, practicing self control. At least the country is very green for this time of year.

At last we reached Fraser National Park and the tight twisties with the white pebble bitumen surface, scary for some, but never seeming to suffer a lack of grip for me. Craig waved me on. Down to Eildon for lunch at the local milkbar. The sun was beating down and so we took refuge in the shade of the covered shop fronts. Geoff was enjoying his new toy, ground clearance already an issue.

All too soon we were back in the saddle heading back to Alexandra via the Goulburn Valley Highway. At the Molesworth turnoff a bike rode straight past, looking similar to the rear rider. I gave chase only to discover it was an off- road looking Ducati, not with us. Better to be safer than sorry I figured. Ian Payne left at this stage to visit his daughter.

Around to Yea and down to Flowerdale before turning left and heading for Glenburn, Toolangi and Healesville. More good roads with no incidents. We disbanded here to make our way home to all points of the compass. I had travelled about 380 km for the day, and this, my good set of tyres, now looking decidedly second hand. Thanks Paul for leading us on an interesting and sometimes unexpected route and Ian for his efforts at first time rear riding where there was plenty of action. Everyone had a good time. I heard later that Craig and Paul had a pretty exciting ride home via Christmas Hills.

Ben Warden (Kawasaki ZXR750)