Noojee via Loch Sunday 12^th February

MV Augusta 1000	Dave Ward (leader)	Honda CBR954	Breht Emerson
Honda CBR1000	Ian Payne (rear)	Suzuki GSXR1000	Lyn Duncan
Honda CBR929	Ben Warden	Triumph 955i ST	Ern Reeders
Honda CBR1000	Paul Southwell	Kawasaki ZX10	Alois Zimmer
Honda CBR1000	Joel Haley	Honda CBR1100XX	Peter Feistl (author)

Destination: Loch, Kilcunda, Warragul, Neerim South, Yarra Junction, Reefton.

Weather: Good and getting better! The roads were dry and a gentle warm breeze was blowing.

As I walked over to greet the group and receive the pre-ride instructions, Paul was sending a new rider home, probably because he was wearing jeans, while Ben was recording the important ‘contact’ information. The regulars were out in force, so today should not be too eventful for the wrong reasons. Ian volunteers for rear-rider duties and has planned an early departure at Loch.

Dave was keen to get going (isn’t he always) so I nearly missed spotting the two new bikes in the group. Joel was riding his new black CBR1000RR and Dave was riding a red/silver MV Augusta 1000. Apparently Dave is a pretty good negotiator and was able to acquire the MOTO ONE demonstrator MV for the day. Hopefully Dave will have written an article to give us his thoughts on this magnificent looking Italian.

So, the ride now starts and as I close my visor, the left side falls off and the visor flops around. The helmet had just experienced its first ever ‘DROP’ at the servo and I didn’t realise the visor damage until now. The group is heading off to the freeway and repairs are needed urgently. Not an ideal start to the day. (Wait for me!)

The visor was quickly re-attached and tested then I set off in pursuit. A few kilometres down the road I decided to let a little more air into the helmet I lifted the visor by one notch, but add some freeway air velocity and you can guess what happened! The Wowow wowow wowowo effect of the visor flapping violently was not expected and another quick stop was required. Eventually, the repairs were made and the riders bunched again somewhere around Garfield. Sorry about that guys…..

The trip to Loch should have been enjoyable with all those dips and bumps and challenges of the road, but I was thinking more about the visor coming loose, not getting enough air, not being able to scratch an itchy nose, etc. I could not get comfortable with the ride.

We finally arrived at Lock for morning tea, where a strong brew was needed. This also gave me time to fully comprehend the visor situation, which was then finally under control.

Before settling in to a mug of coffee and discussions about my son and his escapades, I had a quiet chuckle about the infamous dropped plate incident involving yours truly, Jacinta and the Café de Loch. (Remember? She offered to give me the cup and saucer, but I only grabbed the handle to have the last slurp from the mug, so gravity was left ‘holding’ the plate when she let go. Doh!) I digress; back to the ride.

Dave decides Ben should lead us on a loop of South Gippsland, which he does, admirably, as always. The roads are lots of fun and require full attention, to avoid the plentiful dips and bumps in mid-corner.

We completed a figure eight (or was that sixteen) around the back roads between Loch and Inverloch. We went passed several interesting sights from many directions, including the Black ‘Blackbird’, car and an attractive female.

The loops were completed after a photo shoot overlooking the sea and included shots of Ian and Joel’s pair of black CBR1000RR’s and of course the MV Augusta. Nice smiles from Ian too.

Lunch was served, again at Loch, and discussions centred around that attractive female previously seen on the ride, but as I only had eyes for the road at the time, I could not offer anything to the conversation. Paul and Ben’s claim that I am not interested in women, but this has no truth at all. I was just busy slinging the Honda armchair through the corners!

Talk then focused on tyre marks as left by Dave on the MV. Appropriate use if you ask me, seeing as someone else is paying for the rubber! Somewhere in the discussion however, seen with the usual black marks was a comment from someone about leaving a few brown ones as well. Classic comment and received many laughs! Adequate excuse to be appointed rear-rider if you ask me.

For a change, Ben is now hustling Dave to get going and my laughing out too loud at this and previous jokes has landed me with ‘article duties’. D’oh!

So from Loch, we now head toward Warragul and Yarra Junction. Ian and Alois have left for the day and Ern is appointed rear rider. This section should be fantastic with plenty of sweeping curves and winding roads. I had planned to ride with Lyn, but she was better organized and got away to an early start after lunch. Now I’m not sure if Dave and Paul have swapped bikes in this stage, as I was last to leave Loch and didn’t see them until Warragul. I presume they swapped bikes while corner marking. (This was subsequently discussed at the end of the ride. Lyn was also given the opportunity to ride the MV.)

The road to Warragul was a lot of fun, but has one deceptive corner that caught a few of us napping. Joel was in front and paying attention, while to the left of the road, there is a delightful view that must be admired, overlooking lush green valleys and rolling hills and cows and long grass and flowers and birds singing…. Picture perfect really…. just don’t look too long. Ahead is a right hander that drops away quickly and an early set-up before entry into the corner is required. A severe handful of brake can get you out of trouble, but remember to release before turning!

After Warragul we arrived at Drouin South and instead of heading North directly to Noojee, we turned right to explore an excellent section of road full of twisties and challenges. Great detour Dave!

After Noojee and it’s the familiar flowing stretch to Yarra Junction, minus any gravel as found by Breht in a recent trip.

When stopping at the junction, the consensus was that Dave’s ride was top notch and had conquered us all. A cold drink or beer at home would cap off the day perfectly, so everyone headed home. (There was talk of riding Reefton as the last leg, but fatigue had its victory and a leisurely ride home was welcomed.)

Now I know that somewhere in amongst the group was Breht because I remember saying hello at Berwick and goodbye at Yarra Junction. He must have been hanging out with Dave and Paul, getting deep and meaningful about motorbikes.

Top ride Dave. Thanks.

Peter Feistl