By the look of the crowd at Yarra Glen it was another success story for the short ride format. At Yarra Glen for the 10.30 am start we had 25 bikes and 26 people:

RGV250 Dave Ward ZX9R Dave Hives YZF1000 Enzo Cunico

TL1000R Darryn Webster FZR1000 Derek Atkinson YZF600 Gerry East

GSXR750 Ray Walker CBR250R Danny Carr ZX9R Wayne Grant

CBR600 K. Robinson (rear) ZXR750 Ben Warden ZX6 Geoff Hornby

CBR900RR Ian Payne ZX9R Mick Bosworth YZF600 Joanne Slater

VFR750 Danny Kosinski YZF- R1 Bronwyn Manifold GSXR600 Mark Blashi ZZR250 Samantha Allan CBR250R Michael Kemptster YZF600 Paul Tallents VFR750 Rob & Mandy CBR600 D.Welsford (leader) GSXR750 Rob Wordie TL1000 Darren Morcomb

Interestingly: 7 Kawasakis, 7 Hondas, 6 Yamahas, 5 Suzukis, and no Euro bikes.

Dianne, our leader, gave a brief run down of the day’s ride and informed those of the group who wanted to "up the pace" to stay out of her mirrors. I.e. pull over and wait!

We left in beautiful sunshine and headed for Healesville and Don Valley. Unfortunately one section of the road had recently been resealed and the abundance of loose gravel made for cautious progress. Along to Yarra Junction where we spied Danny Vits enjoying a coffee with his Ulysses Club. We continued on to Gladysdale, Three Bridges and Powelltown where the challenging twisties start. What a sensational section of road it is, one that encompasses small tight corners right through to wide-open big flowing sweepers. Great fun!

At one point I noticed Danny and Paul marking time at the side of the road; must’ve caught the leader I thought. We now headed south through Neerim Junction, Neerim, Neerim South and Rokeby before descending into Warragul and our lunch break.

The local Bakery proved to be "the place" for lunch with a large selection of fresh baked goodies. A fairly leisurely lunch ensued with plenty of time to catch up with the multitude of riders, which comprised no less than 7 girls (only one a pillion), 3 new 250cc riders and the usual diehards. Also had time to check out Dave’s new ZX9R.

All too soon it was time to go but with quite a few of the riders leaving us here to make their own way home, a slightly smaller group proceeded up to the servo for fuel.

The return trip would basically follow the same route we had used to get here, after a short delay looking for Dianne’s ignition key (which had mysteriously disappeared, then reappeared) we set off. Firstly south then west along the Noojee road, having only travelled this road a few hours earlier this return trip was slightly more rapid. I kept close company with Dave on the R1 until Danny on the booming VFR came through. Then the two of them disappeared into the distance. But once into the tight stuff we all bunched up with a gaggle of other riders. Apparently one of the "Baby Blade" riders had a close call when he attempted to overtake, as an oncoming vehicle came around the corner! Once we eased our way through, the pace increased all the way back to Yarra Junction. This was followed by a fairly boring trip along the Warburton Highway. Dianne had decided to stay on the highway until Woori Yallock and therefore avoid the resurfacing gravel. Back into Healesville then Yarra Glen where the ride officially broke up.

Thanks to Dianne for leading and Kathy for the rear rider duties. Although that was the end of the ride, an invitation was extended to all riders to continue on to Warrandyte for a farewell coffee.