Riders:

Tim Walker – ZX7R (leader) Ian Payne - RF900 (rear 1)

Ben Warden – ZXR750 Geoff Barton – R1100GS

Dave Ward – 748SPS Darryn Webster – TL1000R

Theo Kalkandis – R1 Kim Read – RGV250 #

Michael Carr – SV650 # John Clowes – RGV250

Eric Makin – R6 Derek Atkinson – FZR1000 (rear 2)

Dwayne ? – R6 # Steve Leyland & Sue – R1100GS #

Darren Ford – ZX7R Mick Hanlon – YZF600

Kathy Robinson – CBR600 *

17 Bikes # Non Members * Joined at Noojee

With the weather for this time of year being extremely mild we weren’t surprised at the good turnout of riders at Yarra Glen. Tim detailed the route while I endeavored to explain the corner marking system to the new riders. Ben arrived as we were preparing to leave; he had just put his ZXR back together after repairing the crash damage from the Eildon ride back in August.

We headed off with Geoff Barton taking up the rear riding duties and proceeded out to the back Healesville road, then straight through town and onto the Black Spur. The Spur proved to be good fun until about half way when a gaggle of slow moving cars temporarily slowed proceedings. Narbethong and Marysville came and went as we climbed up towards Lake Mountain and the ominous dirt section, but surprisingly, it was in quite good condition. A brief stop at Cumberland Junction then onto the Reefton Spur. This sensational piece of road was tackled cautiously at first as a couple of fallen trees had been reported across the road. Fortunately these proved to be easily avoided, so it was onto Warburton for fuel and a late morning tea/early lunch.

During this break we got to know some of the newer riders, one of which was quite surprised at the speed of the "little" Ducati, considering it only had about 76kW, which was a lot less than many of the other bikes!

All too soon Tim signaled it was time to move on. This time with Derek taking on the rear riding duties for the run down to Noojee, but with the departure of Dave, Darryn, John, Eric and Dwayne this would be fairly easy with the much smaller group. We had just departed the highway at Millgrove for the detour across to the Powelltown road. Geoff and I were corner-marking. After a lengthy wait, Geoff went back to investigate the cause of the holdup. News came through that a car had hit Ben! Fortunately he was OK although quite sore. (Ribs again …Ed.) The bike also looked rideable but with plenty of cosmetic damage the complete fairing would need to be removed first, therefore Theo would stay and help.

The ride continued on at a fairly brisk pace to Noojee where Tim was advised of Ben’s condition. We also took the opportunity to buy some food to take out to the falls. Kathy joined us here and elected to go pillion for the ride out to the falls.

After parking the bikes we prepared for the fairly long climb up to waterfalls. Theo arrived with news of Ben: the bike was stripped and mobile, with the fairing left at the Pub for collection later and although the bike was not really roadworthy it would get him home. In fact, Theo thought the ‘naked’ ZXR looked pretty "horn".

We plodded up to the falls, which, with plenty of recent rain, were quite spectacular. Steve climbed up higher for a better view and saw a lyrebird scratching around in the bush. The rest of us just sat around and relaxed. After a pleasant breather it was back down to the bikes and then back to Noojee. Kathy decided to head home separately while the rest of us proceeded up the big hill to Neerim. Then ‘the Tim detour’ around to Neerim East where we watched in amusement as a dairy farmer tried to round up the last of his cows on a quad bike.

We continued on to Neerim South then Jindivick and Tarago before crossing the Princess Highway to Longwarry, Nar Nar Goon and Pakenham for breakup. Apart from Ben’s little spill the ride was excellent with great weather, great roads and great company. Thanks Tim.