Kinglake  - Sunday 19th September, 2004

 

Honda VFR800           Bruce Saville  (leader)               Kawasaki ZX12R                    Paul Grosser 

Suzuki SV650              Tim Emons  (2nd ride)               Honda CBR600                       Paul Emons  (1st ride)

Suzuki GSXR750         Damien Glynn                           Honda Blackbird                      Martin Hastie 

Honda CBR929           Craig Morley                            Yamaha R1                              Mick Hanlon 

Suzuki Bandit 1200      Ron Johnston                            Honda CBR929                       Ian Payne  (rear rider)

 

I left home that morning and had only got a couple of streets away when I had to return home and tape up the vent on my helmet because it came unstuck.  When I took it off to clean it last, I forgot to stick it back on properly. At least now taped on, I wouldn’t lose it. 

 

Off I go to Yarra Glen again. The weather forecast for the day was okay. There were quite a few people  there when I arrived, all familiar faces except one.  Tim Emons had dragged his brother Paul along. Tim’s first ride was my Strathbogie ride, so it was good to see another new rider having a go.

 

Bruce got Ian to give a run down on the corner marking system and then proceeded to tell us the day’s route. Mick Hanlon  rolled up late; he was lucky we were still here. Good to see Mick out and about.

 

We left Yarra Glen and headed off through Christmas Hills to Watsons Creek. This is as far as they have gone widening the road to Kangaroo Ground.  We did a right turn into Alma road which starts with a steep climb and is very tight and twisty, a favourite road of mine. Tom Saville introduced us to this road many moons ago.

 

Across to Panton Hill and down to St Andrews where we did another right turn. I was following Paul on his ZX12 and we had some dude in a Commodore flash his lights at us, so we rode fairly quietly wondering when we might see the Forces of the Law. Next thing Craig whizzes past and I hoped he wouldn’t get pinched. We picked up the tempo as Craig disappeared into the distance, seeing him again at Kinglake where he was corner marking. Across Mt Slide to Toolangi and down Chum Creek Road (making a refreshing change) to Healesville is all down hill.

 

I corner marked at the Highway in Healesville and noticed the ride seemed a little spread out. When Ian arrived I told him I would have to get some money. He said he would wait at Myers Creek Road.

 

Back up to Toolangi, across the Highway and Mt Slide to Kinglake, our first stop. Bruce announced that we would be here for a half an hour, and pointed out the servo and bakery. Most of us descended on the bakery. Bruce and I scored large coffees at the cheaper rate because they didn’t have lids to fit the small cups; got to win one now and then.

 

Whilst we were tucking into our pies, Tim conceded that they smelt nice and that he and his brother had to have one as well.

 

Before we left some dudes turned up on a GSXR 1000 and an R1. I said to Bruce, “Do you reckon they would be competition for us? He replied, “Nah, café latte set, just look at them: polished wheels, probably no stone chips, and they are wearing jeans and runners.”

 

Paul and Marty left the ride here while we continued on to Kinglake West and Flowerdale. At about Hazeldene we came out of the forest into the open spaces with the sun beating down. What a glorious moment, now out of the shade of the trees and basking in the sun.

 

I corner marked with Craig at Flowerdale and asked when he was going to leave the ride. He said it was no use going home, because he didn’t have his keys, and that he would continue on to Broadford with the rest of us, enjoying the grouse weather. 

 

Strath Creek to Broadford is a really good road. You can travel through here at a reasonable pace. We waited at the gate for the others to arrive but Tim rode straight past. When his brother Paul arrived, I asked him to fetch Tim, and then we all rode into the circuit.

 

It was dry and dusty. There was some motocross racing happening with quite a few spectators, obviously a club meeting. I met some people that have been on a couple of Club rides and had something to eat. We watched a few races and then called it quits.

 

I headed home via Strath Creek, Flowerdale, Glenburn, and Yarra Glen. We had good weather, no incidents, and everyone had a good, leisurely day. Thanks to Bruce for leading and Ian for rear riding duties.

 

Ron Johnston, Bandit 1200.