Heathcote BBQ – Sunday 6th July, 2003

           

Les Leahy – KTM LC4 (leader)           Mick Barnes – XT600              Ben Warden – CBR929RR

Tom Saville – R1                                  Dean Dalzell – ZX6R (1st)        Ian Payne – CBR929RR

Andi Sirninger – R6                              Tim Walker – ZX7R                 Ron Johnston – 400/4  

Trevor Harris – YZF1000                    Mick Bosworth – ZX9R           Paul Southwell – CBR954RR  

Rob Langer – R1150GS                       Alan Zimmer – ZX9R (1st)        Craig Morley – CBR929RR    

Greg Hales – TL1000S                        Steve Collett  – Z1000 (1st)      Martin & Carmen - Blackbird  

Dave Skitt – TL1000S             Jon Riddett – BMW Z3            Peter P – Majesty 250 

Ray Walker – GSXR1000                    Geoff & Val Jones – Pug 206                          

Matt Clark – GSXR750                       Ian & Cherie Handforth – Varadero (R/R)

Ken & Louise – RSV1000                   24 bikes, 2 cars, 30 people.

                                                                                               

What a turnout! Fine weather and a BBQ certainly bring out the troops. The array of bikes was quite staggering: from Andi’s stunning R6, the new ‘street-fighter’ Z1 of Steve Collett and Ian Handforths new Varadero “dirtbike”.

 

Les gave us a rundown on the day’s activities and explained that we would proceed into Heathcote to buy our meat, just prior to the BBQ. Also, the route would encompass something a bit different – Freeway and a dirt road!

 

We left Whittlesea in quite cool conditions and headed for the twisties of Eden Park. While cornermarking, word came through that Greg Hales had crashed! Fortunately he was OK, but the bike had hit the armco and was unrideable. It seems a wet patch had caught Greg out and he slid off the road and UNDER the Armco, his only injury being a sprained thumb!

 

Once this was sorted, the ride continued on through Upper Plenty, Wandong and Broadford. Then onto the Hume Freeway until Tallarook and the dreaded ‘dirt road’ through Dysart Siding to Seymour. Here we had a short fuel stop and a chance to talk. Apart from the bikes, I admired Geoff and Val’s distinctly French, new Peugeot 206.

 

Les rallied the troops for the next stint across to Tooborac. He explained that on this stretch of road it would be OK to pass him and extend our bikes a little. Extend was a bit of an understatement. When Les gave the signal to pass, it was like the start of a MotoGP. I wondered why I wasn’t catching the group but a quick glance at the digital speedo showed that twice … (Stuff removed …Ed.)

 

Back on the Northern Highway a more relaxed pace was maintained to Heathcote where Tom led us to the local supermarket while Les and Andi headed to the caravan park to stoke up the BBQ. We eventually all arrived at Les’s new abode and although Ben had left for a family ‘do’, we had gained Jon Riddett and Peter P. making a total of 30 people at this event!

 

What a sensational spot! As Les reeled of the virtues of Heathcote living, “more sun than surfers, fresh air, friendly natives, etc, etc,” we wiled away the afternoon in glorious sunshine. It was interesting to note that had Ben been present, all 5 active Life Members of the Club would have been in attendance (ie. Peter P, Les, Tom, Ian and Ben).

 

After admiring the new Leahy residence, the cream cabin with the shade sail, for all those that missed it, it was time to head back to Melbourne. But with much of the group already dispersed, only about 6 of us rode back together. As we proceeded out to the Kyneton road, a booze bus was setting up right in Heathcote!  Apparently this was in preparation for the crowd from the ‘Heathcote Drags’! We continued on to Mia Mia, then down to Lancefield where we stopped for some wire! It seems the choke on Ron’s 400/4 kept coming on and it needed to be wired up!

 

Back on the bikes, it was on to Romsey, Wallan and Whittlesea where the ride officially ended. What can one say about a day that combined good riding, a great destination and plenty of socializing - just sensational!

 

Of course these events don’t ‘just happen’; they are planned and special mention must be made of the effort that Les, Tom and Andi put into making this day a success. Also a big thankyou to Les for inviting us to his home and, although having some out-of-pocket expenses, he would not even consider reimbursement. Thanks Les, we owe you one.     

 

As I headed home to Springvale the ‘boys in blue’ were everywhere with another booze bus on the Whittlesea road at the Arthurs Creek turnoff. Then two police cars at Cottles Bridge and another two just out of Panton Hill. The last one gave me the “lights and siren” but fortunately, he did not stop. I can only assume it was meant to indicate that I might have been a little over the speed limit!

 

Ian Payne (Honda CBR929RR)

 

p.s. it appears that a set of cooking tongs were inadvertently left behind; see Rob Langer if you are missing some