Daylesford Sunday July 30^th, 2006

Honda CBR1000	Ian Payne (rear)	Yamaha YZF1000	Trevor Harris (Leader)
Honda CBR1000	Joel Haley	Kawasaki ZX9	Cameron Stevens
Honda CBR929	Ben Warden	Suzuki GSXR1000	Chris Pointon
Honda CBR1100XX	Paul Southwell	Suzuki GSXR1000	Lyn Duncan
Kawasaki ZZR600	Brett Moore (1^st ride)	Suzuki GF1200	Ron Johnston

Yep, it’s another View from the Front write-up. So whatever happened back in the group will remain unknown unless I get told about it over lunch.

Great weather Saturday to be followed by great weather Sunday. That was my plan, but not what the weatherman had forecast. As it turned out, I was closer to the mark than he was. Sunday morning was gloriously sunny – at least in Bundoora. Up Plenty Road to Whittlesea where I find a small group already waiting. I fill the YZF, head over to the group and find that Ben has been spending his time wisely by getting names/bike/ICE details - thanks.

A quick rundown on where I’ll be leading, plus the “If it looks damp, it is damp.” line comes out, as I don’t want anyone to get too confident in there being dry roads at this time of year. Rear rider asked for and Paul puts his hand up. So I point to a red CBR1000 and tell the group that’s what Paul is on. And get told that I’m wrong – he’s on a blue Blackbird; his bike is having the stator replaced and he has a loan bike. Paul wants to keep the distance travelled down for the day to keep the dealer happy.

Ten and a bit and we’re off up the hill towards Kinglake West, ten of us in total. Road is dry. Ahead to the north there are dark clouds looming – great! As it turns out we are on dry roads for the majority of the day – my plan obviously working. A few cars are met and dispatched. Why is there always a car just after the two-lanes becomes a single lane? There’s a few Ulysses and/or other riders out riding, travelling at a different pace to our group. Maybe they will get inspired and try to enjoy cornering and tag along? Past the Flowerdale Hotel where we had lunch the previous week, turn left and on to Strath Creek. Then a right turn, heading for the highway.

I’m getting along here, but will be rather well behaved once on the Goulburn Valley Highway, which is where Mr Plod gave my license a one-month holiday last year. All clear this time, but those corners are just begging to be taken at a better pace. Such a pity… Left to Tallarook, then on to Broadford for the first break. I miss the turn I’m looking for but we get there on the ‘other’ road, which is pretty good.

Broadford: morning tea, fuel and comfort stops all round. This is a leisurely stop as I don’t want to get into Daylesford too early for lunch. A group of Ulysses riders shows up, and ex-member Ray Thomas is amongst them. Ian heads over for a chat – you know how these old guys can talk.

Everyone ready and so we head off on Leg Two which takes us back up the roads we just came down – not a problem as they are a good combination of corners. On to Pyalong, across to Emu Flat and the 1.5 km of dirt is in the best condition I’ve ridden on – not affected by yesterday afternoons rain at all. I’ve used this route a few times lately and know where to go. But I still got caught out at an intersection – the one with all of the loose gravel and crap on it, just around a right-hander and that has a Stop sign. I really stuffed this up and slid across the intersection with the rear wheel locked up…. Not happy, Jan.

Right, left. Then along the highway to Daylesford, just like it said in the magazine. I get to a major intersection and need to decide which way to go: left, right or straight ahead? Taking an educated guess, I turn right and am please to see that it’s the right choice. Weather by this time was cold, roads had become damp and there were occasional attempts by the drizzle to fall on us. And would you believe that parking in Daylesford on a cold winter’s day is just as hard to find as on a nice summers day? Glad that motorcycles can park on the footpath, I find a large area by a roundabout. Due to a staggered arrival, some of us head to Bakery A, and the rest head to Bakery B. Paul heads home, Lyn has already left, as she isn’t feeling one hundred percent. Ian takes over as rear rider from here.

Lunch, fuel and off. Cameron is feeling like he is on the same ride to Mt Macedon a few months ago, as I’m riding on almost the same roads. Warming up temperature-wise, we head to Woodend, Romsey and Wallan for a partial breakup where Ben and Brett head off. I lead the remaining riders on to Whittlesea. Or I would have if I hadn’t missed the Eden Park twisties turnoff. Officially we break up at Mernda. Down Plenty Road and I’m home early around 3:30 pm.

A good day: good company, good food, no Mr Plod presence that we were aware of, mostly dry roads.

The club has a Rider of the Year award. I nominate Joel as Corner Marker of the Year, as he seems to be marking every corner!

Trevor Harris