Jindivick – 9th  May 2004

 

Honda CBR929                       Pete Weyermayr (leader)          Honda CBR954           Liz Oliver

Honda CBR929                       Ben Warden                             Honda CBR600 F4i     Pete Pondeljak

Honda CBR600 F4i                 Kate Stewart                            Yamaha R1                  Mick Hanlon   

Honda CBR1100XX                Martin Hastie                            Buell Cyclone M2         Nigel Hellyer

Honda CBR929                       Greg Hales                               BMW 1200GS            Rob Langer (rear)

Honda VTR1000SP1               Neville Maggs             Suzuki 1200                 Ron Johnston   

Honda CBR600                       Greg Kleiman & Caroline

 

It looked like a nice day for a short ride and there was already a group gathering when we arrived at Yarra Glen. Kate had rung us before we left home that morning to find out where and when they should meet us as they weren’t going to make the 10am start from Yarra Glen. They decided to meet us at our first stop in Yarra Junction. We left Yarra Glen and did the Chum Creek - Myers Creek loop to Healesville and from there to Yarra Junction where Kate and Pete were waiting for us – and itching to get going. 

 

After a short break we cruised off down the Powelltown-Noojee road, turning off before Noojee on a back road that popped out at Neerim Junction. After that we turned off onto another back road to Neerim East. Riding along here I came across a bike/rider combination that looked familiar but who wasn’t present at the start of our ride. It was Mick Hanlon who had also missed the start of the ride and had come looking for us.

 

After Neerim South we turned off to Jindivick. We were heading to Drouin for lunch via Tarago, Drouin West and Brandy Creek. Shortly after Brandy Creek, Greg and I stopped to corner mark. We were having a bit of a chat (as you do) and didn’t notice time go by. Finally Martin came through with the news that Nigel had fallen off. Martin didn’t think Nigel had done too much damage to himself or the bike, but he hadn’t stopped to check as it had happened behind him. We sent him on to notify Pete and Ben who were waiting for the next corner marker to turn up. Apparently when he heard the news Ben was busting to go back and take photos. Much to his disappointment he couldn’t, as he was low on petrol. Having assumed Pete to be taking a shorter route he had failed to start the ride with a full tank (naughty boy!).

                                            

There was just enough time for Greg to have a smoke before everyone turned up. Nigel had a smashed indicator, a broken knob on the rear brake and a couple of scratches – nothing too serious. We carried on to Drouin where we stopped for lunch. Pete was complaining of a bit of a headache as a parrot had smashed into his helmet - I imagine the bird had a splitting headache too. After the usual lunchtime chit-chat, Nigel left for home via the Freeway as his shoulder was starting to stiffen up. The rest of us turned around and went back the same way we had come – lots of nice twisty roads followed by the fast section to Powelltown. We were back at Yarra Junction by 2pm.

 

Thanks to Pete for leading us on a fun ride with lots of twisty back roads, and to Robbie for having the patience to go rear rider.    

                                                                                                                        Liz Oliver (Honda CBR 954)