Marysville                    Sunday 11th September, 2005

 

Honda CBR929           Ian Payne (leader)                                Suzuki GSXR1000       Chris Pointon

Honda CBR929           Simon Trubiano                                    Suzuki GSXR1000       Michael Albanese        

                                   

As I headed to Yarra Glen I was secretly hoping nobody would turn up as something I’d eaten the previous night had me feeling a bit off colour!

 

It had been clear and bright in Springvale but Yarra Glen was quite gloomy and wet so I was surprised to see Simon and Michael already there. After telling the guys that this would a short short ride, Michael stated he was in two minds about going anyway, not so much the weather but his leathers where a bit tight! Seems he had just had them taken in by Tiger Angel and it appeared maybe too much! So when the drizzle started that was enough to send him homeward.

 

Simon was still keen, even if it was a short ride because if he returned home early he might be forced into helping his wife with the house-work!

 

Just as we prepared to leave, Chris arrived, so I explained that the route for today’s ride would be a bit hit-and-miss as we would try to seek out the dry roads as much as possible.

 

We headed across to Healesville in a light drizzle with Simon at the rear, then onto the Black Spur which was unbelievably wet and slick; you could almost see your reflection in the road surface. Fortunately, it looked worse than it was, and with only 3 cars to pass over its entire length, we made good time. Not sure if this lack of cars was due to the weather or the high petrol prices but it was quite evident throughout the rest of the day.

 

We continued on to Narbethong because I still thought we could do the Marysville/Reefton part of the ride.  But as we rode along the highway, all features to the right were shrouded in cloud and mist!

 

I decided to continue up the highway where it appeared brighter. Fortunately, by the time we reached Taggerty, the roads were almost dry, so we cut across to Molesworth on this favorite bit of ‘club’ road, then onto Yea. The closer we got to Yea, the darker the sky appeared, as huge, black clouds gathered above the town. I upped the pace and pressed on as it became apparent this would be a race against the elements. Talk about good timing, just as we rode up onto the footpath and under a veranda the heavens opened up. Fortunately the Bakery was quite close, so it was here we spent nearly an hour waiting for the conditions to improve.

 

Preparing to leave, I explained the options for the return ride:

 

  • back the way we had come, or
  • Flowerdale/Kinglake West/St.Andrews, or
  • the Melba Highway back to Yarra Glen

 

Due to the threat of more rain, the guys were in favor of the quickest way home, so the Melba it was. It was initially quite wet, but surprisingly, once past Glenburn, it began to dry out. By the time we reached the Kinglake turnoff it was completely dry. So we were able to finish the day off with a good stretch of twisty road.

 

Thanks to those that came out and braved the elements on this less than 200 kilometers ride.

 

 

Ian  Payne (Honda CBR929)