Meredith Ride Sunday 13^th November, 2005

Suzuki Bandit GSF1200	Ron Johnston	Honda CBR929	Ian Payne (tail rider)
Honda CBR900	Jacinta Thomas	Yamaha R1	Geoff Jones (leader)
Triumph Sprint ST 955i	Ern Reeders	Yamaha TRX850	Tony Raditsis
Kawasaki ZX10R	Alois Zimmer	Honda VFR800	Mark Rigsby (2^nd ride)
Honda CBR600	Jason Miller	Suzuki Hayabusa	Wayne & Joanne Nimmo
Honda CBR1000	Paul Southwell

The Westgate Shell servo was the kick-off and a number of other groups’ members cruised around looking for their clan. One Trumpy Rocket rider pulled up and took the indifference of our group as a sign he was in the wrong place. Mark joined us for his second ride.

The weather was cool to begin with but warmed to about 20C during the day. Nimbo-cumulus dotted the sky (the technical term apparently is ‘fluffy white clouds’.)

The pre-ride briefing emphasised staying together and exiting the Princes at the right spot. We managed to achieve that. For a while on the way a KTM rider sat with the group, and stood up for much of the Westgate to get a view. The briefing also noted a previous encounter with radar and invited riders to overtake the lead if they felt frustrated. As far as I could see during the morning, no-one felt frustrated.

Most of the route was new to me so geographic details are sketchy. I think we did Anakie (twice), Meredith, Brisbane Ranges, Bacchus Marsh, Greendale, Trentham and Woodend, then Gisborne for Geoff’s kind hospitality. I had to decline the latter given my domestic commitments.

Most of the morning consisted of open terrain and high speed if somewhat bumpy or corrugated twisties. Coming down a left hander onto a bridge I just about got bumped out of the seat, passing a group of riders coming the other way while retaining tenuous control. On horses they give you stirrups for this kind of thing.

The roads were almost entirely clear of dirt and gravel and some cracking paces were set. Ian’s bike had been promptly repaired and he played round-up duties. Ronnie’s rear shock needs a second look but he didn’t appeared to be handicapped much. Mark’s pace has picked up markedly (pardon the pun).

After Woodend I looped back to the north of Melbourne via Lancefield, Pyalong, Broadford and Wallan. Clean bitumen and absence of other road users allowed the Trumpy to be punted along at a satisfying speed. Outside Pyalong a large sign on a house fence warned ‘Beware of the dog. Bites first talks later’. I’d been taught it was rude to eat with your mouth full. Clearly manners are going to the dogs.

Thanks Geoff for leading and feeding and Ian for tailing.

Ern Reeders

On Monday I corresponded with Ian and Geoff and gleaned the following information. Seen at the BBQ were Val Jones, Andrew and Melissa McKenna, Collette (friend of Melissa’s), and “pesky” dog Spanner. The BBQ finished up at 3 pm so Geoff led the riders on another jaunt across to Bulla and the Calder Highway. The route was Gisbourne, Riddells Creek, Clarkfield, and Wildwood Road to finish at Bulla before 4.00pm. A total ride length of about 350 km with no incidents other than Ron making an unscheduled stop for fuel. …Ed.