Mirboo North                       Sunday 19th March, 2006

 

Honda CBR1000

Paul Southwell

Suzuki Bandit

Ron Johnston

Honda CBR1000

Ian Payne

Suzuki GSXR1000

Cliff Peters

Kawasaki ZX10

Danny Hasnat

Honda CBR929

Ben Warden (leader)

Kawasaki ZX12R

Paul Grosser

Honda VFR750

Gavin Eakins (2nd ride)

Triumph 955i ST

Ern Reeders (0.5 rear)

Suzuki GSXR750

Clint Vertigan

Kawasaki ZX9

Goran Stankovic (1st ride)

MV Augusta 750 SPR

Dave Ward

Honda CBR600

Paul Punicki (0.5 rear)

Suzuki GSXR1000

Lyn Duncan

Honda VTR1000

Bill Wee

Honda CBR954

Breht Emmerson

Yamaha TRX850

Tony Raditsis

17 bikes, 17 people

 

 

The pre-ride description in the March issue of the Club magazine had the throttle hand itching.  This is especially so with any ride described as “not for the inexperienced rider” which is usually code for “fast and hard” and my favourite way to spend a sunny Sunday.

 

I arrived at the Berwick starting point with a few minutes up my sleeve to fuel. There was a big turnout of 17 bikes, no doubt the perfect weather encouraging Club members to make the most of what’s left of the warmer months.  Breht was eyeing the remaining traces of tread on his rear tyre and was not confident he would see out the day.

 

After a short briefing by leader Ben, we head out via the usual route to Drouin via Pakenham, Nar-Nar Goon and Garfield.  We headed south out of Drouin taking an immediate left heading toward Lardner and our morning break at Korumburra.  I follow Paul on the Fireblade through the first fast right out of Drouin and promptly misjudge my turn, running both wheels onto the gravel.  I let the bike run straight for a few metres and gently steer back onto the road as Peter’s fatal accident in January flashed through my mind.  I made a mental note to bring the concentration up to speed before the first of the twisty bits rather than after.

 

The pace was immediately hot as this section of road was both fast and fun.  We then turned onto the Warragul-Korumburra road and headed south on what is a great piece of motorcycle road.  Fast flowing sections mixed with tight turns, variable road surfaces and terrific scenery.  No wind meant it was even more enjoyable than usual.  I was again behind Paul on the Fireblade as he zipped along. As we got closer to our first stop, a number of bikes bunched up for the final run down the big esses into Korumburra.

 

While everyone headed for the bakery, I cruised through the town looking for a Shell servo to buy some oil.  I forgot to check the oil level before the ride and needed to make sure the TRX’s oil tank wasn’t too low (the bike runs a dry sump system which I am always topping up).  I ended up at the BP. The console jockey kindly lent me a funnel to save me making a mess.

 

At this point a couple of riders decide to head back including Breht on his CBR who thought safety a better course of action.

 

After morning tea we back track a short distance and turn off towards Arawata and along some roads that are typical of the area as they undulate up, over and around the hilly terrain.  We need to cover a few kays of good gravel and I take the opportunity to take in the view, thinking if I was on my own, it would be a great spot to stop and enjoy the scenery.  Lyn keeps her distance behind me so she doesn’t swallow too much dust and I do my bit by not going too quickly.  At the Fairbank intersection, Ben does a quick chain lube and then we head towards Leongatha and Dumbalk where we stop for a re-group.  Turning north we make our way through Mirboo, Limonite, Boolarra, and Boolarra South to Mirboo North for lunch. Dave Ward’s MV SPR has a running repair attempted on his rear indicator which is threatening to jump ship. 

 

After lunch we head south back toward Leongatha via Mardan and do the loop back to Mirboo North via Hallston.  The fast freight train of bikes catches a local in the family Commodore by surprise on the single lane road near Hallston and she almost drives off the road just as I meet her coming out of a blind turn.

 

Back through Mirboo North we turn toward Trafalgar.  At Thorpdale, a truckie decides to lighten his load by dropping two big wooden bins.  I watch it happening and grab a big handful of brake as I wait to see which way the bins bounce.  Fortunately for me and Bill on the VTR who is behind, the boxes bounce away from us as I unsuccessfully try to wave the driver down.

 

I catch a bunch of riders lead by Dave on the SPR who are held up by a ute with a trailer just into the big drop down the hills into Trafalgar.  I thought they were being a bit conservative and took the opportunity to sail past without slowing down too much on a downhill left hander.  My speed (excessive?) carries me very quickly up to Paul stuck behind another of the many milk tankers.  He sees me coming and quickly moves over to give me a little more room.

 

After another quick regroup at the Shell servo, we head north toward Willow Grove and Hill End.  As the road tightens through Fumina South, I find myself again behind Paul who must be getting sick of hearing me on his tail again.  I enjoy the quick pace through this section and am happy to sit on the back of a fast group including Danny on the ZX10.  I am always amazed by how this road seems completely different when heading in the opposite direction.   

 

We head back through Noojee and after corner marking at the next turn, end up on my own on the very fast section towards Powelltown. I decide to take it easy through the final tight sections as the road surface looked worst than it was.  Another enjoyable day’s ride is finished off with a group photo.  Ron is trying to get support for a run home via the Reefton Spur and Cliff seems keen.  I make a mental calculation of my “Brownie Points” but decide getting home later than usual would put me too far into the red so after the usual farewells, turn for home.

 

Thanks for another great day Ben.

 

Tony Raditsis