Poker Run, Eildon Sunday 30^th September, 2001

Aprilia 1000 Ken Wright and Louisa – rear) GSXR750 Peter Weyermayr

GSX1200 Ron Johnston CB1100XX Martin Hastie

CBR600 Di Welsford GSXR600 Ray Walker

VFR750 Rob Langer/Kirsten Anderson VFR800 Bruce Saville

Harley FLST Badjello Guidica and Bonny (dog) CBR929 Ben Warden (Leader)

Harley FXST Chris and Marita CBR900 Paul Tallents

GPz900R Cameron Burgess CBR919 Ian Payne

GSXR1000 John 1^st ride CBR929 Craig Morley

ZX9 Rhys Williams CBR900 Liz Oliver

A beautiful day with a forecast of 28 degrees brought out another large group for our annual poker run, with the Fireblades having the biggest turnout, an Aprilla being my favourite, [well to look at anyway, it’s a bit of a stretch-rack for me, which probably wouldn’t be a bad thing!] and even a couple of Harleys along for the ride, along with the cutest passenger the Club has had….a Samoyd pup called Bonnieville! VERY cute! We got our first card and got underway.

From Whittlesea we took that fantastic section of road across to Kinglake West, and then the next fantastic section on to Flowerdale. I sat behind a Blackbird which was going at a nice pace, but felt a little guilty when I discovered he wasn’t actually with the Club. He pulled over to let me by at Flowerdale, probably sick of having a bike tailing him. Oh well, it was fun. Or maybe he had the living daylights scared out of him by the freight-train I kept seeing through the day – Craig, Ray, Paul, Ron, and Ray’s mate John (GSXR1000) in different combinations but always flying past!

We turned left at Flowerdale to Strath Creek and then up the Parrot Creek Road to the Seymour-Yea road and Trawool. The road through Trawool is another of my favourites. However, with it being a highway, and the motorcycle cops being out in full force on the Saturday, I tried to keep to a reasonable speed. I’d seen a couple of marked cops, and even an unmarked bike cop, on Saturday (the latter on a red BMW), and Wardie had seen 6 in a row on the Black Spur.

We turned off the highway at Tallarook and looped around to Seymour, along took those one-lane windy roads in that area that totally disorientate me. I’m glad Ben knew the way!

After about 100 km we stopped in Seymour at about 12 pm for petrol and stretching the legs etc. I must say I don’t have a lot of goss for this article about what was talked about as I stuck to myself a bit, and whilst the mischievous side of me would love to make stuff up I guess I must keep a bit of integrity in the magazine! This was also where we received our second card for poker.

After a bit of a break we took the back roads through the Highlands towards Yea. This meant a section of about 4 km of gravel, but it turned out to be in good condition. It was hard packed and uphill so wasn’t too hard to ride on, and coming from me, that’s saying something! It was still the only place the Harleys overtook me though!

Through Yea and on to the Molesworth road, where I found Ray, Craig and Paul lined up like a racing grid, apparently putting time between them and the leader! We rode across to Alexandra where a few stopped for fuel, and onto the Skyline Road where the freight train flew past me yet again with Ian latched on this time (probably fulfilling his presidential role and keeping his eye on the members hey Ian?!). I just moved over, stuck out my leg and watched Ray and Ron go by. Craig must have loved his corner marking as he seemed very keen to get to the front to do it constantly! Or maybe it was just those energy drinks they had at Seymour! Black Stallion I believe.

After about another 100 km, we stopped at Eildon for lunch where we swamped the poor owners of the takeaway shop. I was given “mates’ rates” as one of the owners used to work in the same firm as me! We had a curious driver pull up and ask us if there were bike races on as there were so many bikes out. After I told him it was just the good roads and good weather he said he thought it must have been GP weekend, so I told him we were just practising! We got two more cards for our poker hand here. There was no real pattern developing in my hand, but we did find out Bruce likes his Queens!

After lunch it was more open sweepers that I love, to Thornton then Taggerty where I corner marked with Liz on a Fireblade after the R1 left the corner, I presume not realising that two people are meant to corner mark. (Err .. there wasn’t an R1 on the ride …Ed.) Liz and her partner Pete are a good example of why the Club needed a name change. She told me she searched the internet for a Club to meet other motorcyclists and see different places, but the name initially gave her the wrong impression. It was only on seeing the photos on the Club web site that she realised it was what they were looking for.

We turned left at Buxton (saw Craig corner marking again!)…and straight through Marysville and back onto the Highway, where Craig corner marked yet again and told me to go ahead. Somewhere in the middle of the Black Spur that freight train flew past again! Man, no wonder I haven’t taken up Craig’s offer of a pillion ride yet. I’d probably end up falling off the back!

We got our final card at Healesville, at about 3.30pm, where Ken completed his winning hand, and received a couple of tickets to Hoyts Cinemas, which will be a nice reward for his girlfriend who clung to the back of the Aprilla all day on a pretty quick ride. Even the Harleys put in a good effort! Congratulations to Ken for winning the poker game. Thanks to Ben for leading it. Thanks to Ken again for going rear rider, and Craig….what can I say but no wonder you bought a Fireblade!

Winning hand: Ken Wright, 2 pair, Kings over sevens.

Second best hand: Dianne Welsford, a pair of aces

Third best hand: Paul Tallents, a pair of Kings

Di Welsford (Honda CBR600)

Xmas Camp, Mt Buffalo Caravan Park, Porepunkah

Wednesday 26^th December to Tuesday 1^st January 2002

Christmas is all but on us and it is time to make bookings at our favourite Xmas Camp destination, Mt Buffalo Caravan Park.

Situated on the fork of two rivers it offers a fantastic range of activities including swimming, fishing and bush walking. Great road and dirt riding country abounds. Mt Buffalo offers a sensational 25 km climb to the scenic Chalet and lookout. Nearby are good half-day rides to Falls Creek, Mt Hotham and Dartmouth Dam or full day rides into the Snowy Mountains and some of the best roads in the world. Who can forget Tawonga Gap? On the flip side there are lots of fire trails and mountain tracks offering spectacular views of the surrounding alps, most of which can only be reached by 4WD or dirt bike. So, bring your road and dirt bikes, the missus and kids, and the 4WD.

The Club has booked three unpowered sites. Last year a few couples rented log cabins for the week, another good option. Ring Kelly on 03-5756-2235 to secure a cabin or powered site. Otherwise tell Ian Payne of your intention to camp with the group. Do it now. And organise your annual leave. At least 12 people have already booked!