Licola Sunday 6^th November, 2005

Honda CBR929	Ben Warden	Yamaha YZF1000	Trevor Harris
Suzuki GSXR1000	Lyn Duncan	Kawasaki ZX12R	Luke Delmo (1^st ride)
Suzuki GSXR1000	Cliff Peters	Yamaha R1	Ron Solomon
Kawasaki ZX10	Danny Hawker (rear rider)	Yamaha R1	Stuart Forster
Suzuki GSXR750	Clint Vertigan	Honda CBR954	Rob Jones
Triumph Sprint 955	Ern Reeders	Honda CBR954	Mark Rhodes (1^st ride)
Suzuki Bandit	Ron Johnston (leader)	Suzuki GSXR1000	David Dolphin (1^st ride)
Kawasaki ZX6	Darryn Webster	Hayabusa	Ben Fuller (1^st ride)
Yamaha R6	Joel Haley	Suzuki GSXR600	Craig Davison (4^th ride)
Honda CBR1100X	Peter Feistl (rear rider)

19 bikes wow! 18 blokes wow! Expect about 500 kms wow! Temperature 30deg. Wow! Destination Wellington River, let’s go.

Higgledy piggledy out of Berwick found us back on the highway at Pakenham, without losing any one. Through ‘toon towns (Garfield, Bunyip, Longwarry …Ed.), across the highway and finally toward some more interesting roads through Jindivick. I kept slightly to the left, trying to entice a mono from Ron Solomon and I wasn’t disappointed.

I enjoyed the Crossover road and in no time we are at the north end of Moe. Fuel up, but there is an unusually lengthy delay. It turns out Darryn has picked up a puncture on his new ZX6R. Ern, Danny and Pete are there to help. Once the repair is completed, they head back to Warragul for more air. The enormous hole was barely sealed with an emergency plug so Darryn heads home. The other three arrive back in Moe with only enough time to fuel up.

Ben pointed out a bald tire on first-time-rider Mark’s 954 and suggest he head home. With the ride only just beginning it was assumed Mark would bail.

North out of Moe, we picked up the Yallourn North Road to Tyers, Toongabbie and on to Cowwarr. A very disorderly U turn was performed, with some stopping in the centre of the road. We were now on a weird back road to Heyfield, with short straights leading up to 90 degree bends, the first having gravel. With the long grass growing close to edges obscuring vision of the corners, I wasn’t feeling very confident about what might be coming up, and so rode carefully.

I think a little sign read ‘Hump’ but it should have read ‘Launching Pad’. I’m glad I was taking it easy, yet it still felt like the bike went 5 feet in the air. I must have backed off because I came down front wheel first; not a nice feeling. Ben noted he seemed to catch a hell of a lot of air time. Rob apparently took off at twice my speed, landing slightly ugly. I think it caught all of us by surprise.

Heyfield for refuel was a $6 top-up for the Suzuki, but Ron, the leader says fuel, so I fuel. Unlike Luke who creates a problem later by running out of petrol.

We head past the now full Lake Glenmaggie. It was a change having Ben among the ranks after him leading Towong for 4 days last weekend. I was hoping to find myself behind him on the Licola road, but it was not to be. Danny and he cornermarked and then GRRR (Rob Jones number plate …Ed.) and I cornermark the start of the Licola road. Here comes Ben. If Peter appears soon enough there still may be a chance to slot in behind Ben. Nope, he got away. I’m on my own.

A pretty blue cop car heading out from Licola, around about Devils Elbow, had me checking my dash, an instant reaction. I was in the really tight stuff, and surely not doing over the speed limit. Down on the flat open and GRRR goes by. He must have stopped to take in the view.

At the Licola bridge Cliff is pointing up river, no other corner marker that I noticed but spotted a couple of bikes parked over the river near the shop. I guessed some weren’t doing the entire McCallister River leg and so I continued on my solo way. I passed Luke looking like he was heading down to the river for a swim. I gestured there was a much better spot further along. Believe it! He understood what I meant, but I didn’t realise he was treating a blood nose. I doubt the steep climb back to his bike would help much.

Ben whooshes past. He must have been on the other side of the bridge. I literally had Buckley’s chance of keeping up. Another couple of kays and that’s the finish of the bitumen.

Joel had stopped around the corner in the shade. Ron J., Ron S., Danny, Trevor (wooser, because of his hat), and Ben of course, were already there. The Jone’s gang had stopped back at Licola, probably due to Mark’s 954’s ailing rear. Peter, being kept way behind all day, pulls up. Great, a swimming buddy. After missing out swimming all long weekend at the Snowies because my leathers are too arkward to get off when I’m sweaty, I didn’t want to miss out today. No-one volunteered to help me get my pants off (doing little for my self esteem) so it turned out to be another of the endless duties of the rear rider.

Luke caught up as Peter and I were getting out of the gloriously refreshing river, accusing us of being exhibitionists. We headed back to Licola where the others had already gone for lunch and I’m sorry, appeared to be waiting for us. Peter missed out again, this time on a food break.

The Jones’ gang had already gone; nothing unusual. Not far out of town leader Ron slows to a stop. We find out later that there was a blue bike pushed off the road, hidden in the long grass. We assumed it was Mark’s with it’s reduced rear tyre, left there to be picked up with trailer. Or just a coincidence.

Ben and Danny mark the finale of the Licola road, pointing our way toward Toongabbie. Ern, Cliff and I prop at the dog leg to Tyres. Not everyone shows up. Luke and Peter are missing. Ben sent Danny forward as newly delegated rear rider to keep the ride moving while he went backing search for the rear rider, according to Danny. We refuel at Tyres and Ben appears, alone. A phone call to Peter, now in mobile range, indicates all is well. Luke had run out of petrol. What!

It’s now 4 pm and 170 km from Melbourne. Some people had commitments forcing a highway trek for Ben and Clint. Trevor headed directly to the Noojee road. Stuart phoned for a couple more hours of leave. Even with the hold ups Ron is determined to complete the whole route he set out.

We head north through the tree covered sweeping road to Rawson, Erica and back down to the Willow Grove road. Then the tighter Hill End road, riding all together, like a string of pearls, says Ern. Very cruisey. The sun was getting tricky through the trees, and I’m starting to tire, so the slower pace is comforting. A quick visor clean at the Mt Baw Baw road ‘T’intersection and the ensuing discussion saw a majority decision reached: straight through to Yarra Junction.

Completing the 520km from Berwick; Ron J., Joel, Ron S., Ern, Stuart, Cliff, Danny and myself. Danny and Cliff are both still to ride home to Portland, clocking up 840 km for the day. WOW!

Lyn Duncan