Mirboo Sunday 16th January, 2005

 

Honda CBR929                       Ben Warden (leader)                Suzuki GF1200            Ron Johnston

Honda CBR900                       Jacinta Thomas                         Yamaha R6                  Joel Haley

Suzuki SV1000                        Orlando Iluffi                            Honda CBR954           Paul Southwell

Honda CBR1100XX                Peter Feistl                               Kawasaki ZX7 Tim Walker                 

Honda CBR954                       Steve Cowburn (2nd ride)          BMW R1150GS          Rob Langer (rear)

Honda CBR1100XX                Wayne Pope/Annette L.           11 bikes, 12 people

 

The crew was already assembled at our Berwick meeting place in readiness for the Sunday Ride, so all I had to do was fill the tank, then join the fun.

 

I walked over towards Annette, Wayne and Ben, who were talking to Jo with that unmistakeable orange hair and glasses, so there was no hesitation is going over and saying good morning. But just as I looked at Jo - IT WAS NOT HER - my mind went blank - I had run off the road! "And you're the wife of...?" I politely enquired. "And you're riding with …?" I continued. Well I put my foot in it and looked like an idiot, but everyone was laughing and that's a good thing - even if I was the butt of the joke. Turns out it was Jacinta, also sporting orange hair, glasses and an orange FireBlade. She was keen to "ride with me" but my head was still spinning from my blunder, so I didn't pick up on that line.

 

The rest of the crew for the day included Orlando - back after a long spell and now riding a Suzuki SV1000, Joel - riding the YZF, Ron - with his new rear shock, Steve Cowburn - on his FireBlade, for his second ride with the club, Tim - on the green ZX-7R, me on the recently Armco modified RED SuperBlackbird and  Rob Langer on his BMW1150GS acting as rear rider due to a badly worn rear tyre. Ben of course, the lead rider and the group totalled 11.

 

We set off in pursuit of riding excellence or pure enjoyment but no sooner had we started than Paul Southwell flashed past on his Honda heading in the opposite direction. He had missed the start due to Jo being away for the weekend and not being there to wake him in time. Ride group size is now 12.

 

Things finally settled down to a good rhythm and pace as we headed toward Loch. The road traffic thinned as we reached further into the country and I had plenty of fun leading Paul through the twisty roads. We were momentarily slowed by traffic at which point Paul pulled along side me, giving him first opportunity to pass when the road was clear. I enjoyed observing Paul's riding lines from close proximity until we finally reached Loch. We stopped at the main cross roads and I'm sure Paul said something about my turn to buy coffee, but my head was still spinning from my earlier blunder, so I didn't pick up on that line either.

 

Coffee and cake are now ordered and the boys are congregating around the bikes, talking tyre pressures, chain tension, great curves, front end jitters. By this stage the coffee is nearly finished. Annette and Jacinta arrive to clear the table before sitting and enjoying their cuppa. In a gentle protest to rescue the dregs of my great cup of coffee before she took it away, Jacinta turns around and offers me the cup and saucer, to which I grab the cup, and to which she lets go of the saucer...   Now at this stage gravity is laughing all the way to terra firma and the saucer smashes. Sorry Jacinta, you might think I'm a bit of a dill, but now that I've finished my morning coffee, my head isn't spinning and I did pick up on that mess!

 

Next we head off in search of Mirboo North and with the group riding as a tight bunch, this is a pleasurable stretch, with plenty of corner marking and catching up.

 

We ventured forth and enjoyed scenery, bitumen roads, dirt roads, wombats, snakes, birds, possums and various other wildlife. Hey back-up... Dirt Roads ?!?... Yes, we had to negotiate about four kilometres of dirt road after Arawata. Wanting to have a little more excitement than what loose gravel in corners can offer, I decided to squirt the throttle of the Blackbird a few times and enjoy the stepping out! A few was enough. Next thing I know, here comes Tim on his green ZX-7R like he is in a 4 wheel drive and cruises past me like I'm standing still. My head was amazed, so I picked up on his line and followed him for the last 500 meters. After a regroup, squirt of chain oil, and photo, we continued on.

The coffee had done wonders for the bike's ability and the corners were now smooth and free flowing. Near Boolara South I took the opportunity to stop and take some action shots of the bikes, but the new camera isn't quite attuned to my style of photography. The camera was clicking, but not at the right time!

 

Arrived at Mirboo North and lunch is ordered. The group splits and the boys dine on the 'long tree table' in the park, while the others enjoy the ambience of the sidewalk el fresco near the bakery. Lunch was leisurely and full of great motorbike stories followed by a group shot or three before the next ride - a 60 kilometre round trip to Leongatha and Hallston that returned to Mirboo North. This suited Rob who was chatting to a fellow KTM950 enthusiast and looked quite comfortable sitting at the sidewalk café. We would pick him up after our short loop. Wayne, Annette and Paul left the group at this stage to go home and do some chores.

 

Loop completed, Rob rejoined us for the final leg to Drouin, with his rear tyre holding up well. A good pace was maintained, with excellent roads and terrific scenery through Thorpdale, Trafalgar and Lardner. While cruising through some of the towns, I detected a few signs the group may be tiring including a yawn or two from the corner markers. Tim's name won't be mentioned in the previous sentence, but green is a very relaxing colour...

 

Arriving at Drouin, we were welcomed by several of the local 4-wheeled P-Platers demonstrating their 'lead foot' skills with the local constabulary in observance mode. We sat and chatted for a while before heading off in all directions. Ben, Rob, Joel, Tim, Jacinta and Orlando headed for home via the highway, while Ron, Steve and I headed for Yarra Junction and an opportunity for more twisty roads, courtesy of Ron leading the way.

 

Another enjoyable day, another enjoyable ride and as always, a pleasure meeting new people and catching up with friends!

                                                                                                                  

 

Peter Feistl (CBR100XX Honda Blackbird)