Brisbane Ranges           12th March, 2006

 

Honda CBR1000

Joel Haley

Suzuki GSXR1000

Lyn Duncan

Honda CBR1000

Paul Southwell

Suzuki GSXR1000

Mark Rigsby

Honda CBR1000

Ian Payne

Suzuki GSXR1000

Brett Stuart

Honda CBR929

Ben Warden

Suzuki GSXR1000

Cliff Peters

Honda CBR929

Simon Trubiano

Suzuki GSXR600

Dave Ward

Yamaha R1

Geoff Jones (leader)

Suzuki GSXR750

Danny Hawker

Yamaha TRX850

Tony Raditsis

Suzuki Bandit

Ron Johnston

Triumph 955i ST

Ern Reeders

15 bikes, 18 people

 

 

The bike gods were smiling on us this day. The weather was just about perfect for this time of the year, that is, it wasn’t blowing a gale and filling the visor with raindrops. (It turned out to be 39 degrees and stinking hot. …Ed.)

 

The ride set off at a quiet pace as we rolled down the freeway to Werribbee South where Brett lead us around a road blockage. From here we cut across to the Ford Proving Ground after performing some excellent formation riding through Werribee central. Have you noticed when there is a reasonable size group of riders moving through towns, how much the little folk (future riders) get a buzz out of the show?

 

We skirted down the east side of the Brisbane Ranges including the very charred Anakie area. Seems we have been riding through quite a few “charred areas” lately. One advantage of riding through burnt out bush areas is you have a better chance of seeing where the corner goes.

 

From here it gets a little bit confusing, signposts with names like Maude and Steiglitz flashing by before we had our first stop at Meredith. I know the roads were brilliant.

 

After all the usual things like fuel, icy poles, drinks, etc we set off again. This time I was aboard a new mount, the all-conquering Suzuki K6 1000. Brett had just had the K6’s suspension re-worked and I was keen to feel the difference. The verdict: brilliant motor, excellent package all-round. The damn thing is even comfortable! If any of you are thinking about a bike change, I strongly suggest you test ride the K6 1000 before making up your mind.

 

According to Ben, there were 12 km of twisties east across to Durdidwarrah, a right hand turn south through Brisbane Ranges to Anakie Junction, then left turn and north past fire destroyed houses at Staughton Vale on our way to Bacchus Marsh. We picked up the Western Highway and then the big sweepers through Myrniong and on to Greendale, Blackwood, Trentham, Spring Hill, Kyneton, and Carlsruhe BP looking for Nigel.  We think he was asleep.

 

Then east across to Newham and past Hanging Rock to Mt Macedon – a nice place with a few holiday shacks. We were warned of camera cars but there were none. Then down into New Gisborne to the McKenna’s residence for a BBQ lunch. Geoff and Val, with the help of Melinda (daughter) and Andrew McKenna (son-in-law) provided, once again, an excellent lunch with plenty to eat and not a cake in sight. It seems Val is on a mission to get Geoff looking trim and terrific. Maybe he needs a new bike to go with the new image.

 

Geoff got us going after lunch with the promise of a gentle ride down through Toolern Vale to finish up the ride at Bulla. We headed across to Riddells Creek, Clarkefield, and on to Wild Dog Road with its beautiful smooth sweepers, though mind the gravel mid-corner on one of them, then down to Bulla to break up. The day’s ride was 335 km of excellent riding.

 

Once again, a big thank you to Val, Melinda and Andrew. And thanks Geoff for a fun filled and very social day’s ride.

 

Paul Southwell