Daylesford - Sunday 7^th March, 2004

Honda CBR1100XX Martin Hastie and Carmen (Leader) Honda CBR929RR Simon & Vanessa

Honda CB 400/4 Ron Johnston (Scribe & Rear Rider) 3 bikes, 5 people

The weather looked a bit dodgy as I tried to decide whether to wear my leathers or my wet weather gear. After some deliberation I decided to wear my leathers only. If it rained, so be it.

On Friday I had bought myself a new Lazer helmet to replace the helmet that was damaged before Christmas 2003. The new helmet is comfortable, unlike my old Nolan, which I have kept for a spare. You could wear a beanie under it to take up the slop.

I finally left home at 9am. This allowed me time to get to Whittlesea via Warrandyte, Kangaroo Ground, Wattle Glen, Hurstbridge, Nutfield, Arthurs Creek, Yan Yean Reservoir and the main road to Whittlesea. Martin was there already. I filled the bike with petrol, parked where we usually park, and waited to see if anybody else turned up. Simon and Vanessa were the only others to arrive and were surprised how few were there, given it was to have been a short ride today. (14 people on the Omeo Ride could be the reason …Ed.)

Departure time came and went by about 5 mins. Then Martin gave us a run down on where we were going and how many kilometers between stops. This was to be a leisurely ride.

On the way to Flowerdale we came up behind a couple of 4WDs and a car. The second 4WD Jeep Cherokee V8 was towing a trailer. Marty passed first. Simon and I had to wait a few corners. When Simon did get the opportunity to pass he pulled out and was beside the trailer when the lunatic driving the Jeep pulled out as well, oblivious to Simon. So much for having big mirrors on both front doors; the driver must think they are ornaments. Simon backed off. Even so, the Turkey in the Jeep had to pull back in because he was trying to do the impossible by passing where there was no room at all. And they blame motorcyclists! We managed to pass him safely on the straight before the pub.

It was good riding from Flowerdale to Strath Creek and then Broadford. We continued along the main road to Kilmore arriving via the top end of town, noting lots of people participating in the “Clean up Australia Day” activities.

Kilmore has changed a lot since I was last there. The housing estates have slowly crept out, changing the face of the rural landscape. At Kilmore, we turned right to go to Lancefield. There used to be a service station – in fact, still is, but in a total state of disrepair. Like a lot of other servos, it has closed down. We carried on to Lancefield. By this time my hands were extremely cold and I couldn’t wait till Lancefield to thaw them out.

We arrived at Lancefield and parked outside the Bakery, a couple of doors down from the cafe we usually stop at. There were two bikes parked outside the Bakery, a ZX9 and a GS1100G shaft drive Suzuki, 96 model with raked forks. There wouldn’t be many of them left now. There were only a few people inside the bakery when we went in, but after 15 mins the shop was packed, people coming from everywhere. We stayed for half hour or so.

Outside, we spoke to the two bike owners, telling them about the Club and giving them an itinerary card. We told them to look up the web site. Arthur had the ZX9 and Ian was on the 1100G with his son. Ian said he bought the bike off a friend of his, and had had the bike for 2 or 3 months and already been to Queensland and back.

From Lancefield we went through Cobaw, Carlsruhe and on to Kyneton. At Carlsruhe they have altered the road so that it goes around the back of the hill and into Kyneton. It’s got some nice sweepers.

Kyneton to Daylesford via Lauriston, Drummond and Glenlyon to Daylesford. The roads we travelled on were good. Some of them I haven’t been on for years and it was nice to travel on different roads and see different scenery for a change. We arrived in Daylesford. Is that place busy or what! The joint was packed, people everywhere, the market at the train station busy as usual, in town just as bad: people, cars, and motorcyclists everywhere.

We turned left at the main roundabout in town and parked our bikes on the short medium strip with a pedestrian crossing. While we removed our riding gear, Martin asked Carmen where she recommended we have lunch. She pointed to a café across the road. A quick discussion ensued, the decision unanimous and the five of us went headed for the cafe. It was busy too, but we found a table down the back. After scanning the menu, pizzas all round were ordered except Simon who had noodles. It was good to sit down and have our meals and talk about different things.

After lunch we went for a walk. Martin suggested we have a look at a shop down the other end of town that sells lots of stuff from the 50s and 60s. I can’t remember its name but it sure has lots of good stuff, a must see shop. Martin checked his watch and suggested it was time to go. So back to the bikes, rug up and off to the servo for fuel. Martin and Carmen headed off but when I turned the key on, there were no ignition lights. Mmm, blown another fuse. So I removed the side cover, lifted the seat and got a spare fuse out, replaced the faulty one, installed the seat and cover and bingo, we’re back in business. Off we went.

On to Daylesford, Trentham, and Woodend where we stopped to discuss going around Mt Macedon, due to the low lying mist, or alternatively, continuing straight up and over the mountain as originally planned. We went over the top and down to Gisborne via the Calder Freeway, then picking up interesting back roads that I hadn’t been on before. I remember coming into Toolern Vale, down hill via a sweeping left hander, and noting a property on the left which had about a quarter acre of army vehicles. But we went past too quickly to take it all in. Then onto Diggers Rest and Bulla where the ride finished.

Martin said the ride was 280 kms long. It was a nice, quiet ride. Those that didn’t go missed out. Weather wise, we had light showers on and off throughout the day, but nothing to worry about. My 400/4 went well and can now maintain a better top speed since I did a top-end rebuild. I have put a new rear tyre on as well which has stopped the twitching in the front end.

Ron Johnston (Honda CB 400/4)